HELP ONE MORE PERSON DISCOVER JESUS
Postcards From John
About This Series:
Few things can reveal a person’s character, disposition and outlook on life more than private correspondence. Whether in a letter, email or on social media, how we write and what we write has a way of revealing who we are—and what we really want. Through this series from Second and Third John, we discover revealing glimpses into the mind and heart of this great Apostle. Pastor Davey dives deeply into these intimate and encouraging correspondences to John’s friends, providing us a wonderful pattern to follow in our own interactions with others.
Lesson 1: A Letter to a Lady
Even in the salutation of the Apostle John’s Second Letter, he offers profound words of encouragement to the anonymous woman to whom he is writing. He calls her “chosen.” His letter’s opening reminds this woman that she and her children have not been forgotten, and they are loved—by John and the Lord. Whatever our circumstances or challenges, let us remember who we are in Christ and stand firm on the promises of God
Lesson 2: When Nothing Seems To Last
In our culture of moral relativism, “truth” is often defined as “yours” or “mine”—but it’s never absolute. However, as Believers, we can rest in the knowledge that there is a Divinely determined truth. In this lesson, Pastor Davey looks to the words of the Apostle John to remind us that Christ-followers are bound together by our love for truth. And, despite the waxing and waning cultural norms, truth endures forever, transforming us through its mercy, grace and peace.
Lesson 3: Wearing the Dust of the Savior – 2 John 4
Today, as it was in the Garden of Eden, the enemy chips away at God’s truth through patient erosion—he tweaks and adapts it until what is believed is no truth at all. Therefore, it’s not surprising that our current culture embraces so many lies. As parents, our goal is that our children choose to walk in truth, and this lesson from 2 John calls us to be encouraged when they are…and to keep praying when they’re not.
Lesson 4: How to Keep from Growing Cold – 2 John 5-6
Can love be commanded? Isn’t it a “feeling” that’s out of our control? According to Scripture, Christians are, in fact, commanded to love one another with a divine agape love—love that is choice, love that overcomes feelings. In these verses, the Apostle John defines agape love as obedience to God’s will. Here, Pastor Davey expounds upon this truth, describing how walking in love keeps our hearts from growing cold toward others and toward God.
Lesson 5: The Devil’s Great Commission – 2 John 7 & 9
When someone says they believe in Jesus, we can’t presume it’s the real Jesus. False teachers are proclaiming many different versions of Jesus to give people what they want to hear—and lead them away from the Truth. This is Satan’s commission. In this lesson from 2 John, Pastor Davey unpacks John’s warning about the deceptive messages being spread (as true now as it was then), equipping us to identify the false teachers so prevalent today.
Lesson 6: This is No Picnic – 2 John 8
New believers often think that, because they’ve been saved, life from now on will be a picnic. The truth is, however, that the Christian walk is a battlefield, with pummeling enemy fire and hard-fought victories. Throughout Scripture we are charged to put on our armor and use every weapon the Lord has given us for battle with the enemy. Here, the Apostle John warns us to stay alert, so we don’t lose the ground we’ve gained or forfeit our full reward in heaven.
Lesson 7: How to Handle a Heretic – 2 John 8, 10-11
As Christians living in a world of heretical teaching, we don’t need to know about every false religion or belief, we just have to know the Truth. We must keep our eyes open to recognize the shiny distractions of the enemy. Moreover, as the Apostle John writes in these verses, we must shut our doors to those trying to convince us of another gospel. And we must close our wallets to them—don’t buy their books, watch their shows, etc.—or we’ll be helping to spread the lies.
Lesson 8: Heart to Heart – 2 John 12-13
Although John was the last living Apostle, authored several books of the Bible, and was even given a tour of heaven, he used the simple tools of paper and pen—well, papyrus and reed—to provide warm encouragement and rich instruction to the unnamed faithful woman in 2 John. Here, Pastor Davey summarizes the truths of John’s postcard into seven key principles for us to apply as we show Christ’s love to others through whatever gifts God has given us.
Lesson 9: Questions for the Heart – 3 John 1-4
Third John is a personal letter between the great Apostle John and one of his closest friends, and it’s astounding that the issues they faced haven’t changed much over the past two millennia. As Pastor Davey unpacks the first four introductory verses, he raises five questions for which the answers are known only to each of us, respectively, and to God. So, let’s use these promptings as a mirror for our souls and reflect upon how we are progressing in our own walk with the Lord.
Lesson 10: How to Properly Hold the Rope – 3 John 5-7
No matter where we live or what stage of life we’re in, as believers we are called be ambassadors for Christ right where we’re planted. Some are called to go—often to the far reaches of the globe. But, as Pastor Davey explains here, even if we can’t personally go out into the world to start an orphanage, preach to Muslims, or live in the jungles, we can become “rope-holders”, supporting with prayers, finances, and encouragement those who do go.
Lesson 11: Synergy – 3 John 8
A group of people working together can accomplish significantly more than when each person works alone. This is synergy. From the Apostle John’s third letter from Ephesus, Pastor Davey expounds upon the call for Christians to work together—in synergy—to support each other. Specifically, as John writes, we are obligated to financially provide for the Lord’s workers. But more than obligation, giving is our opportunity to joyfully join in the labor to further the Gospel.
Lesson 12: The Devil in Diotrephes – 3 John 9-10
Before the creation of the earth, the sin of pride caused separation from God. And since he was cast out of heaven, the prince of this world—Satan—has been using this insidious offense to establish a wedge between us and the Lord. In these verses from his short letter to a friend, the Apostle John warns us of a prideful church leader, describing five symptoms of pride so we can recognize this soul disease in others…and in ourselves.
Lesson 13: A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep – 3 John 11-12
What kind of influence do we have as Christians today? Do we merely have a widespread presence but make no significant impact? The depth of our Christian impact depends on our action—and our actions are learned by imitation. Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to emulate godly people and virtues, and we’re warned against imitating evil. Here, the Apostle John introduces us to a specific role model who exemplifies qualities worth imitating, so we ourselves can be worthy of imitation, ultimately deepening the impact we have on the world.
Lesson 14: These Friends are Forever – 3 John 13-15
As the Apostle John closes his brief letter in which he was just describing a godly man for us to emulate, his inspired words also reveal why he, John, is also worthy of imitation. Pastor Davey expounds upon these character traits of personal investment, personal influence, and personal interest in others, and why they matter. And he reminds us that when we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ like this, we become a beautiful reflection of our Lord’s regard for us.