Possessing The Faith We Are Professing

1. When Words Aren’t Enough

Several years ago a news story circulated about a man who tried to board a commercial airplane while pretending to be a pilot. He had the uniform, the hat, and even carried himself with confidence. To the casual observer, he looked the part. But when airline officials asked for his credentials and began asking technical questions, the truth became obvious. He had memorized some phrases and studied the appearance of pilots, but he had never been trained and had never flown a plane. He had the uniform, but not the qualification. The appearance was convincing—until it was tested.

2. Jesus warns that something very similar can happen spiritually. A person may wear the language of Christianity, participate in Christian activity, and appear outwardly faithful, yet lack the one thing that matters most: a genuine relationship with Christ and true trust in Him.

3. Matthew 7:21-23

3. R.C. Sproul summarized it this way: We must possess the faith we profess.

I. The Danger of Empty Profession Matthew 7:21 — “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’…”

A. Jesus declares some make the right profession, but lack true submission.

“Lord, Lord” indicates verbal profession and even emotional enthusiasm.

Yet Jesus warns that profession alone is insufficient.

B. We must possess the faith we profess. (R.C. Sproul)

[A bank teller is trained to recognize counterfeit money not by studying fake bills, but by handling real currency constantly. When a fake appears, it feels wrong immediately. Likewise, many people handle the language of Christianity—prayers, songs, religious talk—but have never truly handled the reality of Christ.

• Saying “Lord” does not make Jesus Lord of your life.

• Church attendance, ministry involvement, or Christian language cannot substitute for genuine faith.

II. The Reality of Religious Activity Without Relationship Matthew 7:22 — “Did we not prophesy… cast out demons… do many mighty works?”

A. These individuals appeal to their religious achievements.

1. Notice the repetition of “we”:

• We prophesied

• We cast out demons

• We did mighty works

2. Their confidence is rooted in what they did, not who they knew.

B. Outward religious success does not equal saving faith.

Judas Iscariot preached, healed, and performed miracles alongside the other apostles. Yet Jesus called him a devil (John 6:70). It is possible to participate in ministry and still lack genuine faith.

C. Ask honest questions:

1. Is my faith rooted in Christ or in my religious activity?

2. Am I trusting Jesus or trusting my spiritual résumé?

III. The Test of Genuine Faith Matthew 7:21 — “…the one who does the will of my Father…”

A. Jesus identifies the evidence of real faith: obedience flowing from trust.

1. Inner trust in Christ

2. Outward obedience to Christ

B. The order matters.

1. We are not saved by works, but true faith produces works (James 2:17).

2. The faith that justifies is never alone.

[An apple tree does not become an apple tree because apples are taped onto its branches.

Apples appear because the tree is alive. In the same way, Christian obedience is fruit, not decoration.

C. If Christ truly rules your heart:

• Your values begin to change.

• Your priorities shift.

• Your obedience becomes increasingly sincere.

IV. The Tragedy of False Assurance Matthew 7:23 — “I never knew you; depart from me.”

A. These are among the most sobering words in Scripture.

1. Jesus does not say, “I once knew you.”

2. He says “I never knew you.”

B. Their entire religious life existed without a relationship with Him.

C. Christianity is not merely believing facts about Jesus; it is being known by Him and trusting Him personally.

[If I were to claim to know Peyton Manning because I own a copy of his jersey and watched every game, Manning would say, “I don’t know him.” Many people know about Jesus, but do not truly know Him.

1. The question is not:

• Do you know the right doctrine?

• Have you done impressive religious things?

2. The question is: Do you truly trust Christ and belong to Him?

V. Possessing the Faith We Profess

A. We Know by Our Fruit (Matthew 12:33)

B. Do we possess the faith we profess? True saving faith includes:

1. Repentance – turning from sin

2. Trust – relying completely on Christ’s finished work

3. Submission – acknowledging Jesus as Lord

4. Transformation – a life gradually changed by His Spirit

5. Outward actions then become the fruit of inward faith.

1. [A man once fell from a cliff but caught a small branch on the way down. Hanging there, he cried out, “Is anyone up there?” A voice from above answered, “Yes. Let go of the branch and trust me.” The man paused and then shouted, “Is there anyone else up there?”