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Bad Testimony 

  • 1st – Being Hurtful… vs. 9-11
    • 1st – Love being FIRST… vs. 9
      • I wrote to the church…
        • This was NOT the FIRST letter John had written to the CHURCH…
        • We do NOT know which letter John is referring to – the Gospel – I John – II John…
        • It could even be a letter that was not recorded in the Bible…
        • But he wrote to the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] – we do NOT know which Church…
        • Presumably the CHURCH where Diotrephes was the PASTOR!
      • But Diotrephes – who loves to have the preeminence among them – does not receive us!
        • DIOTREPHES [Διοτρεφής] – ironically his name means to feed ZEUS [chief of Greek gods]
        • He would NOT read the letters from John to the CHURCH – because…
        • PREEMINENCE [φιλοπρωτεύω] – to LOVE [φίλος] to be FIRST [πρῶτος]
        • He was NOT willing to allow anyone else – like JOHN – have authority in the CHURCH…
        • Because he wanted everyone to ONLY look to him for answers!
      • Called to Jesus…
        • People would rather put their FAITH in someone they can see – then a God they cannot see…
        • It is easier to follow a MAN – then it is to follow an INVISIBLE God – Hebrews 11:1
        • But MEN – pastors – are a poor substitute for Jesus…
        • They have LIMITED resources – LIMITED knowledge – and make MISTAKES…
        • Therefore any pastor who points men to himself – LOVES to be FIRST – is to be AVOIDED…
        • Because the PURPOSE of a pastor – is to point others to JESUS!
      • Called to SERVE…
        • I Corinthians 4:1 – “Let a man so consider us as MINSTERS of Christ.”
        • MINISTER [ὑπηρέτης] – a slave on a Roman ship – rowed under the deck – hard working…
        • No one would ever see and under rower – it was a humbling POSITION – a MINISTER!
        • Sad to say the church has lost sight of that today – MINISTER has become a title…
        • Rather than working hard for God – it describes one who tells others what to do…
        • A good pastor is a MINISTER – comes early and leaves late – SERVES the people…
        • Therefore any pastor who longs to be in CHARGE – LOVES to be FIRST – is to be AVOIDED…
        • Because the PURPOSE of a pastor – is to MINISTER to the people!
        • I Peter 5:3 – “[Do not] lord over those entrusted to you!”
    • 2nd – Confrontation… vs. 10
      • Therefore – if I come – I will call to mind his deeds which he does!
        • John was NOT sure if he would be able to come – he was OLD [the elder]
        • But IF he came – he would talk to DIOTREPHES about what he had DONE [ἔργον]
        • Any time you get a bunch of sinners together [even Godly ones] there will be problems…
        • There is no such thing as a perfect church – they do not exist…
        • The question is what to do if the PROBLEM is a PASTOR in the church…
        • Too often we ignore what is happening – justifying it is not our problem…
        • What we fail to recognize is that the BAD example – does affect us…
        • And we need to be involved in our church – take a stand for Jesus!
      • ACCUSING a Pastor…
        • I Timothy 3:19 – “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.”
        • When an ACCUSATION is brought against a PASTOR – it must be VERIFIED…
        • To prevent someone from making a false ACCUSATION – personal attack – or agenda… 
        • We must NOT just listen to one side – take the time to hear the whole story!
        • Proverbs 18:17 – “The first to speak… sounds right – until the cross-examination begins.”
      • CONFRONTING sin…
        • I Timothy 3:20 – “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all – that the rest also may fear.”
        • SINNING [present] – NOT talking about something in the PAST – but an ongoing action…
        • If a Pastor is VERIFIED to be living in SIN – the PRIDE of DIOTREPHES was sin…
        • We must [imperative] REBUKE them – bring light – or to expose them…
        • The reason for EXPOSING the SIN of a Pastor – is to set an example!
        • If people – see a Pastor living a compromised lifestyle – with NO consequences…
        • Then they will begin to think it is acceptable to God – follow a BAD example…
        • But the sin of a Pastor is EXPOSED – people learn to FEAR living in sin!
        • Galatians 5:9 – “A little leaven [sin] leavens the whole lump.”
        • When sin goes unchecked it encourages others to sin…
        • Just as a little mud can quickly contaminate – make all the water unclean…
        • A little SIN can quickly spread out and infect a whole family or church…
        • Therefore a Pastor is to be EXPOSED publicly – to TEACH people to FEAR sin!
    • 3rd – Harsh words… vs. 10
      • Prating against us with malicious words! 
      • There were TWO things John would CONFRONT Diotrephes about…
      • FIRST – his PRATING and MALICIOUS words…
      • PRATING [φλυαρέω] – to make FALSE accusation by saying EVIL [πονηρός] things!
      • In the same way a short person who wants to look tall – stands next to a shorter person…
      • A pastor who wants to seem GOOD – talks BAD about other pastors!
      • One way to spot a PASTOR who LOVES to be FIRST – is because he is always attacking others…
      • Attacking their THEOLOGY – other Pastors do not teach the right things…
      • Attacking them PERSONALLY – other Pastors do not live a godly life…
      • But the ATTACKS are FALSE – they come from a SELFISH motivation – making them EVIL…
      • Because the RESULT of the ATTACKS – is division within the CHURCH!
    • 4th – Not HOSPITABLE… vs. 10
      • Not content with that – he himself does not receive the brethren!
        • SECOND – John would CONFRONT Diotrephes about his lack of HOSPITALITY…
        • Diotrephes was NOT content to only ATTACK other pastors…
        • He also REFUSED to RECEIVE [take the hand] of other BROTHERS…
        • Meaning if you were not from HIS church – then you were not part of THE church!
        • There are PASTORS who think their CHURCH is the only CHURCH – but they are WRONG…
        • There is just ONE church – ONE body – Ephesians 4:4
        • But it is NOT a particular DENOMINATION – it is the Body of CHRIST – I Corinthians 12:12
        • God has allowed there to be many DENOMINATIONS within HIS Church…
        • Each with a slightly different FLAVOR – different FOCUS- but all with the SAME Lord…
        • The reason is so that the church can minister to all different kinds of people!
        • I Corinthians 9:22 – “All things to all men – that I might by all means save some.”
        • One person might be more comfortable in the traditions of a Traditional church…
        • Another might be blessed by the lively worship of a Pentecostal church…
        • Another might draw closer to God in a church that focused on teaching the Bible…
        • There are many churches for many different kinds of people!
      • [Diotrephes] forbids those who wish to – putting them out of the church!
        • Diotrephes added to his FAULT – by refusing to let others fellowship outside HIS church…
        • If someone was determined to fellowship OUTSIDE – they were BANISHED…
        • He refused to let them come back to HIS church [better for that person to not go back]
        • Christ is NOT divided – therefore the Church of Christ should not be divided…
        • There is only ONE Jesus – ONE cross – there is only ONE salvation – ONE heaven…
        • There is only one heaven – there are not different ROOMS for various DENOMINATIONS…
        • We are going to spend eternity together – we should start getting along now!
        • I Corinthians 12:25 – “There should be no [division] in the body… the members should have the same care one for another.”
      • It is OK to have a CHURCH…
        • There is nothing wrong with preferring a particular CHURCH…
        • The problem comes when we follow MEN – rather than having unity in JESUS…
        • We focus on our DIFFERENCES – rather than coming together as a FAMILY…
        • We make our identity a CHURCH – rather than simply CHRIST…
        • Causing division within the BODY – hindering the power of the Gospel…
        • We wonder why more people do NOT believe in Jesus – why churches are EMPTY…
        • The church of God today is not KNOWN for its unity – its KNOWN for its differences!
    • 5th Bad Example… vs. 11
      • Beloved!
        • BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – those who has received the unconditional LOVE of God!
        • Those who BELONG to Jesus – BELONG to HIS church!
      • Do not imitate what is evil!
        • Do NOT follow [μιμέομαι] and EVIL [κακός] EXAMPLED of Diotrephes…
        • Who LOVED to be FIRST – who ATTACKED other pastors with FALSE accusations…
        • Who caused DIVISION – refusing to have fellowship with other DENOMINATIONS!
      • [Instead follow] what is good!
        • GOOD [ἀγαθός] – refers to our HEART – or morals…
        • In other words do NOT follow MAN – FOLLOW the conviction that comes from the LORD!
        • We KNOW the CONVICTION John is talking about…
        • The CHECK we have in our SPIRIT when a PASTOR says something WRONG…
        • We might be tempted to IGNORE it – thinking the PASTOR knows better – but we need to…
        • Acts 17:11 – “[Search] the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things [are] so.”
      • He who does good is of God – but he who does evil has not seen God!
        • THE [ὁ] doing GOOD [ἀγαθοποιέω] is of GOD…
        • Meaning the CHECK we have from the SPIRIT – is GOD speaking to our HEART…
        • And if we do not have the CHECK – if we FOLLOW the EVIL [κακοποιέω] example of MEN…
        • Men like Diotrephes – it shows we have not SEEN [know] God!
        • If GOD is in our HEART – He is going to give us a GOOD example to follow…
        • The EXAMPLE: NOT love to be first – NOT attack other pastors falsely…
        • NOT cause division in the body by refusing fellowship with other denominations…
        • Because we are to have HOSPITALITY – UNITY – LOVE in the BODY of CHRIST!
        • John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
  • 2nd – Redemption… vs. 12
    • 1st – The TESTIMONY…
      • Demetrius has a good testimony from all!
        • DEMETRIUS – the name only appears THREE times in the Bible…
        • He was a RICH idol maker in the city of Ephesus – Acts 19:24
        • Ephesus was known for the Temple of DIANA – SEVEN wonders of the ancient world…
        • People traveled from all over the world to worship there – and they bought IDOLS…
        • But the GOSPEL had been so effective – people stopped buying IDOLS – Acts 19:26-27
        • So DEMETRIUS stirred up a RIOT – 25 thousand people crying out – great is DIANA!
      • Is this the same DEMETRIUS…
        • There is NOTHING to say this is the same person…
        • But John did Pastor in the city of Ephesus – where DEMETRIUS was from…
        • It would be just like God – to take one of Christianity greatest ENEMIES…
        • A man who once caused DIVISION – by making false ACCUSATIONS against a PASTOR [Paul]
        • Because he did not like being SECOND to the Gospel – he LOVED being FIRST…
        • And turn around and make him someone who had a TESTIMONY [μαρτυρέω]!
        • Meaning there is HOPE for ANYONE to repent and come to Jesus…
        • It does not matter whether we think we are a GOOD person – or BAD…
        • Jesus gift of salvation is available to EVERYONE who will receive it…
        • No sinner is beyond His reach – no sin so great He cannot forgive it!
        • Romans 5:20 – “Where sin abounded – GRACE abounded much more.”
    • 2nd – The WITNESSES…
      • From the truth itself!
        • The WITNESS of DEMETRIUS – was seen by EVERYONE [πᾶς]
        • That INCLUDED from THE Truth [τῆς ἀληθείας] – referring to Jesus – John 14:6
        • This is the MOST important WITNESS – because Jesus sees the HEART – Hebrews 4:13
        • And having a good WITNESS – means we are changed from the INSIDE out!
        • Christianity is NOT about following RULES – that just changes the OUTSIDE…
        • It is about KNOWING Jesus – which TRANSFORMS us on the INSIDE!
        • II Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ – he is a new creation. Old things have passed away – behold all things have become new.”
      • And we also bear witness!
        • The WITNESS of DEMETRIUS – also included PASTORS…
        • John includes himself [we] – but also alludes to other church leaders!
        • PASTORS are there to PROTECT the CHURCH – I Peter 5:2-3
        • Therefore they watch out for those who just SAY that have a TESTIMONY…
        • They OBSERVE – and make sure they are not wolves in sheep clothing – Matthew 7:15
      • And you know that our testimony is true!
        • The WITNESS of DEMETRIUS – also included the CHURCH…
        • Because the whole CHURCH could SEE [εἴδω] it was true that DEMETRIUS had changed!
        • Luke 6:27 – “Judge not – and you shall not be judged…”
        • I have heard people say you CANNOT judge me – only God can judge me…
        • And to some extent I think I understand what they mean – but they are WRONG!
        • We CANNOT judge why someone does something – what their MOTIVE is…
        • Because only God knows the motive of the heart – Psalm 44:21
        • But we absolutely can JUDGE the actions of someone – by comparing them to the Word…
        • And when we SEE [εἴδω] a CHANGED life – it is PROOF that person has a good TESTIMONY! 
  • 3rd – Final greeting… vs. 13-14
    • 1st – Face to face… vs. 13-14
      • I had many things to write – but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink!
        • This was NOT the only thing John had wanted to WRITE about…
        • There were LOTS [πολύς] of other subjects he had desired to go over…
        • But he did not want to do it with – INK and STICK [describing old pens]
        • We do NOT use INK and STICKS anymore – we tent to use cell phone and computer…
        • But I can relate to John – they are NOT the best way to communicate…
        • EMAILS and TEXT lack emotion – intonation – and facial expression…
        • They are OK for basic information – but they are no substitute for FELLOWSHIP!
      • I hope to see you shortly – and we shall speak face to face!
        • John HOPED [ἐλπίζω] to come and SEE them soon – and speak MOUTH to MOUTH…
        • To have GOOD fellowship by TALKING with each other!
        • There are those who argue – CHURCH in not necessary…
        • We can read our Bibles – worship – without other believers!
        • Going to CHURCH does not save us – but it does keep us from following BAD examples…
        • God calls us to FELLOWSHIP with one another in CHURCH – with different CHURCHES…
        • So we help keep each other in check – keep each other accountable to God!
        • Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together –  as is the manner of some – but exhorting one another – and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
    • 2nd – Peace to you… vs. 14
      • Peace to you!
        • What would John SAY – when he saw the church in person – PEACE [ἰρήνη] to you…
        • Notice – John does NOT come proclaiming himself – he came declaring PEACE…
        • Who is our PEACE – it is Jesus – who is the HEAD of the CHURCH!
        • Ephesians 2:14 – “[Jesus] Himself is our peace [ἰρήνη].”
      • Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name!
        • John finishes by saying – LOVE [φίλος] greets us – to warmly take our hand…
        • And we should greet each other in LOVE [φίλος] – by NAME!
        • Because when we have PEACE – Jesus – we will have LOVE [φίλος] for each other…
        • And when we are HOSPITABLE – we will have a GOOD testimony…
        • A CHURCH united in LOVE – so the world around us SEE Jesus in us!

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