SERIES: GOD'S PERFECT GIFTS (1 OF 2)

NOTE: This sermon is part 1 and 2 of a 4 part sermon series. Two sermons outlines are included in this download.

PREVIEWS:

Part 1: The Right to Become
Series: God's Perfect Gifts
Stuart Briscoe
John 1:1-13

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…" This being the case, we will spend a little time unwrapping these gifts to see what He has given us. First, He has given us "the right to become the children of God."

I. We "Become" Children of God. 1:1, 14

A. We are God's "offspring" through creation. Acts 17:24f

B. We are not God's children because of the Fall. John 8:31f

II. We Become God's Children when We Are "Born of God." 1:13

A. We do not become God's children through:
1. Natural descent-heredity.

2. Human decision-natural causes.

3. Father's will. v. 13

B. To be "born of God" denotes divine initiative.

III. We Are "Born of God" when We "Receive Him" (the Word).

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Part 2: The One and Only Son
Series: God's Perfect Gifts
Stuart Briscoe
John 3:16-21

John 3:16 used to be regarded as the best-known Bible verse. But since the advent of political correctness, "Judge not that ye be not judged" has become better known! That is sad because John 3:16 speaks of the greatest gift of all! Today we'll unwrap it.

I. The World God Loves.

NOTE: John employs the word "Kosmos" = "world" more than 100 times.

A. World-"Universe," sum total of created things. See Acts 17:24; John 1:3

B. World-planet inhabited by mankind. 1:10; Matthew 4:8

C. World-mankind created to "rule over" the world. Genesis 1:26; John 12:19

D. World-environment hostile to God populated by fallen mankind. 7:7; 15:18

E. World-dominated by "prince of this world" (Jesus' enemy). 12:31; 16:11

F. World-the fallen, resistant creation that God loves and wants back.