Dealing with the self-serving leader

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.  Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

(3 John 9-10)

I wrote to the church

1. It occurred that John had written to the church before
2. That letter of John could be on the subject of hospitability
3. However, that letter of John was never read to the church for certain reasons unknown

But Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them…

1. Diotrephes, who seems to be one of the church leaders,
   1. Loves to have the preeminence among them
   2. Loves to be the first among the brethren
   3. Loves to be most popular among the colleagues
   4. Diotrephes thus is a self-serving leader to say the least
2. He does not receive us (John and his colleagues)
   1. As ministers of God
   2. As ministers with authority over local churches

Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, …

1. John will call to mind the deeds of Diotrephes, meaning, he will hold Diotrephes accountable for his actions
2. Some of the deeds of Diotrephes
   1. He prats against them with malicious words
   2. Moreover, he himself does not receive the brethren in a manner worthy of God (he is not hospitable toward the brethren)
   3. He forbids those willing to exercise hospitability toward the brethren
   4. He even abuses his church leadership position to excommunicate them

Challenges

1. Church leaders should not seek to serve themselves
2. They should seek to serve others, practicing the servant leadership
3. Let us learn to call to mind the ministers’ actions uncalled for
4. Let us also exercise hospitability toward
   1. Godly ministers
   2. Genuine brethren