Sermon Central
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3:16 "God In A Box" Series
Contributed by Cecil Whitton on May 13, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: This message was part of an Easter series exploring John 3:16. IT ALSO TAKES A LOOK AT THE CONTENTS OF THE ARK OF THE COVENANT. IT REVEALS THE PROBLEM SO MANY CHRISTIANS HAVE BECAUSE THEY ARE LIVING WITH THE BASICS OF SALVATION… When Christ PAID A HIGH
Series- 3:16 - God In A Box
“3:16 INTRO VIDEO”
WOW, what a powerful description from author Max Lucado of the most powerful Scripture in the entirety of the Bible. Today, we are a beginning a series entitled- “3:16”.
How fitting it is that this Sunday, which is PALM SUNDAY Falls on March 16th or rather 3:16.
It is the most Well Known scripture in the entire Bible. You see on Billboards, at Sporting Events, on Bumper Stickers, and on T-Shirts.
We learn it from a very Early Age. We Sing Songs- referencing it’s contents.
And yet those Words, when TRULY PONDERED- never loose their Potency or Power…
John 3:16 “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.
We could spend hours pondering the first SIX words alone!
“For God So Loved The World.”
What a powerful thought, that the God of the universe would love a Fallen world. A world that rejected Him.
And yet the Bible declares that “While we were yet sinners, Christ Died For Us.”
But then the Scripture Goes on to say that He not only Loved us. But, His Love Compelled Him To Also GIVE TO US…
~ One thing that I am thankful for in my upbringing is that I had Parents that were Givers.
~ I saw them give sacrificially not only to us children- but to anyone in need that they had the means to help.
~ It is Largely due to their example that God has allowed me to be a person who enjoys being a giver.
BUT CAN I BE HONEST WITH YOU? SOME PEOPLE ARE EASIER TO GIVE TO THAN OTHERS.
~ It is not difficult at all to give to those I love.
~ Wife, Son, Family, Anyone in this Great Congregation.
~ But, you do me WRONG- and it becomes a little more difficult.
~ There has been a number of occasions in my lifetime that God has required just that of me…
~ Someone who had treated me wrongly or hurt me, He required me to Give to them.
~ SPECIFIC ILLUSTRATION
~ Been Hurt
~ Did not feel at the time it was my fault- probably was more than I would like to admit
~ Had harbored it inside for a long time
~ GOD REQUIRED ME TO GIVE A GIFT TO THEM.
~ It was a gift that cost me a lot of money at the time.
~ It was a gift that I wanted for myself but could not afford to get for myself at the time.
~ It was DIFFICULT To Give that Gift.
~ It was a gift of Great Value To Me.
~ AND GOD REQURED ME TO GIVE IT AWAY-
~ That is an inadequate picture of what God did for Us. But, He did not have to be prompted to Give to us His Love Compelled Him.
And His Gift Was of The Utmost Of Value.
~ Far greater Gift than anything we could ever part with.
The scripture goes on to describe the Greatest Gift Ever Given.
“For God So Loved The World. That He gave His one and only son”
THE GREATEST GIFT EVER TO THE MOST UNDESERVING RECIPENTS EVER.
And who where those RECIPENTS? You and you and you, and Me- THE WHOSOEVERS OF THE WORLD.
“For God So Loved The World. That He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes In him ...”
Seems Too Easy Doesn’t It…
~ Whoever Believes…
If I were AWARDING SUCH GREAT A GIFT, Surely the requirements would have been more significant…
~ Whoever SHOWS HIM/ HERSELF DESERVING
~ Whoever GIVES THE GREATEST GIFT IN RETURN
~ Whoever Has SOMETHING TO OFFER…
But not the case- WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM…
~ We come to Him With our Nothingness and He Gives Us His EVERYTHING.
~ Think of it- WHAT OF VALUE CAN YOU GIVE THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE?
ILLUSTRATE- BUYING a gift for the person with EVERYTHING…
~ TALK ABOUT GETTING A GIFT FOR THE ONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING.
~ We don’t have anything to offer but:
OUR BROKENESS
OUR FAILURES
OUR HURTS
OUR PAIN
And He Says- “I’LL TAKE IT, SIMPLY BELIEVE!!!
Then the verse goes on to say…
John 3:16 “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.
Eternal Life!!! What An Offer!!!
If He would have stopped there it would have been MORE THAN ENOUGH…
But, I want you to skip forward a few chapters to John 10:9-10. I want you to listen to the words of JESUS.
John 10:9-10. “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
