Just The Greatest - John 3:16

 


 

Lesson Plan



John 3:16 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.
There is not a greater verse in scripture. It sums it all and condenses it into a verse that is easily understood, eternal and all inclusive in its scope.

"For God":
God is the author and initiator. Man has no part in the design nor instigation of the action pictured in this verse. God did not do this because man asked for it nor did He do it because man deserved it. ("For God": The greatest God)

"So loved":
The reason for it all is God's love. Not that we loved but that God loved. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. This love from God manifested itself in the greatest act of love. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (" So loved": The greatest love)

"The world": It encompasses every race and people on the earth. It includes every land and nation. ("The world:" The greatest reach of love)

"That He gave": God's love is shown through His giving. God's gift to us is shown it the magnitude of His gift of His only begotten Son. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. God the Father gave us the gift of His Son that we might have life. This gift is the charity of God. Charity because it is a gift without anything in return. Charity by it's expression is a gift to someone who cannot repay. It is the gift of love that expects nothing in return but a grateful heart of love and trust, back to the one who gave the gift. The flip side is that God the Father also gave us to Jesus as a gift to Him for His obedience and sacrifice. In Jesus' great prayer (John 17) shortly before His crucifixion He prayed to the Father in the presence of His disciples: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24 )

"His only begotten Son":
His gift to us was what He loved most. He did not scrimp. His gift to us was more precious than all the wealth of the universe. Not only was the gift precious but it was unique. Jesus was His only begotten Son. There wasn't another. ("He gave His only begotten Son": the greatest gift)

"That whosoever" That's me and that's you. It does away with "predestination to salvation or hell in one verse. Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. ("whosoever": the greatest inclusion. It leaves no one out)

"Believeth in Him": The only part we play in salvation is belief in Jesus. Works will not do the job. (Eph. 2:8-10, Jn. 6:29) As we have already said it is a heart belief. This belief encompasses faith, trust and repentance for without either you have not believed from the heart. To know Christ is to know your own worthlessness. Repentance and humility are a natural part of it. ("That whosoever believeth in Him:" The greatest opportunity and response we can give)

"Should not perish, but have everlasting life": The greatest result. God's promise to us is that if we will meet His condition of believing in Jesus Christ, not just from the head but from the heart. We will never perish (the greatest punishment) but have life without end. There is no greater promise than this and it truly shows God's eternal love for us. The everlasting life (eternal life in vs. 15) starts when a person is "born again". We do not have to wait for the resurrection.(Jn. 5:24, Jn. 6:50, Jn. 8:51-52, Rom. 8:13-14, 1 Jn. 3:1-2) ("Should not perish, but have everlasting life: " The greatest destiny of man)

John 3:16 Bible Study presented by Brother Dwight


Poetry Corner



Lord Remember Me

L ight of this world
O ur crown, our reward
R emember me Saviour
D eliver me , Lord.

R iver of Life, round Your throne
E nlightened souls, Your glory known
M ountains and valleys call Your name
E ven the fields proclaim the same
M any , have You touched and healed
B y your compassionate Love revealed
E arth bows down to her mighty King...
R ejoicing in Your laboring.

M y Lord, holder of Heaven’s key
E ternal Father, remember me.




Luke 23:42
And he said unto Jesus, Lord,
remember me when
thou comest into thy kingdom.

Julie Pisacane © 2007
 

 


 
 
1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us,
because he hath given us of his Spirit.

 

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