John 3:16 — Heaven’s Offer in 25 Golden Words

This article is adapted from a message preached on September 22, 2025. Watch the full sermon on YouTube.

“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.” John 3:16

The Personal Interest of Heaven

One of the striking features of John’s Gospel is how often the Lord Jesus deals with people personally. While other Gospels highlight multitudes, households, or couples, John repeatedly brings us face to face with individuals. In chapter 3, the Lord Jesus is interested in a man. In chapter 4, He is interested in a woman. Again and again, we learn this truth: while God addresses crowds, salvation is always personal.

The same Lord Jesus who spoke with Nicodemus has an interest in you. No matter your background, where you come from, or where you live, heaven has an interest in you. The solemn question is this: do you have an interest in heaven? Do you have an interest in Christ?

Nicodemus and the Need to Be Born Again

Nicodemus came to the Lord Jesus by night. He was not an ordinary man. He was the teacher in Israel, a man of immense biblical knowledge and religious experience. Yet despite all of this, the Lord Jesus told him plainly, “Ye must be born again.”

Nicodemus had religion, intellect, and reputation—but he did not have salvation. He was not born again. And so the question presses upon every heart: are you saved? Are your sins forgiven?

The moment a person is born again, their sins are forgiven. The moment a person trusts Jesus Christ as Saviour, their sins are forgiven.

The People God Loved

“For God so loved the world…”

This world was once perfect. God created it good, and He placed mankind within it. Yet through sin, that perfect world became polluted. Sin entered the world and spread universally, affecting every single person.

Sin is not merely a global problem; it is a personal one. It affects our hands, our lips, and our minds. It explains why we do what we should not do, say what we should not say, and think what we should not think. The Bible is clear: “There is no difference: for all have sinned.”

This is the world God loved—a ruined, polluted world, filled with sinners who deserved judgment. And yet, God loved.

The Person God Gave

“That He gave His only begotten Son…”

God’s love is proven by His gift. Heaven had a Son, and God gave Him. Not an angel. Not a substitute. He gave the best He had.

The Lord Jesus was the Father’s delight—never a moment of dishonour, never a moment of disappointment. He was delegated, sent by the Father to be the Saviour of the world. He was delivered up, not spared, given for us all.

At the cross, the greatest display of human hatred met the greatest display of divine love. Men mocked Him, scourged Him, crowned Him with thorns, and nailed Him to a cross. Yet behind it all, God laid upon His Son the judgment that sinners deserved. Christ died for the ungodly.

The Proclamation God Declares

“That whosoever believeth in Him…”

The scope of salvation is vast. It reaches to whosoever. No one is excluded. Christ tasted death for every person. Where you sit right now, you are included in Calvary.

The simplicity of salvation is found in one word: believeth. Salvation is not earned. It is not achieved by effort or emotion. It is trusting—like a child trusts a loving parent.

And the emphasis is not on believing enough, but on believing in Him. Salvation is not in faith itself; salvation is in Christ. Faith simply brings us into the benefit of what He has already done.

Do you have Him? Because if you have Christ, you have everlasting life.

The Promise God Upholds

“Should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

God’s promise is certain. Those who believe in Christ will not perish. They will not face judgment. They possess everlasting life—not only in the future, but now.

Everlasting life is the life of heaven enjoyed in the present. It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Forgiveness of sins. Peace with God. Assurance of heaven.

You can have that tonight. You can trust the Saviour who died, was buried, and rose again. And you can know—on the authority of God’s Word—that you have everlasting life.

“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.”