St. John 3:16 A Father Who Really Cares

Text: John 3:16

Title: A Father Who Really Cares

John 3:16

Amplified Bible (AMP)

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

John 3:16

The Message (MSG)

16 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”

Introduction: Over half of chapter 3 in John’s gospel is a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus (3:1-21). When turning to vv. 16–18, which contains what probably is the best known verse in Christian Scripture (3:16), the reader finds one of the primary theological summaries concerning salvation in the New Testament. Yet the reader must take great care not to lose the marvelous balance in this wonderful summary. Interpreters should deal with a minimum of the three verses I am treating together because it takes at least that many verses here to obtain the correct meaning. Verse 16 serves as a statement of fact involving the agency (the Son) God used to bring salvation to the world. Verse 17 expands on God’s intention and clearly identifies God’s Purpose in sending the son. Verse 18 provides a pointed reality statement concerning the present nature of judgment, a reality no reader should fail to understand. Only when the three verses are allowed to hang together does the reader begin to grasp the full meaning of the coming of Jesus and the Johannine message of salvation expounded here.

A Father Who Loves (Unconditionally)

So - adv. in this way, thus, so, in the same way, like this

show love, demonstrate love (1Jn 3:17); take pleasure in, to love based on its regarded value

to regard highly; value…

God’s love motivates everything He does!

God loves the unlovable! He loved the world!

A Father Who Gives (Himself)

1. Give (Mt 14:19); 2. Produce (cause to happen), (Ac 2:19; Mt 24:29; Jas 5:18); 3. allow, grant an opportunity or occasion (Lk 1:73); 4. deposit, give to a banker (Luke 19:23)

① pert. to being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship, one and only, only (so mostly, incl. Judg 11:34) of children: of Isaac, Abraham’s only son.

② pert. to being the only one of its kind or class, unique (in kind) of someth. that is the only example of its category

Theologically, God gave Himself!

A Father Who Sacrifices (for Those He Loves)

Whosoever – any, all, every kind…

believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on)

(should not) perish – be ruined, destroyed, lost…

Have – possess, own…

Everlasting life – eternal life, life without end…God’s intent is to reverse what man caused in the Garden of Eden…

Conclusion

Romans 5:8, “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

On Mt. Sinai, God gave the Law - on Mt. Calvary, God gave His Son; On Mt. Sinai, God gave judgment - on Mt. Calvary, God gave mercy; On Mt. Sinai, God gave a penalty – on Mt. Calvary, God gave redemption; On Mt. Sinai, God gave death – on Mt. Calvary, God gave life; On Mt. Sinai, the sacrifice was to be offered – On Mt. Calvary, the sacrifice was provided; On Mt. Sinai, there was condemnation – On Mt. Calvary, was salvation;