The Gospel According to John 3:16
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Good News Made Simple
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WRITTEN PRESENTATION
(A brief transition into the Gospel)
Perhaps you've seen or heard this Bible verse before:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
This verse reveals God's message of LOVE... for you. Let's talk about it.
First...
LIFE
In this verse we see God wants us to experience and have eternal "life". What does He mean by that? Surely more than mere breathing and surviving. Yes, much more. Something personal, deep and meaningful.
It means "life" as He created it to be. Real Life as He desires for you. Life to the "full" both now and forever (eternal).
God desires for you to experience His love, peace (rest) and the reality of belonging - that you really matter to Him.
God wants you to realize forgiveness and freedom from guilt.
He wants you to have hope and help for today, tomorrow and forever (eternally) with Him in heaven.
And God desires for you to have a fulfilling life of purpose and POWER to experience what He desires for you.
But...
What does God want you to experience?
What keeps us from experiencing this?
WORLD (our sin)
In this verse God is talking to the "world" meaning mankind - you and me.
It's easy to see this is a broken, complex and restless world. It has a disease called sin. Why? Because it's the home of sinful people.
Each one of us is a sinner - we all fall short of God's perfection. We all do things or have thoughts that are not pleasing to God. The Bible states, "We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)"
Our sinful self-centeredness and restless disregard of God creates a division and separation from Him...and others.
This breaks our relationship with God now and will result in a permanent separation from His presence.
That's what is meant by "perish" referring to a place God calls hell - a place without light, love and Him. A place described in the Bible as, "...the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:50)."
However...
How does God feel about this?
GOD
We see in this verse that "God" loves you inspite of your sinfulness and wants you to experience His love - both now and forever.
But although God loves you - He also is holy, perfect and just. He is the perfect, all-mighty judge. And His perfect justice requires that He punish sin - perfectly. (We'll see how He did that next.)
Because He loves you, God doesn't want you to "perish". He doesn't want you to be separated from Him today or forever because of your sin.
And He wants to help break the problems your sinfulness causes today.
God - in His love for you - did something to solve your problem!
How did God solve your sin problem?
SON
In John 3:16 we see that God solved your sin problem through His Son.
The "Son" refers to Jesus.
Jesus is fully God in nature and character. And He came to this earth fully human and experienced life - good and bad - as man. He understands what life is like for you.
However, He lived a sinless, perfect life. Therefore, He did not deserve to be punished. So why was He? He did so to become the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
Jesus died on the cross for you. On the cross He took your punishment. He suffered for your sin. That was His plan all along. That's how much He loves you!
Then Jesus rose from death to live forever. That means He is alive right now. And He knows everything about you.
And to know Him is to have 'eternal' LIFE. He's alive today to help you experience real LIFE in Him!
Jesus wants you to experience this "life" now and forever in a personal relationship with Him.
So...
How do you begin experiencing the life God desires for you?
BELIEVES
This verse says that you need to "believe" (trust fully) in Jesus.
John 3:16 says, "whoever BELIEVES has eternal life". Notice it doesn't say "hope so" or "maybe" but HAS eternal life.
It means to have faith in WHO He is - God in the flesh, the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
It means to trust in WHAT Jesus did for you on the cross. He died to take the full punishment for all your sin so you might be forgiven.
And Jesus rose from death. That means He is alive right now. Therefore, Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with you.
You can begin to experience life as He desires for you by receiving or inviting Him into your life right now.
Do you sense Jesus speaking to you right now to take this step of faith and believe (trust) in what He has done for you?
I want to encourage you to take that step right now: It's as simple as A-B-C.
Admit you have sinned and need His forgiveness - what you did was not good.
Believe in Jesus. He died and suffered for your sin and rose to offer you life to the full now and forever.
Commit to follow Jesus and let Him shape your life - God is good.
You can tell that to God now.
Humbly Respond in prayer:
Prayer is simply talking to God. And I can help you.
Here is a simple prayer telling Jesus your desire to begin your special relationship and follow Him. I lead you in short phrases, just repeat after me:
Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross to take the punishment for my sin. I believe You rose again and are alive to help me live a life in friendship with You. Thank you for Your love and acceptance. Jesus, I want to commit to live for You. Come into my life and change any thing that is not pleasing to You. Amen.
(Response)
After reading this, please tell us who Jesus is to you.