HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

Sermon Notes, April 8, 2012

Phil Perkins

            Pastor Phil Perkins, from Salem Fields and The Bridge in Fredericksburg, preached on Easter Sunday.  His message was titled “Hope Springs Eternal,” and his text was 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.”  That tells the story.  John 3:16 holds promise for the world.  It begins with God and ends with life.  There are some key words in this verse:

            GAVE—Jesus was not merely sent—He never traveled over 50 miles in His earthly ministry.  In this verse, the word “gave,” actually means “gave up.”  God gave up His son.  Jesus was born to die; His purpose was to be a once-for-all sacrifice.  Sacrifices had always been required to atone for sin.  Jesus’ sacrifice was not just for sins of the past, but for those to come.  God wants us to be free from sin, and through Jesus is the only way.

            WHOEVER—The Pharisees were upset because Jesus ate with sinners. But Jesus told them that He didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matt. 9:10)  “Whoever” is a welcome mat to the gate of heaven.  Peter tells us it is not God’s will for any to be lost (2Peter 3.9).  “Whoever” is non-restrictive and all-inclusive.

            BELIEVES—Not works, struggles or strives; we can’t earn our way. We think we can “fix” ourselves, or overcome with hard work.  Psalm 108:12 says the help of man is worthless.  Jesus says “Trust me to do the things you can’t.”  We trust chairs, or lights, to work the way they’re supposed to; we should trust Jesus. 

The angel at the tomb asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he is risen!” (Luke 24:5-6)  Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand new life.  In the past, sacrifice meant sin was forgiven.  Jesus Christ was both the final sacrifice and our High Priest.  In the empty tomb, we see that God accepts the sacrifice.  Christ restored our relationship with God.  “…By one sacrifice he has made perfect those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)

LOVE—The entire verse expresses God’s great love for us.  John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  God gave because He loves.  God didn’t send His Son to condemn, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17)