Aug. 30, 2026

3 John 13-15

In Person

1. The Absolute Need for Human Contact (vs. 13, 14)

A. There is More

B. Face to Face

2 John 1:12

C. The Promise in So Many New Testament Letters

Romans 15:29

1 Corinthians 16:10-12

Ephesians 6:21-22

Philippians 4:15-22

Colossians 4:10

Titus 3:15

Philemon 1:22

2. God’s Design and How We Are Wired

A. A God Initiative

Abraham

Isaiah 41:8

2 Chronicles 20:3-7

James 2:23

”God’s love tells us that He is friendly and His Word assures us that He is our friend and wants us to be His friends. No man with a trace of humility would first think that he is a friend of God; but the idea did not originate with men. Abraham would never had said ‘I am God’s friend,’ but God Himself said that Abraham was His friend.” AW Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

Moses

Exodus 33:11

Exodus 33:14-15

Jesus

John 1:14-18

Revelation 22:20

John 14:3

B. The Church’s Grace Initiative

John 15:13-15

Hebrews 10:23-25

“…that also clarifies the goal of al Christian community: they meet one another as bringers of the message of salvation. As such, God permits them to meet together and gives the community. Their fellowship is founded solely upon Jesus Christ and this ‘alien righteousness’. All we can say, therefore is: the community of Christians springs solely from the Biblical and Reformation message of the justification of man through grace alone; this alone is the basis of the longing of Christians for one another.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Jude 1:20-23

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

3. Peace to you (v. 15)

A. Our Peace Maters

2 Corinthians 13:11

Ephesians 2:14

B. Each. Person. Matters.

“…a Christian comes to others only through Jesus Christ. Among men there is strife. ‘He is our peace’ says Paul of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:14). Without Christ there is discord between God and man and between man and man. Christ became the Mediator and made peace with God and among men. Without Christ we should not know God, we could not call upon Him, nor come to Him. But without Christ we also would not know our brother, nor could we come to him. The way is blocked by our own ego. Christ opened the way to God and to our brother.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Reflection:

How do you participate in Christ’s community, the church?

How are the deep relationships bought for you by Christ’s own blood being pursued by you?

Follow UP in the Word through the Week…

Monday:

Read: 1 Corinthians 16:10-12

Paul is signing off with some instructions about those who are coming to the Corinthians. What do you notice about these instructions? Why is it important for them to have personal interaction with each of these people?

Tuesday:

Read: James 2:32

Why is it such a big deal that Abraham was called a  friend of God?

Wednesday:

Read: Exodus 33:14-15

What is so important about the presence of God to Moses? How would you explain the presence of God to someone else?

Thursday:

Read: John 1:14-18

Why is it so important that we believe that Jesus came in the flesh? How would you explain the “Incarnation” to someone else?

Friday:

Read: Hebrews 10:23-25

How are you putting this into practice in your life?

Saturday:

Read: 2 Corinthians 13:11

What are the commands in this verse and what is the promise? How are the two categories connected?