1. “Not Condemned” Or “Coming to the Light”
John 3:17-21
Gospel of John Series #13
Grace Baptist Church 9/18/16 AM

2. Looking Back: The Theme of John 3:16: The Love of God
I. The Degree or Description of this Love
II. The Designer of this Love
III. The Direction of this Love
IV. The Desire/Gift of this Love
V. The Determination/Purpose of this Love

3. 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
John 3:16-21

4. 1. Purpose with a Promise
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Purpose Negatively and Positively – Luke 5:31,32; 19:10
The Promise Positively and Negatively – John 5:24; Romans 8:1

5. 2. Illumination with an Indictment
19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Why do people NOT receive the Gospel?
Is it because it is costly?
Is it because it is inadequate?
Is it because it is unreasonable?
NO, it is because they hate that the Light exposes their sin.

6. Charles Simeon 1759-1836 Expository Outlines Volume 13, pgs. 267,268
In the day of judgment the Gospel will be as a millstone round the neck of those who rejected it: not having been a savour (aroma) of life unto their salvation, it will be a savour (stench) of death unto their most severe condemnation…
But their hearts are so hardened, that it is scarcely possible to make any impression upon them: if a ray of light do shine into their minds, they will endeavor to extinguish it as soon as possible; they will go to business, to pleasure, to company, yea, to intoxication itself, in order to stifle the voice of conscience, and to recover their former delusive peace. Alas! They are not only perishing of a fatal disorder, but they reject with disdain the only remedy that can do them good: they therefore must die, because they persist in drinking of the poisonous cup that is in their hands, and dash from their lips the only antidote and cure.

7. 3. Salvation with a Transformation
21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
From Deception to Truth – transformed thinking
From Darkness to Light – transformed vision
From Deadness to Life – transformed deeds
It’s Invitation Time! What will you do? Believe? Do Truth? Come the Light?