A Soul Winner's Joy
Introduction
As we walk through our Christian life there are many things that bring us joy. I truly am blessed each time I get an email from some person I've partnered with in the ministry. As a matter of fact, leading people to Christ and watching them mature is the highlight of a soul winner's life. Notice how John responds to information he'd received about Gaius.
I. The Method He Employs, Vs. 4
A. The Energy He Expressed, Vs. 4
"I have no greater joy..." vs. 4. One method of showing his relationship to the converts was to rejoice greatly. The word joy isn't to just say, Hey, man I'm happy for you - it's derived from the word Khah ee ro and means to show physical signs of gladness at the accomplishments of someone else. John had a genuine glad heart when he learned how well his friends were doing. It's heartbreaking when I see the saints of God uneasy about someone else's accomplishments - somehow we get this feeling that we should always be looked up to. I remember an old machine shop phrase we used to tell our foreman, "You better treat me nice; someday you'll work for me." I truly believe that John hoped that would be true of his converts. Not only do we see the energy he expressed but also the effort he exerted.
B. The Effort He Exerted, Vs. 4
"...than to hear..." vs. 4. This phrase implies that John made a point of hearing. He didn't check up on the saints - he just checked out the saints. He made an effort to see how they were doing - to evaluate their progress. It's like going out of your way to see how some brother is doing in the faith. I've got pastors and friends I call or email regularly just to see how they're doing "in the faith" - to see what God is doing in their lives. One way John showed his relationship to the saints was truly to rejoice with them and to keep up with them. Not only do we see the method he employs, but also the message he enjoys.
II. The Message He Enjoys, Vs. 4
A. Who The Message Was About, Vs. 4
"...my children..." vs. 4. These are the beneficiaries of John's ministry. I'm sure just as you and I, John loved to hear about God's work - but especially from those of the household. Look back at the word greater in the beginning of vs. 4 - it implies that John had joy and then he had great joy. People whose lives he helped form - Women's Ministry Leaders - Sunday School teachers - nursery workers - bus drivers - bible study teachers - choir leaders - and so many more - you have a group of people whose lives you're helping to form. Check up on them - see how they've grown past your teaching and rejoice with them because they're partly conceived by you. You're one of their spiritual parents. Not only do we see who the message was about, but also what the message was about.
B. What The Message Was About, Vs. 4
"...walk in truth.," vs. 4. Want to break a man's heart? Let one of his children fail - or fail to grow. Listen! ...no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth., vs. 4. The word the points to a particular faith - the one John taught them - it took root - it grew -it flourished - it flowered into something beautiful! ...no greater joy... vs. 4.