The Man Who Loved to Be First
3 John 1–15
Edward Rangel · October 4, 2026 · PM
1
2
Walking in the truth opens the door; loving first place shuts it.
3 John 1–15
3
A sound church can still have a door only one man may open.
John wrote a short letter about three men.
4
Which of the three are you becoming?
One welcomed, one refused, one was well spoken of.
5
Philemon was asked to receive one brother.
Gaius received brethren he had never met.
6
Traveling brethren depended on an open door.
Some opened it, and one man shut it.
7
Three men in 3 John
- Gaius walks in the truth
- Diotrephes loves to be first
- Demetrius has a good testimony
8
I
Gaius: the truth shows at the door.
3 John 1–8
9
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
3 John 1:1 · NASB
10
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2 · NASB
11
For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
3 John 1:3 · NASB
12
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 · NASB
13
Truth is something a Christian walks in.
The brethren could see it in the way Gaius lived.
14
A friend’s prayer, not a promise of wealth.
Verse 2 must not be used to sell prosperity.
15
What news about those you taught makes you gladdest?
John’s greatest joy: children walking in the truth.
16
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;
3 John 1:5 · NASB
17
and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
3 John 1:6 · NASB
18
Faithfulness reaches the brother we have never met.
Gaius served strangers for the truth’s sake.
19
For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
3 John 1:7 · NASB
20
Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
3 John 1:8 · NASB
21
You share the gospel’s work through the brother you supply.
22
Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
1 Peter 4:9 · NASB
23
When did a brother last eat at your table?
Because he serves the Lord.
24
II
Diotrephes: the love of first place shuts the door.
3 John 9–10
25
I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
3 John 1:9 · NASB
26
We are not told his office, only his motive.
He loves to be first.
27
Pride sets itself above the apostles’ word.
They still speak to us through what they wrote.
28
"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
Matthew 20:26 · NASB
29
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;
Matthew 20:27 · NASB
30
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28 · NASB
31
He wanted the first place without the servant’s work.
32
For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
3 John 1:10 · NASB
33
Pride moved from words to actions.
Accusing, refusing, forbidding, putting out.
34
Sin that harms a church must be faced truthfully.
Ignoring it shuts the door on the next brother.
35
Look for Diotrephes in the mirror before you look in the pew.
Credit, control, the last word: the same sin.
36
III
Demetrius: follow the good you can see.
3 John 11–15
37
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
3 John 1:11 · NASB
38
Do not follow the loudest man. Follow what is good.
Conduct reveals our relationship with God.
39
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
3 John 1:12 · NASB
40
A good name is never won by demanding first place.
It grows from years of faithful conduct.
41
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;
3 John 1:13 · NASB
42
but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
3 John 1:14 · NASB
43
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
3 John 1:15 · NASB
44
Settle hard matters face to face.
Not by email, text message, or a post online.
45
The brethren are friends to be greeted by name.
Not a crowd for one man to manage.
46
Open your door to those who work for the truth.
Do it in a manner worthy of God.
47
Repent before pride shuts the door on someone else.
Do not answer another man’s pride with your own.
48
Receive every brother who works for the truth.
This morning, one brother. Tonight, every brother.
49
Choose the good, and be a fellow worker with the truth.
3 John 8, 11
50
`Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
Acts 22:16 · NASB
51
Believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized.
Then walk in the truth as His faithful servant.
52
Christian, repent of the love of first place.
Make it right with the brother you shut out.
53
Be a fellow worker with the truth.
3 John 1:8
54
1 / 54
Created with Ed Slide Gen · Keeping the Faith