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Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?(Decoding Jesus: The Message of Jesus, part 2)

John 3:16-21

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Decoding Jesus

We often fail to ask the right questions when seeking answers to life’s puzzling questions.

Question # 1: Why is anyone saved at all?

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

I. Because God chose to love and rescue.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.(John 3:16-17)

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

I. Because God chose to love and rescue.

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

I. Because God chose to love and rescue.

For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.“ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Romans 9:15-16)

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

I. Because God chose to love and rescue.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Decoding Jesus

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I. Because God chose to love and rescue.

Decoding Jesus

Question # 2: Why are people condemned to hell?

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

II. Because they choose to sinand reject forgiveness.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (John 3:18-19 ESV)

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

II. Because they choose to sinand reject forgiveness.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

II. Because they choose to sinand reject forgiveness.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.(Romans 8:6-7)

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

II. Because they choose to sinand reject forgiveness.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,(John 1:11-12)

Decoding Jesus

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II. Because they choose to sinand reject forgiveness.

Decoding Jesus

Question # 3: What about people who have never heard the gospel and don’t know better? Why are they condemned?

Decoding Jesus

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Decoding Jesus

III. Because there is no neutrality.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." (John 3:20-21)

Decoding Jesus

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III. Because there is no neutrality.

Decoding Jesus

As it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God…""There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:10,18)

Decoding Jesus

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III. Because there is no neutrality.

Decoding Jesus

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. (Romans 1:18-19)

Decoding Jesus

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III. Because there is no neutrality.

Decoding Jesus

Big Idea: God always treats us better

than we deserve.

Decoding Jesus

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Application: The Message of Jesus

Why do good things happen to bad people like you and me?

God’s love!

Application: The Message of Jesus

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Thank God for His love.

Application: The Message of Jesus

Waste no time in telling your children!

Application: The Message of Jesus

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Dedicate your life to Him.

Application: The Message of Jesus

Don’t reject His love.

Application: The Message of Jesus

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Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?(Decoding Jesus: The Message of Jesus, part 2)

John 3:16-21

• People often ask the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” When it comes to salvation, have you ever wondered why good things like forgiveness, restoration, and eternal life happened to bad people like you and me?

• Have you ever pondered the lengths God went to in order to show you grace and mercy?

• Shouldn’t we be grateful that God to the initiative in our salvation?

Sermon Questions:

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