The Good News of the Gospel: John 3:16-21
Do you have a favorite Bible verse? What is it and why is it your favorite? For many people, they'd probably answer John 3:16. John 3:16 is arguably the most famous verse in the Bible. Sometimes it's posted in churches but sometimes you also may see it at sporting events or other public gatherings. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse means so much to so many people because it so succinctly captures the Gospel message of God's love for humanity, the sacrifice of His Son, and the promise of eternal life. As mentioned in last Sunday's sermon, John 3:16 is the good news of the Gospel in 26 words! If you're not familiar with it, I encourage you to look it up, meditate on it, and commit it to memory.
The sermon title last Sunday was "Jesus: The Way to Life." In the sermon, I had planned to show the picture my daughter, Ellie, drew depicting the process we all must go through to receive salvation and eternal life. In addition, I think the picture is a good summary of the John 3 passage. Since I wasn't able to show it then, I thought it would be helpful here.
What do we see in the picture and the passage?
There is a chasm between us and God. It's impassable on our own. We're on the left cliff. That's where we start. We can choose to stay on that side. But beware, it's a state of perishing, condemnation, darkness, and evil. This is what God's Word tells us. Apart from Jesus, this not only describes where we are but it describes where we're headed.
The passage goes on to explain that out of love, God sent His Son as a bridge (John 14:6) , as a mediator (I Timothy 2:5-6) between us and Him. Jesus gave His life for us that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but can cross over the chasm and be reconciled to God forever. This gift of Christ comes with the promise of eternal life, salvation, and God's light and truth. But it only happens by believing in Jesus Christ as God's one and only Son.
So what does belief in Jesus entail? What does faith in the Lord look like?
First off, believing in Jesus is not merely head knowledge. It's not just believing that He existed or that the Bible is true. Also, believing in Jesus is not mere temporal faith. It's not just calling out to Him temporarily in times of financial need, physical need, or relational need.
The act of believing in Jesus means to entrust, to rely, and to cling to Him for our forgiveness, for our salvation, and for our eternal destiny. This means we trust in Jesus as God's holy and anointed Son, who suffered and died on the cross to forgive us of our sins and reconcile us back to God. It means a relationship of ongoing trust and dependence on Him as Lord and Savior.
Only by the blood of Christ do we make it safely to the other side. This is the good news of the Gospel! Receive it and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Amen!
Pastor Darren
