Who is Jesus? (John 3:16)

1. Read: John 3:16

2. About the Text:

1) Perhaps there is no more quoted verse in the Bible than this one.

2) It gives the basic answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?”

3) It tells us the basic mission of Jesus.

4) It also teaches the basic answer on how to respond to Jesus.

5) Let’s look at this verse as we seek to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?’

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The Son of God Demonstrates the Love of God

1) Jesus is the Son of God – John 20:30-31 “Many other signs . . . .”

2) God’s giving His Son demonstrates His love.

3) How did God make us alive? – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

4) “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

2. The Son of God Loves the Whole World

1) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

2) “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

3) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:3-5).

3. The Son of God is God’s Gift to Mankind

1) “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water’” (John 4:10).

2) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

3) “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

1. He saves those Who Believe

1) Belief means more than just mental assent.

2) Belief implies obedience – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36 ESV).

3) “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

4) “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

2. He saves from Perishing

1) Perishing means to die in our sins – “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

2) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

3) “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

3. Who saves by giving Eternal Life

1) “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).

2) “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

3) “since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him” (John 17:2).

1. Grace is in the giving of Jesus because Jesus is grace.

1) In his person is grace.

2) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

3) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:14-17).

4) “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

2. Truth is in the teaching of Jesus because Jesus is truth.

1) In his person is truth.

2) “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

3) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (John 8:31-32).

4) “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:19).

1. Who is Jesus?

1) He is the Son of God

2) He is the Savior

3) He is Grace and Truth

2. Invitation