The One Who Wanted to Be First

Introduction

As he was retrieving the bodies of 6 men who died needlessly, a rescue team member had time to reflect on the destructive power of pride. Three days before, an air force transport plane was flying through a fierce snow storm. When the navigator contacted an air base, he was informed that he had veered off course by hundreds of miles. He decided that his calculations were accurate, however, and ignored the correct coordinates which were given to him. Shortly afterwards, the plane ran out of fuel. The men had to parachute out of the plane in -70 degree Fahrenheit weather. All six were lost. Pride leads people to foolish actions that destroy not only the one who is proud, but the people around them. Study 3 John 1:9-11 to learn about the pride of a man named Diotrephes, and how it impacted the people around him.

Observation

Pray

Before reading His Word, ask God to open your mind and heart to understand and believe what He says.

Read Focus Verses

Read 3 John 1:9-11 noticing the characteristics of the central figure.

Central Figure

Who is primarily being spoken about in these verses?

Praise or Censure?

Is Diotrephes held up as a good or a bad example for us?

Striking Comparison

Read 3 John 1:1-14 and notice the contrast between Gaius and Demetrius who were faithful, and Diotrephes who was prideful.

Dark Description

How is Diotrephes described in verse 9?

More Tag Lines

How else is Diotrephes described in verse 10?

Summary

What word does John use in verse 11 to summarize Diotrephes’ actions?

Of God

According to verse 11, was Diotrephes living like a Christian? Why or why not?

Follow

What kind of actions are Christians to follow? What examples should they seek?

Interpretation

The Preeminence

Notice the significance of the word used to describe Diotrephes in verse 9.

Where?

Where is it that Diotrephes loves to have first place?

First Place

Notice who has first place in a true church according to Colossians 1:18.

Who is Preeminent?

Who has preeminence in the church when everything is as God intends?

Pride

So, in His pride, whose place was Diotrephes trying take?

The Greatest

In Mark 10:42-45 Jesus tells us who should be counted the greatest in the church.

Humility

Who does Jesus say should be leaders in the church?

What God thinks

Listen to this interesting collection of Bible verses about pride.

In Contrast

Notice, in contrast, what the Bible says about humility.

Receiving God’s Messengers

In verse 9, John says that Diotrephes would not receive him even though He was a messenger of God. Notice what Jesus says about that in John 13:20.

Confirmed

Jesus confirms that truth again in Luke 10:16.

Who is Rejected?

According to these verses, who was Diotrephes really rejecting?

Drawing Others In

Notice how verse 10 emphasizes that Diotrephes not only refused to receive God’s people, he tried to hurt those who received them. Read what Romans 1:32 says about this.

Choosing Examples

According to verse 11, how are Christians to respond to people like Diotrephes? Are they to follow their example?

Of God

How does verse 11 tell us to identify people that are God’s people?

Application

Seeking First Place

Are there areas of your life where you are letting pride destroy you by seeking to be first? In what specific ways are you going to remind yourself that Christ is first?

Followers

In which direction are you leading those who follow your example?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you see how destructive pride is, and allowed you to recognize it in your life so that you can walk in humility before the Lord.

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