JOHN HAD A BELOVED FRIEND NAMED "GAIUS", AND HE WROTE TO HIM A PERSONAL LETTER INSPIRED OF GOD

1. John wrote praying that his friend might prosper & be in health to match his Spiritual prosperity
2. We need to reverse this prayer- We have health & Wealth- but the Soul of America has shrunk
3. If there ever was a vitamin for the soul- it is the writings of John -Gospel for Life; Epistle I.-for joy; II & III-warnings; And Rev.- unveiling the future so we can trust in God!

I.- WHO IS THE WELL-BELOVED GAIUS?  III John 1

Three great character sketches in this book- Gaius, Diotrephes, & Demetrius - each distinct

A.- JUST WHO IS THE MAN GAIUS, ABOUT WHOM JOHN THE BELOVED & ELDER THINKS SO MUCH? SEARCH

1. Scripture mentions of Macedonia-Acts 19:29; Corinth-I Cor 1:14, & Derbe- Acts 20:4
2. But Greek "Gaius" is Roman "Caius" - a name used in Roman Law Books-John Doe, Richard Roe"
3. This man's only claim to fame was the fact that John loved him in truth!

B.- THE PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER OF GAIUS IS WELL DEFINED IN THESE FEW VERSES OF HOLY WRIT

1. He was active in deeds of Christian hospitality- v.5- entertaining traveling saints-strangers
2. He was a man of Sterling Christian Character- nothing derogative said -John Commended to him
3. He was a lay-leader; whose pastor would not help John, nor visiting Christians- Diotrephes

C.- WE ARE IN NEED OF MORE MEN LIKE GAIUS TODAY, THANK GOD WE HAVE SOME IN OUR CHURCH

1. We cry for more preachers- but we sure need more men like this that are spiritually strong
2. It has been a joy through the years to have such in our church- & They are strength of church
3. I don't mind honest weakness-in men; but I detest the self-righteous, & self seeking sinners

If you cannot be someone great in yourself- why not be a great friend to someone? -Gaius was

II. JOHN PRAYED PROSPERITY FOR HIM

Here free and intimate correspondence shows the wealth of the primitive church-faults and all

A. JOHN RECOGNIZED THAT THE SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF GAIUS WAS PROSPERING - WHAT IS A PROSPEROUS SOUL?

1. This is the soul in which the Truth of God dwells richly! Col 3:16-Do you know enough Word?
2. The Doctrinal and practical parts of faith are properly mixed and united in a spirit of love
3. And the life is lived for the highest motives"-For His Name's sake"-7-only mention of Christ

B.- BUT JOHN PRAYED FOR THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND BUSINESS SUCCESS OF HIS BELOVED FRIEND - v.2

1. Next to a healthy Soul is a healthy body- pray for it, work for it- I Tim 4:8-
2. The least importance is the $$ -though some success in business is needful for self image
3. But read Psalms 1 for the picture of the well rounded man-"whatsoever he doeth-prosper"

C.- JOHN MADE THE PROSPERITY OF THE SOUL THE STANDARD AND RULE FOR HIS PRAYER FOR GAIUS

1. Paul prayed for the "Inner Man"- Eph 3:16- and that we might "Know the Love of Christ"
2. If we pray more for the physical & Financial than we do the Spiritual-we will dry up in (last word illegible)
3. If most of the people of our land were as poor in money as in Soul- would be as poor as church (illegible)

How do you pray for your friends? how do you want me to pray for you as your pastor?

III.- WE ̈NEED MORE SOUL PROSPERITY TODAY!

We have more books on being successful, and less practice in successful spiritual living

A.- JESUS PLED WITH THE PEOPLE John 6:27 TO LABOR FOR THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL - FEW HEARD HIM

1. They flocked after the food (Illus of California Political Picnic) But Jesus taught them in spirit
2. Matthew remembered Jesus teaching 6:20,33- lay up treasures in heaven- Seek first Kingdom of God
3. For many today our age of plenty has not satisfied- so turn your heart toward spiritual

B. WE HAVE TRAINED THE MIND AND THE BODY, WHY NOT PUT SOME EMPHASIS ON TRAINING THE SOUL?

1. We have great laws about Education- about Food Purity, now regarding Air Pollution -Souls?
2. Discipline clean, strong body for Athletics- How about discipline in prayer, self-denial?
3. The Scholar spends years studying-Will you search the scriptures for spiritual knowledge?

C.- THE PRICE OF SUCCESS IS TOO HIGH FOR MANY TO BID IN THE OPEN MARKET FOR IT! -Spiritually?

1. I have read many "How to be successful" books- Sales inspiration leaves me cold! -Thank God
2. I am more interested in spiritual success- I have seen many try hard, and trip over weaknesses
3. But every person who seeks God's Kingdom is the better for it- proportion as they labor-

Is it worth the effort to you to have spiritual prosperity in your own heart and life?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, GOD HAS A DEFINITE SUCCESS FORMULA II Peter 1:3-8 "in you and abound-"

1. There is no way to seek God, nor please God, without coming through Jesus to Life Eternal
2. The simple things of obedience- Church Fellowship, Baptism, Stewardship, Service in Church-
3. When you consider Eternity's Values- just what is your investment program? -are you satisfied with the present level of prosperity of your soul?