Lesson 10

Everybody's Favorite Verse

John 3:16

I cannot remember learning John 3:16. Being raised in a Christian home, I feel as though I've always known this verse. I would venture to guess that of the 31,175 verses in the Bible, this one would by far be the favorite of just about everybody.

If you watch NFL Football games, you will probably see some fan hold up a poster that says John 3:16 on it. I understand that most of the stadiums in American have now outlawed any display of religious messages at ballgames. You will be ousted out of the stadium for showing John 3:16, but it's O.K. to display bumper stickers about bowel movements.

Well, tonight I am going to preach a simple message on John 3:16. This verse is wonderfully simple as well as simply wonderful. I feel as though I am destined to failure. This verse is so inexhaustible that whatever I say about it, I won't be able to say enough. Years ago there was a young preacher who began preaching at age 16 and died at age 33. His name was Henry Moorhouse. Every sermon he ever preached came from John 3:16. The meaning and beauty of these twenty-five words could never be exhausted. I feel like a for-sure failure. I feel like the two hippies that were looking out at the ocean. One hippie said, "Can you dig all that crazy water, man?" And the other hippie said, "Yeah, man, and that's just the top."

The Greatest Love Man Can Ever Know

"For God so loved the world"

The Bible has some great love stories in it. The romantic love of Jacob for Rachel; the parental love of Rizpah for her sons; the brotherly love of David and Jonathan. But none can compare with the love that God has shown to mankind. "For God so loved the world..."

"Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made

Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade:

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure - the saints and angels song."

Here is the greatest love, man can ever know. It is the greatest love in light of ...

It's Origin - "For God so loved..." Some think that God is some kind of cruel monster who only reigns down tragedy on people. If you don't believe me, just look at your homeowners insurance policy. An Act of God- tornado, earthquake, flood, etc. Some think that God is a cosmic killjoy. He looks down from heaven and sees someone having fun and says, "There's one having a good time. I'd better do something about that." But that is not God. Yes, God is holy and righteous. But the Bible also says, "God is love" (I John 4:7-8).

It's Overflow - "For God so loved..." That little word "so" just adds depth and color to the love the God. "I have love you with an everlasting love" God said in Jeremiah 31:3. From vanishing point to vanishing point, that's out of sight, man, from eternity past to eternity future.

It's Objects - For God so loved the world" - All people, everyone, everywhere. Good people, bad people, "red and yellow black and white all are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world!" And the big people, too! God's love is big enough to embrace the whole world, yet personal enough to include me, Galatians 2:20.

A brillant theologian was asked, "What is the most profound thought to every pass through your mind?" He thought for a moment and then said, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me! This is the greatest love man can ever know.

The Greatest Gift Man Can Ever Have

"That he gave his only begotten son"

"But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). God put his love on display, He proved it, He placed it on exhibit for all to see and know. When? When Jesus died on the cross! You will go to hell unsaved, but you will never go to hell unloved. "He gave his only begotten son."

There could be no greater gift, no greater sacrifice. What a price was paid for you and me. Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all" God gave his only begotten son to the world and gave his only begotten son for the world.

The Greatest Decision Man Can Ever Make

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life"

Do you really suppose that there is some kind of limited atonement? I just cannot see that in the scripture. Over and over and over God's word stresses the all inclusiveness of God in his atoning work. He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He tasted death for every man. God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And here the Bible says "Whosoever believeth in him." These words speak of the scope and of the simplicity of salvation. It is as broad as whosoever and as simple as believing.

The greatest decision that any man could ever make would be to believe in Christ. The result of such a decision is that you will not perish but that you will have everlasting life.

Thus, this great sentence which summarizes the whole gospel story, begins with God and ends with everlasting life. It begins with the One who has no beginning and it ends with that which has no ending.

But please understand: A gift is not yours until you receive it; accept it. A gift offered can either be a gift received and a gift refused. Have you received this gift? Is Jesus Christ yours?