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Romans 4:2-3

Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

– Romans 4:2-3

Main Thought: There are many people in this day who mistakenly think there was a different way of salvation in the Old Testament than in the New Testament, believing that in the Old Testament men and women were saved by works and being obedient to the Law. Also, very sadly, most people throughout history have trusted that, in the end, it is their good works that will achieve a right standing with God, bringing them a right standing with God and eternal life. What Paul points out here is that if Abraham had somehow achieved justification, or a righteous standing with God, by his own works, then he could have boasted before men in the multitude of his good works, and the fact he had more good works than other men. However, what he is identifying in this chapter is that being justified before God does not come because of good works that we perform in the eyes of men and ourselves, but because of faith in God. The Jews of Jesus’ day boasted in the fact of being of the heritage or lineage of Abraham, and therefore being Abraham’s children, as if somehow being of his physical heritage merited something in God’s eyes (John 8:33). Jesus acknowledged they were physically of Abraham, but pointed out to them they were not of him spiritually, not loving the One whom God the Father had sent (John 8:42) and not doing the deeds of Abraham (John 8:39). Very many people in our culture think because they come from a Christian family, or because they are outwardly morally good, or because they have done good works, that they are in good standing with God. The reality is that justification, which is a righteous standing before God, comes only when someone has trusted by faith completely in the atoning death of Christ. Abraham and all the Old Testament saints believed in God and the promise of the coming Messiah who would atone for their sins (John 8:58). As New Testament believers, we look back now at the finished work of Christ on the cross and believe, just as Abraham, in Him and that His sacrifice for our sins justifies and makes us righteous before God. It is a false hope, and proud and presumptuous, to believe that somehow my good works are more satisfactory to God the Father than the shed blood of His Son. If you have trusted in Christ, and Christ alone, then you are justified before God and rejoice in that righteousness imputed by Christ. But if you are trusting in and boasting in your own works, then you are still in your sins and not justified before God. Call on Him today, trust in Him even now, and know that in believing in Him you will stand justified before God and have eternal life.
David Webber

David Webber

David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

Faith Baptist Church: Longview, Texas
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27
John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27

John 8:23-24
John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24

John 6:39-40
John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40

John 2:18-21
John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21

John 1:14
John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Psalm 85:6
Psalm 85:6

“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6

Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

John 14:19
John 14:19

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19

Romans 4:2-3

Psalm 92:8

“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.”

– Psalm 92:8

Main Thought: As we see throughout the Scriptures, our worship and adoration of God is related directly to whether or not we have a high or low view of God. We find that David had a high view of the person of God, which he expresses in this brief verse, where he speaks of God’s majesty, glory, and eternal nature. He goes on to speak of this glory of God in many other Psalms. In Psalm 7:17, he speaks of singing praise to “the name of Yahweh Most High.” In Psalm 21:7 he speaks of the mercy of the Most High. In Psalm 46:4, David writes of “the holy dwelling places of the Most High”, and in Psalm 47:2 he writes “Yahweh Most High is fearsome, a great King over all the earth.” We also find this adoration, praise, and worship in the great saints of the Old and New Testaments. We see it in Noah, that when he came off the ark, he worshipped God and made a sacrifice to Him (Gen. 8:20). We find Abraham making a sacrifice and worshipping God when the covenant with Abraham was confirmed by God himself (Gen. 17:1-27). When God revealed himself to Moses from the burning bush, Moses fell down in worship before Him (Ex. 3:1-22). Then when we look into the New Testament, we see men falling in worship to Christ, because they saw Him as God revealed in flesh. The leper in Matthew 8:2, seeking cleansing from Jesus, bowed down before Him and called him Lord. In Matthew 9:18, the synagogue official, seeing Him as Lord and seeking healing for his daughter, fell down in worship at His feet. And when Jesus ascended to the Father (Luke 24:50-53), we are told His followers worshiped Him. Worship begins with our relationship with God; only those who know Him really have a desire to worship Him. However, after this, the desire and the depth of our worship are related to how we see God. Do we have a low view of God, that He is just some occasional helper, intervening in our lives only when we ask, or do we view Him as David did, the Most High God, lifted up in holiness, power, and majesty, not just a part of our lives when we invite Him, but moving in our lives in every moment of every day to perfect holiness in us, secure our eternal salvation which He has promised, and providing for us every spiritual and physical need we have? This is how David sees him here, this is how the Old Testament believers saw Him, and this is how those who saw Him in His ministry here on earth viewed Him. Do you see Him in this way, or is your view of God such that you do not worship Him as you ought, seeing worship as only an occasional necessity? If so, then read the Psalms, the Old Testament accounts of believers, and the Gospels. In these Scriptures, you will see God the Father and the Son high and lifted up in majesty and glory, and soon your soul will greatly desire to worship Him in “Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).
David Webber

David Webber

David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

Faith Baptist Church: Longview, Texas
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27
John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27

John 8:23-24
John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24

John 6:39-40
John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40

John 2:18-21
John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21

John 1:14
John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Psalm 85:6
Psalm 85:6

“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6

Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

John 14:19
John 14:19

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19

Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.”

– John 11:25-27

Main Thought: This is one of the most familiar passages of Scripture in the Gospels, the account of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. These three verses are part of a conversation between Jesus and Martha prior to His arrival at the tomb. Prior to these verses, Jesus told Martha in John 11:23: “Your brother will rise again.” Martha, of course not knowing that Jesus was about to display His glory and power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead, reveals her faith by her statement in John 11:24: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” What faith she reveals, having confidence in God resurrecting those who have believed in Him, even prior to the death and resurrection of Christ. Perhaps she heard of Christ’s teaching in John 5:21, when He said “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” Or could she have heard Job 19:25-26 read in the synagogue, where Job proclaims “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” Her words reveal her faith in Christ, and her trust in the promises found in the Scriptures. The great truth He proclaims, that “I am the resurrection and the life”, reveals that He has authority over both spiritual death and physical death, that when we believe in Him and receive eternal life, we will in essence never die, going immediately into the presence of the Father and the Son upon leaving these mortal bodies. Christ’s resurrection following His crucifixion, and then three days and three nights in the tomb, displays and is a promise of His authority for us, that we will be raised in our glorified bodies when Christ returns in power and glory. Paul gloriously exclaims in 1 Corinthians 15:54 “Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Christ has won the victory for us, bestowing on us eternal life that cannot be abrogated, and giving us victory over the grave through the demonstration of His own resurrection. Fear not, believer in Christ, for the One who is our Lord and Savior proclaims “I died, and behold I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” What great, almost inexpressible joy and comfort, to know that we have life everlasting through Christ, the One who lives forevermore and has all authority over death. Surely, everyone who knows Christ should give thanks today for He who is “the resurrection and the life.”
David Webber

David Webber

David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

Faith Baptist Church: Longview, Texas
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27
John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27

John 8:23-24
John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24

John 6:39-40
John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40

John 2:18-21
John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21

John 1:14
John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Psalm 85:6
Psalm 85:6

“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6

Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

John 14:19
John 14:19

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19

Romans 4:2-3

John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.”

– John 8:23-24

Main Thought: In this chapter, we find Jesus once again proclaiming to the unbelieving Jews that He had come from the Father, that He was from Heaven and sent by the Father to proclaim the truth concerning sin, salvation, and the judgment. He rightly says “You are from below,” indicating their hatred of Christ and the truth of His Word. Their claims that “Abraham is our father” (John 8:39) was true only in the physical sense, for their desire to kill Jesus (John 8:40) indicated, as Jesus points out, that their real spiritual father was Satan himself (John 8:44) and their true desire was to murder Jesus. As we know from history and the Scriptures, they eventually fulfilled their hateful desires when they crucified our Lord. However, we also know that Jesus’ words spoken here still sound forth the sad truth that all who reject Christ, the great I AM who came in the flesh as the perfect and spotless sacrifice upon Calvary’s cross, will die eternally in their sins. You must believe in Him, the eternal Son of God, the perfect Lamb of God, as the substitute for your sins, If you do not, as Jesus said, you will suffer eternal death, punishment, and separation from God. We may think how sad it is that those who heard Jesus’ declaration and rejected His words, now dwell in eternal death. But it is just as sad in this day that people have heard the declaration of these words from the Bible and in many Gospel messages, yet still reject the truth of who Jesus Christ is, and reject any notion of the judgment of God. Our calling as individual believers and the church is to continue to proclaim the message of the atoning death of Christ as the only way of salvation and pray that the Holy Spirit would open the eyes and ears of many unbelievers, and they would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, not dying in their sins, but being born again and eternally living with Him. May our Lord be pleased to move in a mighty way soon, and the words of Jesus in these verses bring conviction of sin and repentance to the lost.
David Webber

David Webber

David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

Faith Baptist Church: Longview, Texas
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27
John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27

John 8:23-24
John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24

John 6:39-40
John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40

John 2:18-21
John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21

John 1:14
John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Psalm 85:6
Psalm 85:6

“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6

Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

John 14:19
John 14:19

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19

Romans 4:2-3

John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

– John 6:39-40

Main Thought: This section of Scripture begins with one of the “I am” statements of Christ, that being “I am the bread of life.” In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is continuing to proclaim to the Jews that He has been sent by God the Father as the way of salvation. In John 6:26, Jesus proclaims that God has set “His seal” on Him, indicating His approval of Him. In John 6:29, he says to His listeners that the “work of God (the Father) is that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” In John 6:33, Jesus again speaks of Himself as “the bread of God (the Father)… which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Finally, our Savior speaks of the will of God, the Father who sent Him, is to give eternal life, to lose none of the ones given to the Son by the Father in eternity past (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-6; John 17:1-2). What a great realization this is, a realization of the grace of God, that if you have believed on Christ you were a gift of God to the Son. You and I who have believed were not some afterthought or part of “plan B” because Israel rejected Christ; no we have been part of God’s plan before the world was ever created before there was the earth, sun, moon, stars, or the vast expanse of space. What a marvelous and tremendous thought this is, that we were given to the Son by God the Father. And the plan of God promised that none of those given to the Son would ever be lost (John 6:39), and that God’s will was that all those given to Him would see Him, hear Him, believe in Him, have eternal life in Him and be raised by our Lord and Savior when He returns again. This truth removes all reason for pride and pompousness, because all the glory for our salvation goes to God, and it also gives us great trust and security, knowing surely that what God has started in us will be brought to finality on the final day, the day of Christ’s return. May every one of us be humbled in the knowledge of this truth, the truth of the grace of God found in the person of Jesus Christ.
David Webber

David Webber

David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

Faith Baptist Church: Longview, Texas
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27
John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27

John 8:23-24
John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24

John 6:39-40
John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40

John 2:18-21
John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21

John 1:14
John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Psalm 85:6
Psalm 85:6

“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6

Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

John 14:19
John 14:19

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19

Romans 4:2-3

John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.”

– John 2:18-21

Main Thought: This conversation with the Jews followed immediately after Jesus had turned over the tables of the money changers and driven them out of the temple area. They questioned His authority, asking for a sign that would validate His authority in performing this cleansing of the temple. He informed them that if they destroyed this sanctuary, He would raise it in three days. It must have seemed to them that He was a madman since it took forty-six years to build Herod’s temple. However, the Jews and the disciples both missed His meaning, for He was not speaking of the physical temple in Jerusalem, but He was speaking of the temple or sanctuary of His body. He was speaking prophetically of when he would raise up his body once again to life. The importance of the resurrection of Christ from the dead cannot be overstated, for as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17, if Christ was not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain. However, the multiple appearances of Christ to His apostles, and eventually to over 500 of His followers, is overwhelming eyewitness historical evidence that Christ did rise from the dead and that we have a living hope of eternal life. Besides that, the new life we possess as believers in Jesus Christ is evidence of the resurrection and the fact that He overcame the grave and is at the Father’s right hand even now. Paul states in Ephesians 1:19-20 that the power, or might, by which we have been saved is no less than the power by which Christ himself was raised from the dead. Our faith is not just in a crucified Christ, but a crucified, risen, and living Christ who paid our sin debt and is reigning now in Heaven. While the scoffers and the unbelievers may reject the idea of a substitutionary atonement and a resurrected Lord, we know by faith as His people that He has fully paid our sin debt and will return again for us one day. May we give our thanks daily for our resurrected and living Savior.
David Webber

David Webber

David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

Faith Baptist Church: Longview, Texas
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Romans 4:2-3

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3

John 11:25-27
John 11:25-27

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27

John 8:23-24
John 8:23-24

“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24

John 6:39-40
John 6:39-40

“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40

John 2:18-21
John 2:18-21

“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21

John 1:14
John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Psalm 85:6
Psalm 85:6

“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6

Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5

John 14:19
John 14:19

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19