In John 3:16 we read again that familiar verse "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It has been said what London, the great metropolis, is to the British Empire, John 3:16 is to the Scriptures. London was the hub of the wheel known to the world as Great Britain. John 3:16 is the hub of the wheel known as God's eternal love which turns this universe. Even those who have not appreciated nor personally appropriated to themselves the provisions of God's love readily recognize that the outstanding characteristic of God is giving.

He gave His head … to wear a curse for me. "And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head." (John 19:2)

He gave His cheek … to be smitten for me. "He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him."
(Lamentations 3:30)

He gave His eyes … to shed tears over sin. "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it." (Luke 19:41)

He gave His tongue … to pray for cruel enemies. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

He gave His back … to be beaten for sinners. "The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows." (Psalm 129:3)

He gave His side … to be speared for rebellious unbelievers. "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." (John 19:34)

He gave His hands and feet … to be nailed for undeserving sinful mankind. "They pierced my hands and my feet." (Psalm 22:16)

He gave His blood … to redeem hopelessly condemned, corrupt criminals. ''…ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold … But with the precious blood of Christ…" (I Peter. 1:18, 19)

He gave His life … to all believing sinners. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

The Old Testament is God's love concealed, and the New Testament is God's love revealed. Every great truth of the Old Testament points toward John 3:16, while every great doctrine of the New Testament emerges from it. What the sun is to our solar system, John 3:16 is in its relation to of the Christian message. In a similar fashion to the way the planets range in their ceaseless rotation around that vast central magnet and flaming quasar we call the sun, the hope of all believers revolves around John 3:16. As the planets receive their illumination from the sun, so do all the distinctive life-giving truths of redemption come from John 3:16.

The unspeakable riches of divine grace; the eternal forgiveness of all sins; the propitiation, reconciliation, justification, sanctification and eventual glorification of redeemed humanity are all included in the declaration of John 3:16. The hope of all the ages for all hopeless humanity becomes as bright as a flaming meteor across the inky black skies of fallen mankind when they lay hold of the love of God expressed in this verse. Someone wrote:

"For God" gives the source of love.

"So loved" gives the fact of love.

"The world" gives the object of Gods' love.

"He gave" describes the act of His love.

"His only begotten Son" presents the gift of His love.

"That whosoever believeth in him" gives the message of His love.

"Should not perish, but have everlasting life" defines the fruit of God's love.

Perhaps John 3:16 could also, with good reason, be compared to a radio broadcasting station. The messages being sent out by God's messenger boys, called ether waves, emitting from His tower of mercy are: "God loves." "God gives." "God saves."

May the Lord bless you this week as you prayerfully read and meditate on the attached Weekly SERMON in the series on the Power and Glory in the Church, “Let the Church catch FIRE.”