A is for Available

TEXT: John 3:16

TOPIC: A is for Available

Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Icard, July 15, 2001

Today I am preaching on the second letter in the word FAITH. We’re going to discover together that “A is for Available.” What’s available? God’s forgiveness is available!

Stand with us and look up at the screen and let’s all read together a verse from the Bible that, most likely, is the most familiar verse in all the Bible, John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.

Last week we learned that the letter F in the word FAITH stands for forgiveness. We learned that we cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness.

And we learned a new verse that supports this truth, Ephesians 1:7. In Him, (meaning Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Again, today, we are moving to the second letter of FAITH. As we do, we learn that A is for available.

God’s forgiveness is available. It is available for all.

John 3:16 is a verse we use to highlight God’s forgiveness—for ourselves and for all people. Write your name in each blank of the verse John 3:16 on your sermon notes.

I believe that when the Bible says, “God so loved the world,” that it means all the people of the world. I believe that when the Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, (His only begotten, His one and only Son) that whoever (and I believe “whoever” means “whoever,” anyone who believes) …..whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting, eternal life.” I believe God’s forgiveness is for all, that Jesus died for all, that all might be saved!

Unless you understand and believe that God’s love is available for each and every person—you have missed the full impact of God’s forgiveness.

Only God can speak in all-inclusive terms. I want you to see all the alls of the Great Commission passage.

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20 “18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Notice the four all inclusive statements Jesus made and what they tell us about Him.

All authority or power is given to Jesus. Jesus has the authority to tell us what to do. Christ told us to go and make disciples of all nations. WE are to teach people to do (observe) all things Christ has commanded us to do. Remember that He is with us in all ways, times, and places.

If you remember the alls in the Great Commission, you will have an easy time remembering the all’s for whom God’s forgiveness is available.

SECOND, even though God’s forgiveness is available for all, it is not automatic.

The fact is that not everyone will accept or receive God’s forgiveness. Even though the Bible tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish (same word as in John 3:16), but all (there’s that word again) should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Now notice a startling fact. Even though God is not willing for any to perish, the truth is, many will perish.

Matthew 7:13-14 says this, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (NIV)

Also in Matthew 7, is our verse for the next point, BUT NOT AUTOMATIC.

Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

It is essential that we understand today that although God’s forgiveness is available to all, it is not automatic.

Mike Smith says there is a form of “Closet Universalism,” practiced in our churches. We want to believe that everyone is going to heaven, somehow!

God provides forgiveness and salvation at a great cost to Himself. But not everyone will take advantage of his offer.

What about you today?

Do you realize that God loves you and has provided forgiveness for your sins?

Do you know that He has all authority to save you from your sins and give you everlasting life today?

Are you willing to accept His offer of love and forgiveness today and spend eternity with God in heaven?