A SHORT SERMON UPON DIOTREPHES.
“I wrote unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.” 3 John 9. Macknight’s translation reads, “I should have,” etc. Either translation sufficiently shows us the mischievous influence of this ambitious spirit in that church. In one case, he prevented an inspired apostle from sending the church a letter; in another, he nullified the letter actually sent. Doctrine: Many a minister’s labors are nullified by a Diotrephes in the church. I. I shall show who is not Diotrephes. 1. He is not he whose godly walk and conversation secures for him the entire confidence of the brethren, and thus gives him great influence. 2. Nor he whose talents and education necessarily make him a man of influence. 3. Nor he whose well-known and oft-proved wisdom and prudence make him much sought unto in counsel. These men do not ‘generally seek influence. It ‘follows them as their shadow. II. I proceed in the second place to show who Diotrephes is. 1. Sometimes he is a man who never had his will broken. As a child, he expected the whole household to give way to him. As a church member, he expects the household of Christ to give way to him. He is willful and headstrong; often as unreasonable as a mere animal. Sometimes he is a man of wealth. His riches give him authority in the world; and he takes it for granted that they ought to do so in the church. He can’t at all comprehend the idea, that the vote and the opinion of his poor brother are worth as much as his own. He is verily persuaded that because he has been a great worldling, and scraped together great wealth, the household of Christ ought to defer to him. 3. Sometimes he is a man of some learning and much volubility; who fancies that his capacity ought to give his opinion authority. III. In the third place, I proceed to set forth Diotrephes in action. If the minister do not take him for counsellor, he is his enemy. His preaching is not right. “His usefulness is at an end.” In questions of policy in the church, he never suspects there are others whose opinions should carry as much weight as his own. The will of the majority is no rule for him. With every movement does he find fault, unless he originated it. IV. In the next place, I remark upon Diotrephes’ character. 1. He is very unlike Christ, who was meek and lowly. 2. He is very disobedient to the word, “Let each esteem others better than himself.” 3. He is against that equality which Christ established in his church. Practical Observations. 1. Diotrephes is most of the time in trouble; always looking for deference, he is always liable to think it wanting. 2. The church can take no surer road to trouble than to give way to Diotrephes. 3. Diotrephes will scarce be the friend of the minister. The natural influence of the religious teacher disturbs him. 4. It is best for each one to look for Diotrephes in his own pew. Perhaps he may find him in his own seat. 5. Diotrephes is sometimes married and his partner is a true yoke-fellow. The mantle of the ancient troubler in Israel sometimes falls upon a sister in the church.—Ohio Obs.