In week 2 of our Advent series, we are exploring John 3:16. Tim Horman explores the second part of this pivotal verse, "that He gave His only Son," uncovering the depth of God's love for a world in rebellion. Tim reminds us of God's unwavering love and mercy, even in the face of our shortcomings. Experience a renewed understanding of the gospel and the boundless love of God that calls us to live in alignment with His heart.

Below, you’ll find video and audio versions of Tim’s message as well as a summary article with small group discussion questions.

As we continue our Advent series, we delve deeper into one of the most profound and well-known verses in the Bible: John 3:16. This verse, often memorised by heart, encapsulates the essence of the Gospel in a single, powerful sentence. It reads, "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." This verse is a cornerstone of Christian faith, capturing the depth of God's love and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Last week, Linda focused on the first part of this verse, "For God so loved the world." This week, we turn our attention to the next clause, "that He gave His one and only Son." While each part of this verse is rich with meaning, it's essential to consider the entire verse to grasp the full message of the Gospel.

Understanding 'The World' in John 3:16

In the Gospel of John, the term "world" (Greek: cosmos) is used in a specific sense. It doesn't merely refer to the natural world or creation but to a realm or system of power that exists in rebellion and death. This world is in opposition to God, resisting and even hating Him. John 1:9-11 illustrates this: "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him."

This world, created by Jesus, did not recognise Him and ultimately rejected and murdered Him. Despite this hostility, God chose to love this rebellious world. This is the kind of world and the kind of people God is dealing with—a world that has become hostile territory even to its Creator.

The Character of God Revealed

Given the world's rebellion, God had every reason to reject us and leave us to our demise. Yet, the character of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, is one of grace, compassion, and forgiveness. In Exodus 34, God reveals Himself to Moses, saying, "I am the Lord, the gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin."

This revelation of God's character is consistent throughout the Bible. John 3:16 shows us that God's love and mercy have reached their fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is the clearest and fullest revelation of who God is, sent to rescue us from ourselves and the powers of death that have taken this world captive.

The Depth of God's Love

John 3:16 tells us that God "so loved the world." This love is not vague, detached, or conditional. The Greek word "hutos," translated as "so," means "in this way" or "like this." God loved the world in this way: He gave His only Son. This love is an eternal, raging fire of jealousy that will never stop burning for us.

God's love for this rebellious, sin-scarred, and suffering world is so profound that He was willing to give everything for our sake. He gave His only Son to save us. These words are astonishing and almost impossible to believe. Yet, they are the truth of the Gospel.

The Lie of Conditional Love

Many of us struggle to believe that this promise is true for us. We might think that while God loves others, especially those who seem to have their lives together, He merely tolerates us. This belief often stems from our upbringing or cultural influences that equate love with performance and achievement.

Some sermons even perpetuate this lie, suggesting that God can only love us through Jesus, as if God Himself cannot bear to look at us. This distortion of the Gospel feeds into our guilt and shame, making us believe that we must earn God's love and acceptance. But this is a lie from the pit of hell.

The True Gospel

The Gospel, as revealed in John 3:16, is that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. God loved us not because of what we could do for Him but because of who He is. His love is not conditional on our performance or achievements. He loved us while we were still sinners, and He sent Jesus to save us from death.

God's wrath against sin is an expression of His love. He hates sin because it harms us and separates us from Him. His anger burns against the world we have created that causes suffering and pain. But His love for us is so great that He was willing to send His Son to rescue us, even at the cost of His Son's life.

The Invitation to Trust

The first lie we believed, which led us into sin, was that God could not be trusted. This lie is the root of all our problems and the one we must most aggressively seek to overcome. We must replace this destructive lie with the truth of God's love and trustworthiness.

Spiritual formation in Christ involves progressively replacing our destructive thoughts and ideas with the thoughts and ideas that filled the mind of Jesus. By the Holy Spirit, we can know the mind of Christ and understand His thoughts toward us. Jesus reveals a God who gives, raises up, heals, and forgives.

John 3:16 is a powerful reminder of God's unfathomable love for us. It tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. This love is not conditional on our performance or achievements. It is a gift freely given, and all we have to do is accept it.

As we reflect on this verse during Advent, let us allow the love of the Father to touch our hearts and refresh us. Let us trust in His goodness and believe that His love for us is true, no matter what. And let us live in the joy and peace that come from knowing we are loved by God.

Questions for Small Group Discussion:

1. How does understanding the term "world" in John 3:16 as a realm of rebellion and death change your perspective on God's love for us?

2. In what ways have you struggled to believe that God's love is unconditional and not based on your performance or achievements?

3. How does the revelation of God's character in Exodus 34 align with the message of John 3:16?

4. What lies have you believed about God's love and acceptance? How can you replace these lies with the truth of the Gospel?

5. How does understanding God's wrath against sin as an expression of His love change your view of His character?

6. In what ways can you actively seek to trust God's intentions and believe in His goodness?

7. How can you apply the message of John 3:16 to your daily life and relationships with others?

We pray that reflecting on these questions will deepen your understanding of God's love and strengthen your faith in His promises.