(Text Only)
Title: The Five Criticisms of Diotrephes
We are now into our third sermon on 3 John. If you recall, in our first sermon we looked at John’s salutation, and the four main characters that play a role in this letter. Last week we looked at John’s words of encouragement to Gaius because Gaius has developed a wonderful reputation of hospitality amongst his community. And today, the final character, Diotrephes, is introduced.
Today we will look at the first two of five criticisms that John has of Diotrephes, examine them, and then examine ourselves to make sure that none of these things plays a role in our lives, on in the lives of this fellowship.
(read/pray)
- Diotrephes loves to have preeminence
The first criticism John has of Diotrephes is a matter of his lack of humility. Look at the way some various translations report this issue:
- “loves to have preeminence” KJV/NKJV
- “loves to be leader” NLT
- “loves to be first” NIV
- “likes to put himself first” ESV
- loves to be first among them” NASB
You get the idea. And, sadly, you probably know people like this. Controllers, people who are presumptuous about their role. People for whom humility is rarely seen in them, unless that humility is used to make them look more holy. For some of us, this isn’t a struggle at all, we are reluctant leaders, we are more than willing to be a support to the ministry, but feel no desire to lead the charge. Brian Ronk comes to mind a great lieutenant. He can absolutely be counted on for anything, but I’ve never had seen Brian commandeer a project and make himself chief cook and bottle washer.
Then there are others of us who do have natural leadership ability and qualities. I feel that I am one of those types of people, and for me, the challenge is to make sure that I’m a facilitating leader, giving everyone a voice and a chance to be heard.
And this may surprise you, but I don’t always love being up front. There are many times when I don’t feel worthy or qualified to speak to you. But I do it, because it is my charge, it is my position. There is zero evidence that Diotrephes was an elected leader in this church. It seems he made himself so. But even if he was elected, he loves the spotlight.
These people, and we all know them, can just be insufferable. There is nothing more annoying to me than someone who loves to hear themselves speak. And again, the root of the problem is a total lack of humility. The only thing worse than being in a room or meeting with one of these people is being in a meeting with two of them.
I one time actually left a meeting of church leaders because I was so digusted with the way these two particular men were just going back and forth. And the real tragedy was, they were not even disagreeing with each other, they were just battling to be the alpha male. I was young, and I’m sure my words would have fallen upon deaf ears, but one of my great regrets was not rebuking both of them right then and there, because it should have been done.
A good pastor does not love the spotlight, because that means he loves to be seen and heard.
POINT: A good Christian leader does not love the spotlight. A good Christian leader accepts the responsibilities of the spotlight, and does his best to move the spotlight off of himself and onto Christ.
- Diotrephes would not receive John
Again, for the point of clarifying exactly what John is saying, let me show you the various English translations:
- “receiveith us not” KJV
- “does not acknowledge our authority” NLT/ESV
- “will have nothing to do with us” NIV
- “does not accept what we say” NASB
This is actually a much bigger indictment against Diotrephes than you might initially think. It’s a much bigger issue than having someone in the church who hogs the spotlight and appoints themselves the figurehead of a church. That’s just a character flaw.
But this is critical on two levels:
- Diotrephes is sinning by not receiving (considering) the words of a noted leader within the Church.
Listen, John Piper is not a member of HBC. I know, that shocks some of you, me too. But he’s not. He isn’t even officially a Southern Baptist, he’s independent. I’ve never met him, probably never will, and he has no binding authority over me, or over you, or anyone at HBC.
That being said, if a letter arrives tomorrow from John Piper in our mailbox, and it’s addressed to me, and it’s about some things that he’s heard about my ministry that he wants to challenge me on, you best believer I’m going to read it, consider it, pray through it, and write him back!
Why?
Because it’s John Piper!
He is a noted, respected, recognized voice in American Pastoral leadership. I’d be a fool to not consider his words. Now, I’m not saying that Piper would automatically be right about his concerns (that’s why I’d write him back), but I wouldn’t be dismissive of his viewpoint. And that’s exactly how Diotrephes is sinning.
- Diotrephes is also sinning by not recognizing the apostolic authority given to John as an apostle.
This is a hugely tragic flaw of Diotrephes. The church was initially built on the work and profession of the 12 apostles. When the apostles died off (and it’s very likely that at the time of this letter, John was the last living apostle) what became the authoritative voice to the church?
The Scriptures!
And who wrote the scriptures? Either the apostles wrote them directly: Matthew, Mark, John, Paul, Peter…OR, they were written eye-witness account OF the apostles: Gospel of Luke and Acts.
The point is clear: John was an apostle, he had authority to speak to this church, and Diotrephes was still not listening to him.
See the familliar theme?
Diotrephes is a tragically prideful person, in need of serious rebuke, and John will get into that a bit more next week.
My closing thought to you, Pride IS the root of all sin, and can manifest itself in a multitude of ways, infecting you, and others around you. Be humble before the face of God, and be humble with your fellow man!