Bible Study - Faith that Saves

John 3:14–17 KJV 1900

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Courageous Faith Bible Study: Faith That Saves

Scripture: John 3:14-17 Speaker: Rev. Adrian S. Taylor Setting: Springhill Church - 120 SE Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32641 Date & Time: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Lesson Abstract

John 3:16 has served as an anchor of the Christian faith for centuries. The truths found in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 lay out God’s redemptive work to save fallen humanity (Titus 3:5-7). This salvation is accomplished through the supreme life (John 1:14), sacrificial death (Romans 5:8), and victorious resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) of His Son, Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s plan of redemption is revealed (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 22:17). In this passage, several fundamental truths emerge: - Truths About God – God is not distant or indifferent but is deeply engaged in the salvation of humanity (Isaiah 45:22; 2 Peter 3:9). - Truths About Jesus – Christ alone is the mediator between God and man, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice (1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 9:12). - Truths About Humanity – Apart from Christ, all people are condemned under sin and incapable of saving themselves (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3). - Truths About Saving Faith – Eternal life is not earned by works but is freely given to those who believe in Christ (John 5:24; Ephesians 2:8-9).

I. Truths About God

God is not distant or uninvolved, as many in Hellenistic culture perceived Him to be. Instead, He is passionate about humanity’s redemption and actively provides salvation. This salvation is not achieved through human effort but is solely a work of God, rooted in His grace, mercy, and sovereign will (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God Uses Peculiar Means to Accomplish Salvation (John 3:14-15)

Numbers 21:8–9 “8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

God is Passionate About All Humanity’s Salvation (John 3:16)

God’s love extends beyond Israel to the entire world - Romans 10:12–13 “12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

God is Pure in His Will—Sin Must Be Punished (John 3:17)

Because God is holy and just, sin must be judged (Nahum 1:3; Romans 6:23). Nahum 1:3 “3 The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked: The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

God Provides the Way of Salvation (John 3:16)

Jesus is the only way (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8) - Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

God’s Plan Includes the Salvation of All Who Believe (John 3:16-17)

God desires all to be saved - 2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

II. Truths We Learn About Jesus

The text further demonstrates the necessity of Jesus being lifted up as the only hope and standard for salvation. Just as God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9), Jesus was lifted up on the cross (John 12:32).

Jesus is Lifted as the Standard and Source of Our Salvation (John 3:14)

Christ was lifted up for our redemption - Isaiah 53:4–5 “4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.”

Jesus offers Life in the midst of death (John 3:15)

Christ offers eternal life to all who trust in Him Ephesians 2:1–5 “1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Jesus is God’s Love gift for our salvation (John 3:16a)

Salvation is a gift of love - 1 John 4:9–10 “9 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. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Jesus is the lone begotten Son of God (John 3:16b)

Jesus is unique and divine - Colossians 1:15–17 “15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Jesus Liberates believers from the condemnation of judgment (John 3:17)

There is no condemnation for those in Christ - Romans 8:1 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

III. Truths We Learn About Humanity

Humanity is utterly lost without a Savior (Romans 3:23). Just as Israel could not outrun the venomous serpents (Numbers 21:6-9), neither can humanity escape the consequences of sin (Romans 6:23). We are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3).

Humanity must Look to Jesus for Salvation (John 3:14)

Just as the Israelites looked to the serpent - Hebrews 12:2 “2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Humanity is Lost in a Ruinous State (John 3:16-17)

Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2 “2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Humanity is Limited in Its capacity to save itself (John 3:15-17)

No works can save us - Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Humanity is Loved by a Sovereign God (John 3:16)

Despite our sin, God’s love remains - Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Humanity can receive eternal Life through faith (John 3:16-17)

Believers inherit eternal life - Titus 3:5–7 “5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

IV. Truths We Learn About Saving Faith

Saving faith in Christ is the sole requirement for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is not just belief in God but trust in Jesus alone (John 14:6).

Saving Faith is a Product in Jesus’ Sacrifice (John 3:14) .

The cross is our remedy - 2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Saving Faith is Placed in Christ alone (John 3:16b) .

Jesus is the only way - Acts 4:12 “12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Saving Faith is God’s Sovereign Plan for eternal life (John 3:16) .

It was foreordained by the sovereign will of God - 1 Peter 1:18–20 “18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”

Saving Faith rescues us from the Perils of unbelief (John 3:17) .

Without Christ, we are lost - John 3:36 “36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Saving Faith reflects God’s Purpose That None Should Perish (John 3:17).

God desires all to be saved - 2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Closing Statement

If money were required, many would be unable to afford salvation. If pedigree or family name were necessary, the Gentiles would be excluded. If good deeds could secure it, none could ever do enough. If rituals were sufficient, the prideful would never appreciate it. But salvation is not based on wealth, status, works, or religious performance—it is entirely dependent on the amazing grace of God and is freely offered to all who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Discussion Questions:

The Doctrine of Harmartiology (The Study of Sin)

How does John 3:14-17 illustrate humanity’s hopeless condition in sin? (Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-3)

What does the comparison between the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9) and Jesus’ crucifixion reveal about the deadly consequences of sin?

Since sin brings judgment (John 3:18), why is faith in Christ the only way to be rescued from condemnation?

2. The Doctrine of Soteriology (The Study of Salvation)

How does John 3:16 demonstrate that salvation is rooted in God's grace rather than human effort? (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Why must salvation come through faith in Jesus alone rather than through works or religious rituals? (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)

How does Jesus' role as the "only begotten Son" (John 3:16) emphasize the exclusivity of salvation?

3. The Doctrine of Theology Proper (The Sovereignty of God)

How does John 3:16-17 reveal God’s sovereign plan of salvation for humanity? (2 Peter 3:9, Ephesians 1:4-5)

If God sovereignly loves the world, why do some reject salvation? How does this relate to divine sovereignty and human responsibility? (John 3:19-20)

What does God's provision of Christ teach us about His righteousness, justice, and mercy? (Romans 5:8-9)

4. The Doctrine of Christology (The Study of Christ)

Why did Jesus compare Himself to the bronze serpent in the wilderness? What does this reveal about His redemptive work? (John 3:14-15)

How does Jesus being “lifted up” fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? (Isaiah 53:4-5, Psalm 22:16-18)

What does it mean that Jesus is God’s "only begotten Son" (John 3:16)? How does this distinguish Him from all other spiritual leaders?

5. The Doctrine of Eschatology (The Study of Last Things)

John 3:16 presents two eternal destinies—perishing or eternal life. How does this passage shape our understanding of heaven and hell? (John 3:18, Revelation 20:15)

What does John 3:17 teach about Jesus’ first coming as Savior, and how does it contrast with His second comingas Judge? (John 5:22-24, Revelation 19:11-16)

If salvation is based on faith in Christ, how should this impact our urgency in evangelism as we anticipate Christ’s return? (2 Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 28:19-20)