71 The Wonder of God John 3:16

Come and bask with us in the wonder of God as described by Jesus in this well known verse, John 3:16.

Show Notes

John 3:16 in Depth 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God: the initiative lies with God.

1. Other religions believe man must search for God. We are receivers not initiators. We are the bride not the bride groom. True religion knows God is searching for man. Romans 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Ending our prayers in Jesus name indicates a false hierarchy. God the Father is not made of sterner stuff than Jesus. To pray in Jesus name means to pray in the character of Jesus. John 14:13-14

3. The robe of righteousness is not to protect us from God’s holiness but to change the way we think of ourselves. Zechariah 3:1-5 and Luke 15 are recorded to show how to deal with our shame.

". . . SO loved . . .”

Loved

1. “I have your back covered. Even though I know the worst about you, I think the best, feel the best and say the best aboutyou and do the best for you.”

2. Love means being vulnerable. It means far more than obedience or submission. These are included but are not synonyms. Love is sharing your joy and sadness, your dreams and fears! It is not politics or weather or gossip talk.

3. Not once does the Qur’an apply the word “love” to Allah. Aristotle, one of the great Greek thinkers, said, “It would be eccentric for anyone to claim Zeus loved him.”

4. How do we know that God loves us? Jesus’ prayer on the cross for his executioners. No benefit for him.

So

1. “so” introduces a breath-taking, wistfulness, poignancy, longing, call it what you want, but it makes the love God has for us infinitely deeper, wider, higher, longer.

2. If someone says, “Ian so loved Irma!” at my funeral my life will have been worth it!”

The world:

1. 2. Not beauty of Banff or the loveliness of Lake Louise or the splendor of the Taj Mahal at sunset. The people in the world are of inestimable worth to God. We are cherished by God. Most do not know of this great love. What a tragedy. This is the best motivation for supporting gospel ministry. John 3:17 not to condemn the world, but to save the world John 4:42 this man really is the Saviour of the world." John 6:51This bread is my flesh, I will give for the life of the world." 1Tim 2:4 who wants all men to be saved 1John 4:14 Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. He gave:

1. A Gift is not a wage or a bribe or a reward or bait or a loan.

2. It is clear. “God gave!” It is emphatic! Enigmatic!

3. Love is costly. As soon as you love you will give. Love is not sex, shirts and snacks!

God gave HIS ONLY SON

1. God had only one Son. There was no contingency plan.

2. I have two kidneys, five lobes of lung, and two eyes but ONE heart. If I gave it away all is gone.

3. We gave our daughters away!

Whosoever believeth in Him This is your work. we will come back to this statement at the end.

Shall not Perish

1. This is a slow process like rubber which perishes.

2. You can perish at home or in a far country like the two sons in Luke 15. One with the pigs, one with the goats.

3. Suddenly the rubber band breaks. It is inevitable.

But Have Eternal Life

1. This is more than long life. It is the quality which is important.

2. It starts now. When you believe you move from darkness to light, from death to life, from selfishness to love.

3. Deliverance from a dreadful self-image. John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Your Work Whosoever believes in Him

1. It is what or who we believe in that matters.

2. More specifically what we believe about that person!

3. I have searched for the core issue of believing for a long time.
   

   1. Two rich men-one must sell all the other must be born again

   2. Two woman with horrible self-images-Neither do I condemn you and I am the Messiah

   3. Two tax collectors-I am coming to your house come down the other come follow me.

1. I found the essence in the Lord’s Prayer.
   

   1. Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

   2. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.

   3. We are unconditionally forgiven by God. Can you believe this is true for you? When you cannot forgive yourself or someone else can you believe God? Can you believe the Bible?

1. Who do you need to forgive?

2. Ginn and Lindi’s murderers.

3. Betsy and the Snake.

8. Life is about relationship and relationship is impossible between sinners without forgiveness and grace.