Series: Light And Life [#7]
SHED SOME LIGHT ON ETERNAL LIFE
John 3:16-21
Introduction:
As we covered John 3:1-15 last week; we saw what each of us needs most from Nicodemus’ conversation with Jesus. As we continue in this chapter, we find the most known Bible verse in the entire Bible- John 3:16. The key to eternal life is found in these verses. I want us to shed some light on eternal life this morning.
John 3:16-21 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
These verses shed light on…
1. Salvation.
? For God- The origin of salvation.
Before anything was created, God knew that mankind would sin and be separated from Him. He planned salvation before we were created.
? So loved- The motivation of salvation.
God planned salvation for mankind because He loves us so much. God doesn’t want any to perish. God did not send Jesus to us to condemn us; but to save us.
? The world- The extent of salvation.
God’s salvation is for the world- This includes everyone. Some say that God chose before He created this world and us, who would be saved; and He did. Jesus died for everyone in the world.
? He gave- The action of salvation.
In order for us to have salvation, God had to give us His Son. God made the choice to give us His Son.
? His one and only Son- The cost of salvation.
Salvation comes at a price. Jesus left a perfect Heaven and took on flesh. God had only 1 begotten Son and He allowed Him to pay the price for all of mankind’s sins.
? That whoever- The offer of salvation.
Salvation is offered to whoever will receive it. Whoever means whoever. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how much stuff you have, etc…
? Believes in Him- The requirement of salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
? Shall not perish- The hope of salvation.
As we discussed last week- You can be born once and die twice; or you can be born twice and die once. My salvation gives me hope that I will spend eternity with God in Heaven.
? But have eternal life- The promise of salvation.
Eternal life in Heaven only comes through salvation through Jesus Christ.
These verses shed light on…
2. God’s love.
? For God- Its Author.
God is love. There is no love like the love of God.
? So loved- Its character.
God so loved. That means that He loves us more than anything else.
? The World- Its object.
God loves all of us. That is why He offers us salvation.
? That He gave- Its gift.
God’s love is a gift. God gives us His love freely.
? His one and only Son- Its sacrifice.
This is how much God loves us- He sacrificed Jesus as our perfect Lamb.
? That whoever- Its depth.
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
? Believes in Him- Its acceptance.
You must accept that God loves you so much that He died for you.
? Shall not perish but have eternal life- Its purpose.
The purpose of God’s love is to bridge the gap that sin has caused in our lives. God loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him.
These verses shed light on…
3. God’s greatness.
? For God- The greatest Father.
There is no other greater than God. Fathers- Father your children like God fathers His children.
? So loved- The greatest love.
God has the greatest love and through salvation we too can have that type of love.
? The World- The greatest need.
We live in a fallen World and without Christ as Savior, there is no hope. The World likes the darkness and evil. The World is blinded to the light of Jesus. The World desperately needs Jesus.
? That He gave- The greatest gift.
There is no other gift that lasts forever.
? His one and only Son- The greatest sacrifice.
Not only is Jesus the greatest sacrifice; but He is the only sacrifice that will save you.
? That whoever- The greatest invitation.
All people are invited. No matter who you are or what you have done, you are invited.
? Believes in Him- The greatest commitment.
There is no greater decision and commitment that a person can make then to surrender their life to Jesus.
? Shall not perish- The greatest salvation.
? But have eternal life- The greatest hope.
These verses shed light on…
4. God’s gift.
? For God- God gave the gift.
? So loved- God gave the gift because of His love.
? The World- God gave the gift to the entire World.
? His one and only Son- God gave His Son.
? That whoever- We receive the gift.
? Believes in Him- We receive when we believe.
? Shall not perish- We receive salvation from eternal death.
? But have eternal life- We receive the promise of eternal life.
Conclusion:
You may be thinking, “We only covered John 3:16”; but we have actually covered each of these verses. Jesus was the only hope mankind had then and He is the only hope that we have now. We have looked at an in-depth explanation of salvation. Christians, you have a responsibility to share this Good News with everyone you have contact with.
