Some call it "the gospel in a nutshell." Others credit it as the very verse that made them a believer. And many see it as a message the world desperately needs to embrace.
"There it is in black and white. As simple and gentle as 1+1=2. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son and whoever believes in Him shall NOT perish, but shall have everlasting life. That’s it. Admission is free," said nationally syndicated radio host Delilah.
John 3:16 is believed to be the most popular and arguably the most recited verse in the Bible. It's a verse that compelled one famous preacher to write a book entirely on the short passage and to launch a major initiative around it.
Max Lucado, author of 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, calls the well-known verse "a 26-word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same."
"John 3:16 has always been that one verse that I thought summarizes, encapsulates, [and] carries the heart of the Gospel like no other verse," Lucado said Monday on Christian Broadcasting Network's "The 700 Club."
"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," John 3:16 states.
"[It] is such a great verse because it gives us an itemization of the key doctrine to the Christian faith," he added.
The key doctrine, Lucado indicated, is that the invitation to receive eternal life is for "whoever" and the belief has to be in "him" – Jesus Christ.
The best-selling author has planned a "3:16 Live" event for Feb. 8 in celebration of the powerful verse. The event was originally scheduled for March 16, which is Palm Sunday this year, but has been moved up to take place during Women of Faith's 2008 National Conference at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. There, Lucado will launch an initiative to reach 316 million people across the globe with the John 3:16 message.
As part of the outreach initiative, Lucado has started a 3:16 movement, inviting individuals to join and add their names to the "I Believe in 3:16" list and post video clips on YouTube answering the question: "What does 3:16 mean to me?" Churches are also being encouraged to join the 3:16 Church Experience and to capitalize on the fact that Palm Sunday falls on March 16.
"If we could only share one verse with the world, wouldn't it be John 3:16?" Lucado challenges.
In 3:16, Lucado tackles issues of life and death as he leads readers through a word-by-word study of the passage. He addresses such questions as "Don't all roads lead to heaven and God?" and "What must we do to gain everlasting life?" and also devotes chapters on heaven and hell.
"This life is so brief. We are here to make a decision about where we spend eternity – either with God or apart from God. That is assignment No. 1," Lucado said on CBN. "It's really just a warm-up for the world that is to come."
Challenging both nonbelievers and veteran Christians to explore the "Hope diamond of the Bible," Lucado says, "If you know nothing of the Bible, start here (John 3:16). If you know everything in the Bible, return here."
Lucado was dubbed "America's Pastor" by Christianity Today magazine in 2004 and has written more than 60 titles published in more than 28 languages. Last year, he stepped down as senior pastor of his San Antonio megachurch, Oak Hills Church, where he remains on staff.
Comments
How about a Mark 10:21 movement?
How can I inherit eternal life? Why is this answer of Jesus totally ignored in evangelical circles?
Is it easier to believe in an abstract principle than to give up our wealth?
gavulav: well, if someone is a evangelical stereotype of an atheist, the only atheists are those who either haven't heard of christianity, or had a traumatic experience and subsequently blamed god, and are carrying out that vendetta by proclaiming unbelief. In reality, being born to parents who don't teach religion is a good way, and I was initially an atheist for that reason. Another way is to encounter rational arguments aganst belief in god, and that is how I deconverted from christianity. Adopting a scientific mindset does cut down on the tendency to superstitiously interpret everyday events as evidence for a personal god intervening in the world. As for a higher power, the natural universe seems to qualify.
Chris333: What I'm saying is if you need to imagine a supernatural personal god to make this life meaningful, you are saying that life by itself is intrinsically meaningless by itself, the very definition of nihilism. As far as death goes, I am indeed inductively reasoning based on the results of the deaths of others, as well as a monistic view of consciousness as a property of matter, also based on evidence that manipulating the brain can alter consciousness. If I see evidence in the future contrary to these findings, I will of course revise my view.
What is to stop me or others? First, my desire to think of myself as a good person, as defined by the results of my actions as they affect not just myself, but others as well. Second, the reactions of said others to my behavior should I choose to lead an existence entirely dedicated to my benefit at the expense of others.
By the way citizen, how do you equate ancient myths with nihilism? Also, based on what you said you do seem very much to be a nihlist.
"Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the Christian walk would be easy nor is it free. It cost the invaluable price of Christ's death and resurrection. It will cost your life."
I couldn't agree more xizwyck. Yes 3:16 is an important message in the Bible, but it is not the only thing. We are not in a situation as to only be able to share one verse from the Bible with the world. We need a total view of Christianity, not just partial.
Citizen you said, "I am quite comfortable. I know that I came from my parents, I am here to make of the best of the life they gave me, and when I die, it will be, for me, just the same as before I was born. I need no ancient myths, because I am not a nihilist."
First of all you assume that you know what it will be like after you die (at least for you), in reality if you are of atheistic profession (and perhaps theistic as well) you have absolutely no idea what will happen after you die. Schopenhauer made a false assumption if that is who you are referring to here. For that matter, I will also have to say, if your assumption is true, then firstly congratulations on having the idea to try to live a decent life, but what is to stop you or someone else from adopting a Nieztschean point of view, and then deciding to force everyone to follow him or her?
SportinLife...........As Christians we should "know" what awaits us after death - the revelation is in John 3:16.
Citizen.......I'm really curious. Please humour me. How does a person become an atheist? Is it through an accident of birth, that is, having godless parents, or is it through having an absolute faith in science as the only source of "truth"? I can't help wondering how a person can exist without having so much as an inkling of the existence of a superior power and intelligence. What can cause such a monumental "blackout"?
John 3:16 speaks of the love God has for the very ones He created, and inspite of what He knows is in our hearts, He loves us just the same, this speaks to my heart of the total goodness of God!
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am assured what awaits me, HIM, and eternal life and I have HIS Word on that and HE paid my debt so I could have eternity with Him, that is my Great God!
It is not about a FREE ticket, man SINNED against Holy GOD, and it cost God everything to redeem us from the death penalty, and yet while we were HIS enemies HE died for us!!!
God has already done all there is to do, our part is TO BELIEVE HIM and HIS SON!!
God bless y'all, and brethren ought not to argue over words!! That profits no one, in Jesus Name, Amen
mikeymike885: You are projecting human traits on a universe that existed just fine without humans for billions of years, could exist for billions more after we are gone, and the vast majority of which is not occupied by humans.
gavulav: I am quite comfortable. I know that I came from my parents, I am here to make of the best of the life they gave me, and when I die, it will be, for me, just the same as before I was born. I need no ancient myths, because I am not a nihilist.
This is a sad state for man to be in: Desiring to do Gods’ will…our way. Does this coincide with Matthew 7:22? “Lord, Lord did we not…” My point with this? Both men were chosen by God for their specific tasks. What does it say to me that the man of God, Samuel whom God had anoint Saul king, would not stand with Saul, who was chosen by God also, because of his disobedience? Samuel was a man of character who chose to stand in obedience to God in the presence of a king. If Samuel would not stand with a man also chosen by God due to disobedience: compared to Samuel, who are we to God? Someone said we can do nothing for Yeshua. I beg to differ. We can be his disciples, we can contend for the faith, we can be people of God standing with character as Samuel did in the face those who disobey and we are to proclaim his truth. God knows who he is, who are we to him?
15:10-26 “Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.” Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.” So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? 18 Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?” And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.” Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.” But SAMUEL SAID TO SAUL, “I WILL NOT RETURN WITH YOU, FOR YOU HAVE REJECTED THE WORD OF THE LORD, AND THE LORD HAS REJECTED YOU from being king over Israel.”
This may or may not be the line of thinking Sportin had in mind but it is mine.
1 Samuel 15:3 “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.”
15:4 “So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them…”
15:5 “And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.”
15:6 “Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.”
Good so far…continue.
15:7 “Saul attacked the Amalekites…”
15:8 “He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.”
15:9 “BUT….. Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good…”
Why does man do this? Follow Gods’ plan…almost? Decide God didn’t really mean what he instructed and change His plan? And then we wonder, “does God not hear my prayers? I pray, fast, study his Word and yet it seems as though he does not hear me.”
15:9 “…and were UNWILLING to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.”
Whoever says that is nothing but a free ticket into eternity does not understand what it means to be a follower of Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the Christian walk would be easy nor is it free. It cost the invaluable price of Christ's death and resurrection. It will cost your life.
gavulav said: "Christians are blessed with knowledge of what has gone before and with what is yet to come."
This is true. The Lord has given us glimpses of the Glory which He has prepared for those whose hearts are truly and wholly His.
There's nothing selfish about accepting God's offer of eternal life - which begins with abundant life right now. That is God's will, is what He wants us to do, is what pleases Him most. If we do not receive His offer with humility and thanksgiving, the sacrifice of His Son was all for naught.
SportinLife, you seem to be confusing Jesus Christ with JFK. There's not a thing we can do FOR Jesus. It is only His power which enables us to be His witnesses and carry out the Great Commission. He tells Christians to abide in Him, to take time to be with Him and learn of Him, and then He will work THROUGH us to minister to others.
Ask not what Jesus can do for you. Ask what you can do for Jesus.
The idea that christianity is all about nothing but a free ticket to eternity perfectly captures the selfishness and self-centeredness of our age. Turn the page to Luke 6:31 instead--or actually, to the entire sermon on the mount. Let the founder himself tell you exactly what christianity is really about.
gavulav, as christians we do have faith that a better life is in store for us, but it's simply not true that we really "know" what awaits us.