The Love of God

God loved the people of the world enough to sacrifice His Son Jesus. He gave Him up to a hideous death on a cross in order to save all those who would believe from an eternity apart from Him. Jesus’ death was the ultimate, all-sufficient gift for an unworthy people from a perfect God. There is no greater love than this. It is up to us to embrace it.

 

 

 

Key Passage: John 3:16

Supporting Scriptures: Genesis 1:1 | Ezekiel 18:4 | Luke 15:11-32 | John 3:1-21 | Ephesians 4:30 | Titus 3:5

 

Introduction

The occasion for John 3:16 was a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus explained that a new birth and faith in Him were required for entrance into God’s eternal kingdom. Then He gave a brief statement to summarize the plan of salvation: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Sermon Points

Although most of us are familiar with this verse, the important issue is whether we truly understand it.

 

The Source of This Love—“For God”
There are a great many gods in this world who are worshipped by people of other religions, but the God in John 3:16 is the One who was the Creator of heaven and earth.

 

The Character of God’s Love—“So Loved”
God’s love is not like ours. Human love is an intense affection for another person based on feelings that can change from moment to moment. In contrast, divine love is unconditional because it is based on God’s nature.

 

The Object of God’s Love—“The World”
Although the Lord created the world and all that is in it, this verse is not referring to the earth, but to mankind. “The world” encompasses every person who’s ever been born. Knowing that our salvation cost Jesus His life, His immeasurable love should motivate us to obey His commands and walk faithfully with Him in a way that brings Him honor and glory.

 

The Gift of God’s Love—“That He gave His only begotten Son”
Here is the gift that surpasses all others. The Lord didn’t give the world something but someone—His own Son who came to earth as deity in flesh to offer His life for us.

 

The Purpose of God’s Love—“That whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”
After death, there are only two possible destinies—we either perish, forever separated from God, or we have eternal life in His presence. The only way to be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. We don’t have to understand all that’s involved in the process; we simply need to respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, recognize our sinful condition, and ask Jesus to forgive us and become our Savior.

 

Summary

Packed into one sentence, one verse—John 3:16—is all the information anyone needs to be saved.