TITLE: Bidding Godspeed

TEXT: 2 John 9-11

PROPOSITION:

QUESTION: When?

KEY WORD: Applicable

Introduction:

1. 2 John is a short (1 chapter) book of only 13 verses.

2. John does not want to burden then in letter – wants to see them – v. 12

3. Two issues -

   1. What is “godspeed”?

   2. When should we bid godspeed / not bid godspeed?

Godspeed

1. Means – provide aid, assistance, comfort, encouragement

2. John says – don't invite them to your house, feed them, give them money

3. Greet = more than say “Hello” - means welcome, treat as a welcome brother

Do Not Withhold Godspeed Because:

1. Personal disagreements

   1. Acts 15 – Paul and Barnabas disagreed – not broken fellowship

   2. 2 Timothy 4:11 – Paul welcomed Mark to come, an encouragement

2. Matters of personal conscience

   1. Romans 14 – my choice to eat sloppy joes on Christmas, your choice to eat something else

   2. Give gifts – celebrate with family – ignore the holidays – your choice

3. Weak Christians with less knowledge than I think I have

   1. Acts 18:24-28 – Apollos – great knowledge – except one important point

   2. If others know more – learn from them

   3. If you have greater knowledge – share it in love

Do Withhold Godspeed from:

1. False teachers – those who publicly teach a false doctrine

2. Unwilling to learn, grow, be corrected, be taught

3. Romans 16:17 – mark them – contrary to the doctrine

4. 1 John 4:1 – try the spirits

Does this passage apply to us today?

1. Yes – false doctrine still is present – in the religious worldliness

2. Yes – false doctrine is still present – among preachers, teachers, brethren

3. Yes – false doctrine is still present – in weak Christians