Dear friend,
If you are not 100% sure you are going to heaven or if you have yet to pray the sinner's prayer to receive Jesus Christ—the only one who loves you more than anyone ever could, the only one who has the power to save your soul from eternal hell and give you life everlasting—here is your chance. With just you and me and the One who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, pray this prayer with me.
Gracious and loving Father,
We gather before You today with thankful hearts, ready to receive the truth of Your Word. As we open our Bibles and our hearts to John 3:16, we ask that Your Holy Spirit would be present among us—guiding our thoughts, stirring our spirits, and deepening our understanding.
Lord, this verse is familiar to many, but its power and beauty never fade. Help us to grasp the fullness of Your love, the sacrifice of Your Son, and the incredible gift of eternal life that You offer to all who believe.
Remove distractions from our minds and soften our hearts, that we might truly hear what You are saying to us today. May this time together draw us closer to You and ignite a passion for sharing the gospel with others.
We give You all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor. Have Your way in this brief lesson, Lord.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray,
Amen.
Next, I recommend clicking on the following video and playing the music softly while you read the message below the video.
Opening Scripture:
John 3:16 (KJV) — “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.”
Introduction
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to one of the most well-known and beloved verses in all of Scripture: John 3:16. These twenty-five words contain the heartbeat of the gospel. In this single sentence, we see the love of God, the sacrifice of His Son, the offer of salvation, and the promise of eternal life. Though it is short, this verse is deep. It is simple enough for a child to memorize, yet profound enough for theologians to ponder for a lifetime.
Let us now walk through this verse, phrase by phrase, and let the Word of God speak to our hearts about His great love and eternal promise.
“For God so loved the world”
We begin with the most majestic Being in all the universe: God. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, the Maker of all things visible and invisible. He is holy, perfect, and righteous. Yet what does the verse tell us about Him first? That He loved. This is not a distant or indifferent God. This is a God whose very nature is love.
He loved the world. This includes all of humanity—not just one nation, not just the righteous, not just the rich, not only the poor—but the entire world. It means every tribe, tongue, and nation. It means men and women, boys and girls, sinners and saints. This is a love that knows no borders. It is a love that seeks the lost, heals the broken, and redeems the condemned.
But it says more than just “God loved.” It says, “God so loved.” The word “so” emphasizes the depth, the intensity, and the greatness of His love. It is love beyond measure. Love so vast it cannot be fully comprehended. God’s love is not passive or casual. It is active and sacrificial.
“That He gave His only begotten Son”
True love is never just words—it always takes action. The love of God moved Him to give us His very best: His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Let us consider what it means that He gave His Son. God did not loan Him to us or send Him temporarily. He gave Him completely, knowing full well what that would mean. Jesus would leave the glories of heaven, take on human flesh, suffer rejection, endure betrayal, and ultimately go to the cross.
Jesus is not one of many sons. He is the only begotten Son—the unique, eternal, divine Son of God. He is God in the flesh. He shares the same nature and essence as the Father. There is no other like Him. God did not give us an angel, a prophet, or a mere teacher. He gave us His Son.
And why did He give Him? To save us. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He lived the life we could not live—perfect and sinless. He died the death we deserved—on the cross, as our substitute. His sacrifice was not accidental. It was the plan of God, set in motion from the beginning, to redeem fallen mankind.
“That whosoever believeth in Him”
Here we see the glorious invitation of the gospel. The word “whosoever” is powerful. It opens the door to all people. No one is excluded. You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to be famous. You don’t have to be perfect. All you must do is believe in Him.
This belief is not merely intellectual. It’s not just agreeing that Jesus existed. It is trusting in Him completely—believing that He died for your sins, that He rose from the grave, and that He is the only way to be saved.
Believing in Him means receiving Him as Savior and surrendering to Him as Lord. It is a faith that leads to transformation. When we truly believe in Christ, our hearts are changed, our lives are renewed, and our future is secured.
This offer is open to all, but it must be received personally. God does not force salvation on anyone. But to whosoever believeth, the promise is sure.
“Should not perish”
To “perish” means more than physical death. It speaks of eternal separation from God. It means being lost forever, cut off from the presence of the Lord, facing the just judgment for sin.
Sin brings death. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” Every person has sinned. Every person stands guilty before God. But here in John 3:16, God offers us a way out. Through Jesus, we should not perish. We do not have to be condemned. We do not have to remain in darkness.
God’s desire is not that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He made a way through the cross. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. The resurrection proves the victory is won. For those who believe in Him, there is no condemnation. There is only life.
“But have everlasting life”
Finally, we come to the incredible promise at the end of this verse: everlasting life. This is more than just life that lasts forever. It is life of a different quality. It is eternal in length and divine in nature.
Everlasting life begins the moment we believe in Jesus. It is not something we wait for—it is something we receive now. It is life lived in fellowship with God, guided by His Spirit, filled with His joy, and marked by His peace.
This life continues beyond the grave. It is the assurance of heaven. It is the hope of the believer. In Christ, we have a future that is secure, a home that is eternal, and a relationship with God that will never end.
The world offers temporary pleasures, but God offers everlasting life. The world promises happiness but delivers heartbreak. God promises salvation and gives us new life, both now and forevermore.
Conclusion
John 3:16 is more than a memory verse. It is the very message of the gospel in a single sentence. It tells us who God is—loving, giving, and saving. It tells us who Jesus is—the only begotten Son, sent to redeem us. It tells us who we are—sinners in need of grace. And it tells us what we must do—believe in Him.
If you have received this truth, rejoice in it. Let it fill you with gratitude, praise, and assurance. Share it with others who need to hear it. Live in the light of it every day.
If you have not yet believed, know this: God loves you. He sent His Son for you. He is calling you to trust in Him today. Eternal life is not found in religion, good deeds, or human effort. It is found in Jesus Christ alone.
“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.”
Amen.
Prayer for Salvation
Dear God,
I come to You today, just as I am. I know that I have sinned, and I confess my need for Your mercy and forgiveness.
I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day, so that I might have eternal life.
Right now, I turn from my sin and place my faith in Jesus alone as my Savior and Lord. I ask You to come into my heart, forgive me, cleanse me, and make me new.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk with You, to trust You, and to follow You all the days of my life.
Thank You for saving me. Thank You for loving me. I give You my life, now and forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and awe as we reflect on the depth of Your love revealed in John 3:16. Thank You for loving us so deeply that You gave Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Thank You for offering us the gift of eternal life through faith in Him.
Lord, help us never to take this truth for granted. Let the wonder of Your love stir our hearts daily. Let it shape how we live, how we love others, and how we walk in faith and obedience to You.
We praise You for the simplicity and power of the gospel—that “whosoever” believes will not perish, but have everlasting life. May this truth be written on our hearts, and may it compel us to live with boldness and joy as Your children.
As we go from this place, let Your Word take root in our lives. Help us to walk in the assurance of our salvation and to share this good news with a world that desperately needs to hear it.
We thank You, we praise You, and we love You. All glory and honor belong to You alone.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray,
Amen.
If this message led you to pray the prayer for salvation, I would be delighted to know so I can rejoice with the angels who are rejoicing over you now. Please email me at michaelwilkerson717@gmail.com
Next, you will want to follow your Lord's instructions to be water baptized in the name of Jesus. I cover that on the home page.
Welcome to the family of God. Praying the prayer for salvation is the first step of the Christian experience. Keep reading my blog, and we will run this race together with our great God and our precious Lord and Savior.
Now, kindly pause the first video and click on the video just below, and cherish this personal moment of divine grace.
Your Brother in Christ,
Michael Wilkerson
This message was written 7/20/2025