God's Love

John 3:16; is probably the most well-known verse in the entire Bible. The Apostle John is the writer. John was most likely the youngest of all the apostles. He was about 17. He was also one of the three men that Jesus chose to include in the inner circle. As one of the three, John witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the unveiling at the Mount of Transfiguration, and was awfully close to Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. It was very apparent that the Apostle John loved Jesus greatly and that Jesus loved John greatly too. John is often referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was called the beloved! On the cross, Jesus placed John in charge of taking care of his mother Mary.

Here begins our text, John could have very easily written For God so love John! God did love John very much. But John realized the greatness of God's love. He realized that God so loved the world! He realized that God's love was given to the world and not just to himself. That is why he did write, “For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

I want to talk to you today about the love of God and what that love involves. It involves:

I. People

1. The love of God is directed to people. Aren't you glad today that God loves people more than he does things? If you love someone you will give to them! If you don't love you won't give. God loved people so much that he gave his only begotten son. God's gift of Jesus was given to people because he loves them.

2. God loves people of any:

a. Size

1) children; Luke 18:16-17

2) youth; Romans 10:13

3) adults: The Bible gives many examples

4) grandparents or seniors

b. Sex

1) Salvation is for male or female

2) Paul's first convert in Europe was Lydia. Steven was the first Christian martyr.

c. Status

1) Matthew was a publican (tax collector) and God saved him. Romans 5:8

2) Jesus saved the woman at the well. A woman who had five husbands and the man she was living with at the time she was not married to.

3) Rich people can be saved; however, many are not. Matthew 19:23-26

d. Society

1) Romans 1:16

2) Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto Salvation.

II. Price

1 Peter 1:18-20

1. Substitution

a. Isaiah 53:4-6

b. Jesus paid our debt. Something that we could not do. He paid the price that we could not because he was without sin. Romans 5:12

2. Suffering

a. Jesus suffered for us physically

1) Matthew 27:28

2) spit on

3) mocked and ridiculed

4) Crown of thorns

5) vinegar to drink

6) Isaiah 50:6

b. Jesus suffered for us spiritually

1) On the cross, Jesus was forsaken.

2) The first time that Jesus and God the father we're separated.

3. Sufficient

a. Isaiah 53:10

b. It was and is the only price paid for sin that God will accept.

c. John 1:29

III. Promise

1. Source

a. A promise is only as good as it’s source.

b. Titus 1:2

c. You can believe it when God promises something.

2. Significance

a. This promise is significant.

b. This promise is important, because it is based on the promise that eternity is guaranteed to those who accept Jesus as Savior.

c. Hell is just as real as Heaven to those who reject the love of God.

3. Surety of the Promise

a. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

b. God is serious about vows and promises.

c. He would not promise something unless he was going to keep it.

d. God's promise of eternal life with him is real and certain and all you have to do is believe on him and receive him as your personal Lord and savior!

IV. Conclusion

1. For God so love the world, People

2. That he gave his only begotten Son, Price

3. That whosoever believe it then him should not perish, but have everlasting life, Promise

4. The love of God involves People, a Price, and a Promise

5. How about you today? Are you telling people about the love of God and how they can have eternal life?

6. God’s gift of everlasting life through His Son Jesus.

7. Whatever your need is today, God can meet that need if you will let Him.