The Saving Love of God
Introduction
We live in a world of passwords and numbers – what do you choose?
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
John 3:16
The greatest verse of the bible – translated into over 2300 languages and dialects
Part of a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus
What does it mean?
Where it comes in the chapter
Jesus starts talking to Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit
Not how we might talk about God the Father, Jesus Christ and then the Holy Spirit
Jesus talks first about the new birth, which is the work of the Holy Spirit
Jesus then moves on to speak about Himself
He speaks of Moses and the Son of Man being lifted up
A reference to the cross of Calvary
Jesus then speaks about God the Father
God’s love
John copies this format in his letter – 1 John 4:12-16
The Holy Spirit – v13
Jesus Christ – 14/15
God – v16
Salvation begins in the depths of God’s love??
In our experience
Perhaps sitting in a church – hearing for the first time after maybe many years
Perhaps a conversation with a friend
Perhaps in a Sunday school class or other meeting
Did it really being here (outside of our experience)?
If you go back – you arrive at the love of God
Our salvation began at the loving heart of the Father
Jesus Christ explains that you must be born again
At this time, we see our need and turn to Jesus Christ
We trust that He died in our place and took our sins upon the cross
Example of Spurgeon
We look to the Lord Jesus Christ
The love of the Father
Jesus came – because of the love of the Father
Everything about our salvation has its roots in the love of the Father
The depth of God’s love – For God so loved the world
Quote from John Stott
Good has given us His precious Son
The scope of God’s love – For God so loved the world
The whole world – regardless of nationality
Even those who hate Him
His love should draw us to Himself
The Father’s love is demonstrated in His giving – For God so loved the world that He … (examples) … gave
He gave His Son (who came from heaven)
He gave Him up to be crucified – Example of Abraham and Isaac
He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all – Rom 8:32
Jesus willingly gave Himself for us – Gal 2:20
The Father’s love demands a response from us [check first 2 points]
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
Not just a demonstration of love – but the means of salvation
To all people – “whoever”
Example
No exceptions
Whoever believes has eternal life
Should not perish
Example
We do not need to do anything to perish
If we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ – we will not perish
We have been born again in new life
Not just a physical perishing but to be eternally condemned (v17-18)
To be banished from His presence
There is only one way to prevent perishing – believe in the Son of God
Do not ignore the message and perish
Not just a belief in God – it is faith in Christ that saves
Everlasting life
The opposite of perishing
To be eternally welcomed in heaven
To experience the love of God forever
Our bodies will die but our souls will live forever
Explanation
Closing Remarks