This document is a letter from John to an "elect lady" and her children. John refers to having joy in finding some of the lady's children walking in truth. He encourages them to love one another according to God's commandments. John warns of deceivers who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. He advises watching themselves to not lose their reward, and to not receive or greet anyone who does not bring the teaching of Christ. The children of the elect lady's sister send their greetings.

1. Hospitality
January 15, 2012
Everlasting Mercy Fellowship

2. 1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I,
but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will
be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the
Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced
greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were
commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were
writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the
beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according
to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from
the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out
into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.
Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you
may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone
who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have
God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If
anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into
your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his
wicked works. 12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use
paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy
may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

3.  Elect Lady
 Who is she?
 Is she Electa or Kuria (or Kira) – Kuria is the Greek term for lady
 We don’t actually know her name but clearly, John knows her. He knows her
so well, he simply calls her Elect Lady and calls himself, Elder . In addition to
that, she was known among the community of believers (see 2nd John 1:1)
 What do we know about her?
 She had children, which the Apostle John had some personal knowledge of,
who walked in truth (see 2nd John 1:4)
 What do we know about the time historically?
 Using your home to entertain was common however, using it as a ministry
tool was unique.
 There were many itinerant teachers who went from town to town and usually
stayed at a host home. Because of this, there were many itinerant false
prophets who went out (see 2nd John 1:7-9)
 She exercised hospitality through the use of her home however John gave her
a ground rule for the use of that gift (see 2nd John 2:10)

5.  That’s not my calling or gifting (see Romans 12:3-8; Romans 12:13, 1st Peter 4:8-
10)
 Romans 12:3-8
▪ 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has
assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same
function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to
our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts
of mercy, with cheerfulness.
 Romans 12:13
▪ 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
 1st Peter 4:8-10
▪ 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
 Just because it’s not your calling, does that mean you are to have no participation
in it ie. Evangelists vs. Evangelism.
 Hospitality is the fruit of generosity and should be practiced towards all as an
expression of God’s common grace but especially to the saints with whom we
share a common Father (see Romans 12:10)

6.  I don’t have any money (see 2nd Corinthians 8:1-5)
 2nd Corinthians 8:1-5
▪ 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the
churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their
extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave
according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not
as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to
us.
 I don’t like people (see Hebrews 13:1-2; Genesis 18:1-8; 2nd Kings 4:8-16)
 Hebrews 13:1-2
▪ 1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for
thereby some have entertained angels unaware.
 Genesis 18:1-8 – Abraham shows hospitality and generosity
 2nd King 4:8-16 – A Shunammite shows hospitality to Elisha
 Charity is a scam (see Matthew 10:16: 2nd John 1:10)
 Matthew 10:16
▪ 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents
and innocent as doves.

7.  3rd John – Living in Truth