John 3:16-36

intro PBT

Read John 3:16-36

If you grew up in AL you’ve seen “Go to church or the devil will get you”, Alexander Shunnarah, and John 3:16 on a billboard

“…people loved darkness instead…” (v. 19)

the blood of the fall is all over our hands

“The Fall” affects all of us.

Carl Trueman article — We are all complicit. We all love the darkness sometimes. (https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2021/09/judging-the-sins-of-our-fathers)

“…God’s wrath remains on them.” (v. 36)

why wrath is unpopular today

we want it but we don’t (contradiction of asking “why does a loving God send people to hell?”/no wrath & “why does a good God allow suffering”/wrath)

we want God to have wrath about other sins (gas station kidnapping story)

we play our own down

conversation with Hadi about one sin being a debt too large

we cannot underestimate God’s holiness

“…God so loved the world that he gave…” (v. 16)

God is owed and yet he gives

God loves everyone and every one

Do you believe that those who believe are not condemned?

We can’t underestimate his love either

“The Father loves the Son…” (v. 35a)

He loves you as his own and makes you his own

The judge pays the debt and adopts the criminal

“…and has placed everything in his hands.” (v. 35b)

the nations are his inheritance (Moravian motto)

if God so loved the world, so will I

“That joy is mine; and it is now complete.” (v. 29)

joy is made complete when we put Christ on the throne

privilege of working at PBT with people who’ve made him greater

it all started in small moments (Greg eating warthog)

In light of this grace, how do you need to make him greater?