Introduction

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I stand before you today with a heart brimming with joy and a message burning with divine truth. As we gather in fellowship, let's turn our hearts and minds to the holy words of John 3:14-21.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be seen that his works have been carried out in God.

These words, my friends, are not just ink on a page or sounds in the air. They are the life-giving, soul-stirring truth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They are the heart of the Gospel, the very essence of our faith.

Today, we will unwrap the profound wisdom contained within these verses. We will look at how God manifests His mercy, magnifies His grace, and models His acceptance. Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher often referred to as the "Prince of Preachers," once said, "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't."

But remember, friends, it's not just about mercy. It's also about grace, that unmerited favor that God bestows upon us. As we consider how God magnifies His grace, let us recall the words of J.I. Packer, who said, "Grace is God drawing sinners closer and closer to Him. It is Him reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him."

Finally, we will see how God models His acceptance, reminding us of the words of Francis Schaeffer, who said, "The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars."

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts and open minds, ready to receive Your Word. Illuminate our understanding and stir our spirits as we seek to understand the depth of Your mercy, the magnitude of Your grace, and the model of Your acceptance. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Transition. So, are we ready, brothers and sisters? Are we ready to see God's mercy manifested, His grace magnified, and His acceptance modeled? Are we ready to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and the stirring of our hearts? Let's begin.

Manifesting Mercy

When we turn our minds to the wilderness, to the image of Moses lifting up the serpent, we see a powerful illustration of God’s mercy. The Israelites, bitten by venomous snakes, were healed by simply looking at the bronze serpent. This act of mercy wasn't earned or deserved, but freely given by God. In the same way, God's mercy towards us isn't something we earn or deserve. It's a gift, freely given by a loving God.

The mercy of God is a theme that runs deep in the Bible. It's a thread that weaves its way through every book, every chapter, every verse. It's a theme that resonates with us, because we all need mercy. We all fall short, we all make mistakes, we all sin. Yet, God in His infinite mercy, forgives us, loves us, and welcomes us back into His arms.

Now, let's consider the mercy of God as demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God sent His only Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus, the Son of Man, had to be lifted up, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. This is the ultimate act of mercy. God gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

This act of mercy is not a distant, abstract idea. It's a reality that affects our everyday lives. When we stumble and fall, when we make mistakes, when we sin, God's mercy is there to pick us up, to forgive us, to restore us. It's a mercy that is new every morning, a mercy that is as vast as the ocean, a mercy that is as enduring as the mountains.

But God's mercy also involves transformation. When we experience God's mercy, we are not left the same. We are changed, we are transformed, we are made new. This transformation is not a result of our own efforts, but a result of God's mercy. It's God's mercy that takes our brokenness and makes us whole.

And finally, let's think about how we can reflect God's mercy in our own lives. As recipients of God's mercy, we are called to be dispensers of God's mercy. We are called to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we have been loved, to show mercy as we have been shown mercy. This requires humility, patience, and love. But it's a calling that we must strive to fulfill, because in doing so, we reflect the heart of God, we manifest His mercy.

Transition. So, as we ponder these truths, let's allow them to sink deep into our hearts. Let's allow them to shape our understanding of God, our relationship with Him, and our interactions with others. Let's allow them to stir within us a greater appreciation for God's mercy, a deeper longing for His presence, and a stronger desire to reflect His mercy in our own lives.

Magnifying Grace

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the divine wisdom of John 3:14-21, we find ourselves standing on the shores of God's grace ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO