Sunday Preview: For God So Loved

On Sunday, we’re diving into one of the Bible's most well-known and beloved passages: John 3:16. This verse is not just a famous memory verse but a comprehensive summary of the gospel. Within its few words, it encapsulates the entire message of salvation by laying out its four crucial elements: Danger, Design, Duty, and Destiny.

Danger: Apart from Jesus, We Are Perishing
John 3:16 begins with a reminder of the danger we face: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” The word "perish" here is far more severe than mere physical death. To perish is to be under the wrath of God—a fate that is eternal and irreversible.

Jesus in John 3:36 says, “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” This perishing is not just a ceasing of existence but an eternal separation from God, as described in 2 Thessalonians 1:9: “They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength.”

But why does sin merit such a severe punishment? The answer lies in God's nature. He is our Creator, Sustainer, and rightful Owner. A life lived in rejection of Him without acknowledging His authority rightfully deserves eternal punishment.

Design: Love
The next part of John 3:16 reveals the divine design: Love. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son…” This is the love of God in action—He gave His Son, not sparing Him from rejection and death.

This love is not just for a select few but is extended to everyone, regardless of the depth or degree of their sin. Romans 5:7-8 captures this beautifully: “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Despite our rebelliousness, God’s love reaches out to us, offering redemption and hope.

Duty: Faith
John 3:16 continues with our responsibility in this divine equation: Faith. “Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” This belief is not a one-time decision but an ongoing condition of the heart and mind. It’s about a continual trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

God’s love is sufficient to save the entire world, but it is efficient only for those who believe. True belief in Christ involves more than acknowledging His existence; it requires dependence on Christ crucified for salvation and accepting His atonement for our sins. John 1:29 declares Him as “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Destiny: Eternal Life
John 3:16 concludes with the glorious promise of destiny: Eternal Life. For those who believe in Jesus, the result is not perishing but living eternally in God’s presence. John 14:6 reinforces this truth: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

When we hear His words, yield to God’s power, and believe in Jesus, we receive eternal life, because He is eternal life.

John 3:16 is more than just a verse; it’s the gospel. It reminds us of the danger we face without Christ, the incredible love God has shown, our duty to believe, and the destiny that awaits those who do. Are the circumstances in your life driving you toward God? Look to
Jesus—believe in Him—and be saved.

Questions:

1. What does it mean to "perish" according to John 3:16?
2. How does the concept of God's love challenge or deepen your understanding of the nature of God?
3. How does the idea of faith being an "ongoing condition" affect how we live our daily lives as Christians?
4. How can we practically live in the reality of eternal life, even while still on Earth?
5. How has your understanding of Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" influenced your relationship with God?

OPENING / WELCOME
Matthew Allen
SONG LEADER
Roy Pyle
PRAYER OF PRAISE
Boyd Hastings
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Justin Spargo
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
David Williams
Jeremy Price
Dan Dekoski
Brayden Grushon
SCRIPTURE READING
Eric Renegar
John 3:16-17
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Jim Grushon
CLOSING COMMENTS
George Wacks
WELCOME CENTER
Kathy Downey / Pam Grushon
USHERS
Billy Robbins / Bob Hoopes
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Chris Terrian
COMMUNION PREP
Sadonna Schofield
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Ben Baker