“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” John 3:16
FBCF – 3/16/25
Jon Daniels
INTRO – Francis William Boreham – preacher in England in early 1900’s. As a young boy, his father took him to London to see the ancient obelisk named Cleopatra’s Needle being erected (PIC). This 70-ft tall tower was built in the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis some 3000 yrs before it was moved to London in the late 1800’s.
This was a big deal for young Francis Boreham. He was fascinated by the tower – fascinated by the maze of hieroglyphics that cover the 4 sides of the tower – fascinated by thought of the Egyptian Pharaohs riding past this tower in their chariots – fascinated by the thought that even Moses may have sat at the base of the needle as a boy, studying his lessons that his tutor had assigned to him.
And now, the ancient city of Heliopolis is gone, remembered only by this monument in another city. Boreham wrote: “Will a time ever come, I wondered, when London will be as Heliopolis is?” In other words: 3000 yrs from now, will London be gone as Heliopolis is gone? Some city officials in London thought that there should be some objects placed in the base of the monument – like a time capsule – for future generations to know what life was like in London in the late 19th century: some coins, children’s toys, a London directory, some newspapers, box of hairpins & other feminine items, a razor, a parchment w/ the translation of the hieroglyphics on the needle itself - & one more very interesting thing: a text written out in over 200 different languages. Here’s the text:
“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.”
If, 3000 yrs from now, some archaeologists in the 50th century are combing through the ruins of London & come upon these items, things will most likely have changed greatly – the coins, the toys, the women’s jewelry. But one thing has never changed & will never change, no matter which century we live in – that is the truth of John 3:16. It was true in the 1st century; it is true today in the 21st century; & will still be true in the 51st century.
EXPLANATION – John 3:16
Nicodemus came to Jesus b/c he wanted something – he wanted some answers. He wanted some clarification. He wanted some understanding. I believe he wanted to be saved.
I believe that people today are wanting something, too. I believe they’re wanting some of the same things Nicodemus wanted. They’re wanting to know that there is something more to this life than what they’re experiencing at the present time.
- They want to know that there is something that is true when so many things are false these days.
- They want to know that there is something that will not change when everything around us is changing at a blindingly fast pace.
- They want to know that life is truly worth living when so many people are losing hope today.
- Jesus is true…will not change…makes life worth living!
Drive-thru coffee shop Thu – On way to funeral of a godly 95 yr-old woman. Young man w/ dark skin & dark hair came up to truck window to take my order. Saw MS State decal in back window – “Did you go to State?” – “No. Went to MC” & pointed to campus right across the street – “Cool! What did you study?” – “Christian studies – I’m a pastor.” Young man was a Muslim from Pakistan. Great conversation w/ him. Very nice guy (gave my coffee to me free!). He talked about how many people had tried to convert him, especially when he was at work on Sundays.
- We both believe in God. Both believe in Jesus – a prophet – the Son of God.
- Ramadan – Not doing it. But instead of fasting, just give some money away to someone. That will make Allah happy too. Just hope it’s enough to make it to heaven.
- Girlfriend is American so in his mind & his family’s mind, she’s a Christian. Family not happy but he’s not worried b/c as long as she believes in “her” God & does good, they’ll end up in the same place.
- Asked his name as I drove off so I could pray for him. And I’m doing that now b/c this is what I know:
He may not know it right now, but inside of that young man & every other person who has ever lived, is alive today, or will be alive until the end of time – there is a hole that can only be filled by Jesus. You can throw anything & everything into that hole & you will always come up empty.
- Throw your works-based religions in there
- Throw your good life & good deeds in there
- Throw your church attendance in there
- Throw all the money you’ve given to the church or other charities in there
- Throw your love life in there – all those broken relationships, those attempts to feel loved & wanted to cover up the loneliness & sadness you feel
- Throw your career in there – your relentless pursuit of the almighty dollar
- Throw your addictions in there – all the ways you try to relax your mind or fulfill your lusts & passions
- Throw all your forms of entertainment in there – all the time you spend trying to make yourself happy, trying to fill up the feelings of emptiness
- Throw whatever you want to into that hole – throw it all in there & you will always come up empty until the truth of John 3:16 takes hold of your heart – not just your mind, but your heart!
Only Jesus can fill that hole in your heart!
APPLICATION – Only Jesus can give us what we truly want in life.
So, what DO you want? 3 simple questions that could change your life forever:
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE? – Do you want to KNOW that you are going to live forever? Do you want to KNOW that you are going to spend eternity in heaven? So many people do not KNOW that. They HOPE they will make it to heaven. They THINK they MIGHT make it to heaven.
- They do some fasting. If fasting doesn’t work out, give some money away. If that doesn’t work out, then give a preacher a free cup of coffee.
- Just KEEP TRYING to be a good person – KEEP TRYING – pay it forward – KEEP TRYING – do good things – KEEP TRYING – be nice – KEEP TRYING –help people – KEEP TRYING & HOPE that will be enough. You’ll wear yourself out & still end up in hell.
I’m all about being a good person, doing good things for people, being nice to people – I’m even all about fasting. But NONE of that will get you one step close to heaven. NONE of that will earn eternal life for you.
ONLY JESUS can give you the gift of eternal life. God knew we couldn’t be good enough to gain eternal life. He knew that we are all sinners who are in need of a Savior. And He knew that only His only begotten Son could be that Savior. So, He willingly gave Him to come & die on the cross for our sins so that we could live forever.
- He died so that we would not die
- He paid the price that we could not pay
- He saved us b/c we cannot save ourselves
So, do you want to have eternal life? You need Jesus!
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE ABUNDANT LIFE? – John 10:10 – What is abundant life? What does that mean? Means life that is beyond the usual or expected measure, more than sufficient, life that is something extraordinary.
Do you want that life that is something extraordinary? You won’t get it in any other way than through a real, personal relationship w/ Jesus.
- Don’t look to celebrities to see what it looks like…Don’t look to social media to see what it looks like…Don’t look to the Elon Musks of the world to see what it looks like…Don’t listen to the Benny Hinns & the Paula Whites & other false teachers of the world to find out what it looks like
Look to Jesus for the abundant life that only He can give you, that no amount of money can buy, no amount of influence can earn. The abundant life that Jesus gives does not promise health, wealth, & prosperity, but promises peace, joy, & meaning that no one & nothing else can give you.
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE PURPOSE & DIRECTION IN LIFE? – If you do, then come to Jesus TODAY.
- There’s no greater purpose to live for than to live for Jesus!
- There’s no other direction to go in than to go in the direction of Jesus!
CONCLUSION – Back to Cleopatra’s Needle – You & I won’t be here in the 50th century. In fact, we don’t even know if we are going to be here tomorrow. But we are here today. Someone may read John 3:16 if they dig up the ruins of this monument 3000 yrs from now. And they might get saved.
But what about YOU? What about RIGHT NOW? Hear those words again:
“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.”
It’s time for you to believe. It’s time for you to be saved. It’s time for you to have eternal life. It’s time for you to have abundant life. It’s time for you to have purpose & direction in life. It’s time!
