The Greatest Wonder of the World
John 3:16 Monte T. Brown
July 8, 2012 Sunday Morning
Stapp Zoe Baptist
Prelude
As a young boy, growing up one of the first verses in the Bible that I memorized was one of the most recognizable verses in the Bible John 3:16 and most quoted verse.
This morning I would like for us to turn to John 3:16 and if you would please stand in honor of the Word of God and follow along with me as we read from our text this morning.
Scripture
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)
Prayer
Introduction
A teacher asked his students to list what they thought were the present day “Seven Wonders of the World.”
The “Seven Wonders of the World” are:
1. The Great Pyramid of Egypt
2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
3. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
4. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
5. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
6. The Colossus of Rhodes (like the Statue of Liberty)
7. The Lighthouse of Alexandria
However, there were, some disagreements but the following received the most votes:
1. The Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal
3. The Grand Canyon
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. The St. Peter’s Basilica
7. The China’s Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one student had not finished her paper yet.
So the teacher asked the student if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there are so many.
The teacher said, “Well tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.”
The girl hesitated, then read: “I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are:
1. To See…
2. To Hear…
3. To Touch…
4. To Embrace…
5. To Laugh…
6. To Love…
7. The Greatest of the Seven Wonders of the World is…God’s amazing love for mankind in sending His Only Son Jesus Christ to set us free and give us everlasting life.
A gentle reminder, that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hands or bought by man.
I believe that the little girl may have been the only one that got it right.
God said to Jeremiah that “before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
God knows everyone of us and has a plan for everyone of our lives.
God’s plan has a purpose for our lives and that is one of the “Wonders of the World.”
Jesus Christ came to this world to be and offering for us and he has given us three “Wonderful Offerings.”
1. A Sovereign Love Offering
The sovereignty of God is the unlimited power of God, who has sovereign control over all the affairs of nature and history.
A. God Provides Salvation (Titus 3:3-5)
Our old nature misguides and misleads us, enslaving us through lust and pleasures of this world. However, God provided a means of transformation, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.
A gift, a wonderful gift.
B. God Instituted Salvation (John 6:44; 1 John 4:10).
This free gift only comes from God through his Son Jesus Christ. We cannot initiate salvation, only God can.
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44 (NKJV)
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 (NKJV)
2. A Sacrificial Love Offering
A. It Was a Sacrifice for All (1 John 2:1-2).
This free gift was purchase for all. We cannot purchase it by our works or money it can only be purchased by God’s only begotten Son.
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV)
B. It Is a Sacrifice That Must Be Accepted (Romans 5:8-9).
This free gift is not worth nothing, unless you are willing to receive it.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8-9 (NKJV)
3. A Saving Love Offering
A. Saving Faith Involves Repentance (Romans 2:4).
This free gift can only be received when we turn away from our sins.
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (NKJV)
B. Saving Faith Involves Believing (Mark 1:14-15; Acts 20:20-21).
This free gift involves believing that God’s only begotten Son gave his life for you. That he had victory over death and sets on the right hand of the throne with God.
C. Saving Faith Involves Receiving (John 1:12).
It’s a free gift that is received without any strings attached. “For by grace you are saved, not by works.”
D. Saving Faith Prevents Eternal Perishing and separation from God. (John 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
It’s a free gift that rescues the perishing and cares for the dying. Jesus is wonderful, Jesus is mine.
E. Saving Faith Provides Eternal Life (John 3:16; John 3:36).
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 (NKJV)
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 (NKJV)
Conclusion/Invitation:
Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to be an offering and he has given us three “Wonderful Offerings.”
1. A Sovereign Love Offering
2. A Sacrificial Love Offering
3. A Saving Love Offering
Yes the greatest “Wonder of the World” is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his wonderful offerings allows us to be “Redeemed by Jesus Our Passover Lamb.”
Admit that “The Greatest Wonder of the World” is Jesus Christ.
Believe must believe that “The Greatest Wonder of the World” can give us eternal life, when we confess our sins.
Confess our sins to the “The Greatest Wonder of the World” Jesus Christ and receive eternal life.
