Are You a “Whosoever?”
John 3:16-17
One of the most recognizable passages in God’s word is the passage from John 3:16. Over the past few years, we have seen this particular verse appear on signs – t-shirts – and other things at various events (sporting, concerts, etc.) The thing that concerns me is do we really understand what this passage is telling us?
At the beginning of chapter 3, Jesus encounters a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews that had many questions for Jesus, but one in particular. He asked “how a man can be born when he is old? Jesus’ response was simple, “exept a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Jesus explained to Nicodemus that in order to attain the kingdom of God, one must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Within this passage and others, we are going to see why it is important for all of us to be “whosever’s”. If you are not a whosoever, you can be before this day is over.
TEXT (John 3:16-17)
I. God so loved the world
a. He sent His son not to condemn the world, but to show them how to live the life that God would want each one of us to live.
i. After talking with the woman at the well in John 4 and dispensing Living water to the woman, He stated to her what living for Christ is all about:
“The hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
ii. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi some key aspects for living that he had been shown through his ministry.
1. Philippians 2:1-16
b. He sent His son to the world to shed light on an otherwise dark place.
i. John 12:46-47 says:
“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not, for I come not to judge the world, but to save the world.”
ii. John 14:6 states:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
c. He sent His son to this earth to die for my sins. For your sins.
i. Isaiah 53:5 states:
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”
d. Take this into your heart and minds:
i. “For God so loved Jon Powell that He sent His son to die for Jon Powell, that if Jon Powell believeth on Him, that he should not perish, but will have everlasting life.”
II. Salvation through Jesus Christ comes through Faith in Christ.
“Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9 quote Paul as saying:
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raise him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”
It doesn’t end there: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” V. 13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 says:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
a. Our works alone will not save us from eternal damnation.
a. There are many cults and religious groups out in the world today that are convincing many people that works will get you into Heaven. They will not.
b. Southern Baptists are falling by the wayside because we don’t know what we believe. We’ve programmed so many people to death, that they’ve never really accepted Christ as their Savior, they’ve accepted the church.
b. We are God’s creation. We are His masterwork. He has given us the perfect opportunity to give our lives to Him. That’s all we have to do.
c. What do we have to do?
a. Admit our sins – we are sinners.
b. Believe that Jesus came to this earth, lived the sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose again on the third day and ascended into Heaven and will come again to take those who believe in Him home.
c. Confess with our mouth the Jesus is the Son of God
III. Personal Testimony
IV. Are you a whosoever?
a. Have you ever surrendered your life to Jesus Christ?
When General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen Ulysses Grant of the Union forces at the end of the Civil War, the terminology of “unconditional surrender” was given. This term meant that the war was over no matter what and the Lee totally gave his land and his troops over to the Union forces.
When we believe in Christ and give our life to Him, we unconditionally surrender to Him for the rest of our life. This surrender secures us a home in Heaven.
There is however another reality that we must face this morning. If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, the reality for you is eternal separation from God in Hell. Revelation 21:9 states:
“The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone
Re-read text:
God Loves You
He has given us the opportunity to believe in Him
Are you a whosoever?
