December 18, 2011

Jesus, the Savior of the World

John 3:1-21

“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.”
John 3:16

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Popular thinking says that every religion is good and every path leads to God. Many people rely on the religion of their choice for salvation. Others pin their hopes on their works. People tend to believe that if you are sincere, God will find a way to your heart in the final day. The Bible says, however, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25).

Actually, there is only one way to reach God, and that is through Jesus Christ. There is only one gate into heaven: Jesus Christ. There is only one mediator between God and man: Jesus Christ.

Our text today is one of the most familiar and beloved in all of Scripture. At the heart of John 3:16 is the amazing announcement “God gave …” Our God is a giving God. He gave for us what the Father had only one of—his Son. His unique Son “perished” on Calvary so we might have life. Jesus is the only advocate who can defend your cause before the throne of God. He is the only Savior of the world.

The “one and only” is capable of giving eternal life. He can provide bread for your spiritual hunger and living water to satisfy your spiritual thirst. He offers light to illuminate your way, peace to end your conflicts, and hope to end your despair.

O God, your Word says there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus is, therefore, our only hope. May we all put our hope in him. Amen.

About the author — Hernandes Lopes

Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes grew up in a Christian home in Brazil. Following his 1981 graduation from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Campinas, Brazil, he served two congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Brazil. In 2000, he earned a doctor of ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Rev. Lopes has been the voice of the television program Verdade e Vida (“Truth and Life”) since 2006. In 2010 he was appointed Portuguese ministry leader for Back to God Ministries International. Rev. Lopes and his wife, Tinha, have two college-age children.

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