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April 20, 2026

The Simplicity of the Gift

By Jason Neill

Scripture reading: John 3:1-21

 

This week I’m stepping away from the parables of Jesus to reinforce, in our minds, the simplicity of the good news concerning Jesus, the giver, and the gift he offers; namely, eternal life (see John 3:16; 4:10). A special thank you to Larry Moyer, my evangelism mentor, who initially created this outline from John 3:16.

Jesus, in a conversation with Nicodemus, said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

God’s love is so remarkable because He loves us not for who we are, but despite who we are. Harsh words, lies, selfishness – we are guilty of all of these and more. As sinners who have broken God’s commandments, we deserve His anger rather than His love. But God loves us so much that instead of turning His back on us, He turns His face toward us.

God’s gift is His Son, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” Since we are sinners, and spiritually dead, God gave us His Son to pay the penalty for our sins. If you were in the hospital dying of cancer, and I came to you and said there’s a new procedure where we can take the cancer cells from your body and place them into mine what would happen to you? You would live. What would happen to me? I would die. I would die in your place. That is exactly what Jesus did on our behalf. He took on our sins and died as our substitute.

God’s offer is everlasting life. God is offering to you and me what we need most, namely everlasting life. God doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life. He doesn’t promise us perfect health. He doesn’t promise us material wealth. What God is offering us is what we need the most.

Since we are spiritually dead (i.e., which means we don’t have a relationship with Him), He is offering to make us spiritually alive by giving us His life. How do you receive His offer? Believe in Jesus alone for everlasting life. Another way of saying it is you must trust in Christ alone for everlasting life. When you sit in a chair you probably don’t examine it prior to sitting down. You simply trust the chair to hold you up through no effort of your own. In a similar fashion, we must trust in Christ alone for everlasting life through no effort of our own. Joining a church, giving money to the poor, or any other good work will not give you everlasting life. You must trust in Christ alone for everlasting life.

When you believe in Jesus for everlasting life, He immediately transfers you from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of life. You go from being spiritually dead to being made alive in Christ (see Colossians 1). You become a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5).

At any moment today, you can believe in Jesus alone for everlasting life which can never be lost. You don’t need to walk down an aisle, sign a commitment card, raise your hand at some meeting, etc. You can believe in Jesus alone for everlasting life, which can never be lost, right where you are as you read this blog. You can believe in Jesus alone for everlasting life, which can never be lost, as you walk to your car to run errands. You can believe in Jesus alone for everlasting life, which can never be lost, sitting in your most comfortable chair at home or driving somewhere in your car. The point is that God is ready to give you His gift of everlasting life, which can never be lost, when you are ready to receive it. All you need to do is trust in Jesus alone for what he promises. Once you believe, you are eternally secure. I know that because Jesus said, “He who believes in me has everlasting life” (John 6:47, NKJV). It is based on His promise, and Jesus always keeps His promises.

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

Discussion Questions

  1. The Cancer Illustration: In the story of the medical procedure, the healthy person takes on the disease so the other can live. How does this analogy help you understand the "substitutionary" death of Jesus?
  2. Why do you think many people try to offer "good works" (like giving money or joining a church) to reach God, rather than simply accepting a gift?
  3. What is the difference between "hoping" you have eternal life and "knowing" you have it based on Jesus’ promise in John 6:47?