Series: John 3:16

Text: John 3:12, 18

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

18,He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Introduction:

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

In our text Jesus tells Nicodemus what he must do to have everlasting life. Jesus made a clear distinction between having Physical life and have Spiritual life.

John 3:6-7

6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7, Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

One birth, two deaths. Two births, one death.

In our hospitals we go to tremendous lengths to extend a person’s life. We attempt to revive them again and again. We spare no expense to provide health care and emergency services. Yet in spite of all our efforts, the only salvation we can bring is temporary, and no matter how hard we fight, the struggle against death is always a losing battle. 

Hebrews 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Psalms 90:4, 10, 12

4, For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

10, The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

12, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

But God has gone to even greater lengths to save our lives once and for all eternity.

John 3:15

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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.

Last week we looked at God’s part.

This morning let us consider our part (the whosoever will). (The last two statements of fact)

    1.      We Believe

    a.       that whosoever believeth in him (John 3:16c)

Whosoever (John 3:15)

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 11:26

 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 12:46

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Believeth in Him

Romans 4:5

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Not bad to good, but from dead to alive!

John 10:28

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 14:6

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

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Not many ways to God – Not Islam, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanism. (These are about you, you can’t save you).

Works are not what causes us to be saved, but the result of being saved.

How can all religions lead to God when they are so different? We don’t tolerate such illogic in other matters. We don’t pretend that all roads lead to London, or all ships sail to Australia. All flights don’t land in Rome. Imagine your response to a travel agent who claims they do. You tell him you need a flight to Rome Italy, so he looks on his screen.

“Well, there is a flight to Sydney Australia, departing at 6:00 a.m.”

“Does it go to Rome?”

“No, but it offers wonderful in-flight dining and movies.”

“But I need to go to Rome.”

“Then let me suggest our local commuter airline.”

“Our local commuter airline flies to Rome?” 

“No, but they have consistently won awards for on-time arrivals.” 

You’re growing frustrated. “I need one airline to carry me to one place: Rome.”

The agent appears offended. “Sir, all flights go to Rome.”

You know better. Different flights have different destinations. That’s not a thickheaded conclusion but an honest one. Every flight does not go to Rome. Every path does not lead to God. Jesus blazed a stand-alone trail void of self-salvation. He cleared a one-of-a-kind passageway uncluttered by human effort. Christ came, not for the strong, but for the weak; not for the righteous, but for the sinner. We enter his way upon confession of our need, not completion of our deeds. He offers a unique-to-him invitation in which he works and we trust, he dies and we live, he invites and we believe. 

Romans 10:8-17

Nicodemus was a Pharisee (John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus)

Matthew 23:25-28

John 3:12, 15, 18

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

15, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

18, He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

    1.      We Live

    a.       should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16d)

Luke 16:22b-23a

22, … the rich man also died, and was buried;

23, And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,…

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Luke 15:6-7

6, And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7, I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:9-10

9, And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10, Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Luke 15:21-24

21, And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22, But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23, And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24, For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

    2.      Closing

John 11:25-26 – (25, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26, And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?)