Our actions and motives will one day be judged. (II Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 3:12)

1. Gaius- a person who served others

a. he abounded in spiritual health
b. he practiced what he preached
c. he used his time and resources in Christian service.

There are many good causes that Christians may support, but they must support missionaries.

2. Diotrephes- a person who hindered others.

a. he was proud and self-willed
b. he was undisciplined and spiteful
c. He refused to accept spiritual authority.

3. Demetrius- a person who attracted others

a. he was well-spoken of by others
b. his Christian genuineness was confirmed by his life

Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. (11)

1. God accepts everyone the same. (34)

one place where true equality exists- in a relationship with God

2. God judges everyone the same. (42)

Two lies of the devil:
a. “Don't worry about the sin in your life because God will give you special treatment.”
b. “There's no point in doing anything about the sin in your life because God's got it in for you.”

Romans 12:9-11 means two things for you.
a. You can't escape consequences just because of who you are.
b. If anyone in the world can be forgiven, you can.

3. God offers salvation to everyone the same. (43)

Coming to Christ is a matter of God's grace.
Continuing in Christ is a matter of God's grace, too.

Knowing Jesus makes available to us God's never- ending supply of acceptance, mercy, and forgiveness.

Kinds of peace
a. peace with God
b. peace of God
c. peace on earth

Only when there is submission to the authority of Jesus can there be peace of any kind.

When the truth of the gospel of Jesus penetrates, it divides. (Hebrews 4:12)

kinds of conflict
a. between Jesus and His human opponents
b. between Jesus and the devil
c. between angels and demons
d. between Christians and the non-believing world
e. among loved ones

When there is conflict, somebody is wrong.
Jesus and His Word accentuates the conflict.

Christians can expect to suffer. (17-22)
Life with Christ, even in the midst of persecution is better than life without Christ (26-31)

Sooner or later, if Christ is your Lord, division will happen in your family.

This division is a good and necessary thing, even though it makes life hard.

“Take up your cross” means to understand that difficulty will accompany the life of faith and obedience to God.

The conflict that comes because you have trusted in Jesus is really where you find your life.

Blasphemy – to speak against something sacred

The fear of committing this sin is the proof that you haven't.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is your heart's rejection of the Spirit's work.

It will come out in your words. (12:34)

(John 16) The Spirit's work- to convict the world in regard to
a. sin
b. righteousness
c. judgment

The Bible is also the work of the Holy Spirit.
(II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21)

Rejecting the Bible as absolute truth is also rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit.

One more sign would be given to prove who Jesus was- the resurrection.

There is a division to be made- those who are with Jesus and those who are against Him (30)

If you have been born again, you never have to worry  about whether you've done something God can't forgive.