Go! And Understand the Heart of God - John 3:16
John 3:16 (NLT): "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
Introduction: The Most Famous Verse in the Bible
If I asked you to name the most well-known verse in the Bible, chances are you'd say John 3:16. But have you ever paused to ask why this verse is so loved, so quoted, so memorised? This morning, in our "Go! And…" series, we’re going to explore the profound depth behind this simple yet soul-stirring verse. Our message today is titled: "Go! And Believe the Greatest News Ever Told"
This verse is popular because it proclaims the very heart of the Gospel. It shows us the heart of God, reveals the hope of salvation, and presents the help for our eternal souls.
1. God’s Love Is Greater Than We Can Imagine
"For this is how God loved the world..."
The Greek word used for love here is agape (???p?), which means a self-sacrificing, unconditional, divine love. This isn’t emotion-based affection—it’s active, pursuing, relentless love.
Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee. Nicodemus thought salvation came through Jewish heritage and law-keeping. But Jesus levels the playing field: God loves the world, not just the Jews.
Romans 5:8 (NLT): "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Oh, dear friends, what a breathtaking truth this is! God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up, to earn His love, or to somehow qualify for salvation. No! While we were still rebels, still broken, still spiritually dead—God demonstrated His great love by sending Jesus to die in our place. The Greek word used here for “showed” (sunistemi) means to commend, to prove, to establish beyond all doubt. At the cross, God’s love isn’t just spoken—it is proven.
Charles Stanley once said, “God’s love for you is based on His character, not your conduct.” That’s exactly what Paul proclaims here—Christ’s sacrifice is not a response to our goodness, but a revelation of God’s goodness. Hallelujah!
1 John 4:10 (NLT): "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."
Beloved, if you want to know what real love looks like—look to the cross. Not the counterfeit love of the world, not a love based on emotion or merit, but a holy, sacrificial love initiated by God Himself. The Greek word for “sacrifice” here is hilasmos—meaning an atoning sacrifice, a satisfaction of wrath. God’s justice was satisfied in Christ so that His mercy could flow freely to us.
As Max Lucado so beautifully put it: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” And that transforming love begins with recognising that He loved us first—He sent His Son not because we deserved it, but because His love demanded it.
Isn’t that a powerful truth? God’s love is not a passive, sentimental feeling—it’s a transforming, redeeming, holy love. God doesn’t wait for us to get our act together before He loves us. No, as the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
This is the Gospel: not that we earned God’s love, but that He loved us first. He sent His Son not because we were worthy, but because His love demanded it. Love compelled God to act—love moved the heart of Heaven to step into human history.
And now, His love refuses to leave us unchanged. He calls us to be like Jesus. That’s the journey of grace and sanctification—daily becoming more like the One who gave everything for us.
Friend, don’t settle for being merely forgiven. You’re called to be transformed. Let His love remake you—renew your heart, reshape your character, and redirect your destiny. That's what the love of God does—it makes us like Jesus.
Think of the father who donated his own heart to save his daughter’s life. He gave what was most vital so that she might live. God gave His Son, not just from a throne to a cradle, but from life to death—for us.
Max Lucado said, "If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it." Friend, that’s the kind of love that surpasses understanding.
Never doubt the love of God. Even when life is hard, remember: God’s love is not based on your circumstances but on His character.
2. God’s Gift Is Unimaginably Precious
"He gave his one and only Son..."
The Greek phrase is monogenes huios (µ????e??? ????), meaning the unique, one-of-a-kind Son. This emphasises Jesus’ divine uniqueness. He’s not merely a son—He’s the Son.
This phrase affirms both Christ’s divinity and exclusivity as the only Saviour.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT): “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This glorious prophecy, spoken centuries before Christ’s birth, is more than poetic promise—it is divine revelation! Isaiah 9:6 tells us of a child who is born, but also a Son who is given. The humanity and divinity of Christ meet here in perfect harmony. Born in a manger, yet given from heaven. Fragile flesh and eternal deity in one person.
He is Wonderful Counsellor—not merely a giver of good advice, but the very wisdom of God incarnate. He is Mighty God—not a prophet pointing to divinity, but the power and presence of God Himself. He is Everlasting Father—not confusing the persons of the Trinity, but revealing the heart of God in the Son, full of love and compassion. He is the Prince of Peace—because true peace isn’t the absence of war, but the presence of Jesus.
This is not just a Christmas verse. This is a Gospel declaration! God with us. God for us. God as one of us.
Hebrews 1:3 (NLT): “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.”
Oh, what majesty flows from these Spirit-breathed words! Jesus is not a reflection of God’s glory—He radiates it! The Greek word here, apaugasma, means the outshining. Just as light flows from the sun, Jesus flows from the heart of the Father. He is the visible image of the invisible God. He doesn’t merely carry God’s message—He is God’s message, made flesh.
And notice the present tense: He sustains everything. Right now, in this very moment, the universe is held together by the living Word of Christ. The breath in your lungs, the beat in your heart—grace upon grace.
Then comes the Gospel jewel: “When he had cleansed us from our sins…” Oh, hallelujah! Not if, not when we try harder, but when He cleansed us. By His blood. Through His cross. Once for all. And now He is seated—His work of atonement is complete.
So let us fall before Him in awe. Let us lift our eyes to the One who upholds galaxies and forgives sinners. Jesus is not just a Saviour—He is the Sovereign King of Glory.
Imagine a king sending his only heir to a rebel village to die in order to redeem those rebels. That’s what God did for us.
Charles Stanley said, "The cross is God’s way of saying, ‘You matter this much.’"
My friends, that statement captures the immeasurable love of God in a way that touches both the heart and the mind. When we look at the cross, we see more than wood and nails — we see the outstretched arms of the Saviour saying, “This is how far I’m willing to go to rescue you.”
We must value Jesus as God’s precious gift, not just as a moral teacher but as our divine Redeemer.
Charles Stanley’s words remind us that the cross is not a symbol of guilt or condemnation for the believer — it is a declaration of value. The cross shouts to the heavens and the earth, “You are loved. You are valued. You are worth the blood of the Son of God.”
So today, let’s not just acknowledge the cross — let’s embrace it as the ultimate proof of God’s love for us. Let it drive us to worship, to repentance, to gratitude, and to a life fully surrendered to the One who says, “You matter this much.”
3. God’s Invitation Is for Everyone
"So that everyone who believes in him..."
The word for "believe" is pisteuo (p?ste??), which means to trust, to cling to, to rely upon.
To Nicodemus, the idea that anyone—not just the Jewish elite—could be saved by faith alone was revolutionary.
Acts 2:21 (NLT): "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Oh, what a glorious promise this is! This declaration, spoken by Peter on the Day of Pentecost, echoes the prophecy of Joel and resounds with hope for every generation. Everyone—not just the religious, not just the good, not just the morally upright—everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
This is the heart of the Gospel: salvation is not earned, it is received by calling upon Jesus in faith. The Greek word for “calls” (epikaleo) means more than a whisper—it is a cry of dependence, a shout of desperation, a plea from the soul that knows it cannot save itself.
Jesus is not a distant deity—He is a rescuing Redeemer who responds to the cry of the repentant heart.
As Charles Stanley once said, “God’s plan for enlarging His kingdom is so simple—one person telling another about the Saviour. Yet we’re busy and full of excuses. Just remember, someone’s eternal destiny is at stake.”
Church, let us never grow tired of proclaiming that everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved. That includes your neighbour, your prodigal son, your broken-hearted friend—it includes you, today.
Charles Stanley’s words cut straight to the heart of our calling. The simplicity of God’s kingdom-building plan is both humbling and urgent. It’s not about complicated programmes or impressive speeches; it’s one person, speaking clearly and lovingly, about Jesus. Yet, how often do we let busyness and excuses silence that crucial witness? We forget that behind every conversation lies an eternal destiny. This reminder should stir us from complacency to boldness. If someone’s very soul hangs in the balance, how can we afford to stay quiet? The Gospel demands our voices—our faithful “Go!” to share Christ without delay.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
This verse is the hinge on which salvation swings! The mouth and the heart—confession and belief—are the God-ordained response to the Gospel. Declaring that Jesus is Lord—Kyrios Iesous—is not a casual phrase. It’s a public renunciation of every other lord and a personal submission to Christ’s authority.
To believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead is to place your faith in the victorious, resurrected Saviour who conquered sin and the grave.
Tim Keller put it beautifully: “The gospel is not just the ABCs but the A to Z of the Christian life.” This verse isn’t merely an entry point—it is a declaration of a new identity, a new allegiance, a new life!
Jesus is not just a way—He is the way, the truth, and the life. To confess Him as Lord is to surrender to His rule, trust in His grace, and follow His voice.
A tightrope walker pushes a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. He asks, "Do you believe I can carry a man across?" The crowd says yes. He says, "Who wants to get in?" Belief means getting in the wheelbarrow—total trust.
Salvation is not earned—it is received by faith. We must daily trust Christ, not just once at conversion.
4. God’s Rescue Is from Eternal Perishing
"...will not perish but have eternal life."
The Greek word for perish is apollymi (?p????µ?), meaning to be utterly destroyed, ruined.
This is about spiritual perishing—separation from God, eternal judgment. But Jesus offers the opposite: zoe aionios (??? a??????), life everlasting in quality and duration.
John 10:28 (NLT): “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
What a glorious promise from the lips of Jesus Himself! He doesn’t say, "They might have eternal life if they work hard enough," or "If they hold on tightly enough, they’ll make it." No—He says, “I give them eternal life.” It’s a gift, not a wage. And once given, it is secured—not by our strength, but by His sovereign hand.
The Greek word for “snatch” here is harpazo, which means to seize by force. And Jesus declares with holy authority that there is no force in heaven or earth strong enough to rip His sheep from His grip. Satan can tempt. The world can rage. But the Saviour holds His own. That’s the kind of security only Jesus can offer. Hallelujah!
Revelation 21:4 (NLT):“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
What a beautiful glimpse of eternity! In a world saturated with suffering, this verse is heaven’s balm for the weary soul. God Himself—not an angel, not a prophet, but God—will wipe away every tear. That image is deeply intimate, like a loving father kneeling to gently comfort His hurting child.
The Greek verb exaleipho—translated "wipe away"—carries the idea of removing completely, as if the tears never existed. And what follows? No more death. No more sorrow. No more pain. A divine reversal of everything broken by sin.
This is not wishful thinking—it is the promised future secured by the finished work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb upon the throne. If John 3:16 shows us the depth of God’s love, Revelation 21:4 shows us the destiny that love has secured for all who believe.
Imagine a burning house. You’re trapped. A firefighter bursts in, wraps you in his jacket, and carries you out through the flames. Jesus is our Rescuer from the fire of judgment.
John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him—especially when we are rescued from death by His Son."
Eternal life starts now, not just in heaven. We live with assurance, purpose, and hope.
John Piper’s words cut straight to the heart of our Christian experience: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him—especially when we are rescued from death by His Son.” This is not merely theological jargon but a profound spiritual truth. When we find our deepest joy, our fullest satisfaction in Jesus Christ alone, it magnifies God’s glory. Why? Because it shows that our hearts are truly alive, truly redeemed, and that the gospel is not just good news for eternity but a present reality that transforms us here and now.
The rescue from death—spiritual death caused by sin—by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is the greatest deliverance imaginable. To be satisfied in Him means to treasure Christ above all things, to lean entirely on His grace, and to live in the freedom and hope He alone provides. As we delight in Him, we reflect His glory to the world around us. In short, Piper reminds us that our worship is not only in words or songs but in the way we live, rejoice, and rest in the Saviour who saved us.
This joy in Christ is the essence of the Christian life and the truest mark of His work in us. May we all pursue that satisfaction, so God may be glorified in us, now and forever.
The Gospel Presentation: Christ Crucified, Risen, and Reigning
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect life. He died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He was buried—and on the third day, He rose again. In doing so, He conquered sin, death, and the grave. He now reigns in glory and invites you to repent, believe, and be saved.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT):“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
Brothers and sisters, this is the Gospel in its purest, most powerful form.
The Apostle Paul declares not merely an opinion, not a tradition, but what is of first importance—what is essential, non-negotiable, and life-transforming. Christ died for our sins—not for His own, for He was sinless. He took our guilt, our shame, our rebellion upon Himself. This was no accident of history; it was the fulfilment of divine prophecy, the eternal plan of salvation foretold in the Scriptures.
And then, Paul says, “He was buried”—a real death, not symbolic, not fainting, but a death witnessed, sealed, and mourned.
But hallelujah—He rose again on the third day! Not in secret, not in myth, but in reality and in fulfilment of the Word. The tomb is empty. Death could not hold Him. Sin could not corrupt Him. The devil could not defeat Him.
This passage reminds us that our faith is not built on sentiment but on the solid rock of Christ’s finished work—His death, His burial, and His resurrection.
And friend, if you believe this truth with all your heart, your life can never be the same again.
Call to Action:
Friend, don’t treat John 3:16 like a cliché. It is the key to your eternity. Trust in Jesus. Repent of your sin. Receive His grace.
Invitation to Salvation:
Right now, wherever you are, you can turn to Jesus. Say, "Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me. I repent of my sin. Be my Saviour. Be my Lord. Amen."
If you prayed that sincerely, welcome to the family of God. Your new life begins now.
Benediction: Go! And Believe the Greatest News Ever Told
Go! And understand the heart of God.
Go! And share the love of Christ.
Go! And live like someone who has been rescued from perishing.
May the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit guide you always. Amen.
