Whom should we imitate? I Cor.11:1

When we hear about taking up a cross, we should hear Romans 12:1, which says we should be living sacrifices.

When we hear Galatians 2:20, which says we have been crucified with Christ and we are no longer in control of our own lives but Jesus is in control.

Romans 6:1-7, which says when we were baptized we died to sin and crucified our old self with Christ.

When we hear Colossians 3:3-10, which says we should put to death what is earthly in us because we have died in Christ.

Two Men in Contrast! 3John 9-12 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

#1 One man not to be like! Don’t imitate this man! Don’t you be like him.

We are all naturally imitators. Children imitate their parents. (Tim walking in my shoes) Children pick up their parents mannerisms: the way they walk, talk, etc. They love to imitate Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters. Teenagers imitate their peers and popular idols. - athletes, Musicians, etc. Christians imitate those they hold in high regard. Elders; preachers;Teachers

We become like those we imitate! Some people think they can act like others; dress like others; talk like others ..and yet somehow not be like Them. Children become like their parents Teenagers like their peers and idols Christians become like those who they hold in high regard. If we imitate the good, we become good; if we imitate the evil Then it is evil we become!

Remember: 1. To be like Christ, we must imitate Christ. I Pet.2:21 2. To be like Paul, we must imitate him as he followed Christ I Cor. 11:1 3. For married couples, there is the example of Aquila And Priscilla. Rom. 16:3-5 4. For women, there is the example of Dorcas. Acts 9:36,39 5. For young men, there is the example of Timothy. Phil. 2:19-22

Don’t be like Diotrephes Look at the kind of person he was ..in the church! A Christian, a powerful one. His name is given. Not a good one. He who is following evil is mentioned by name. What did he do?

1. I sent him a letter, but he rejected its contents. 2. He loved to have preeminence ..it was his way or no way. 3. He would not receive us…nor the truth. 4. When I come, I will remember what he has done. 5. Prating against us with malicious words 6. That wasn’t bad enough…he would not receive other good brethren in the Lord. He forbideth them that did. 7. He was so powerful that he casteth them out of the Church.

As one brother wrote: 1. Self-promoter— he strove to be first. 3John 9a 2. Insubordinate— he would not receive the authority of the apostles. 3John 9b 3. Slanderous – He spoke nonsense, and slandered 3 John 10a 4. Vindictive- He would not receive certain brethren, and cast out other brethren. 3Jno 10b Surely his character is a warning: ‘he who does evil has Not seen God” 3 Jno.11b.

#2 Be Imitators only of the good! John writes: verse 11 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” Imitate Only the good. “He who does good is of God…” they are born of God. I Jno 5:18 “He who does evil has not seen God.” -- 3 Jn 12 The one who demonstrates in his life evil, he has not seen God. In fact, he is a child of the devil. I Jn. 3:6b,10

#3 John says to Gaius: Be like Demetrius 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 1. He has a good testimony from all 2. He bears up well from the truth itself. 3. We also bear witness to his fidelity 4. You know what I say to you about Demetrius is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. Some things are better said face to face.. John had many things to write about, but he said He would not with ink and pen write them to Gaius.

Hebrews 6:11-12 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers (imitators)of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.