TEXT: John 3:16; Doctrinal; multiple texts
INTRO: When we are faced with a world out of control, threatening, lying, dominating, and denying our hopes and the hopes of others, how should we respond? What example should we follow? “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16.
I. EXPOSITION PT. A: RELEVANCE AND RECIPIENTS
A. Relevance: “For God.” What does the world need more than what the Creator wants?
B. Recipients: Two (2) groups of recipients here. 1.) First are the hearers and readers.
2.) The world. Greek = “kosmos” = “the human race,” Matt. 5:14, “You are the light of the world,” and in Jn.1:10, “He was in the world , and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” Lk. 10:7, “You shall love the Lord your God with all all your herat, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself,” Rom. 10:12b-13, “for the same Lord is lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for whoever will call upon the Lord will be saved.”
God loves all people and wants the best for them.
II. EXPOSITION PT. B: ATTITUDE AND ACTION
A. Attitude: “that He gave His only begotten Son.” Love =“agape” = God’s love.
B. Action: 2 points: 1.) Love’s action begins with us. The love of God is initiated by God.
. When we go out among people, it is to be with a desire to love and help them.
2.) Love is sacrificial. Phil. 2, Jesus was “in the form of God,” but “He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.”
Hebrews 2:10, “[He is] the author of our salvation through sufferings,” ; 2:17, “propitiation for the sins of the people.” We cannot turn our heads when we see people hurting, but must do what we can to help them.
III. EXPOSITION PT. C: WORLDLY AND HEAVENLY PURPOSE
A.Our passage gives us 3 purposes to consider.
1.) “that whoever believes in Him.” We are to offer the opportunity to know Jesus.
2.) “shall not perish.” Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death,” ; 2 Pet. 3:9, “The Lord. . . . is patient toward you, not wishing any should perish but for all to come to the repentance.” There is no pleasure in the physical or eternal death of any person. 3.) “but have everlasting life.” God’s desire is for salvation.
CONCLUSION