SALVATION IN JOHN 3:16
SALVATION IN JOHN 3:16
“Many millions of Adam’s ruined race have found their way to heaven by the discovery of John 3:16″—John Philips (1927-2010)
CHARLES CURTMAN – Mar 18, 2026
Note: During the past 50 years I have prepared rather extensive outlines, such as the following, in preparation for preaching and teaching. I’m making these available to my subscribers (free or paid) at charlescurtman.substack.com at “C. R. Curtman’s Sermon Index.” Please feel free to make use of these in any way that might be helpful in your own study and ministry of the Word. Any feedback as to how I might improve my “Sermon Digest” will be appreciated.
I. NOTICE THE MYSTERY OF GOD THAT IS IN VIEW HERE
C.R. Curtman – FYI is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Note: v. 16 “For God … “
Note The Bible begins with these four words. “In the beginning God” (Gen. 1:1).” He doesn’t present an argument for His existence, He simply announces His existence.
A. The solitariness of God
Note: Deut.. 6:4; Ps. 113:5
B. The sovereignty of God
Note: Isa. 46:9, 10
*Note: God is alone in His omnipotence, His omniscience and His omnipresence. consider the question: “Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high?” (Ps. 113:5).
II. THE MOTIVE OF GOD THAT IS IN VIEW HERE
Note: v. 16b “so loved … “
Note: 1 John 4:8 “God is Love”
A. God’s love is an unfathomable love
Note: 1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
Note Henry Moorhouse said: “If I could borrow Jacob’s ladder and climb up into heaven and ask Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Almighty, to tell me how much love the Father has for the world, all he could say would be: Henry Moorhouse, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believeth in him should not peris, but have eternal life.”
Note: God’s love is infinite, immeasurable, immutable
B. God’s love is undeserved love
Note: Rom. 3:11b “… there is none that seeketh after God”
Rom. 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins”
*Note: Speakers Bible, v. 11, p. 199 “One of the most prevalent notions of God is this: that God is a hard, exorable Being, who has been made mild and forgiving only by the death of Jesus Christ. This great Gospel text teaches just the contrary. It represents God as in love with me already before Christ came – with all men – with every man. “God so loved the world.” And this is not any elect or select portion of the world, but the whole world of human beings that have ever lived, that live now, or that ever will live on the face of the earth; not the world of the “elect, but the world of sinners”
III. THE MISSION OF GOD THAT IS IN VIEW HERE
Note: v. 16c “the world … “
Note: 1. The scope of this mission; universal and non-exclusive of anyone (1 Pet. 3:9; Tit. 2:11; 1 John 2:2; Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2. Ps. 145:9).
A. It was a mission to a world of ruined humanity
Note: Rom. 5:12; Rom. 3:9, 10; 6:23; Eph. 2:1.
Note: This mission was both universal and urgent in its nature.
B. It was a mission to a world of rebellious humanity
Note: Rom. 3:9b-12; Isa. 53:6a; Note: Eph. 2:1-3.
Note: This. is a world that celebrates its disbelief in and denial of God (1 John 5:19).
III. THE METHOD OF GOD THAT IS IN VIEW HERE
Note: v. 16d “ … he gave his only begotten Son”
Note: The cross was the consequence of God’s love, not the cause of it. It was a result of His love not the reason for it.
A. God acted personally in terms of the revelation of Himself that He provided to mankind
Note: See 1 Tim. 3:16. The greatest mystery relative to God is in view here
B. God acted personally in terms of the reconciliation to Himself that He made possible for mankind
Note: 2 Cor. 5:19 “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation”
Note: 1 Pet. 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”
V. THE MANDATE OF GOD THAT IS IN VIEW HERE
A. Who this word pertains to
Note: v. 16c “whosoever believeth in Him”
1. There’s a certain class in view here
Note: v. 16c “whosoever”
2. Th”ere’s a certain condition in view here
Note: v. 16d “believe in him”
B. What this Word provides
1. Escape
Note: v. 16d should not perish … “
Note: Heb. 2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him”
2. Everlasting life
Note: v. 16e “but have everlasting life.”
CONCLUSION: There are two categories of “whosoevers.” The question is: “In which one of these categories do you belong?”
1. The “whosoever” of salvation
Note: John 3:16 “that whosoever … everlasting life”
2. The “whosoever” of judgment
Note: Rev. 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the Lamb’s book of life was cast into the lake of fire
(To view, and hopefully benefit from, more of my outlines, please visit C. R. Curtman’s Sermon Index on the “Home” page at charlescurtman.substack.com).
C.R. Curtman – FYI is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Recent Comments