Two Contrasting Examples

3 John 9-15

3 John 9–15 NLT

9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth. 13 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink. 14 For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

INTRODUCTION:

A- John had written to the church about the issue in a previous letter.

1- “I wrote somewhat to the Church” (reading, with the best authorities, ἔγραψά τι) probably means that St. John had written a letter, now lost, and perhaps destroyed by Diotrephes, to the Church to which Diotrephes belonged.

2- Evidently the first letter was much more extensive than 3 John.

B- John raised the issue of whose example Gaius should follow.

1- The example of Diotrephes (an ungodly example)

2- The example of Demetrius (a godly example)

I- A UNGODLY EXAMPLE (3 John 9-10)

3 John 9–10 NLT

9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

A- Desires to be the Top-Dog (3 John 9)

“I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader*, refuses to have anything to do with us.”

*ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν Διοτρεφὴς

1- Diotrephes displayed an attitude that is antithetical to Christ’s teaching.

(Mark 10:42–45)

Mark 10:42–45 NLT

42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2- The apostles also taught the path of humility.

(Philippians 2:2-3)

Philippians 2:2–3 NLT

2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

(James 3:13–16)

James 3:13–16 NLT

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

B- Depreciates God-Appointed Leaders (3 John 9)

3 John 9 NLT

9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us.

*οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς

1- Diotrephes rejected any authority beyond himself.

2- We are admonished to recognize those leaders God has placed over us.

(Heb 13:17)

Hebrews 13:17 NLT

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

(2 Thess 3:14–15)

2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 NLT

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.

C- Destroys people with a Devilish tongue (3 John 10)

3 John 10 NLT

10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

*λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς

“G” for Gossip

R. G. LeTourneau was for many years an outstanding Christian businessman—headed a company which manufactured large earthmoving equipment.

He once remarked, “We used to make a scraper known as “Model G.” One day somebody asked our salesman what the “G” stood for. The man, who was pretty quick on the trigger, immediately replied, “I’ll tell you. The “G” stands for gossip because like a talebearer this machine moves a lot of dirt and moves it fast!” 

1- We must not slander other believers.

(James 1:26)

James 1:26 NLT

26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

2- When we slander others it reveals what is in our own hearts.

(Luke 6:45)

Luke 6:45 NLT

45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

D- Displays an inhospitable spirit (3 John 10)

3 John 10 NLT

10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, We are admonished to be hospitable.he puts them out of the church.

(ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφούς)

1- We are admonished to be hospitable.

(Rom 12:13)

Romans 12:13 NLT

13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

2- We never know the whole picture.

(Heb 13:2)

Hebrews 13:2 NLT

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

E- Destroys fellowship (3 John 10)

3 John 10 NLT

10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

he also tells others (τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει)not to help them.

And when they do help, he puts them out of the church (ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει.).”

1- Engaging in divisive behavior demonstrates control by the flesh.

(James 4:1–2)

James 4:1–2 NLT

1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

(Gal 5:19–21)

Galatians 5:19–21 NLT

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

II- A GODLY EXAMPLE (3 John 11-12)

3 John 11–12 NLT

11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

A- Refuses to be influenced by bad examples. (3 John 11)

3 John 11 NLT

11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

*μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακόν

1- Don’t follow or fellowship with those who set bad esamples.

(Titus 3:10–11)

Titus 3:10–11 NLT

10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.

(Phil 3:17–19)

Philippians 3:17–19 NLT

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

B- Recognizes the importance of actions.(3 John 11)

3 John 11 NLT

11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

1- We are to recognize those who serve God by their fruit.

(1 John 3:10)

1 John 3:10 NLT

10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

(Matt 7:16–20)

Matthew 7:16–20 NLT

16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

C- Respects the heart-felt opinions of godly people. (3 John 12)

3 John 12 NLT

12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

1- Pay attention to the testimony of Godly people.

(1 Thess 5:12–13)

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NLT

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

(2 Tim 3:10–11)

2 Timothy 3:10–11 NLT

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.

D- Reflects the truth of God in life. (3 John 12)

3 John 12 NLT

12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

(John 8:31–32)

John 8:31–32 NLT

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(Ps 86:11)

Psalm 86:11 NLT

11 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

CONCLUSION:

Questions to Ponder:

What was Diotrephes' attitude towards leadership as described in 3 John 9-10?

What evidence does John provide to show the difference between Diotrephes and Demetrius?

According to 3 John 11, what should we do when we see bad examples in others?

How does John encourage recognition of godly leaders in the church?