A-Z of Boldness
I- Inclusiveness of Salvation
John 3: 14-16
"14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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".
We have been talking about being Bold as christians. He have looked recently at being Bold with our Finances, Being bold concerning our goverment, and last week we spoke about being bold concerning our Hope. We discussed being Bold because we had a great hope. We have hope for Jesus Return. we have hope for a resurrection. And we have hope for the Rapture!
This week we move on to the letter "I" in our A-Z of Boldness. The letter "I" will remind us of the Inclusiveness of Salvation. We often hear that the christian faith is exclusive. By our faith we exclude people and ideas. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is open to all.
Imagine two country clubs. The first has a strict set of rules and only allows in people who have earned their membership. They have to accomplish something, obtain superior wisdom, or fulfill a long list of demands and requirements to qualify for entry. Despite their best efforts, lots of people just won’t make the grade and will be excluded. In effect, this is what other religious systems are like. But the second country club throws its doors wide open and says, "Anybody who wants membership is invited inside. Rich or poor, black or white, regardless of your ethnic heritage or where you live, we would love to include you. Entry is based not on your qualification but only on accepting this invitation. So we’ll leave the matter up to you. You decide. But remember, we will never turn you away if you seek admittance." That’s what Christianity is like. Which country club is being snobbish? Christians aren’t being exclusive; they’re being inclusive.
We will look at a few verses this week that include a very important word "whosoever" which simply means "anyone" This morning we will discuss three things concerning this inclusive Gospel.
1. The Offer
Open to all
John 3:14-16
Eternal Life
Jeus speaking to Martha concerning Lazarus John 11:26
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
Rev 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
2. The Obstacle
There is a condition
Faith
The door handle is on the inside
3. The Outcome
Some exclude Themselves
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 3
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. F9 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Whosoever includes everyone. The Christian faith is open to all. There is a condition - Faith. And tne outcome is based on that condition.
