This is the second sermon in a series on John 3:16. The first sermon examined the question “What Is God Like?” Today we examine the question “What Is The Meaning of Jesus Death?” In John 3:16 we read that God “gave His only begotten son.” What is the meaning behind that gift? Jesus death had a significant meaning. Notice three statements that were made by Jesus death.
I. The first statement: Jesus was the ultimate expression of God’s love.
There are many ways of expressing love. You can say it. You can give jewelry. You can give flowers or candy. You can do thoughtful deeds. Even so, God could have used many means to express His love. He expressed His love in the pages of the Bible. He expressed His love through His blessings. However, the ultimate expression of God’s love was displayed in sending His son Jesus.
Illustration: The words of a child indicate ways of expressing love. Love is…
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love."
"Love is when someone hurts you, and you get so mad, but you don’t yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings."
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay."
"Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
([Love from a Kid’s Point of View, Citation: "What Is Love—From a Kid’s Point of View," LightSinger, (accessed 3-14-02)] (Contributed to Sermon Central by A. Todd Coget) This is how a child sees love expressed.
God expressed His love when he sent Jesus to die for our sins. God’s love was expressed with a sacrificial spirit. In John 3:16 there is great emphasis placed on the fact that Jesus is God’s “only begotten son.” God gave the most precious thing He had as a sacrifice for mankind’s sin. Those who are parents know the agony of seeing your children hurt. Not long after we moved here David had to have surgery. He was a sick young man. He was nauseated. He was passing blood. It hurt me to see my son going through that ordeal. As a parent you would rather take the pain than see your child suffer. To think that God would express His love by sending His only son is incomprehensible. You might say, “God did not hurt like us because he knew what the outcome would be.” The point is, God allowed himself to feel mankind’s pain by allowing Jesus to suffer and die for us.
Illustration: Bryan Chapell tells a story that happened in his hometown. Two brothers were playing on the sandbanks by a river. One ran after another up a large mound of sand. Unfortunately, the mound was not solid, and their weight caused them to sink in quickly.
When the boys did not return home for dinner, the family and neighbors organized a search. They found the younger brother unconscious, with his head and shoulders sticking out above the sand. When they cleared the sand to his waist, he awakened. The searchers asked, "Where is your brother?"
The child replied, "I’m standing on his shoulders"
With the sacrifice of his own life, the older brother lifted the younger to safety. The tangible and sacrificial love of the older brother literally served as a foundation for the younger brother’s life.
The Bible says “0And it was only right that God—who made everything and for whom everything was made—should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation.”Hebrews 2:10 (Contributed to Sermon Central by Dana Chau)
II. The second statement: Jesus was the extension of God’s hand. God created us. He knew we would stumble and fall. He knew we would make bad decisions. He knew we would need help along the way. He extended His hand to aid us in our journey.
Illustration: A boy and his father were out walking on a cold day, and the way was slippery. The little fellow’s hands were deep down in the pockets of a brand new coat. His father said to him: “You had better let me take your hand," but he could not persuade the boy to take his hands from the pockets of his new coat. They reached a slippery place and the boy had a hard fall. His pride began to slip. Not long after that they hit a second slippery place and the boy fell again. By this time the boys pride was gone. He raised his little hand and said: "You may take it now"; and his father grabbed his hand tightly and they continued their walk. When they reached a slippery place the little feet would start to go, but his father held him up. (J. Wilbur Chapman. Contributed to Sermon Central by Stephen Wright )
A. God knew we would need help before he ever created us. He saw the problem before it ever occurred. He fixed the problem before it occurred.
Illustration: There is a show on television about a young man who can see the future. In so doing he can reverse bad things before they happen. God does not necessarily reverse bad things but he does know what the future holds and he has extended his hand to hold you when you hit slippery spots.
Illustration: A little boy and his father visited a country store. Upon leaving the store the owner of the store offered the boy some free candy. "Get a hand full of candy", the merchant said to the boy. The boy just stood there looking up at his father. The owner repeated himself, "Son get a hand full of candy, it’s free." Again the boy did not move, continuing to look up in the face of his father. Finally, the father reached into the candy jar and got a hand full of candy and gave it to his son. As they walked back home, the father stopped and asked his son why he did not grab a hand full of the free candy. The boy with a big smile on his face looked into the face of his father and said "Because I know that your hand is bigger than mine." In your time of sorrow and grief, place it in your Father’s hand because His hand is bigger than yours. (Contributed to Sermon Central by Melton Timmons)
B. In extending His hand God showed He wants to help us.
Illustration: Thomas Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta who was known in the early 1920’s for the suggestive lyrics he combined with original music. Then God touched his life and in 1926 he gave up the suggestive music and began to write spiritual music. In 1932 times were hard for Dorsey as they were for nearly everyone trying to survive the depression. Perhaps it was because of his past music and his also his musical style some said his music was too worldly. The most difficult night of his life came one night right here in St. Louis when he received a telegram telling him that his pregnant wife had suddenly died. Dorsey was filled with grief and his faith was shaken, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, he expressed his agony the only way he knew how. He wrote this song. . .
1) Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light; Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
2) When my way grows drear, Precious Lord linger near. When my life is almost gone; Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall. Take my hand Precious Lord, lead me home. In spite of Dorsey’s checkered past he experienced God’s presence during that crises. That song which came out of his pain and grief has comforted and challenged thousands of people since then. If we are honest, most of us have had a moment, or two or three when God’s presence was all that could get us through. (Contributed to Sermon Central by Tim Richards)
III. The third statement: Jesus is the entry way to God’s blessings. Jesus emphasized this truth in several different places. In John 14:6 he said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In John 10:9 Jesus said “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” Many people contend that there are many ways to God. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only way to God. In our text it says “God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (emphasize Him when quoting this verse) This verse does not say “believe in Buddha”; “believe in Mohammed”; “believe in Mary”; it says believe in Jesus. Jesus is the entry way to God’s blessings.
Illustration: Let me give you an illustration. Healthcare costs have gotten out of hand. Healthcare insurance is almost out of reach. Many people give strong consideration to a job based on health care benefits. I had a friend tell me the other day, the only reason his wife works is the health insurance benefits she receives. The fringe benefit of good insurance is a major factor in today’s economy.
The major benefit of accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the fringe benefits. These benefits are only found through a relationship with Him.
Illustration: An elderly couple passed away and found themselves at the pearly gates. Peter was there to welcome them. First he showed them their mansion. The man overwhelmed by the sheer luxury of it all asked, "How much does this place cost per night?" Peter replied, "Sir, this is Heaven, it doesn’t cost anything." Then Peter took them to the dining room where table upon table was piled high with the most delicious foods you could imagine. Again overwhelmed by the glory of it all the man asked, "How much for the meals?" Peter said, "You forgot, this is Heaven, it’s free." Peter then took them out back where they saw a beautiful golf course. As the man stood there open-mouthed Peter said, "Now, before you ask, there are no greens fees, this is Heaven, everything is free." The man looked at his wife and said, "You and your confounded bran muffins, I could have been here 10 years ago!" Sometimes when people think of heaven they think of it as dull and boring. This joke however captures the promise of eternal life - a place of unbelievable beauty and delight. (Contributed to Sermon Central by Jim Kilson)
The Bible says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Eph. 1:3 Jesus is the entry way into God’s blessings.
Jesus is the source of assurance with the Father.
Vance Havner (an Evangelist), who is now deceased, lost his wife Sarah a few years before he died. Shortly after Sarah’s death Vance Havner saw a friend of his, Warren Wiersbe, at Moody Bible Institute. Wiersbe expressed his sympathy with the simple words, "I’m sorry to hear you lost your wife." Dr. Havner smiled and replied, "Son, when you know where something is, you haven’t lost it." (Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Obedient, Ge 23:1. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1991.) (Contributed to Sermon Central by Thomas Black)
God wants to give you assurance. Do you have it? Do you know where you are going to spend eternity. The Bible says “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life”. (I John 5:13) John did not say “think.” John did not say “guess.” He said “that you may know.”
Several Biblical passages illustrate this point. In John 4 we find the story of Jesus conversation with an adulterous woman. As they talk Jesus gets the woman to admit that she has had five husbands and that she was currently living with a man. As they talked Jesus tells the woman “the water that I shall give…will become…a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” This woman was somewhat of a moral outcast in their day. However, Jesus assured her she could have everlasting life. Some people would have told her she was too sinful to find assurance with God. Not so with Jesus.
As Jesus hung on the cross we are told there were two criminals hung on either side of Him. One of the criminals displayed faith in Jesus and His mission. Jesus told that criminal “today you shall be with me in Paradise.” Jesus gave that man assuarance.
Jesus is the entryway to God’s blessings, to assurance and to eternal life. Do you have those promises in your heart?
What is the meaning of Jesus death? Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love. Jesus is the extension of God’s hand. Jesus is the entry way to God’s blessings. Do you know Him? Will you receive Him today?
