The Love of Power

Introduction

We've already seen clearly that evil people are alive and well in the church. They often give the appearance of being spiritual and have a clear Christian vernacular - but these evil people have their own agenda. They fool weak Christians into believing they're strong in their faith but they soon reveal themselves to be bullies and obstinate hypocrites. Here we find such a man in Gaius' church.

I. John's Approach, Vs. 9

A. It Was A Personal Approach, Vs. 9

In verse 9, John is making a personal attempt to visit Gaius' church. He tells whom he is, why he'd like to come and some details about his ministry. We see one thing clearly here, the church was a great church with some wonderful people but there was also a stinker in it. John didn't try to approach the church through some false pretense, he wrote a personal letter requesting permission to visit. We not only see it was a personal approach but also it was a public approach.

B. It Was A Public Approach, Vs. 9

"...wrote unto the church." vs. 9. This is so interesting! Notice something with me, John didn't' write to Diotrephes, he wrote to "the church." A. T. Robertson says Diotrephes wasn't the pastor. He may  have been an elder but most likely he was a deacon! But to Diotrephes he was the church! Notice not only John's approach but also John's reproach.

II. John's Reproach, Vs. 9

A. Diotrephes' Attitude, Vs. 9

"...who loveth to have the preeminence among them..." vs. 9. To Diotrephes, he was the church. It was his building, his schedule, his resources and he didn't need a committee to help him. The scary part about this type of people is they "loveth to have the preeminence." The word "preeminence" is only used one other time in the bible. "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence," Colossians 1:18. This is referring to Christ's position in the church - over all, above all, in all things. Now this same word is used to describe Diotrephes. He was god in that church! Listen carefully here! He didn't think he was God, he thought he worshipped God and everyone else bowed down to him and  he'd take care of them. In other words, he needed God but everyone else needed him.

Notice John's attitude, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30.

Diotrephes' attitude was different. He didn't have to sign anything out because - it was his. He didn't have to reserve anything - it was his. He didn't have to plan a meeting - he could call one anytime he wanted. He didn't have to share the church with other ministries - it was his church. He didn't have to let anyone know anything - but they better let him know! The rules were for other people - not for him. It was him who needed to be considered not the other people in the church. It was I, me and mine! Oh, he'd say, "They can do what they want" but they better not because if they did, he'd pout, quit and/or embarrass them. (This is coming next week) His attitude stunk! We not only see Diotrephes' attitude but also Diotrephes' answer.

B. Diotrephes' Answer, Vs. 9

"...receiveth us not," vs. 9. No way you're coming on my turf! The word "receiveth" is present middle indicative and means that Diotrephes made the decision for everyone. He asked their opinion, but guess what, it didn't matter!