“Holding The Rope: My Part in God’s Global Mission” (3 John)

Message Overview

In 3 John, the Apostle John writes to a “rope holder” named Gaius — not a pastor, just a faithful church member — and commends him because he “walks in the truth” by loving and supporting Gospel workers. Gaius shows us what rope holding looks like: it is love in action, support that is “in a manner worthy of God,” and a commitment to the glory of Jesus’ name among the nations. And it presses the question on all of us:
What is MY PART in GOD’s GLOBAL MISSION?

Outline

1. The Testimony of Gaius — A Rope Holder
   How Gaius Held the Rope
   1. He Loved Missionaries — even though strangers (5–6a)
   2. He Supported Missionaries — in a way worthy of Christ (6b)
2. Why Gaius Held the Rope
   1. To Glorify God — “for the sake of the name” (7a)
   2. To Keep the Gospel free of Charge — “accepting nothing from the Gentiles” (7b)
   3. To Obey the Great Commission — “that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (8b)

I can hold the rope by: Praying—Giving—Knowing—Going

Big Idea

The Great Commission is a calling for all of us: we “hold the rope” by loving and supporting Gospel workers so that the name of Jesus is honored among the nations, the Gospel remains free of charge, and we become “fellow workers for the truth.”