[ ] 10/27/2012 #1003
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
John 3:9-21
INTRODUCTION: We read and hear a lot about hate and violence in our world today. It is refreshing and encouraging to hear of acts of kindness and love. These all pale in the light of God’s love. The greatest act of love was demonstrated by God when He gave His beloved Son for us. He loves fallen and sinful human beings. The love of God is indescribable, immeasurable and incomprehensible to the mind man.
I. A BRAZEN SERPENT
A. CONSEQUENCE OF ISRAEL’S SIN. (Num. 21:5-7)
The Israelites spoke against God and Moses. Their complaints resulted in the LORD sending fiery serpents among the people. Many of the people died from being bitten by the snakes.
B. CURE FOR ISRAEL’S SIN. (Num. 21:8-9)
The people confessed their sin against God and Moses and asked for prayer that the LORD would take away the serpents.
The LORD told Moses to “Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon the pole; and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live.”
Moses made the serpent of brass as the LORD instructed him to make. If a person was bitten by a serpent, if the man “beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”
The bronze serpent on the pole illustrates salvation and the Savior.
II. A BENEVOLENT FATHER
A. GREATNESS OF HIS LOVE. “so loved the world”
The Bible declares God is love. (1 John 4:8, 16) The intensity and infinite extentof His love is toward the lost humanity in need of salvation.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
B. GIFT OF HIS LOVE. “gave His only begotten son”
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10
III. A BELOVED SON
A. SACRIFICE OF THE SON.v. 14 “Son of man be lifted up”
B. SALVATION THROUGH THE SON. v. 17 “world through him might be saved”
IV. A BELIEVING SINNER
A. REQUIREMENTS TO BE SAVED.
1. Requires faith in Christ. v. 15, 16, 18
“But these are written, that ye might believe (come to believe) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing (continuing believing) ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32
2. Requires repentance of sin. Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30
3. Requires a new birth.v. 3, 5
B. RESULTS OF BEING SAVED.
1. Secured in Christ. “should not perish” v. 15, 16, 18
2. Posses Christ’s life. “have eternal life” v. 15, 16,
3. Practice the truth. “doeth truth” v. 21
4. Comes to Christ. “cometh to the light” v. 21
5. Fruitful in Christ. “deeds . . . wrought in God” v. 21
C. REJECTORS OF THE SAVIOR.
1. They are condemned by their unbelief. (v. 18)
2. They love their sins. (v. 19)
3. They Hate Christ who exposes their sin. (v. 20)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
Jesus said: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
A young rich ruler inquired of Jesus how he could have eternal life. The young man loved his riches more than having eternal life. The young man turned and walked away from the Lord. In Mark 10:21, Jesus “beholding him, loved him.” God’s love provides salvation for the sinner, but the sinner must repent and receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. What is keeping you from Christ today?