Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Looking at John’s Gospel – different from the other gospels
- No parables
- Contrasts
- Titles of Christ
- Emphasising certain words
- World – 78 times in John, 23 times in 1 John
- Love –
- A mini-series due to finish next week
- Looking at the letter "W"
- Today: the World
- Appropriate today on Remembrance Sunday
- Sadly wars still occur today
- Overview – three questions
- What is wrong with the world?
- What is God’s attitude to the world?
- Is there atonement for the world?
- Different uses of the word "world"
- John 1:10a/b – the material/created world (made by Christ)
- John 1:10c – mankind
- John 12:19 – a large group of people
- John 7:4 – to the public
- John 12:32, 1 John 2:15-16 – the evil system of this world
What is wrong with the world?
- Negative usage of the word "world"
- People are ignorant of God
- John 1:5 – ‘the darkness did not comprehend’
- John 1:10 – "the world did not know Him"
- God is often not in the thoughts of mankind
- Only at times of crises
- Not to worship and praise Him
- Men are in darkness and cut off from God
- Men are ignorant of God
- People do not understand God
- John 3:19 – men practice evil deeds
- They cannot bear the light of Christ
- People do not want their sin exposed
- John 3:21 – those who love the truth come to the light
- We are capable of such sin – example
- The human heart (inherited from Adam)
- Christ came into the world to show His light, to go the cross, to die and be resurrected, to forgive our sin, to give us a new heart
- Individuals and sin
- John 7:7
- The world is not happy with a Jesus who exposes sin
- John 3:17 – God did not come to condemn but to save
What is God’s attitude to the world?
- God does love sinners
- Example of the Rich Young Man, rebellious Jerusalem, compassion on the multitudes
- John 1:9 – the true light given to every person
- We are all given a conscience
- We are all given creation
- Every man should hear Him (believe in Christ and be saved) – John 3:16-17
- Those who remain in unbelief – will be judged, for God’s anger remains upon them
- God hates sin and unbelief – John 3:36
Is there atonement for the world?
- 1 John 2:2 – Jesus is a propitiation
- He turns away the anger of God
- A sinner is forgiven and cleansed
- Not all are saved
- John 3:36
- Speaking about people in general – not every single person in the world
- Of Jew and Gentile – example
- Not universalism
- John 1:29
- Atonement – Acts 20:28, Matt 1:21, Eph 5:25
- Christ purchased His people
- There is atonement for those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ
- Do you wonder if your sins are paid for?
- God so loved the world He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life
- John 6:37 – if you come to Jesus, you will never be cast out
- Come to Christ and believe in Him
- Confess and ask for forgiveness of your sins
- Believe in Jesus Christ