Diotrephes: Portrait of an UN-Leader

Text—3 John 9-10

Introduction—Role Models

A. Positive and Negative types

1. We can learn from both

2. Many examples found in the bible

B. Prefix—“Un” means ‘Not’

1. Old 7UP ads

a. To show they were not like Coke of Pepsi

b. Called themselves, “The UnCola”

c. 1970s ad with Pitchman, Geoffrey Holder

d. Because of this, sales surge.

2. Character of Diotrephes, a leader of the church

a. Showed himself to be the opposite.

b. Did things contrary to the position.

c. Example of a Negative Role Model

I. A Letter from John

A. The three letters of John

1. The first, general address (No one specific) 1 Jn. 1: 1-3

2. The Second—2 Jn. 1 (Elect lady and children)

3. The Third—To Gaius 3 Jn. 1, current church leader

B. An apostle of Christ

1. Traveled with Jesus for 3 ½ years

2. Member of the “inner council” (Peter, John, James)

a. With Jesus during transfiguration—Mk. 9: 2

b. With Jesus in Garden of Gethsemane

i. Eleven were with him

ii. Three separated from rest—Matt. 26: 36-38

3. When letter arrived…

a. Receiving a letter from apostle, big deal

b. Perhaps gathered around, one read it

c. Verses 9-10 pointed the finger at one of their own

II. Four Marks of an Un-Leader

A. An Un-leader is An Un-Servant

1. Who was Diotrephes?

a. Preacher? Teacher? Elder? Unknown!

b. Loved the preeminence (to be first)—vs. 9a

i. Preeminent—having paramount rank, dignity, or importance; superiority

ii. Thought himself above others

2. Jesus said—

a. First is last—Mk. 9: 35, “And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

b. Humble—Matt. 18: 4, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

c. Servant—Matt. 20: 26-28

3. Christian Leadership is giving your best without having to be first

a. Give of your self—2 Cor. 8: 5

i. Give time to be at worship (Show up)

ii. Give time to participate (Not audience)

iii. Give time to study the scripture (inner man) 2 Cor. 4: 16

b. Put others’ needs first

i. Monetary

ii. Encouragement—Heb. 10: 25

iii. Prayers—

1 Thess. 5: 25, “pray for us”

2 Thess. 1: 11, “we pray for you”

(Jas. 5: 16) “Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.”

B. An Un-leader is Un-teachable—vs. 9b

1. Claims to be the authority—“does not receive us”

a. Not good enough in his eyes.

b. Jesus said, Matt. 15: 7-9

c. Peter said, Acts 5: 27-29

d. Paul said, Col. 2: 8

2. Apostle inspired by God

a. Paul—1 Cor. 2: 10, 13-16

b. 2 Tim. 3: 16-17

3. Heaven is for “Grown Ups”

a. 2 Pet. 3: 18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever.”

b. Heb. 5: 12-14 (vs. 13)

C. An Un-leader is Unjust—vs. 10b

1. “Malicious words”

a. Gossip and busybodies—1 Tim. 5: 11-13

b. Wisdom from Proverbs

i. Prov. 10:20, “The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.”

ii. Prov. 15: 2, “The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly”

iii. Prov. 17: 20, “He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.”

iv. Prov. 21: 23, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.

c. Rom. 1: 28-32

2. Spirit of the antichrist

a. Not of us—1 Jn. 2: 18-20

b. Jesus—Lk. 10: 16

D. An Un-leader is Un-hospitable (inhospitable)—vs. 10c

1. Asked in class if Christians were more hospitable than in Bible times.

a. Less due to accommodations, hotel, vehicles

b. Less due to fear of strangers.

c. Hospitality—definition

d. Something simple as greeting at church building

e. Offering a bible study, etc.

2. Diotrephes—

a. Refused those who were sent by John

b. Banned others to receive them

c. Church of Diotrephes, not church of Christ

3. Heb. 10: 34, compassion, “For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of you possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.”

4. Jesus said, Matt. 25: 34-40 (vs. 40)

5. Gaius commended for his hospitality—vs. 5-6

III. Bible Examples of True Leaders

A. Moses

1. Led his people out of Egypt—Ex. 13: 17-18

2. Went before God on Mount Sinai—Ex. 19: 20-21

3. Brought them to the Promised Land—Deut. 34: 1-4

B. Josiah

1. Son of Amon—2 Kings 21: 26-22: 2

2. Walked in the Ways of Jehovah—2 Ki. 23: 3

3. Got rid of the Idols and other items

a. Took away the vessels—vs. 4

b. Put down the idolatrous priests—vs. 5

c. Took out the Asherah and Houses of Sodomites—vs. 6-7

d. Defiled and tore down the high places and altars—vs. 8-15

e. Slew the priests of the High Places—vs. 20

4. Kept the Passover—2 Ki. 23: 21-23

C. Jesus

1. Servant—Mk. 9: 33-35

2. Little Child—Matt. 18: 1-5

3. Minister—Matt. 20: 26-28, “Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Conclusion

3 Jn. 11