Living beyond the Might (John 3:16-18)

Introduction

We all are familar with this passage is the most known scripture in the World. Jesus is being brief and to the point revealing God’s great love. Altough brief and direct in this well known passage, the world still seems confused. Confusion is lack of understanding, uncertainty, bewildered, or to be unclear in ones mind about something. Or confusion can also mean to mistake one person or thing for another. In the context of this passage it continues the discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus and highlights Nicodemus’ confusion. He comes to Jesus at night inquiring as to how Jesus is able to do what he does. He percieves that Jesus must be a teacher sent from God because how else would be able to perform the signs and wonders. Jesus’ answer is what bewilders him. Jesus says “unless a man is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God”! In church his entire life and a teacher of Israel Nicodemus is confused about Salvation and on how to have a real Spiritual relationship with God. Jesus explains that if we are to have the type of relationship He Has with the father, one that produces power, miracles, signs and wonders that we must be born again from God. Our mothers womb, last name, and family status has any influence on our salvation or relationship with God. It is God who does the work!

He made salvation possible by granting us access through He Son Jesus. Nicodemus being educated and having status still had a hard time understanding the relationship through rebirth that Jesus discribed so vividly and direct. Jesus understanding the root of his confusion explains that the reason it was so hard for him to believe was that he had a problem with the messenger. Because Nicodemus hadn’t recieved Jesus it would be impossible for him to recieved the gift of salvation that came through Him. If only He could Beleive then MIGHT he be saved! Many people live under the MIGHT by refusing to put their faith in Christ in order to move beyond the Might. The MIGHT represents a choice, a choice to trust, to believe, not only the message but the messenger Jesus!

Although he was having a hard time grasping the concept Jesus didn’t give up on Nicodemus. He continues the conversation with the hope of getting him to come to a clearer understanding of God. So He explains to Him God’s plane of Salvation!

1. The Facts

Jesus starts by stating the Facts and the fact is that God Loved the World

He loved the whole world

This idea of God loving everyone was a new idea in that time

The Jews believed that God only love the religious (jew)

Many of us feel the same way, its hard to believe that He loves everyone

He loves those we reject, the murderer, immoral, prostitute, addict, abuser, terrorist

THE FACT IS HE LOVES EVERYONE, NOT JUST THE CHURCHY AND DOES NOT LOVE ONLY THOSE WHO LOVE HIM

HE LOVES EVEN THE UNBELIEVING

Romans 10:12–13 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.””

It is His nature to love because that’s who He is! 1Jn 4:8,1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

God Loved a past, proven fact, He loved us frome the begining and had never stopped loving us!

2. The evidence

The facts are no good to those who don’t believe without the evidence Jesus Says that God’s love is evident because God Gave.

God gave his only begotten son

This is God’s way of demonstrating His love

He puts His love in action because love is what love does

this was a perfect love, because He gave His best and His only

this defines th So love He has, meanig he loves to perfection, loves to the highest degree

He demonstrates the greatest act of love by giving His son to the world and He gave Him to Die

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

He was given those who didn’t deserve it.

He gave him to the World: the; fallen, wicked, rebellious

He came into a World full of: darkenss, wrath, selfishness, greed, war, sin

He So Loved the WOrld that He gave His Son to die in oue place for sins we committed

Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

3. The Purpose

There is a purpose for God’s love; He gave His son to save us!

From perishing that whosoever believe in him will not Perish

Perish in the greek means to be lost, a world without Jesus is Lost, a person without Jesus is lost, a home without Jesus is lost, a marriage without Jesus is lost

it means to be cut off, to lose, to spiritually destitute, decay, or slowly detiorate

to move through life without purpose or meaning

John 1:4 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

without him we have no peace, assurance, confidence

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

it is in Him that we find our Hope of something better After this life

His purpose is also to save us unto eternal life

but have everlasting life

Not just eternal life in Heaven but a meaningful life, understanding purpose for life, and very significance of life

Having an everlasting life in Christ also allows His Spirit to live in us so that we can live a full and Holy life!

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

He saves us through our Belief

Whosoever believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish

It all starts with belief!

not only is God’s Love a fact but also its a fact that Salvation is conditional

its is conditioned upon if you will believe on Christ or not.

John 2:23–25 “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”

The Belief is faith

a Saving Faith it is not head Knowledge, mental conviction

Saving Faith is believing in Jesus who and what He is, that He is Savior and Lord of life. It is turning your life over to Him

Saving Faith is commitment to committ all you have to Jesus

Both faith and obedience are necessary to recieve the promise and help of Jesus

There no real faith apart from obedience and work

its that belief that God seeks and was the purpose of Him giving His Son

God want to give us someone to believe in who will never fail us!

Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.””