Autopsy Of A Dead Faith

Suppose the devil wanted to join Bellevue Baptist Church, and suppose one of our deacons… He walks down the aisle now. Takes human form, walks down the aisle. He’s coming down and one of our ministers greets him and hands him off to one of our deacons, and they go back there in the counseling room. Or the Welcome Center is a better term for that. So they sit down and they, and they say, “Well, Mr. Diablo, may we ask you, may I ask you a question? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? “Oh, yes, I do.” “Do you believe He was born of a virgin?” “Oh, yes, I believe that very much. Yes, I believe in the virgin birth.” “ Well, do you believe He died on the cross?” “Oh, yes, certainly. I, I do believe He died on the cross. Yes, sire, I believe that with all of my heart.” “Well, do you believe He was raised from the dead?” “Yes, siree, I believe that. I believe He walked out of that tomb.” “ Mr. Diablo, that’s, that’s very wonderful. Mr. Diablo, if you, if you come into Bellevue Baptist Church will you be a good member? Will you be willing to work in the church? “Oh, yes, I’d be very happy. As a matter of fact, I’ll serve as a deacon if you’ll elect me. (Laughter from congregation) I’d be glad to sing in the choir. I would, I’ll be glad to do all kinds of work. Why, you’ll think I’m an angel of light. Yes, I’ll be glad to do all of that. As a matter of fact, I will be happy to fill the pulpit anytime the pastor is absent.” By the way, one time when I was preaching, a little boy came up to me after the service and he said, “Preacher, that was a good sermon.” He said, “When you up there preaching I could see the devil just as plain.” (Laughter from congregation) “Do you believe that He’s the Son of God?” “Yes.” “Do you believe He’s the Messiah?” “Yes.” “Do you believe He was born of a virgin?” “Yes.” “You believe He was raised from the dead.” “Yes.” “Do you believe all of these things?” “Yes.” “Will you work in the church?” “Yes.” “One more question, Mr. Diablo. Will you bow your knee and confess that He is Lord?” “ No, I will not.” He never has and he never will. They believe, they tremble, but they do not have saving faith. You know this word tremble, as I say, says to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. What does saving faith bring? It doesn’t bring fear; it brings peace. Romans, chapter 9, chapter 5, verse 1: “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now, what, what have I said? It is this kind of faith, this dead faith, this faith that does

not save; it is a Profitless Profession. It is a Barren Belief. The same kind of belief that the devil has. And thirdly, it is, therefore, a Fatal Faith. Now, continue to read. Look in verse 20: “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” It is fatal. “Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works, when he had offered Isaac, his son, upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. Ye see, then, that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” It almost sounds like a, James is arguing with himself in verses 23 and 24. “Likewise, also was not Rahab, the harlot, justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” Now get to the bottom line and here it is. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” It is a fatal, a dead, a fruitless faith. Now the man with this kind of faith, therefore, is still in his trespasses and in his sin. The difference between the man that James is describing and the man that Paul is describing is life. A person who has Christ in him has the light of God in him. I want to say it one more time. We are saved by faith alone, in grace alone, ob, in Jesus alone. But, listen. The faith that saves is never alone. We are not saved by faith and works; we are saved by faith that works. Not faith and works. It’s all by grace. Remember, Ephesians 2, verses 8 and 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God – Not of works, lest any man should boast.” You’re not saved by works. “…Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works….”