The Greatest Of All Greatness

THE GREATEST OF ALL GREATNESS

John 3:16

“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.”

Every verse in the Bible is the greatest sentence in the whole world. Why? Because, it came out from God Himself, but still, John 3:16 is the summary also a clear statement about the very essence of God’s heart for us.

William P. K. Lee, put this verse into 12 greatest things ever exist in the universe.

“For God” - the greatest person

“So loved” – the greatest love

“The world” – the greatest multitude

“That He gave” – the greatest act

“His only Begotten Son” – the greatest gift

“That whosoever” – the greatest individual

“Believeth” – the greatest faith

“In Him” – the greatest assurance

“Should not” – the greatest deliverance

“Perish” – the greatest sentence

“But have” – the greatest possession

“Everlasting life” – the greatest life

(Taken from: “Tear drop on seed life”)

We can divide this single verse into 3 great truths, which are:

1. The Fact

2. The Reason

3. The Purpose

1. The Fact: “That He gave His only begotten Son”

- This is the greatest fact ever known to all humankind.

There was nothing, and there will be nothing can compare to the event when God, Himself, gave His begotten Son for us. There was no fact, and there will be none, that have so many impacts to this world, except the fact that God gave His own Son for us. This fact had change a whore, unhappy woman who was looking her pleasure in sex, became an evangelist (John 4:39-42). It changed a dirty, smelly, rough fisherman, like Peter, or John, or others, into a history-maker. If this fact could change the crazy, demonic, naked, filled with 6000 demons (legion) man became an evangelist of 10 cities; and it surely can change anything, won’t you agree with me? It changed so many people, and it can change your life and mine too! The most genius man can’t change the world. The richest man ever lived cannot change the world. The most charismatic politician can’t change this world like Jesus did. But, since Jesus came to this world; He already changed millions and millions of people and He still keep in this "changing" business.

- This is the fact that no one can ever change.

Many people tried to hide this fact; communism, materialism, Islam, Bahai-u’llah, Jewish religion, etc. But they can’t change the fact that Jesus ever lived in this world, they can’t change the fact that His tomb is empty.

The devil knew that he couldn’t change this reality, so he must hide this fact from as many people as he can. So he lied to them. Once I heard when Rev. A. A. Allen preached in one meeting, and he began to make a statement about the devil; he said: “Devil is a liar!” Yes, he is a liar. He lied to you because he afraid if you know this fact, you will the most powerful person that ever lived, so he lied. Hallelujah!

- This is the fact that gave us boldness to stand before the Almighty God, without blame.

Heb 10:19, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”

This fact convinced us, so we can believed, and we can have the boldness to come to HIM into a close fellowship.

2. The Reason: “For God so loved the world”

God’s love is an:

- Unchanging love (John 15:9)

As long as the Father and the Son not change (Heb 13:8, I John 4:16), His love will not change.

Jer 31:3 says, "Long ago the LORD said to Israel: "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." (New Living Translation)

- Unconditional love (Luke 15:11-32)

F. E. Marsh gave a wonderful insight about these verses:

“The prodigal in his self-will demanded “the portion of goods that falleth” to him. But the Father in Love’s giving divide unto him “His living”, literally “His life.”

The prodigal in his self-action “gathered all together.” The Father in His love was waiting on the lookout for the wanderer to return.

The prodigal in his self-destination went into the “far country”. The Father in His Love’s sight saw the ungrateful one while he was yet “a great way off”.

The prodigal in his self-waste “wasted his substance in riotous living.” The Father in His Love’s heart had “compassion” on him.

The prodigal in his self-folly “spent all” he possessed. The Father’s Love’s desire moved Him to run to welcome the wanderer.

The prodigal in his self-destitution began “to be in want.” The Father in His love’s embrace fell on his neck and took him into His heart.