Always Reforming

John 3:16-18: God Reconciling the World to Himself 1.       Introduction a.      We finished Colossians last week.  Next time we’ll start a new series. b.     I think John 3:16 has almost become cliché. c.      Reformed Christians seem to avoid this passage unless we’re trying to dispute what other people believe about it.  Have you ever heard a sermon on it?  We need to go back to the basics periodically, and we’ll find they’re very deep.  d.     John 3:16 is so simple, and yet so profound.  MH: “Here is the Gospel indeed, good news, the best that ever came from heaven to earth.” e.      Because everyone knows this verse, we often hear it or read it without thinking about it.  We rob ourselves of the richness of this passage. We need to stop and meditate.  f.       Prayer 2.    ...

T he LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.     A well-known passage, and rightly so.  This is a beautiful picture of God's care for and relationship with his people.  The analogy utilized here is one that would have been fresh and accessible to the audience, which was largely agricultural, and in which sheep played a large role economically and religiously.  Notice one thing before we begin exegesis.  Yahweh, the actor portray...