The next four weeks I am going to share a series of messages based on John 3:16. . There are four phrases in John 3:16. I will build a sermon around each of those phrases.
The four messages are:
What Is God Like?
Why Did Jesus Die?
What Does It Mean To Believe?
What Happens After Death?
John 3:16 is a short verse consisting of twenty-five words. However, volumes could be preached from it. Martin Luther, the man who triggered the Protestant revolution, said in regard to John 3:16, “we have the Bible in Miniature.” (Contributed to Sermon Central by Aubrey Vaughan)
Let’s look at the first of those four phrases, “For God so loved the world”. What is God like? A child was sitting at a table in her room feverishly working on a project. Her mother came in and asked, “Honey, what are you doing?” “I’m drawing a picture of God,” she said. “But nobody knows what God looks like,” the mother replied. “They will when I get through,” said the child. (Contributed to Sermon Central by Ed Wood) Hopefully, at the conclusion of this message you will understand a little more of what God looks like. No one can adequately describe or discuss God. He is so magnificent we can only touch on a portion of the truth about Him. If you know what God looks like it will encourage you as you serve Him.
I. God is the Creator.
A. He created the world and everything in it. This gives answers to many of life’s hard questions. Failure to do this leaves a person confused. Maybe you’ve heard about the gorilla in a zoo holding a Bible in one hand & a book about evolution in the other. He was looking confused, so someone asked, “What are you doing?” The gorilla answered, “Well, I’m trying to decide if I’m my brother’s keeper or my keeper’s brother.” (Contributed to Sermon Central by MELVIN NEWLAND) Even though belief in God does not answer all of life’s questions it answers many of the most significant. It explains the origin of the universe. It explains the purpose and direction of life. It explains the meaning of your existence.
B. Believing in God as creator gives meaning and value to life. As such, this is the starting point to a full and meaningful life. In Genesis 1, the story of creation, you will find the phrase “It was good” repeated seven times. That is God’s plan for your life. He planned you for a purpose. He planned to give you a good life.
Illustration: I am reminded of the story of a discussion at a church camp. A group of children (along with a counselor) were discussing the purpose God has for all of his creation. They began to find good reasons for the clouds, trees, rocks, rivers, animals and just about everything else in nature. Finally, one of the children asked, “If God has a good purpose for everything, then why did He create poison ivy?” This made the discussion leader gulp and, as he struggled with the question, one of the other children piped up, “The reason God made poison ivy is that He wanted us to know that there are certain things we should keep our cotton-pickin’ hands off of!” (Contributed to Sermon Central by Jim Kane)
If God is your creator, then purpose comes from knowing Him. Anytime a person starts talking about life purpose people begin looking for something profound. They look for specifics. They think of things such as: God created me to be a lawyer; God created me to be a preacher; God created me to be a professional football player or God created me to be a missionary. This may be true. However, there is a more general reason why God created you and this reason overshadows all others. Colossians 1:16 states the reason clearly. “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible,… everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”(The Message) Rick Warren stated it well, “You were made by God and for God---and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” (The Purpose Driven Life. P . 19)
2. God is Sovereign. In John 3:16 it says “God so loved the world.” He is sovereign over the whole world. He knows all things and everyone. A few days ago I went to the doctor. While sitting in the waiting room I picked up a Time magazine. There was an article in the magazine discussing the tremendous advancements being made with computer memory chips. They explained how chips are getting smaller and yet holding more information. This article indicated there will come a time when you can store every bit of information you possess on a memory chip in your watch. Isn’t it wonderful to know a God who predates computers and His memory is bigger than computer chips? He knows everyone in the world. He knows every name. He knows every thought. He knows every phone number. He knows every address. He knows every move you will ever make. He knows what you look like in your birthday suit. He even knows the number of hairs on your head.
Listen to what the Psalmist said: “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” (Ps. 139:1-4)
THE FIRST AND LAST
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can’t understand him, The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, and The leaders can’t ignore Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him, the Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and
The people couldn’t hold Him! Nero couldn’t crush Him,
Hitler couldn’t silence Him, The New Age can’t replace Him, and
Talk show hosts can’t explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me. He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, Never forsake me, Never mislead me,
Never forget me, Never overlook me, and
Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up! When I confess failure, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
SOURCE: http://www.bible.org/docs/pastor/bits/bits-110.htm
(Adapted from SermonCentral contribution)
3. God is Love.
A. Sovereignty and love do not seem to match. His sovereignty makes Him seem unapproachable. I am reminded of the time when Moses went up Mt. Sinai. He was told he could not see God face to face and live. I am reminded of another occasion when Isaiah saw a vision of God. He fell on his face and cried I am undone. The awesome nature of the Holy righteous God of Heaven makes Him seem unapproachable. He is sovereign and yet He is love. God’s sovereignty and love seem to be an unlikely match of qualities. It seems to be like oil and water; snow and fire; dogs and cats; Alabama and Auburn. None of those seem to match. God is sovereign and yet He is love. John stated it simply “God is love.”( I John 4:8)
Illustration: "When John F. Kennedy was President of the United States, Life magazine published photos of his children, John Jr. and Caroline, playing with their toys on the floor of the Oval Office. Those images captured the hearts of the American people like nothing before or since. Why? I think it’s because it bridged a gap between two thoughts: Kennedy was the President of the United States, but he was also a father. He held ultimate political power in the Free World, but playing at his feet were two little kids who called him Daddy. Why? He was their father. He was not only President of the United States; he was also their dad. In the same way, God is both our Father and the Lord of glory. We can approach Him confidently in prayer because we are His dearly beloved children, but, we must never forget that He is also the Sovereign of the universe."
(David Jeremiah, Prayer, the Great Adventure, pp. 89-90.)
4. God is Just.
A. Because he is just God cannot turn His back on sin. Justice will always be met by Him.
Ill- Let’s suppose a person climbs over the fence surrounding the White House? Will security casually overlook such an act and attribute it to a tourist wanting to get a better view. They would arrest the individual and carry him to jail. He would not pass go and would not collect $200. If they cannot secure the person they will shoot him. Justice will be met. The space around the White House cannot be violated. God is a Holy God. His nature cannot tolerate sin and imperfection. He is repulsed by man’s sin and imperfection.
B. Because He is just He must deal with sin. God provided a payment for sin. The Bible says “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) Jesus took our place. The Bible says he became sin in our place. God is just but he is also gracious, loving and forgiving.
Illustration: Let me share a vivid illustration of what God has done for us. Let’s imagine that you are driving and through carelessness you jump a curb, damage your car and knock down and destroy a city sign. Now, the police officer arrives on the scene. He surveys the scene and you admit that the accident was your fault so he gives you a ticket for careless driving. The officer assigns you a court date and informs you that the city will be in touch so that you can pay for a new sign -that’s justice -deserved punishment. But let’s say out of the goodness of his heart the officer says, "Well, I know this can happen to anybody and you’ve already got to pay for the damage to your car so I’ll just let it go, no ticket and you don’t have to pay for the sign.” You’d say, "That’s incredible," but that’s MERCY - Exemption from punishment. But let’s say that the officer is really generous and he tells you, you’re not going to get a ticket; but not only that-but he pulls out his check book and writes you a check to pay for the full amount of the damage done to your car and further, he tells you that “He’ll pay the city for the damaged sign and your ticket too.” You say, "That’s impossible!” But that’s grace. Favor given when punishment is deserved.
(Adapted from illustration Timothy Smith contributed to Sermon Central)
What is God like? God is the creator who gives meaning to life! God is sovereign! God is loving! God is just! He wants to know you today. He gave His son for you.
