3 John 1:7-8 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.… I. THE MOTIVE, CONDUCT, AND DISINTERESTEDNESS OF MISSIONARIES. 1. Their motive: "for His name's sake" — for Christ's service. 2. Their conduct: "they went forth." With the gospel in his hand and the Saviour in his heart he makes his way through burning deserts and the howling wilderness, braving the rage of climates. 3. Their disinterestedness: "taking nothing" of those to whom they are sent. When an artisan or commercial man quits his native country for foreign lands it is in the hope of making a fortune; or when a navigator undertakes an arduous voyage of discovery, it is with the hope of immortalising his name. Not so the Christian missionary. II. THE POWERFUL AND ENCOURAGING MOTIVES which we have to "be fellow-helpers to the truth" by contributing towards the great work of propagating the gospel. 1. It is the command of our Divine Redeemer: "Go ye into all the world," etc. 2. Every intelligent and responsible being needs the gospel, which alone can supply all his moral and spiritual wants. III. WHAT IS OUR DUTY UNDER THESE AFFECTING CALLS UPON OUR SYMPATHIES AND BENEVOLENCE? 1. There is a widely-kindling zeal for the diffusion of knowledge, on the one hand, and an evident eagerness to receive instruction on the other. 2. The facilities for propagating the gospel are now greater than ever. IV. THE BLESSED EFFECTS WHICH HAVE ACTUALLY RESULTED TO MANKIND THROUGH THE DIVINE BLESSING ON MISSIONARY EFFORTS. V. THE DISTINGUISHED RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES WITH WHICH WE ARE PRE-EMINENTLY FAVOURED. (T. H. Home, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.WEB: because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. |
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