ONE OF THE GREATEST MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN IN AN OBSCURE VERSE IN III JOHN

1. This is a rare book- Mentions God twice, but not once does it give the name of Jesus Christ
2. Yet in a little verse on taking care not to offend gentiles in $$, is a glorious gem
3. This passage was almost spoiled for me by a misapplication, but after a while the sweet message of the preciousness of "For His Name's Sake" overshadowed the thorns

I. - FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE TAKING NOTHING OF THE GENTILES !

The Jews were a proud people, and very exacting in racial discrimination & money matters!

A.- THE JEWISH APOSTLES WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GENTILES, FOR THEY WERE SEPERATED FROM THEM

1. Peter had to be forced to go preach to Gentiles- give gospel to them- Acts 10:14 "Not So, Lord"
2. Paul caught Peter being two faced about Gentiles- Gal 2:11-12- and withstood him to his face.
3. It was the accusation that Paul had taken a Gentile into Temple-he was arrested- Acts 21:28

B.- PAUL, THE MISSIONARY TO THE GENTILES, WAS VERY CAREFUL ABOUT TAKING OFFERINGS FROM THEM

1. God called Paul to bear the gospel before the Gentiles- Acts 9:15 -
2. But he took no pay from them for preaching -I or 9:15,18; though later apologized - II Cor 11:8, 12:13
3. Later he took up a lot of money from Gentiles- for the Jews in Jerusalem- Rom 15:27

C.- JOHN THE BELOVED COMMENDED THE ITENERATE PREACHERS OF HIS DAY FOR THEIR CARE WITH OFFERINGS

1. in the area of Gaius, many itinerate preachers stayed with Christians-preaching free 5-8
2. It is not God's plan for outsiders to support the church- we have no Bingo here!

But there is a greater message here than that of not offending the lost over money!

II.- FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE - ΝΟ OTHER NAME

In all the oldest manuscripts - "THE NAME" is set off in a special way to emphasize it

A.- THERE IS A NAME GIVEN IN GOD'S WORD THAT IS A VERY SPECIAL NAME, IN PROPHECY, OT AND NT

1. Languages are tricky- but Isa 7:14,-Matt 1:23, explained by angel-v. 22,25 - NAME of JESUS
2. "Jesus" is Helenized-(Greek) for the OT- Joshua, or Jehovah, or JEHUSHUA, or YAVEE
3. This means -"Savior", or "God who is our Salvation" or "God with us".

B.- JESUS HIMSELF GAVE GREAT AUTHORITY AND POWER TO THIS NAME - His early apostles understood -

1. He promised that where 2 or 3 were gathered in His Name- he would be there with them! Matt 18:20
2. He also promised that whatsoever we ask the Father in His name He would do it! John 14:13

C.- THIS IS NOT A NAME TO BE USED LIGHTLY, BUT IT IS A NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

1. Peter preached on the day of Pentecost "Repent & be Baptized in the Name of Jesus" -Acts 2:38
2. Peter and John healed a man in His Name-Acts 3:6, & offered Salvation to all-4:12
3. Peter preached to the Gentiles in the Name of Jesus- Acts 10:36,43 - Through this name be saved!

D.- PAUL SAW THE DAY THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE WOULD BOW, EVERY TONGUE CONFESS-Phil 2:11

1. Phil 2:9-11- fulfilled in the Day of the Lord-but this day will come! Jesus-Sweet, or Terror
2. David saw this day- and wrote- Kiss the Son lest he be angry- Psa 2:12 -What does that mean to you?

If you Know Him- you love Him; And His name is precious to you; will be more precious!

III. FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE THEY WENT FORTH !

In this instance John did not speak of Salvation- but of a motive for a person's life & conduct

A.- THEY WERE CHRISTIANS ABOUT WHOM HE WROTE, BUT THEY WERE MINISTERING TO GENTILES WITHOUT COST

1. He thanked Gaius for being hospitable 6-8 and helping them minister freely for His Name's sake
2. These men as missionary evangelists had left everything to go out to minister & save souls
3. In fact Paul counted all of his credits -Phil 3:4-9 but loss- to serve in His Name!-

B.- WE TODAY FACE A TIME WHEN MEN AGAIN NEED TO TAKE THEIR MOTIVE FOR LIVING EROM THE BIBLE!

1. If you are a Christian- and name the name of Jesus- then show it! II Tim 2:19 -depart from iniquity
2. Not just negative- Col 3:17- we are to do all that we do "in the name of Jesus"
3. In fact Col 3:18-24 is practical, and complete! all of this "For His Name's Sake"- do you?

C.- I URGE YOU (GRADUATES ESPECIALLY) BUT TO EVERY ONE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR SURRENDER TO COMMAND

1. So many push hard for false motives- $, Prestige, Honor, Power, Ability, or Pleasure, Fun, Things
2. I ask you- put Christ first! Seek His Kingdom first! Live your life "For His Name's Sake".
3. We need only to ask Him - He has a calling- Minister, Missionary- or go forth as soulwinner!

This motive can be a goal for training further- & it can be a goal for work this afternoon!

IN SUCH A DAY OF MOTIVATIONAL RESEARCH, AND HIDDEN PERSUADERS, LET CHRIST JESUS CLAIM YOUR LIFE!

1. Deliberately Confess Him as your savior, turn your life completely over to him!
2. Baptism and Church Membership has a part to play in this- easy decision- for His Name's sake
3. Go all the way- let your daily guide be what you can do "For His Name's Sake!"