Bible Text: John 3:16-21 |  

“Living In Shadows,” John 3:16-1

Introduction:  The patient who wants a pill rather than a remedy

The trouble with John 3:16 is that we stop short of John 3:19

I.        God So Loved

A.     (v16) “God so loved the world…”

1.      All nations, all ethnicities—His creation.  His love leaks through in many religions, lore

2.      “…that he gave his only son” –of boy soldiers and weddings.

B.     “…that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

1.      Prime objective from Genesis to Revelation.

2.      Romans 5:8, “God proves his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died.

C.     (v17) “For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world…”

1.      “…but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

2.      Saved?  Saved from what?  Saved for what?

3.      Romans 8:31-32, “He who did not spare his own son, how much more will he give us…”

II.       The Verdict

A.     (v18) “Whoever does not believe is condemned already?”

1.      Whoever skydives without a parachute is condemned.

2.      Whoever ventures out for long in 20 below temperature is condemned.

3.      Whoever drives blindfolded is condemned.

B.     (v19) The Verdict

1.      “Light has come into the world…” –therefore we are without excuse

2.      “…and people loved darkness rather than the light.”

3.      Why we love harmful things

a.   Cyrus, Bieber, Lohan, Spears, A-rod, McDonnells of Virginia, Weiner

b.   “because their works were evil.”

C.     Keep in mind that Nicodemus visited Jesus at night

1.      (v20) “Everyone who does wicked things hates the light…lest their works be exposed”

2.      Why we avoid doctors:  We like our secrets and in dim light we can hide our sickness.

Conclusion:   (v21) “Whoever does what is true comes to the light.”