An Outward Focused Life
John 3:16
Three Truths We Need to Believe
A. The belief in a compassionate God.
“…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NIV
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
1. God’s love is extravagant – “so much”
“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son…” John 3:16 CEV
“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT
2. God’s love is comprehensive - “the world”
“The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised--the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives.” 2 Peter 3:9 NCV
3. God’s love is active – “that He gave”
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
B. The belief in a compelling, unique message – “his only begotten son”
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 NIV
“There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12 NLT
C. The Belief in a Commissioned People
“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV
1.Pray
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me.” John 6:44 TEV
2. Go
3. Provide financial support
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”
Philippians 1:4, 5 NIV
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