For the sake of the Name

3 John 7-8 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. In John’s second epistle, he warned the church not to be fellow workers with the false teachers who were passing through. In this third epistle, he encouraged Gaius and the church to be fellow workers with the truth by supporting missionaries. He had already told them how to do that—give generously to the brethren who have given their lives to advance the name of Jesus. For the sake of the Name, of course is a reference to Jesus Christ—the revelation of Jesus’ divinity in human form and His saving work. John’s encouragement to generously support men and women who had gone out into the world for the sake of Jesus’ name and ministry was based on three things. One, they had no other support but from the church. He said they accepted nothing from the Gentiles, meaning the unbelieving people from the world, not to be confused with non-Jews in the church. Two, they were worthy of support because they had entrusted themselves to God for their supply and ministries. Third, we, we believers in the church, ought to generously support those whom God has called to full-time service in His name, so that we may enter into the work of the truth in the world. Through giving, we become fellow workers, allies, or partners in the work of God through them. Let’s not miss this connection. John considered their giving to the missionaries to be an expression of the love of God for them and their love for Christ. I get this. I was sent out by Coast Community Church, which a friend of mine and I planted in southern California. They provided our needs for two years to get Elijah Ministries started, with the belief that if God wanted the work to continue, He would supply our needs through the church at large. I was sent out with a specific charge, namely, to call men to turn their hearts to God and equip men to live the gospel. It was understood that this ministry was established for the glory of God, for His name sake. God has supplied all of our needs and many of our wants through the generosity of people who know their giving is the only source of support, who believe we are worthy of support because we have given ourselves to Christ for His name sake, and want to join us in the work of the truth. What a glory to God and a testimony of His love these beloved brothers and sisters are who have faithfully acted out God’s love and expressed His love to us and to those to whom God sends us! If you are one of those listening to this podcast, I thank you, and consider you my fellow worker with the truth. If you are listening and would like to become a fellow worker with the truth through us, I would be so grateful and consider it a privilege to serve with you. You can find a donation channel at spiritofelijah.com or livetolovewithjesus.com. We work together for the sake of the Name as we live to love with Jesus.