Series: John 3:16

Text: John 3:8

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Introduction:

We are considering the importance of John 3:16. (This is sermon 2 of 4)

In our text Jesus gave Nicodemus an example as proof of the work of the Holy Spirit (so is every one that is born of the Spirit). You hear the wind or the results of the wind, the rusting of the leaves proves the wind. We hear (convection), see (changed lives), feel (peace and presence of God), the spirit or the results of the spirit. If there is proof of God the Spirit, there is proof of God the Father and Son.

Psalms 19:1

 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

The heavens declare and the firmament sheweth GOD, and if there is proof of God the Father, there is proof of God the Son. For God gave his Son.

John 3:11-12

11, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12, If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

There are four statements of fact found in John 3:16:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world,                                                             He Loves

that he gave his only begotten Son,                                                    He Gives

that whosoever believeth in him                                                         We Believe

should not perish, but have everlasting life.                                          We Live

The first two describe God’s part, the last two describe our part.

Next week we will look at our part.

This morning let us consider God’s part. (The first two statements of fact)

    1.      He Loves

    a.       For God so loved the world, (John 3:16a)

As a Mother or Father loves a wayward child

The object of God’s love - world (us)

    b.      1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

    c.       Titus 3:4-5

4, But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

    d.      Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

    e.       Hosea a great example of God’s love for us

Hosea 3:1-2a

1, Then said the Lord unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

2, So I bought her…

    f.       Romans 8:38-39

38, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    g.      Ephesians 3:18-19

18, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Proof does no good if we don’t accept and believe it.

    h.      We must experience the love of God, we must believe, remember John 3:11-12

John 3:11-12

11, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12, If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

    2.      He Gives

    a.       that he gave his only begotten Son, (John 3:16b)

    b.      Verses that speak of God’s love and gift (repeat verses)

1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

    c.       Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

    d.      Romans 3:25-26

25, Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26, To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

    e.       Numbers 16:48 (46-47) (Numbers 16:38 censers nailed to the altar) 

And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

    f.       The Son proves the Father

John 14:6-9,11

6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7, If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

8, Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9, Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

11, Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

    g.      If you can’t believe the words, believe the proof

John 14:11

Just believe it-that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or else believe it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do. TLB

    3.      Closing

    a.       The cross proves his love

1 John 3:16a

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:…

Matthew 27:54

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Hebrews 12:2-3

2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3, For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.