JOHN THE ELDER HAD A PRECIOUS PERSONAL MESSAGE, AND GOD WAS SO IN IT THAT IT IS IN YOUR BIBLE!

1. The Elder is a title, This came from a pastor of a church, position with great demands
2. The Elder also means one who is quite old! We need to learn to listen again to aged wisdom
3. John's name is not in this letter but his perennality shows through in every verse-

What kind of personality do you project to all who see you? John's bears eternal blessings to all

I.- JOHN WROTE TO "THE ELECT LADY" V.1

The message was to the entire family, but it was headed by a lady who carried herself as a queen

A.- DO WE INTERPRET "THE ELECT LADY" FIGURATIVELY OR LITERALLY? GREAT MEN HAVE DONE BOTH!

1. Jerome (who wrote Latin Vulgate of Catholic Church) says this means the Total Christian Church
2. Other ancients have preached that this meant some particular local church- & guessed which one
3. But this letter is too direct, too personal, too simple to be an analogy! Not a parable!

B.- THIS MUST HAVE BEEN TO AN ACTUAL LADY AND HER CHILDREN WHOSE CHARITY & GRACE WAS KNOWN TO JOHN

1. The Apostle knew her as a Christian woman- the use of the word "Elect" showed she belonged-
2. The Apostle knew her children, and rejoiced that they walked in the truth -
3. He knew her sister's children- v13, and sent greetings- even the nephews and nieces loved her

C.- BUT A CLOSER EXAMINATION OF WHAT JOHN ACTUALLY WROTE OPENS SOME NEW THINGS TO OUR MINDS

1. "The Electos" -means the one chosen, excellent, preeminent- Chosen by God
2. "Lady" is Gr. "Kuria", feminine for Lord! A great mark of respect for one who is a queen!
3. No mention of a husband- means widow! And she carries herself in such a way-Bible book to her -

There were several ladies who played important parts in the early church- Lidia, Phoebe, Priscilla

II.- JOHN WROTE TO ASSURE HER OF LOVE

The Word Love has been almost perverted today- BUT we need to assure people of our pure love!

A.- JOHN WROTE "WHOM I LOVE IN THE TRUTH" AND THESE MUST BE OUR WORDS TOO!

1. A bishop must be a lover of hospitality- and good men-Titus 1:8a- and also of good women!
2. If Husband and wife are to love as brethren-I Pet 3:8- why not a genuine,-pure, manly love
3. It takes time and grace from God to learn such a pure love- take the time to develop it!

B.- HE ALSO WROTE "BUT ALSO ALL THAT HAVE KNOWN THE TRUTH.-" John wasn't only one to love.

1. "Truth has such a face and such a mien, that to be loved needs only to be seen"-John Dryden
2. Scripture commands a pure, manly, Christian love & respect for all women- with courtesy!
3. This one's life was such that it was easy to love her in truth and respect! To know her-love her

C.- THE MOTIVE FOR THE LOVE IS SHOWN "FOR TRUTH'S SAKE." v. 2a ALSO MOTIVE FOR ALL CHRISTIAN LIFE

1. We are commanded -I Pet 1:22 -to love one another with a pure heart fervently: Children? Adults?
2. Human motives are very fickle & I warned you about affection -if impure- it hurts YOU!
3. But if you really know Jesus- you will learn to love, to show it, and to do so in purity!

We all need assurance of love! Women are especially built to need this often! Don't cheat them!

III.- WE NEED LOVE IN TRUTH FOR TODAY

Mother's day ought to purest, best kind of love we are capable of! express it!

A.- WE NEED ELECT LADIES TO LOVE! WE NEED SOME GOD LIKE, QUEEN LIKE, LADIES TO LOOK UP TO! 

1. I must plead with you- Ladies do not be false to yourself- I Pet3:3,4 -true beauty! Pure beauty
2. Be a queen- Be like the Lord in your deportment and bearing! Real men all respect a real lady
3. Be "Elect" - Make your election sure-! Are you saved? Then say it! Live it! If not do it

B.- WE NEED CHILDREN, REAL MEN, AND OTHER WOMEN - TO HAVE PURE HEARTS TO LOVE WITH! FOR TRUTH SAKE

1. Unto the pure, all things are pure- But! Titus 1:15. We have too many who are defiled, evil!
2. The role of today's woman has been influenced by Playboy-played with & thrown away! lust-death
3. But a Christian person will give a certain honor, respect, & courtesy:; deserved or not!

C.- BUT ONLY THROUGH JESUS CAN YOU BECOME ELECT, OR HAVE A PURE HEART, OR LEARN REAL LOVE!

1. Matt 5:8 tells us that the blessing is reserved for the pure in heart - they shall see God.
2. If you would like to be an "Elect Lady"- then come to Jesus, be saved! He makes Saints
3. If you lack ability to love in truth- then get your heart washed by Blood of Lamb-get saved!

The World's love may be fun-but it soon decays & rots! Only "love in truth" stays sweet!

WILL YOU ALLOW THIS MOTHER'S DAY TO BE THE TIME YOU LEARNED TO LOVE IN TRUTH? COME TO JESUS NOW 

1. If you need love come to Jesus- He loves you, and has made a wonderful provision to save you
2. Let Him teach you to love in truth and He will enrich your life with great opportunity
3. Learn in Him to express your love- "Give flowers to living -the dead don't enjoy them"

A simple word of real love and appreciation can be as inspiring to one as this book to all