3:16: The Numbers of Hope-Teen Edition

This book was a pleasure to read both for me, as a Christian who was saved several years ago, and now by a family member, who is struggling with faith. I just know that hope will engulf her and His light will shine upon her and give her soul rest in the hope of eternity. I found answers to things that I thought I knew about the resurrection but was incorrect and I also found myself sharing this book as a bible study with a friend. We both had different views on the contents and what we shared were feelings that helped us both and just created MORE hope. There is nothing you can possess that is greater than God's promise of eternal life. The Kingdom Wins!!! Amen!

The author of 3:16 The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado conveys the central message of the New Testament that is contained in John 3:16 in a poetic way. The verse reads, "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." He summarizes the basic Christian faith in a way easy to grasp, but a way that deeply touches the heart: Jesus Christ, the son of God, came into the world to deliver people from sin through his crucifixion and resurrection. This was the holy plan of redemption from the beginning of time.

Max Lucado dedicates a chapter to each phrase that is contained in this verse and explains it with stories from the Bible and everyday life. He starts with the most famous conversation in the Bible, the one between Nicodemus and Jesus regarding "spiritual rebirthing." He then continues on to explain the love of God that moved him to give his one and only son as a sacrifice for all. The author explains how this gift is available to `whomever' and is not limited to only a select few.

While reading this book, I almost felt like I was listening to Max Lucado talk with me face to face. His style welcomes the reader into a heart to heart conversation, where truth is the mediator. He has the ability to transform any abstract idea into a tangible message that finds its way straight to the heart. An example of this is apparent in the following sentence: "...perish... a sobering word. We'd like to dilute, if not delete, the term. Not Jesus. He pounds Do Not Enter signs on every square inch of Satan's gate and tells those hell-bent on entering to do so over his dead body. Even so, some souls insist." (10)

I have read almost every book that this inspiring author has published. It is always a joy and encouragement for me to read his words that help make the message of the Bible as clear to me as the water of a lake on a calm crisp spring morning. Whenever I start reading one of his books, I cannot stop until I am done from cover to cover. It's almost like starting a bag of chips and not being able to stop until the whole bag is gone. His writing is addictive in a most positive way.

Lucado demystifies the Bible stories in his books. I would recommend anybody who would like to get a fresh look at well known stories and lessons of the Bible to read them. He will not disappoint any reader who hungers for the truth. I especially recommend 3:16 The Numbers of Hope for its crystal clear explanations of God's promise and redemptive plan.

This is a great book. It is written very simply and helps those of us who are not so great at disecting bible verses to understand and relate to the stories he uses.
I highly recommend this book!!! I received it as a gift after my grandmother passed away and it was perfect! I would love to get one for every friend I know!

Max Lucado is one of my favorite Christian authors, in that he has a style of writing that takes you beyond the words and into the emotions of people and places. In 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, he uses the verse John 3:16 for a number of mini-sermons that place emphasis on each word and phrase of the verse. It's an excellent read, and forced me to stop and actually contemplate all that the verse means again...

Contents:
The Most Famous Conversation in the Bible; No One Like Him; Hope for the Hard Heart; When You Get Booted Out; The Only One and Only; The Heart He Offers; Heaven's "Whoever" Policy; Believe and Receive; God's Gracious Grip; Hell's Supreme Surprise; What Makes Heaven Heavenly; The Last Word on Life; The 3:16ed Life; Only Jesus - 40 Days with the Son; Notes

Lucado is able to break down the verse in ways that you might never think of. Each chapter starts off with a story from his life or some illustration from life that anyone can relate to. From there, he turns the illustration in a spiritual direction and shows how the words of John 3:16 in many ways encapsulates everything that the Bible teaches and stands for. To me, the best value comes from his ability to paint color with his words, to give us a scene from the Bible and bring the characters and the message to life in a way that brings fresh perspective. I guess since I've always had a hard time doing that on my own, I appreciate and value it all the more when I come across it in someone's writing. For non-Christians, this book will succinctly provide the message of the Gospel. For Christians, you'll once again be reminded in fresh ways of God's love...

An excellent read...

Max Lucado does an excellent job of expounding and amplifying on what many consider the most beloved verse in the Bible. It gives to us, who will receive it in faith believing, the plan of reconciling God with man, namely the gift of God's Son for the salvation of mankind. As a correlative verse to this esteemed text is another 3:16 found by the same writer in I John 3:16. It expands the Gospel verse to include what Christians should be committed to do; that is, "By this we know the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (fellow Christians)". These two verses embody the core of the Gospel message that Jesus summarized when he stated "You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself". Again, thanks to Max Lucado for reminding us what is expected of us to trust in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior and what is expected of us as it relates to our fellow man. 3:16, now and forever!