Tebow 3:16
Tebow 3:16
“ And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16)
Recently, Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, has become an international celebrity for his seemingly miraculous comeback wins, uncompromising Christian character and outward displays of faith. Throughout his football career, Tebow has put his faith on display be wearing black patches under his eyes with the inscription “John 3:16” written on them. However, prior to the recent playoff game against the Pittsburg Steelers the NFL required Tebow to remove these inscriptions. Tebow responded by declaring that even though “John 3:16” was removed from his patches God would still show Himself during the game. As prophesied, Tebow’s final statistics declared 316 total passing yards including a 31.6 yards per catch average. After the game, and throughout the following week, news stations, talk shows, and many other secular outlets were all talking about “3:16” and the reference to John 3:16 which states:
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Many were discussing how, through Tebow, the Lord was speaking the Bible’s most well-known evangelistic message. However, was this all God was speaking? If one were to look a little deeper the Bible declares a number of prophetic “3:16” passages for our day:
16 Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: (Ezek 3:16-17)
The church has been given and assignment to be a watchman over this nation. Over the past number of years the church has fallen asleep on the wall but now is the time for the church to arise and return to Her post with increased vigilance.
The church is being called by the Lord to hear the word of the Lord and boldly speak what He is saying. But the church has turned aside from the Lord and acted wickedly.
16 Moreover the Lord says:
“Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes,
Walking and mincing as they go, making a jingling with their feet. 17 Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab
The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will uncover their secret parts.” (Isa 3:16-17)
One of the greatest evils facing the church in this hour is the tyranny of the fear of man disguising itself under the banner of political correctness. This may be the most dangerous of all positions for the church for the Lord Himself said,
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Rev 3:16)
Being lukewarm is a state of complacency which is devoid of faith and unpleasing to the Lord. It is a place of comfort based in fear and appeasement that cannot be tolerated if the kingdom of God is to advance in this nation. One of Tim Tebow’s greatest strengths (and most polarizing characteristics) is his uncompromisingly Christian character in the face of relentless negative public opinion. He is an example of what the Lord desires in all of us. Tim is simply reflecting Jesus wherever he goes.
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (1 Peter 3:16)
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: (1 Tim 3:16)
God will expose the corruption in the nation, but he will first begin with His church.
14 “Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16 “Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the Lord, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore. 17 “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. (Jer 3:14-16)
God desires political correctness to be removed from His church and the fear of the Lord to be installed in its place. When the fear of the Lord is established once again in the church, people will stand up for righteousness and things will begin to change in the halls of our government.
16 The Lord also will roar from Zion,
And utter His voice from Jerusalem;
The heavens and earth will shake;
But the Lord will be a shelter for His people,
And the strength of the children of Israel.
Joel 3:16
Though many things will begin to shake, those things founded in the kingdom of God will remain. It has been said that God wants His church back and in some ways that is true. However, He already is the head of His church. What He desires is that his church realize it and respond out of a place of relationship with Him.
The 3:16 references in the New Testament speak to the Lord’s desire for His church to know WHO He is more than they know WHAT He is. And when the church understands who Jesus is, they too will be transformed into His image.
16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2Cor 3:16)
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:16-17)
16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16)
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:16)
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, (Eph 3:16-17)
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. (Gal 3:16-17)
As this greater revelation of who Jesus is unfolds the walls of separation in the church will come down unifying the church in the person of Jesus Christ and not within doctrinal delineations.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Phil 3:16)
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16-17)
As Jesus is being continuously revealed in and through us, His church, His word will open up in a new way releasing greater revelation and understanding.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16-17)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (2 Tim 3:16)
However, there will be those who do not desire to come into the fullness of the revelation of Jesus; those who would rather maintain their current status or doctrinal position. They will reject the necessary changes and difficulties that come with this transition.
16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? (Heb 3:16-17)
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:16)
But all those who hear the voice of the Lord and respond to His call will persevere and enter into the blessings of His kingdom.
17 “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” (Mal 3:17)
16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. (Prov 3:16)
God is speaking loudly to His church in this hour for only His church has the power and grace to effect change in this nation. The Lord Jesus is revealing Himself at this time in a new and deeper way. He desires His church to know Him as the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial shed blood has given those who believe unlimited access to the kingdom of God and unbounded relationship with Himself. From this place the church will be able to bring the restoration to this nation it desperately needs.
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thess 3:16)
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2Peter 3:14-18)
As Peter admonished the church in His day we must diligently seek the Lord in this hour for the express purpose of drawing ever closer to Him in our understanding of who He is. Jesus is revealed throughout the Word of God. He is more than the “Son of God who takes away the sin of the earth.” He is the Lamb of God, slain from before the foundations of the world for all mankind. God is trying to get our attention and He has used Tim Tebow to bring His message forth. But if we only receive the revelation of John 3:16 we have missed the fuller revelation. Are we willing to press into all the Lord has for us? This is the church’s greatest hour and we must be prepared to respond. Our strength is in Him and only through Him will we be able to deal with the issues of our time.