It is probably the most well known Bible verse in the world. It has probably been preached on more by the greatest evangelist of modern times, Billy Graham, than any other single verse. Of course, I am referring to John 3:16. There may be some of you who do not know it, so here is what it says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NASB)

I want you particularly to pay attention to three key words in this verse, because these three words actually form the basis of everything we are going to be talking about over the next two weeks. The first is the word "God". The second is the word "loved" and the third is the word "world." If you want to know why God is a mission-minded God and if…