SF140 - LIFE'S GREATEST TEST (John 3 17-21)

@PAGE NUMBER = SF140

@TITLE = LIFE'S GREATEST TEST

@LEVEL ONE = JOH 3:17‑21

@LEVEL ONE = INTRODUCTION

@LEVEL TWO = Life Is A Series Of Tests

@LEVEL THREE = Preschooler

@LEVEL FOUR = Test his world

@LEVEL THREE = Child

@LEVEL FOUR = Test his wants

@LEVEL THREE = Teen

@LEVEL FOUR = Test his wings

@LEVEL THREE = Adult

@LEVEL FOUR = Test his ways

@LEVEL TWO = There Is A Greater Test Than These

@LEVEL THREE = In Fact How One Responds To This Test Will Determine How He Will Do On All The Others.

@LEVEL ONE = 1A.  THE TEST OF FAITH

@LEVEL TWO = 1B.  God's Purpose (v.17)

@SCRIPTURE = 2PE 3:9<R>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.

@SCRIPTURE = LUK 19:10

@LEVEL THREE = 1C.  We receive eternal life as a free gift

@SCRIPTURE = ROM 6:23

@LEVEL THREE = 2C.  We can live a full and meaningful life right now

@SCRIPTURE = JOH 10:10

@PAGE NUMBER = Page 2

@LEVEL THREE = 3C.  We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven.

@SCRIPTURE = JOH 14:3

@LEVEL TWO = 2B.  Man's Problem (v.18)

@LEVEL THREE = 1C.  Not a question of great sin

@LEVEL FOUR = We are all sinners by nature and choice

@SCRIPTURE = ROM 3:23

@LEVEL FOUR = We deserve death and Hell

@SCRIPTURE = ROM 6:23

@LEVEL THREE = 2C.  Not a question of good deeds

@LEVEL FOUR = We cannot save ourselves

@SCRIPTURE = EPH 2:9

@SCRIPTURE = ISA 64:6<R>But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

@LEVEL THREE = 3C.  A question of God's demand

@LEVEL FOUR = We must repent of our sins

@LEVEL FOUR = We must place our faith in Jesus

@LEVEL FOUR = We must surrender to Jesus as Lord

@LEVEL ONE = 2A.  THE TEST OF LIGHT

@LEVEL TWO = 1B.  The Light Reveals The Darkness (v.19)

@LEVEL THREE = When Jesus comes He reveals what we really love

@SCRIPTURE = MAT 6:21<R>For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

@LEVEL TWO = 2B.  The Light Repeals The Darkness (v.20)

@LEVEL THREE = By His very nature Jesus forces  us to make a decision

@SCRIPTURE = Hateth = to detest

@SCRIPTURE = neither cometh = refuse to move toward Jesus

@PAGE NUMBER = Page 3

@LEVEL TWO = 3B.  The Light Rewards Our Deeds

@LEVEL THREE = 1C.  Deeds of evil

@SCRIPTURE = Condemned (v.18) = hath been judged already

@SCRIPTURE = Reproved (v.20) = to come under conviction

@LEVEL THREE = 2C.  Deeds of truth

@SCRIPTURE = Manifest = to render apparent ‑ to show

@SCRIPTURE = Wrought = be engaged with / in

@LEVEL ONE = CONCLUSION

@LEVEL TWO = Life's Greatest Test Is What Will You Do With Jesus

@ILL TITLE = MOODY'S MISTAKE

@ILL TEXT = Evangelist D. L. Moody said that his "greatest mistake" occurred October 8, 1871.  On that night in his career.  His message was about the Lord's trial and was based on Pilate's question, "What shall I do then with Jesus?"  (Mt. 27:22).  As Moody concluded, he said, "I wish you would seriously consider this subject, for next Sunday we will speak about the cross, and at that time I'll inquire, 'What will YOU do with Jesus?'"  Ira Sankey then sang the closing hymn, which included the lines, "Today the Savior calls; for refuge fly.  The storm of justice falls, and death is nigh."

@ILL TEXT = Little did anyone know that these words would be the last ever heard in that huge hall.  Even as they were being sung, the soloist's voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of clanging bells in the street.  That was the night of the great Chicago fire which almost destroyed the entire city.  Among the hundreds who died were some who earlier had been in Moody's audience. The evangelist was greatly distressed by this and lamented his tragic error in not asking men and women to receive the Lord that evening.  "Now, whenever I preach," he said later, "I press for a definite decision.  I would rather lose my right hand than give people even a day to decide for Christ, for I don't know if I'll ever see them again."  The Gospel invitation is a "today only" offer!