3 John 1:9-14 - Diagnosing Diotrephes

Diagnosing Diotrephes


Doctrinal – beliefs about Christ

Moral – following God’s commands

Social – loving other Christians

3 John 9-13

9 I have written something to the church,

but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself

first, does not acknowledge our

authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up

what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense

against us.

3 John 9-13

And not content with that, he refuses to

welcome the brothers, and also stops

those who want to and puts them out of

the church.11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate

good. Whoever does good is from

God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

3 John 9-13

12 Demetrius has received a good

testimony from everyone, and from the

truth itself. We also add our testimony,

and you know that our testimony is true.

3 John 9-13

13 I had much to write to you, but I would

rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I

hope to see you soon, and we will talk

face to face.





Diagnosing Diotrephes: SYMPTOMS

Loves to be first

Opposes John’s teaching

Spreads malicious nonsense

Refuses to welcome other believers

Stops others from doing so

A Healthy Believer:

Walks in light vs. darkness

1 John 1:5-2:2

Lives obediently, avoids habitual sin

1 John 2, 2 John 7-11

Tests truth and error

1 John 2:18-27, 4:1-6, 2 John 1-7

Loves others

1 John 3:11-18, 1 John 4

A Healthy Believer:

Has a consistent witness for Christ

1 John 5

Has a confident prayer life

1 John 5:14-16

A Healthy Believer:

Walks in light

Lives obediently, avoids sin

Tests truth and error

Loves others

Has a consistent witness for Christ

Has a confident prayer life

A Healthy Believer:


Loves to be first





Arrogance…

Diagnosing Diotrephes: DIAGNOSIS


Loves to be first









Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God

with all your heart and with all your

soul and with all your mind.’ This is the

first and greatest commandment. And

the second is like it: ‘Love your

neighbor as yourself.’”





Hebrews 13:16

And do not forget to do good and to

share with others, for with such

sacrifices God is pleased.





Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or

vain conceit. Rather, in humility value

others above yourselves, not looking to

your own interests but each of you to

the interests of the others.

Arrogance…

Diagnosing Diotrephes: DIAGNOSIS

Humility…

Diagnosing Diotrephes: CURE

1 Peter 3:8

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be

sympathetic, love one another, be

compassionate and humble. Do not

repay evil with evil or insult with

insult. On the contrary, repay evil with

blessing…

Diagnosing Ourselves

Doctrinal

Moral

Social

Spiritual

3 John 1:9-14 - Diagnosing Diotrephes