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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.”
This verse (John 3:16) is a famous Bible verse amongst the believers and non-believers. It is a rich verse that proves God’s love through one of the greatest promises ever given to man – the promise of “everlasting life”. DL Moody once said, “God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” God planned, prepared, and promised eternal life with Him in Heaven before the world even began. Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Unfortunately, in the beginning of creation the devil effectively deceived people into rebelling against God and living life without Him, causing them to miss out on God’s greatest promise. To rebel against God and live without the Creator is sinful and has brought about an eternal death, which has been passed on to all of humanity. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Notice what Jesus said prior to John 3:16…John 3:14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:” In John 3 Jesus is speaking to a Pharisee named Nicodemus, and Jesus points him back to the time when the children of Israel fell into sin as Moses was leading them to the Promised and Land (which is a picture of eternal life). Jesus was reminding Nicodemus of God’s Great Salvation that he offered them. John 3:16 reminds us about a few things regarding Salvation: 1. The Source of Salvation John 3:16 “For God so loved the world…” 2. The Sacrifice of Salvation John 3:16 “…that he gave his only begotten Son…” 3. The Scope of Salvation John 3:16 “…that whosoever believeth in him..." 4. The Seriousness of Salvation John 3:16 “…should not perish..." 5. The Security of Salvation John 3:16 “…but have everlasting life.” Jesus said in John 10:10 “...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
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God’s desire is that all His Children grow in His Grace. The Christian’s conversion is the start of God’s grace, but the Christian life is growing in God’s Grace.
David Livingstone once said “I’ll go anywhere provided it is forward”. G = God’s Gift Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: vs 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” God’s grace is His unconditional love toward us. He has demonstrated that love by giving us gracious gifts that are so amazing and undeserving. We have a God that is too good to us, and His love is better than anything this whole world can offer. The Psalmist said “…thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” AW Tozer said “Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving. Its use to us sinful men is to save us and make us sit together in heavenly places to demonstrate to the ages the exceeding riches of God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” 1. God’s Gift of Love – Romans 5:8 This amazing love is found in Jesus Christ. Through His love, He grants us forgiveness of sin and eternal priceless treasures that fade not away. a. Jesus – Romans 3:24, 2 Timothy 2:1 b. The Gospel – Acts 20:24 c. Salvation – Ephesians 1:7, Acts 15:11 d. Eternal Life – Romans 6:23 e. Divine Royalty – Romans 8:6-17 f. Repentance – Titus 2:11-12 Note: For God to give all people everywhere the opportunity to turn back to Him is great grace. 2. God’s Gift in Prayer – Hebrews 4:16 It is an absolute privilege to be able to talk to God through prayer and cast our care upon Him. Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” 3. God’s Gift in His Calling – Ephesians 3:7, Philippians 3:14 There is no greater calling in life than to have the Creator give us various abilities to use for His glory! Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” 4. God’s Gift in His Service – 1 Peter 4:8-10 1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 5. God’s Gift of His Strength & Power 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” John 3:1-3 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: vs 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Vs 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
It is amazing how Jesus answers Nicodemus’ statement. Nicodemus identifies the power of God upon Jesus by the miracles He has performed, and Jesus cuts to the chase regarding a very important factor. There was no beating around the bush with Jesus. If there was anything that would be so important in a person’s life it would be their current relationship with the Creator and their Eternal Destiny. By the way, when Jesus demonstrated miracles, it was for the glory of God but also that the World would believe on Jesus for their soul’s salvation. Jesus makes it very clear to Nicodemus that a person cannot see the “Kingdom of Heaven” without being “Born again.” In John 3:5-6, Jesus will explain what it means to be “Born again.” John 3:5-6 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Vs 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” To be born again is to be born of God. We all have been born in the flesh (by our parents) and we need to be born again (by His Spirit) into God’s family. Part of the reason we must be born again is because we have inherited the sinful nature from Adam and Eve. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” God will not let a natural sinful man into His Kingdom. They must be born again from His Spirit. They must become a child of the Living God. How does a person become a child of God, and born into God family? There are many people that think being a good/religious person or keeping the Ten Commandments will get them to Heaven. This concept of being born again to Nicodemus would have been confusing to him, as good works and keeping the law is what Pharisees lived by to earn God’s favour. I heard a story "In June of 2008 Phuljharia Kunwa, a rich 80-year old Indian widow, spent thousands of dollars on a feast for 100,000 people hoping it would please the gods and open the doors of heaven for her. She fed lunch to people from surrounding villages and towns for two consecutive days. She has no family or relatives to bequeath her property to. Mrs. Kunwar spent $37,500 on the feast." Isaiah 64:6 says that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in God's sight. No amount of benevolence can earn someone the right to dwell in Heaven or forgive their sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: vs9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The only way a person can have their sin forgiven is through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is having faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Jesus died in our place, receiving judgment for our sin, giving us eternal life and God’s righteousness. This is the greatest gift ever given. 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.”
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