We have studied many times the three great enemies of mankind- the World-the external enemy, the Flesh-the internal enemy, and the Devil-the infernal enemy. We have also seen the weapons or devices used by these enemies- the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. With that in mind let me introduce to you three people, with three problems and the One Great Solution to all the problems.
I. THREE PEOPLE
1. Archippus the Fellowsoldier [Philemon 1:2]
2. Demas the Fellowlabourer [Philemon 1:24]
II. THREE PROBLEMS
1. Archippus was facing the flesh/lust of the flesh [Col. 4:17, Gal. 6:8-9]
2. Demas had fallen to the world/lust of the eyes [2 Tm. 4:10]
3. Diotrephes had fallen to the Devil/pride of life [2 Jn. 1:9-11]
-his fall may have been worse because he stayed in the church compounding the problem
-he loved the preeminence that belonged to Christ [v. 9, Col. 1:18, Is. 14:12-14]
-he would not receive John or his associates [v. 9-10, Jn. 13:20]
-he lied about John [v. 10, Jn. 8:44]
III. ONE GREAT SOLUTION- THE RESURRECTION LIFE IN THE RESURRECTED SAVIOUR
1. Diotrephes needed to remember from where he came [1 Cor. 15:1-11]
2. Demas needed to die to self [1 Cor. 15:31-34]
3. Archippus needed to stay by the stuff [1 Cor. 15:57-58]
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