I would like to read to you today verses 16-21 in the third chapter of the book of John and use verse 16 as my text for todday. Verse 16 proclaims God’s love for man. The love proclaimed here was given by God even while we were yet sinners. (Rom. 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Verse 16 also gives us the remedy for lost fellowship with God and eternal life.

Now let us read these verses and allow God to bless us as we read these verses and realize that God‘s love is:

I. A PERFECT LOVE “For God so loved the world”

    1. Man’s love is “imperfect”

       A. Man’s love is very much limited

           1. We love for the wrong reasons

           2. Our love is often short lived

           3. Our love is very easily controlled by emotions.

          4. Our love is very easily controlled by desire and or lust

    2. God’s love on the other hand is “perfect“.

       A. His love is unlimited

       B. God loves for all the right reasons

       C. God’s love heals

          1. A broken heart.

          2. A broken home

          3. A broken life

     D. God’s love delivers

         1. From death to eternal life (Gal. 1:4) Who gave himself for our sins, that

            he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of

           God and our Father:

II. A PRICELESS LOVE “That He gave His only begotten son.”

    1. His “only” begotten Son. (my witness to the inmates)

    2. Jesus gave Himself

       A. A perfect picture of God and His love can be found in the (Gen. 22:1-14)

III. A PERSONAL LOVE “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish”

    1. This personal love demands a personal faith!

    2. Notice I said “personal” No one can believe for you! (Mt. 16:13-18) When

       Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his 

      disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they

     said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others,

    Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I

     am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the

     living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon

    Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which

    is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I

    will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

    2. A personal faith is a faith that pleases God (Heb.11:6)But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

IV. A PERMANENT LIFE “But have everlasting life”

    1. Our lives are fleeting like a vapor of steam. (Js.4:14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

    2. All that people long for will pass away. Go up in smoke! (Jeannie’s Death)

        A. Man works 8-16 hours a day for the things of the world and they will pass

            away

        B. Ever see an armored car behind a Hurst?

    3. On the other hand the things of God are eternal.

       A. Understanding that may, how much time do we spend seeking the things

           of God

      B. (Mt.6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you'd want me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited -- you never called -- I just kept on loving you.

As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face -- trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have. You didn't even think of Me; I wanted so much to comfort you.

The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into glorious morning for you. But you woke up late and rushed off to work -- you didn't even notice. My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.

I love you, oh, if you'd only listen. I really love you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of all the flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and compose love songs for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature's sweet scent. My love for you is deeper than any ocean and greater than any need in your heart. If you'd only realize how I care.

My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him -- He cares, too. Fathers are just that way. So, please; call on Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait -- because I love you.