God is Balanced by Pastor Ken Bell

This entry was authored by my dad, Pastor Ken Bell.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world (you)…that whosoever (you) believes in Him should not perish…”

God is balanced. This is a balanced statement. God is Love, but He is
also the Judge. We hear too much talk today in evangelical circles that we should not preach about sin and hell. The Gospel message has two sides. A just God must judge the sinner to eternal separation. A loving God placed the judgment on Jesus at the Cross,
so the believing sinner could be forgiven.

That is the simple Gospel message of love. Believe it, hold to it, proclaim it to everyone you can.

Pastor Ken Bell is the pastor of International Baptist Church in the Caribbean island of Antigua where our family serve as missionaries for over 15 years. His TV program, “Bible Talk” weekly educates and inspires people to read and enjoy God’s Word.

The Greatest Gift of Christmas

Yesterday, I branched off briefly from the company of my exciting family to sit in the living room and watch our magnificent, family Christmas tree. As my eyes dance around the bright lights, and shining pearls and ornaments, I observed something unusual about our tree. Unlike most Christmas trees, it has no presents under it. I gazed around the trunk where they should have been colored, wrapped boxes encircling it.

I smiled to tell you the truth. Unlike most Christmas occasions, the holiday this year falls on a Sunday, and my dad asked for me to preach for our services. Jesus brought me to speak on John 3:16. This week in preparation has been like a flood of revelation that has drown me in a new sense of sincere gratitude and love for our Savior.

“For God so loved the world…” The word “so” is originally translate houtō which means “in this manner”. So the passages says God loves the world He did this: “gave His only begotten Son”. He freely gave us His Son (Romans 8:32).

Begotten in the Greek is monogenēs which means “one of a kind”. To best illustrate this, picture Abraham’s special son, Isaac. Isaac is the chosen seed to fulfill the great covenant (Gen 12:1-3). Isaac was very, very precious to Abraham, that even his love for God was tested by God’s command to sacrifice his beloved son. Yet God gave up His Son so that we may have life (John 10:11).

How deep God’s affection towards us that He sacrificed His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life! That is the greatest gift!

Thank you Jesus for the best Christmas gift! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The Greatest Gift of Christmas

Yesterday, I branched off briefly from the company of my exciting family to sit in the living room and watch our magnificent, family Christmas tree. As my eyes dance around the bright lights, and shining pearls and ornaments, I observed something unusual about our tree. Unlike most Christmas trees, it has no presents under it. I gazed around the trunk where they should have been colored, wrapped boxes encircling it.

I smiled to tell you the truth. Unlike most Christmas occasions, the holiday this year falls on a Sunday, and my dad asked for me to preach for our services. Jesus brought me to speak on John 3:16. This week in preparation has been like a flood of revelation that has drown me in a new sense of sincere gratitude and love for our Savior.

“For God so loved the world…” The word “so” is originally translate houtō which means “in this manner”. So the passages says God loves the world He did this: “gave His only begotten Son”. He freely gave us His Son (Romans 8:32).

Begotten in the Greek is monogenēs which means “one of a kind”. To best illustrate this, picture Abraham’s special son, Isaac. Isaac is the chosen seed to fulfill the great covenant (Gen 12:1-3). Isaac was very, very precious to Abraham, that even his love for God was tested by God’s command to sacrifice his beloved son. Yet God gave up His Son so that we may have life (John 10:11).

How deep God’s affection towards us that He sacrificed His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life! That is the greatest gift!

Thank you Jesus for the best Christmas gift! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!