In the sermon titled 'The Spirit of Diotrephes,' David Green discusses the character of Diotrephes, a figure who loved to be first among the saints but whose actions were criticized by John. Diotrephes' exact role in the church remains unclear; he may have been a pastor, a deacon, or simply a power-hungry member. Green reflects on his own experiences in the church community since childhood, noting the presence of tyrannical pastors, out-of-place deacons, and power-hungry members who often try to control church dynamics. The sermon highlights the negative impact of such individuals on the church and encourages reflection on power dynamics within religious communities.

Deutrophes, he loved to be first among the saints where he was. He loved to be known, but he certainly would not have wanted his name out there the way that John put it. He would not have wanted his name out there the way the Holy Spirit has put it out there. And what's interesting is We might assume that Deutrophes was a pastor, but the Bible doesn't tell us that. He may have been a pastor.

He may have been one of those tyrannical pastors that sometimes happen in places. But he might have also been an out of place deacon. He might have been just a power hungry church member. Certainly, as I've been a member of, well I was saved at the age of 10 or 11 years old. I've been a church member since that time.

I've witnessed a lot of things in churches, and I'm sure you have too. And in those years, I've seen all of those things. I've seen tyrannical pastors. I've seen out of place deacons. And I've seen power hungry church members, bullies in different places within churches that try to run the church.