John 3:16 Series

Sitting in prison all these later, was it just an act for him? Does he get the impact of the verse he displayed for everyone? What about you?

What impact does John 3:16 make on you? You may not have run around the country displaying the verse at every sporting event, but what impression does this verse make on you?

1. What is God Like?

2. What Did God Do?

3. What Must I Do?

3.1 Whoever Believes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

There are three hundred different philosophical “isms” in the English language. And John 3:16 refutes many of the faulty “isms.”13

For instance, it refutes Atheism, which says there is no God, because this verse says, “For God.”

Deism is the belief that if there is a God, He isn’t involved with His creation. But John 3:16 tells us there is a God who loves us.

Racism says some races are better and more highly favored, but this verse says that God loved the world.

Materialism says life is all about getting, more and more and more. But this verse says God so loved that He gave.

Legalism says you go to heaven by being good and doing good, but this verse says you go to heaven by trusting in God’s one and only Son.

Salvation isn’t a reward for the righteous; it’s a gift to the guilty.

Fatalism says that everything is fixed and we have no control over our destiny. But this verse says, “Whoever believes in Him.”

Universalism says ultimately everyone will go to heaven, and this verse emphasizes that only those that believe in Jesus go to heaven.

Pluralism says all religions are the same and there are many paths to God, but this verse says that there is only one way—Jesus.

Pessimism says life is hopeless for everyone, but this verse says you don’t have to perish.

Humanism says there is no God and this life is all there is, but John 3:16 promises that we can have eternal life. Believe, and you will be saved. Believe, and your sins will be forgiven.

3.2 Belief In Jesus

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Bible does NOT simply say, “whoever believes.” Instead, the Bible says, “whoever believes in him.” You must believe IN Jesus Christ. It’s not simply believing in anything. You must believe in Jesus Christ.

3.3 Accounting Mode

By the way, if God went into accounting mode and began to calculate your good deeds, how long would the tape be? How long would your personal tape be? And if he were to get a separate calculator out for the things you’ve done wrong, how long would that tape be?

3.4 Putting the Phrase Together

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

As parents, do we care more about grades, first chair, batting orders, class rankings, and college scholarships than we do about eternity? [Pause] Do we have the kind of love that prepares them for eternity, not just college? When was the last time you thought about the eternity of your spouse? Do you wonder about how they’re doing spiritually, or are you just too busy to pray for them or think about that? When was the last time you talked about what the Lord has been showing you?