RESTORATION TODAY
SUNDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2016
BY PASTOR DR. G.O. OLUTOLA JP.
THEME: DON'T BE LIKE DIOTREPHES
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not?. 3 John 1: 9.
Some people are so insecure and easily threatened that they feel a need to tear down anyone they perceive as a competitor. An example is Diotrephes, one of the New Testament church leaders. He found himself in a real dilemma when John recommended some gifted teachers of the gospel to come and speak at his church. Plagued with insecurity, Diotrephes feared their visit would threaten his own pre-eminence, so he refused to allow them to come.
John, upset with Diotrephes behaviour, outlined to his friend Gaius how he planned to deal with it. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the pre-eminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God (vv. 9 11 NKJV).
The sad truth is that you'll find the spirit of Diotrphes alive and well in both secular and sacred organisations. But contrary to what they think, diminishing another person's image isn't going to enhance theirs. The origin of our word for devil comes from diabolos, which is literally translated to slander. To slander, then is to do the devil?s work!
ACTION POINT:
Rather than feel threatened by people that can do what you do, celebrate their gift.
SCRIPTURE:
3 John 1: 9 ? 11.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, help me to overcome my insecurities in the name of Jesus.
2. Lord, transform my heart in the name of Jesus.
3. Father, set me free from jealousy and envy in the name of Jesus.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
2 Chronicle 3, 4
Ezekiel 28
John 10: 19 - 42
SUNDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2016
BY PASTOR DR. G.O. OLUTOLA JP.
THEME: DON'T BE LIKE DIOTREPHES
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not?. 3 John 1: 9.
Some people are so insecure and easily threatened that they feel a need to tear down anyone they perceive as a competitor. An example is Diotrephes, one of the New Testament church leaders. He found himself in a real dilemma when John recommended some gifted teachers of the gospel to come and speak at his church. Plagued with insecurity, Diotrephes feared their visit would threaten his own pre-eminence, so he refused to allow them to come.
John, upset with Diotrephes behaviour, outlined to his friend Gaius how he planned to deal with it. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the pre-eminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God (vv. 9 11 NKJV).
The sad truth is that you'll find the spirit of Diotrphes alive and well in both secular and sacred organisations. But contrary to what they think, diminishing another person's image isn't going to enhance theirs. The origin of our word for devil comes from diabolos, which is literally translated to slander. To slander, then is to do the devil?s work!
ACTION POINT:
Rather than feel threatened by people that can do what you do, celebrate their gift.
SCRIPTURE:
3 John 1: 9 ? 11.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, help me to overcome my insecurities in the name of Jesus.
2. Lord, transform my heart in the name of Jesus.
3. Father, set me free from jealousy and envy in the name of Jesus.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
2 Chronicle 3, 4
Ezekiel 28
John 10: 19 - 42
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