Church Order: Worship, Sacraments, and the Lord's Supper

Is it Possible to Know Jesus and Not Be Saved

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Church Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2024-07-20

Synopsis: John Weaver examines James 2:19 to answer whether one can know Jesus Christ and yet remain unsaved. He distinguishes three kinds of faith: a demon's faith (intellectual acknowledgment without saving trust), a dead faith (profession without works), and a divine faith (a God-wrought, living faith that produces obedience). Using biblical examples, he argues that mere head knowledge or empty profession does not save; only a faith given by God, evidenced by good works, constitutes true salvation.

[John Weaver] Won't you open your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of James, chapter 2. And we're going to be looking at verse 19. I'm going to give you the title of the sermon, but the title of the sermon isn't a question. And of course, I think you're going to find it answered in the scripture. But here is the title. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? Think about that. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? In James 2 in verse 19, the word of God says, Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well.

[John Weaver] The devils also believe and tremble. So the question that I'm asking is really an exceedingly important question, because your eternal destiny depends upon the answer. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? So if you were to look upon the mass of professing Christians that attend church faithfully, regularly, and then on the second hand, you look upon the mass of those who profess to be saved, and yet they never ever darken the doorway of a church, And then, of course, there's a third mass that we need to look upon. And that third mass, of course, would be the mass of the unsaved.

[John Weaver] So you'd have to ask, why are there no discernible differences between these three masses? Now, I know that I'm there are exceptions, especially to those that are lost. But I'm not referring to the murderers and the rapists. I'm simply talking about those lost folks who the world would call moral and upright and honest and and and work and try to do what they can do the best of their limited knowledge.

[John Weaver] So here's a couple of things. Why not go into a restaurant and watch people? How many people do you see that actually pray before they eat? How many are in control of their children and expect them to be obedient? If you go into a mall, just stand around and watch people. How many are careful with the items that they inspect? How many are concerned about the property rights of others? How many try to deceive and defraud the owners and how many will return money when it's been miscounted? And so Here's another thing we could do. We could ask about any church member that professes to know Jesus Christ and carefully listen to their answer. When you ask them, do you really know the Lord Jesus Christ? Wow. Ask any church member how his life differs from that of the unsaved. Ask any church member how the law of God has made a difference in his life. Ask him how he applies the law of God to every area of life as well. You can also ask about any church member to explain biblical doctrine, any biblical doctrine.

[John Weaver] And if he stutters and stammers and can't think of any, maybe you could suggest the doctrine of justification by faith alone or the doctrine of the imputation. Now, the point I'm trying to make is rather obvious. Obviously, the unsaved cannot answer any doctrinal questions, usually. And the truth of the matter is most professing Christians, either those that are regular attenders at church and those who just simply profess, they usually cannot answer any of the questions either.

[John Weaver] And when I ask this leading question, is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? You have to understand that There are definitions of the word no. And there's different ways that word is used. It's also a difference in the way the word believe happens to be used as well. And unhappily, most people cannot discern the differences even in scripture on how those terms are used.

[John Weaver] So you look back at James 2 in verse 19. Look what he said. Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well, the devils also believe and tremble.

[John Weaver] Now the interesting thing is the word believe both times is the same Greek word pistueo and it means to think to be true, to be persuaded to be true, to place confidence in, and it's used both in a moral and in a religious sense. So here's the crux of the matter. The word may be used to convey a saving belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it can also be used just simply as a mere acknowledgement of some fact or facts or some event, which is nothing more than an intellectual faith.

[John Weaver] Now, There are even what I would call degrees or intensities in intellectual knowledge. Let me give you a good illustration. Everyone in this room knows for an absolute fact that you're going to die. You don't know when, but you know for a fact that you're going to die. And the truth is most people hardly ever think about dying. And most of us do not want to think about dying, that is for sure. But although we know that we're going to die, if you knew absolutely for sure that you are going to die within the next 10 minutes, I think your knowledge of death would be intensified. And I think the degree of that knowledge would be jacked up.

[John Weaver] And you realize you just simply do not have much time left now. So the word believe in this passage in James 2 in verse 19 can be used of true saving faith, but it can also be used of a mere intellectual knowledge.

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing is in verse 19, God says, Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils or the demons also believe and tremble. Now, the Greek word for tremble is the word for us. So it literally means to shudder. It means to be struck with fear. It literally means to be horrified. So the Bible is telling us they believe and they are absolutely horrified.

[John Weaver] So, first of all, I'm going to give you three things today. But first one, In verse 19 is what I'm going to call a demon's faith. Surely and clearly there is such a thing as a demon's faith. Or he said in verse 19, I'll believe you said there is one God. Doubtless. Well, the devils or the demons also believe and tremble. So they're absolutely assured of the fact that Jesus Christ is God. They know it. They confess it. And they tremble at that knowledge.

[John Weaver] Now, we have to discern the difference in the meaning of the word no. We also have to discern the difference in the meaning of the word believe. And certainly the demons know and they believe that Jesus Christ is God. And yet at the same time, they are unsafe.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to hold James chapter two. We're coming back there. But I want you to go in your Bibles, if you would, first of all, to Matthew, chapter eight, Matthew, chapter eight. And look, if you would please, beginning there with verse twenty eight, Matthew, chapter eight. verse 28 Look at what the Bible says Matthew 8 verse 28 and when he was come to the other side into the country the Gergesenes There met him two possessed with devils or demons Coming out of the tombs exceeding fear so that no man might pass by that way I Behold they cried out saying what have we to do with thee Jesus thou son of God art now come hither to torment us before the time So here the demons recognize that Jesus Christ is the son of God. They recognize the fact that they are condemned, and they realize that their time is absolutely short. If you would turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter one, Mark chapter one, and look if you would please at verses 23 and 24.

[John Weaver] Mark chapter one, verse 23, 24. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, a demon, And he cried out, saying, Let us alone. What are we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Look at that confession. Look at what he knows. Absolutely. He knows that Jesus Christ is indeed the Holy One of God. Look in verse 34. And he, that is Jesus Christ, healed many that were sick of diverse diseases and cast out many devils, and suffered not the devils or the demons to speak, because they knew him." They knew that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Turn right over to the book of Mark, chapter 5. Mark, chapter 5. And let's begin reading there in verse 1. Look at this, Mark 5, verse 1. And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes, And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, a demon, who had his dwelling among the tombs, and no man could bind him,

[John Weaver] no, not with chains. Because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces, neither could any man tame him. And always night and day he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus? Thou Son of the Most High God, I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

[John Weaver] And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, My name is Legion, for we are many. But the point I'm trying to make is, here the demon is saying, We know who thou art. We know that thou art the Son of the Most High God. If you would turn right over to the book of Luke, chapter four, and Luke, if you would, please, in verse 34, Luke four and verse 34. In fact, we'll read verse 33. And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? And look at this statement, I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And then if you look in Luke chapter eight, and verse 28, Luke 8 and verse 28. Again, here's this statement of knowing and believing. Watch this.

[John Weaver] And when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, What am I to do with thee, Jesus, our son of God, most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

[John Weaver] Now, here's the interesting thing. In each of these passages where the word no is used, It is the Greek word oida, which simply means to know, to perceive. to look at, to behold, it's merely an intellectual knowledge that is confessing facts, that is confessing reality. So let me explain it like this. Demons know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They know that Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God. They know that Jesus Christ has power over them. They know that they are defeated. They know that they will be tormented. They know they have a limited amount of time. Here we go. They don't even know, but they tremble. They're very, very horrified.

[John Weaver] Now I want you to think about this point. Most professing Christians do not even have the faith of a demon. For even though they may know facts, they do not tremble before such a holy, righteous, sovereign God. In other words, Our Lord said, thou believest in one God, thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble. And most people are not afraid of a holy, sovereign, righteous God who holds their soul in life. They do not tremble over his sovereignty. They do not tremble over his authority. They do not tremble over his power. He is indeed the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, majestic, eternal, immutable God. And we know this as facts, but no one trembles like the demons do. There is a demon's faith. So here's my question. Is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is certainly true, because demons believe, the Bible says, and yet they tremble and they are not saved. So if you go back in your Bibles to the book of James, chapter two, So there's not only a demon's faith, but I want you to note there is also a dead faith.

[John Weaver] So in James chapter 2 and verse 17, James writes, even so faith, if it hath not worked, is dead being alone. Now, I'm going to come back to this passage, but I want you to see that statement in its context. So let's begin reading with verse 14. Look at this. He asked, what does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him? If her brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body, what does it profit? Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. First of all, James is not teaching salvation by works. What he is teaching is that real saving faith works. It is never alone. Now, I want you to look back at verse 14, because I want to clarify something for you. And you can see this in the context before I get through.

[John Weaver] So James asks, what does it profit my brethren? Though a man say hath faith, and have not works, can faith save him? If you add just about three little words, you can understand exactly what he is saying. Look at it again, verse 14. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say hath faith and have not works, can, here's my addition, that kind of faith save him? So he's talking about a specific kind of faith. And that specific kind of faith that he's talking about is a dead faith. He's talking about a faith without works. He's talking about a faith that is nothing more than an empty profession. Now, listen to me. This dead faith may be a faith that is based upon facts. It may be a faith that is based upon scriptural reality and scriptural truth, and yet at the same time, it is a dead faith because there is no works. Here's the passage that really ties this together for you, or at least it should. Titus 1 and verse 16.

[John Weaver] Now think about this verse. Listen carefully. Titus 1, verse 16. They profess that they know God. But in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient to every good work reprobate. So here it is on the one hand, they profess that they know him. And here it is on the other hand, but in works they deny him. In other words, their life is totally different from their profession. Their life, how they live, is total contradiction to what they profess. And God says they are abominable. That means it's a stench of this nostril and they are disobedient and every good work reprobate. Now, we know that the scripture teaches that works do not save a man. A man cannot be saved by works. Works does not even help save a man. I could give you scripture after scripture.

[John Weaver] But relations to inverse 16 should be sufficient for the Apostle Paul said, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Even we believe in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law. Listen, or by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. So it's impossible to be saved by your works. This is why in the book of Titus chapter 3 in verse 5, the Apostle Paul wrote again, not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. So he said not by works of righteousness, which we have done. So there is no contradiction now between the teachings of the Apostle Paul and the teachings of the Apostle James. All James is doing is showing that a real, genuine, saving faith works.

[John Weaver] He's already pointed out a demon's faith, now he's pointing out a dead faith. Now, look in, if you would, in verses 17 and 18 of James chapter 2. Here he says this, even so faith, if it had not worked, dead being alone yea a man may say thou has faith and I have works show me thy faith without my works and I will show thee my faith by my works now it is absolutely true then God knows our faith God sees our faith but man yeah I don't see faith so I could say Gary Please show me your faith right now. You can't pull your faith out and show it to me. The only way that you can show me your faith is by the evidence of that faith, by producing good, godly, and biblical works. So, here's what I want you to see. James, in this passage, gives us two examples of how works demonstrate faith.

[John Weaver] First of all, he mentions Abraham. So if you look in James 2 and verse 20, he says it like this, but wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead. So here's your illustration, the first one. Was not Abraham our father justified by works? I'll come back to that word justified. 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 said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called a friend of God. Now, we know that Abraham had faith because the Bible teaches us very clearly that he's the father of the faith. Read Romans chapter 4. We know that Abraham had faith. We know that God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, and he left in obedience to God. We also know that when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son Isaac, that the Bible said he immediately obeyed.

[John Weaver] And of course, you know how the story goes, how that The Lord stopped him and had a ram tangled in the thicket there. And he said, I know that thou fearest me, Abraham, do not by any stretch of the imagination harm that child. Now. How do we know that Abraham believed God? How do we know that Abraham trusted in God? How do we know that Abraham followed God?

[John Weaver] And the answer is by his obedience. His works demonstrated manifested that he had faith in the one true and living God. And that's why he says, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. And he was called a friend of God. So very clearly, then, we're seeing how faith and works verify each other.

[John Weaver] Now, the second illustration is made in James chapter 2, verses 24 and 25. Watch this. We'll read through verse 26. He said, You see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only. We'll come back to that. Likewise, also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works when she hid, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? Whereas the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. So James again is giving us a good illustration of exactly what he means. I do not care how many dead bodies you look at.

[John Weaver] Go to the funeral home. And the one thing that is in common in every dead body is this, there is no spirit in it. When the spirit leaves, the body's dead. That's exactly what he said. Without the Spirit, the body is dead.

[John Weaver] Now, he's talking about Rahab. Now, I want you to hold James Chapter 2, but turn in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Joshua Chapter 2. Joshua Chapter 2. I want you to see Rahab's confession of faith. It is a tremendous confession. Joshua chapter 2. And I want to begin reading there with verse 9.

[John Weaver] Now, she's already hidden the spies on the roof. So here's what she tells them. Look at this. And she said to the men, I know there's that word. I know that the Lord has given you the land and that your terror is fallen upon us. and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did unto the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side of Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. Now watch this. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man because of you. Look at her confession. For the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath.

[John Weaver] And then she says, now, therefore, I pray you swear to me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that you will show kindness into my father's house and give me a true token. So here is her confession. She said, I know, I know the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above. She said, I know that because of what he has done. He's delivered you out of Egypt.

[John Weaver] He dried up the Red Sea. He took care of Og and Sihon. And he's giving you this. I know that. So my question is. How did she manifest her faith? By hiding the spies. And sending them out a different way. That is exactly What James is talking about now. I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of James. Because. There's a couple of words I want to point out.

[John Weaver] The Bible says concerning Abraham. Now, look in verse 21 was on Abraham, our father justified by works. when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar."

[John Weaver] Now, this same word is used in reference to Rahab. Verse 25, likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works? The Greek word is diakonao, and it simply means to show, to exhibit, to evidence one is righteous, that one is truly what he declares to be. So it's not saying that the works save them. It's just saying that the faith they had was evidenced by that work. It was real. It was genuine. It was not a hypocritical faith. It was not just a dead intellectual faith. It was real. Now, look in verse 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made Perfect. Now, the word wrought in verse 22 is the Greek word. Sooner go. And it means to work together, to help in the world, to be partner in and to put forth power together and to assist. So look what he said. It is his works then that assisted and made evidence that his faith was real and genuine as well. So you have to remember that works cannot save us.

[John Weaver] And here's a good illustration. This is how I'm saying exactly what James is talking about. Go back up to verse 14. Look at this question. What does it profit my brethren, though a man say hath faith and have not works? Can that kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, And one of you say to them, depart in peace, but you weren't infilled.

[John Weaver] Notwithstanding, you give them not those things which are needful to the body. What does it profit? In other words, here, Steve comes along. And Steve is saying, I'm in bad, bad straights. I said, what's wrong with you, Steve? He said, I hadn't had any chocolate in two weeks. Well, I know he likes chocolate, but let's say I haven't had any food in two weeks. And I hadn't had any water in two days. You go three days without water, you're in danger of dying. You can go 40 days without food, but he's hungry. He hadn't had anything for two weeks and had any water drink in two days. And I look at him and I say, Steve, I want to pray for you.

[John Weaver] The Lord bless you and the Lord keep you and be you warmed and filled as you walk down that road. Go and look for some other help.

[John Weaver] Now, this is what he's saying. What does that profit? I haven't given him anything to eat. I haven't given him anything to drink. What if he came to me cold and shivering and he needed a coat or he needed a blanket? And I said, now, look, brother, may the Lord warm you. And the good way to get warm is for you to jog the next two miles down the road.

[John Weaver] And boy, that'll help you. Your blood really circulate good and you'll warm up. This is what he's saying. Your profession without the evidence of the works is is a dead faith. It's not real. It's hypocritical. It is indeed a false faith.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to show you what the word of God says about work. So I want you to turn in your Bibles back a few books to the book of Titus. First and second, Timothy, then the book of Titus. We should watch carefully. We're talking about works. Works do not save us, they do not help save us, but they do manifest and demonstrate our faith. So in Titus chapter two, beginning there with verse seven, God says, in all things showing thyself a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he that is on the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Now look at verse 7. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works. Now if you have a pattern, a pattern is not something up and down, off and on. What did God tell David and what did God tell Solomon when they were talking about building the temple? God said, see that thou make it according to the pattern which I gave thee in the mount.

[John Weaver] That's what he said to Moses as well when he's talking about the tabernacle. I'm just pointing out a pattern is something that you can go by, something you can depend upon. A lot of you ladies have made dresses. And what do you do? You buy a pattern. And you lay your material on that pattern or the pattern on the material and cut it out. The pattern is something true. It's something accurate. It's something that you can go by. And God says that we are to have a pattern of good works. In other words, I want to be able to look at Gary and say, yeah, he's been doing this for 25 years now or 30 years or whatever. Now, it's not only a pattern of good works. Look in verse 14 of Titus chapter two. In fact, let's read verse 13.

[John Weaver] looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. So we're not only have a pattern of good works, we're to be zealous of good works. It should be our zeal. And a good work is that which is holy, godly, right, biblical, It's not just what someone says, what someone makes up in their mind. No.

[John Weaver] Now look in Titus chapter three and verse eight. He says, this is a faithful saying in these things, I will, but I affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. Now look at this. These things are good and profitable undemeaned. So we're not only have a pattern of good works, we're not only to be zealous of good works, but we're to be careful to maintain good works because he says these things are good and profitable to men. They're not profitable to God. God sees our faith. God knows our faith. But men do not. Now. Look, if you would, please, at verse 14, Titus three, verse 14, look at this. and let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses that they be not unfruitful. God says that we are to learn to maintain good works.

[John Weaver] You remember in the passage in 2 Timothy 3, verses 16 and 17, where he said all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for instruction, and righteousness. When you get to verse 17, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work or unto all good works. Wow. Now, I think if you remember, it was our Lord who said in Matthew 5 and verse 16, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify my Father who is in heaven." The same thing is saying, have a pattern of good works, be zealous of good works, maintain good works.

[John Weaver] Now, here's a concluding thought on this. Everybody in here can quote Ephesians 289, probably can quote verse 10 as well, but here it is. For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Here's verse 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk therein. So God has ordained for our lives good works if we are his people. He's ordained, if we've been saved by grace through faith, that we are created unto good works in Jesus Christ, and he's ordained that we walk in those works.

[John Weaver] Now, in reality, let me tell you this. Any good thing in us, any good work done by us, is only because of the grace of God in us. and God using us and working through us. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 26 in verse 12. Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou hast wrought all of our works in us. And when you stop and think about how our flesh hates God, and when you stop and think about the wickedness and sinfulness of your flesh, and then you do something righteous and holy and godly, it's because of God working in us. So he calls a dead faith a faith that has no works, a faith that cannot manifest itself and does not manifest or demonstrate itself.

[John Weaver] So is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? Yeah. If all you have is a demon's faith, all you have is a dead faith. It's possible. You may have all the facts accurately, but your faith is a dead faith.

[John Weaver] Now, here's the next thing. I want you to understand that there is indeed a divine faith. A divine faith is that which is wrought by God. Salvation is indeed the act of God. It is when God regenerates us and converts us. Salvation is an act of God alone for only God can accomplish it. Man does not help God. He does not work with God. Man does not take the first step. Anything and everything in biblical salvation is of God. The only thing that man could do is furnish the sinner.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 10. I'm not going to tell you this entire story. You know it. This is where The rich young ruler came running to Jesus Christ and now before him and said, good master, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life? And of course, you know the story. And finally, when our Lord told him one thing, you're like go and sell everything you have.

[John Weaver] And give to the poor, take up your cross and follow me. And the Bible tells us a young man went away exceedingly sorrowful or he had great riches.

[John Weaver] Now, Here's the point I want to make. If you look in Mark chapter 10, and let's begin reading there with verse, well, let's read verse 22. And he was sad at that, saying, and will I agree, for he had great possessions. Jesus looked round about and said unto his disciples, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, which is impossible, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus, looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible. So, I want you to look at the question specifically in verse 26. They were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

[John Weaver] And our Lord responded, watch it, With men it, salvation. That was the subject. With men it, salvation is impossible. but not with God, for with God all things are possible. So, with man it is impossible. Years ago I was preaching, and I was really dealing with the doctrine of repentance. And after I got through preaching, I had a man come up to me and said, Brother Weaver, he said, you make it so hard for a man to be saved, And I looked at him and I said, well, please forgive me because I have made a very grievous error. He looked at me kind of halfway grin. I said, sir, I did not intend to make it hard for a man to be saved. I meant to make it impossible. That's what he said with men, it is impossible, you cannot save yourself, you cannot help save yourself.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in your Bibles, if you look at Matthew chapter 11, I'm just trying to show you there is a divine faith and it differs greatly from a demon's faith and from a dead faith. So in Matthew chapter 11, if you look at verse 27, because in this passage, the word of God teaches us that actually salvation is indeed a revelation. I'll probably deal with this passage in the not too distant future. But look at verse 27.

[John Weaver] Our Lord says all things are delivered unto me and my father. And no man knoweth the son, but the father, neither knoweth any man the father save the son, and he to whomsoever the son will reveal it. Isn't that amazing? Now, our Lord says no man knows me except my father. And no man knows my Father except me, and to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. And the word revealed is the word apocalyptic.

[John Weaver] It's actually the verb from apocalypsis, which we talk about in the book of Revelation. That's the apocalypsis. That's the unveiling. That's the revealing of Jesus Christ. So he says, no one can know the Father except the Son reveal him. and no one can know the Son except the Father reveal Him." So in this passage, we're being told that salvation is impossible without a revelation. In other words, it's just like when our Lord asks his disciples, whom say that I the Son of Man am, Matthew chapter 16. Some say you're Elijah, some say you're John the Baptist, one of the prophets. He's but whom say you that I am. Simon Peter answered, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And what did our Lord say? Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood is not revealed to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. So the only way Peter knew who Jesus Christ was was because God revealed it to him. Now, there are only three illustrations of salvation in the New Testament.

[John Weaver] Each one of these illustrations demonstrate conclusively that salvation is the work of God and the work of God alone. You're very familiar with the very first one, I'm sure. That's found in John chapter three, when Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and Jesus looked at him and said, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, a man must be born again, or he cannot see the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God. And then in verse 7, he said it again, verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again of the Spirit and of water, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[John Weaver] And each time the word again is used, it's the Greek word anathema, which means from above. Literally, our Lord said, verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God. In other words, he has to be begotten by God.

[John Weaver] Now stop and think about this. Here, the spiritual birth is compared to the physical birth. How many of you in times past contemplated and said, well, here's what I think. I think I'll get my mother and father to come together tonight, and I will be conceived, and then I'll be born. You didn't get your father and mother to come together, and you had nothing to do with it. You were born at the pleasure of someone else, at the will of someone else. You were born that way physically, and you're born that way spiritually.

[John Weaver] Bible says in James 1 in verse 18 listen carefully of his own will begat he us Of his own will begat he us that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creature of his own will begat he us now The word begat is the word apocueo and it literally means to cease being pregnant. It means to bring forth from the womb of his own will brought us forth from the womb. In other words, he begat us.

[John Weaver] That's exactly what he said. So the very first illustration is that of birth. You had nothing to do with your physical birth and you really had nothing to do with your spiritual birth. of his own will begat he us. The second illustration given in the Bible is that of creation. You'll find that in 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 6, where the Bible says, for God who commanded the light to shine out darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. So when God created, what did he do? God sovereignly, omnipotently said, Let there be light. And the next verse says, and there was light. God spoke it into existence. Now, the apostle Paul says the same God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness had shined in our hearts. In other words, he spoke in our hearts and he has shined and given us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] So no man births himself, and no man creates himself. If we have a divine faith, it must be that God birthed us, he brought us to pass. If we have a divine faith, it's because God created in us the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and he gave us the grace and the mercy to receive Christ. The third illustration that's used in the Bible you're all familiar with, that's Ephesians 2, 1, a resurrection.

[John Weaver] And you had the quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sin. May I remind you of what he said in James chapter 2 and verse 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. So a dead man is a dead man. Why is he dead? He has no strength. He has no power. He has no spirit. He has nothing. You have never seen a dead man raise himself from the dead with the exception of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is ascribed to God the Father. It's also ascribed to God the Son. It's also ascribed to God the Holy Spirit. But no one else has ever raised himself from the dead. Why? Because he's dead. He has no strength. He has no power.

[John Weaver] You don't go by a cemetery and hear something down below saying, move foot, wiggle toe, dig with your arms, body. No, no, he's dead. He's not saying anything. He's not doing anything. If a man is raised from the dead, it must be a power from on the outside that exerts that power upon him, for he has no power. That's why Jesus said, Lazarus, come forth. And God gave him life in that tomb, which enabled him to walk out. Because had Lazarus not been given life, he would have never walked out.

[John Weaver] Clearly then, Jonah 2.9 says it like this. Salvation is of the Lord. And that's true. We cannot birth ourselves, we cannot create ourselves, and we certainly cannot resurrect ourselves.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of John, chapter 17. I know that you realize this is the high priestly prayer of our Lord. I want to show you the difference in the word no. I want you to watch this. This is not just a head knowledge now, I want to explain it. John 17 verse 1. These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hours come glorify thy son that thy son also may glorify thee.

[John Weaver] as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." Here's eternal life. And this is life eternal, that they may know thee, Gnosko, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. So what is eternal life? Eternal life is an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Septuagint, it's the same word that is used when Adam knew his wife and she conceived, which was a personal, intimate act. That's what is used when the Septuagint, when he said, The only have I known of all the families of the earth did not God know all the other families, of course. But he said, You only have I been intimate with. You only have I given my law to. You only have I given my ordinances and my ceremonies to. You're the only one. That's what he's saying. And so eternal life is not just simply living somewhere forever.

[John Weaver] The unsaver is going to do that. But eternal life is a personal, intimate knowledge of God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you don't have it here on Earth now, you're certainly not going to have it in eternity. Now, so he says, this is life eternal, that they may know thee. The only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." So here's my question. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved?

[John Weaver] And the answer is yes, if all you have is a demon's faith or all you have is a dead faith. And unless you have a divine faith, you can know all the facts and still be lost. So here's my applications. First of all, a mere head knowledge, an intellectual knowledge, a knowledge of facts is not salvation. It is not a saving faith. Although our intellect is involved in salvation, it is more than just simply a mere intellectual act. Demons have a very accurate intellectual knowledge, but they're unsaved.

[John Weaver] Moreover, there are people who can recite scripture left and right. There are people that have been taught all of their lives and they know exactly what they've been taught. You may know the facts and have a dead faith. If there are no works that demonstrate that you have a living faith. Wow. Stop and think about this. Unless Jesus Christ has shown you the father. And unless you have a personal, intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, then you are not saved. Now, someone may profess faith all the day long. But unless their works demonstrate it. They are just merely a hypocrite and have a dead faith.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you something. I want you to go back in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Acts chapter 26. In Acts chapter 26, the Apostle Paul is defending himself before King Agrippa.

[John Weaver] Now here's what I'm trying to tell you. Salvation is more than a knowledge of facts. It's more than a knowledge of accurate facts. It's more than a knowledge of accurate scriptural facts. So you can be accurate And you can be scriptural and still not be saved. Because all you have is a dead faith. So Paul now is defending himself before King Agrippa. And I want you to notice what he said beginning there with verse one. Acts 26. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand and answered for himself. I think myself happy, King Agrippa, Because I shall answer for myself this day before the touching all the things where I'm accused of the Jews. Especially because I know the to be an expert in all the customs and questions which are among the Jews.

[John Weaver] Wherefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently. Did you hear what he just said? Especially because I know the to be an expert in all the customs and questions among the Jews. King Agrippa knew all about Judaism. King Agrippa knew all about the customs. He knew all about the ceremonies. He had what you and I would call a perfect intellectual knowledge because he was an expert in that area. Well, when Paul got through, if you look down in verse 28, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. So Agrippa had all the facts, he knew all the truth, but he was lost. He was lost. You may be an expert in the truths of the Bible, you may know all the words and phrases, you may speak the language of a Christian, but unless you have been begotten of God, You're not saved. You remember that passage in Revelation chapter two in verse nine in Revelation three in verse eight, where our Lord talked about those who claim to be Jews or Judahites, but they were nothing more than the synagogue of Satan.

[John Weaver] He said in verse nine of chapter three of Revelation, behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they're Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I'll make them to come and worship before thy feet. So you could read that basically of all the church members. We're not saved. Wow. You know, there's a verse that sums up this is our entire message. I want you to think about it is Second Timothy chapter two and verse 19. I'll quote it for you.

[John Weaver] Nevertheless, the foundation of God stand is sure having this seal. Listen carefully. Number one, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And number two, let every one that name is the name of Christ depart from a nickname. What did he say? The foundation of God stands sure, having a seal. Number one, the Lord knows who he is. And then he went on to say, if you were his, let everyone that name in the name of Christ depart from iniquity. In other words, your works will demonstrate that you are indeed one of his. Your life will manifest that you are indeed one of his.

[John Weaver] Because there is a demon's faith and there is a dead faith. But thankfully, by the grace of God, there is a divine faith. And that divine faith always works. It always wants to be obedient. And while pleasing unto the Lord. So stop and think about this question, is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved in the answers? Yes. If all you have is a demon's faith or dead faith, it is quite possible. But it is impossible to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with a divine faith and be lost. For our Lord said, all that the Father giveth me shall come unto me, and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out. In his high priestly prayer, he prayed, Father, all those that thou hast given me, I pray that they will be with me forever." Thankfully, there is a divine faith, and it is a faith that produces obedient, godly, holy, and biblical works. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day.

[John Weaver] We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. And we ask, Lord, that you would speak to our hearts and help us and teach us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so so

Is it Possible to Know Jesus and Not Be Saved

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	86saVshETwI
Subject	Church Government
Course	Church Order: Worship, Sacraments, and the Lord's Supper
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-07-20
Dictation Name
Book	Book 040: Church Order and Worship - Volume 2 — Chapter 47
Source Timed Segments	79

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Question and Three Groups

Weaver poses the question 'Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved?' and observes that professing Christians, churchgoers, and the unsaved often show no discernible differences in life and doctrine.

Won't you open your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of James, chapter 2. And we're going to be looking at verse 19. I'm going to give you the title of the sermon, but the title of the sermon isn't a question. And of course, I think you're going to find it answered in the scripture. But here is the title: Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? Think about that. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? In James 2 in verse 19, the word of God says,

Scripture Reading — James 2:19

"Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well."

"The devils also believe and tremble." So the question that I'm asking is really an exceedingly important question, because your eternal destiny depends upon the answer. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? So if you were to look upon the mass of professing Christians that attend church faithfully, regularly, and then on the second hand, you look upon the mass of those who profess to be saved, and yet they never ever darken the doorway of a church, and then, of course, there's a third mass that we need to look upon. And that third mass, of course, would be the mass of the unsaved.

So you'd have to ask, why are there no discernible differences between these three masses? Now, I know that there are exceptions, especially to those that are lost. But I'm not referring to the murderers and the rapists. I'm simply talking about those lost folks who the world would call moral and upright and honest and work and try to do what they can do the best of their limited knowledge.

So here's a couple of things. Why not go into a restaurant and watch people? How many people do you see that actually pray before they eat? How many are in control of their children and expect them to be obedient? If you go into a mall, just stand around and watch people. How many are careful with the items that they inspect? How many are concerned about the property rights of others? How many try to deceive and defraud the owners and how many will return money when it's been miscounted? And so here's another thing we could do. We could ask about any church member that professes to know Jesus Christ and carefully listen to their answer. When you ask them, "Do you really know the Lord Jesus Christ?" Wow. Ask any church member how his life differs from that of the unsaved. Ask any church member how the law of God has made a difference in his life. Ask him how he applies the law of God to every area of life as well. You can also ask about any church member to explain biblical doctrine, any biblical doctrine.

The Meaning of 'Believe' and 'Know'

He explains that the Greek word pisteuo (believe) can mean either saving faith or mere intellectual assent, and that 'know' (oida) can refer to factual knowledge rather than intimate relationship.

And if he stutters and stammers and can't think of any, maybe you could suggest the doctrine of justification by faith alone or the doctrine of the imputation. Now, the point I'm trying to make is rather obvious. Obviously, the unsaved cannot answer any doctrinal questions, usually. And the truth of the matter is most professing Christians, either those that are regular attenders at church and those who just simply profess, they usually cannot answer any of the questions either. And when I ask this leading question, "Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved?" you have to understand that there are definitions of the word "know." And there's different ways that word is used. It's also a difference in the way the word "believe" happens to be used as well. And unhappily, most people cannot discern the differences even in scripture on how those terms are used.

So you look back at James 2 in verse 19. Look what he said: "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well, the devils also believe and tremble." Now the interesting thing is the word "believe" both times is the same Greek word pisteuo and it means to think to be true, to be persuaded to be true, to place confidence in, and it's used both in a moral and in a religious sense. So here's the crux of the matter. The word may be used to convey a saving belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it can also be used just simply as a mere acknowledgement of some fact or facts or some event, which is nothing more than an intellectual faith.

Now, there are even what I would call degrees or intensities in intellectual knowledge. Let me give you a good illustration. Everyone in this room knows for an absolute fact that you're going to die. You don't know when, but you know for a fact that you're going to die. And the truth is most people hardly ever think about dying. And most of us do not want to think about dying, that is for sure. But although we know that we're going to die, if you knew absolutely for sure that you are going to die within the next 10 minutes, I think your knowledge of death would be intensified. And I think the degree of that knowledge would be jacked up.

And you realize you just simply do not have much time left now. So the word "believe" in this passage in James 2 in verse 19 can be used of true saving faith, but it can also be used of a mere intellectual knowledge. Now, the interesting thing is in verse 19, God says, "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils or the demons also believe and tremble." Now, the Greek word for "tremble" is the word phrisso. So it literally means to shudder. It means to be struck with fear. It literally means to be horrified. So the Bible is telling us they believe and they are absolutely horrified.

A Demon's Faith (James 2:19)

Demons believe in one God and tremble (phrisso), demonstrating an accurate intellectual knowledge of Christ's identity and power, yet they are unsaved. Most professing Christians lack even this trembling fear.

So, first of all, I'm going to give you three things today. But first one, in verse 19 is what I'm going to call a demon's faith. Surely and clearly there is such a thing as a demon's faith. For he said in verse 19, "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils or the demons also believe and tremble." So they're absolutely assured of the fact that Jesus Christ is God. They know it. They confess it. And they tremble at that knowledge.

Now, we have to discern the difference in the meaning of the word "know." We also have to discern the difference in the meaning of the word "believe." And certainly the demons know and they believe that Jesus Christ is God. And yet at the same time, they are unsaved. Now, I want you to hold James chapter 2. We're coming back there. But I want you to go in your Bibles, if you would, first of all, to Matthew, chapter 8. Matthew, chapter 8. And look, if you would please, beginning there with verse 28. Matthew, chapter 8, verse 28. Look at what the Bible says: "And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils or demons, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" So here the demons recognize that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They recognize the fact that they are condemned, and they realize that their time is absolutely short. If you would turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 1, Mark chapter 1, and look if you would please at verses 23 and 24.

Mark chapter 1, verse 23, 24: "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, a demon, and he cried out, saying, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." Look at that confession. Look at what he knows. Absolutely. He knows that Jesus Christ is indeed the Holy One of God. Look in verse 34: "And he, that is Jesus Christ, healed many that were sick of diverse diseases and cast out many devils, and suffered not the devils or the demons to speak, because they knew him." They knew that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Turn right over to the book of Mark, chapter 5. Mark, chapter 5. And let's begin reading there in verse 1. Look at this, Mark 5, verse 1: "And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, a demon, who had his dwelling among the tombs, and no man could bind him,

no, not with chains. Because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces, neither could any man tame him. And always night and day he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus? Thou Son of the Most High God, I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." And he asked him, "What is thy name?" And he answered, "My name is Legion, for we are many." But the point I'm trying to make is, here the demon is saying, "We know who thou art. We know that thou art the Son of the Most High God." If you would turn right over to the book of Luke, chapter 4, and Luke, if you would, please, in verse 34. Luke 4 and verse 34. In fact, we'll read verse 33: "And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us?" And look at this statement: "I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And then if you look in Luke chapter 8, and verse 28, Luke 8 and verse 28. Again, here's this statement of knowing and believing. Watch this.

"And when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not." Now, here's the interesting thing. In each of these passages where the word "know" is used, it is the Greek word oida, which simply means to know, to perceive, to look at, to behold. It's merely an intellectual knowledge that is confessing facts, that is confessing reality. So let me explain it like this. Demons know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They know that Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God. They know that Jesus Christ has power over them. They know that they are defeated. They know that they will be tormented. They know they have a limited amount of time. Here we go. They don't even know, but they tremble. They're very, very horrified.

Now I want you to think about this point. Most professing Christians do not even have the faith of a demon. For even though they may know facts, they do not tremble before such a holy, righteous, sovereign God. In other words, our Lord said, "Thou believest in one God, thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble." And most people are not afraid of a holy, sovereign, righteous God who holds their soul in life. They do not tremble over his sovereignty. They do not tremble over his authority. They do not tremble over his power. He is indeed the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, majestic, eternal, immutable God. And we know this as facts, but no one trembles like the demons do. There is a demon's faith. So here's my question. Is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is certainly true, because demons believe, the Bible says, and yet they tremble and they are not saved. So if you go back in your Bibles to the book of James, chapter 2, so there's not only a demon's faith, but I want you to note there is also a dead faith.

A Dead Faith (James 2:14-26)

James describes a faith without works as dead, using the illustrations of Abraham and Rahab to show that genuine faith is evidenced by obedient works. A mere profession without corresponding works is hypocritical.

So in James chapter 2 and verse 17, James writes,

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone."

Now, I'm going to come back to this passage, but I want you to see that statement in its context. So let's begin reading with verse 14. Look at this. He asks,

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone."

First of all, James is not teaching salvation by works. What he is teaching is that real saving faith works. It is never alone. Now, I want you to look back at verse 14, because I want to clarify something for you. And you can see this in the context before I get through. So James asks,

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him?"

If you add just about three little words, you can understand exactly what he is saying. Look at it again, verse 14:

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can"

—here's my addition—"that kind of faith save him?" So he's talking about a specific kind of faith. And that specific kind of faith that he's talking about is a dead faith. He's talking about a faith without works. He's talking about a faith that is nothing more than an empty profession. Now, listen to me. This dead faith may be a faith that is based upon facts. It may be a faith that is based upon scriptural reality and scriptural truth, and yet at the same time, it is a dead faith because there is no works. Here's the passage that really ties this together for you, or at least it should. Titus 1 and verse 16.

Now think about this verse. Listen carefully. Titus 1, verse 16:

Scripture Reading — Titus 1:16

"They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

So here it is on the one hand, they profess that they know him. And here it is on the other hand, but in works they deny him. In other words, their life is totally different from their profession. Their life, how they live, is total contradiction to what they profess. And God says they are abominable. That means it's a stench in his nostril, and they are disobedient and unto every good work reprobate. Now, we know that the scripture teaches that works do not save a man. A man cannot be saved by works. Works does not even help save a man. I could give you scripture after scripture.

But Galatians 2:16 should be sufficient, for the Apostle Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 2:16

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believe in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

So it's impossible to be saved by your works. This is why in the book of Titus chapter 3 in verse 5, the Apostle Paul wrote again, "Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." So he said not by works of righteousness, which we have done. So there is no contradiction now between the teachings of the Apostle Paul and the teachings of the Apostle James. All James is doing is showing that a real, genuine, saving faith works.

He's already pointed out a demon's faith, now he's pointing out a dead faith. Now, look in, if you would, in verses 17 and 18 of James chapter 2. Here he says this:

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."

Now, it is absolutely true that God knows our faith. God sees our faith. But man, yeah, I don't see faith. So I could say, "Gary, please show me your faith right now." You can't pull your faith out and show it to me. The only way that you can show me your faith is by the evidence of that faith, by producing good, godly, and biblical works. So, here's what I want you to see. James, in this passage, gives us two examples of how works demonstrate faith. First of all, he mentions Abraham. So if you look in James 2 and verse 20, he says it like this:

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

So here's your illustration, the first one.

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works?"

I'll come back to that word "justified."

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"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 said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called a friend of God."

Now, we know that Abraham had faith because the Bible teaches us very clearly that he's the father of the faith. Read Romans chapter 4. We know that Abraham had faith. We know that God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, and he left in obedience to God. We also know that when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son Isaac, that the Bible said he immediately obeyed.

And of course, you know how the story goes, how that the Lord stopped him and had a ram tangled in the thicket there. And he said, "I know that thou fearest me, Abraham, do not by any stretch of the imagination harm that child." Now, how do we know that Abraham believed God? How do we know that Abraham trusted in God? How do we know that Abraham followed God? And the answer is by his obedience. His works demonstrated, manifested that he had faith in the one true and living God. And that's why he says, "And it was imputed to him for righteousness. And he was called a friend of God." So very clearly, then, we're seeing how faith and works verify each other.

Now, the second illustration is made in James chapter 2, verses 24 and 25. Watch this. We'll read through verse 26. He said,

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only."

We'll come back to that.

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Likewise, also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

So James again is giving us a good illustration of exactly what he means. I do not care how many dead bodies you look at.

Go to the funeral home. And the one thing that is in common in every dead body is this: there is no spirit in it. When the spirit leaves, the body's dead. That's exactly what he said. Without the spirit, the body is dead.

Now, he's talking about Rahab. Now, I want you to hold James chapter 2, but turn in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Joshua chapter 2. Joshua chapter 2. I want you to see Rahab's confession of faith. It is a tremendous confession. Joshua chapter 2. And I want to begin reading there with verse 9.

Now, she's already hidden the spies on the roof. So here's what she tells them. Look at this. "And she said to the men, I know"—there's that word—"I know that the Lord has given you the land and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did unto the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side of Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed." Now watch this. "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man because of you." Look at her confession. "For the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath."

And then she says, "Now, therefore, I pray you swear to me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that you will show kindness unto my father's house and give me a true token." So here is her confession. She said, "I know, I know the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above." She said, "I know that because of what he has done. He's delivered you out of Egypt." He dried up the Red Sea. He took care of Og and Sihon. And he's giving you this. I know that. So my question is, how did she manifest her faith? By hiding the spies. And sending them out a different way. That is exactly what James is talking about now. I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of James. Because there's a couple of words I want to point out.

The Bible says concerning Abraham, now look in verse 21: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?" Now, this same word is used in reference to Rahab. Verse 25: "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works?" The Greek word is dikaioō, and it simply means to show, to exhibit, to evidence one is righteous, that one is truly what he declares to be. So it's not saying that the works save them. It's just saying that the faith they had was evidenced by that work. It was real. It was genuine. It was not a hypocritical faith. It was not just a dead intellectual faith. It was real. Now, look in verse 22: "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" Now, the word "wrought" in verse 22 is the Greek word synergeō. And it means to work together, to help in the work, to be partner in and to put forth power together and to assist. So look what he said. It is his works then that assisted and made evidence that his faith was real and genuine as well. So you have to remember that works cannot save us.

And here's a good illustration. This is how I'm saying exactly what James is talking about. Go back up to verse 14. Look at this question: "What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can that kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled." "Notwithstanding, you give them not those things which are needful to the body. What doth it profit?" In other words, here, Steve comes along. And Steve is saying, "I'm in bad, bad straits." I said, "What's wrong with you, Steve?" He said, "I haven't had any chocolate in two weeks." Well, I know he likes chocolate, but let's say I haven't had any food in two weeks. And I haven't had any water in two days. You go three days without water, you're in danger of dying. You can go 40 days without food, but he's hungry. He hasn't had anything for two weeks and hasn't had any water to drink in two days. And I look at him and I say, "Steve, I want to pray for you."

"The Lord bless you and the Lord keep you and be ye warmed and filled as you walk down that road. Go and look for some other help." Now, this is what he's saying. What does that profit? I haven't given him anything to eat. I haven't given him anything to drink. What if he came to me cold and shivering and he needed a coat or he needed a blanket? And I said, "Now, look, brother, may the Lord warm you. And a good way to get warm is for you to jog the next two miles down the road."

And boy, that'll help you. Your blood really circulate good and you'll warm up. This is what he's saying. Your profession without the evidence of the works is a dead faith. It's not real. It's hypocritical. It is indeed a false faith.

Now, I want to show you what the word of God says about works. So I want you to turn in your Bibles back a few books to the book of Titus. First and Second Timothy, then the book of Titus. We should watch carefully. We're talking about works. Works do not save us, they do not help save us, but they do manifest and demonstrate our faith. So in Titus chapter 2, beginning there with verse 7, God says, "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he that is on the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." Now look at verse 7: "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works." Now if you have a pattern, a pattern is not something up and down, off and on. What did God tell David and what did God tell Solomon when they were talking about building the temple? God said, "See that thou make it according to the pattern which I gave thee in the mount."

The Role of Good Works

Works do not save, but they manifest faith. Believers are called to maintain a pattern of good works, be zealous for them, and walk in the good works God has prepared (Ephesians 2:10).

Scripture Reading — Titus 2:7, 14

That's what he said to Moses as well when he's talking about the tabernacle. I'm just pointing out a pattern is something that you can go by, something you can depend upon. A lot of you ladies have made dresses. And what do you do? You buy a pattern. And you lay your material on that pattern or the pattern on the material and cut it out. The pattern is something true. It's something accurate. It's something that you can go by. And God says that we are to have a pattern of good works. In other words, I want to be able to look at Gary and say, "Yeah, he's been doing this for 25 years now or 30 years or whatever." Now, it's not only a pattern of good works. Look in verse 14 of Titus chapter 2. In fact, let's read verse 13.

"Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." So we're not only to have a pattern of good works, we're to be zealous of good works. It should be our zeal. And a good work is that which is holy, godly, right, biblical. It's not just what someone says, what someone makes up in their mind. No.

Now look in Titus chapter 3 and verse 8. He says,

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:8, 14

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works."

Now look at this:

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:8, 14

"These things are good and profitable unto men."

So we're not only to have a pattern of good works, we're not only to be zealous of good works, but we're to be careful to maintain good works because he says these things are good and profitable to men. They're not profitable to God. God sees our faith. God knows our faith. But men do not. Now, look, if you would, please, at verse 14, Titus 3, verse 14. Look at this:

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:8, 14

"And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful."

God says that we are to learn to maintain good works.

You remember in the passage in 2 Timothy 3, verses 16 and 17, where he said all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. When you get to verse 17, "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work" or "unto all good works." Wow. Now, I think if you remember, it was our Lord who said in Matthew 5 and verse 16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify my Father who is in heaven." The same thing is saying, have a pattern of good works, be zealous of good works, maintain good works. Now, here's a concluding thought on this. Everybody in here can quote Ephesians 2:8-9, probably can quote verse 10 as well, but here it is:

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:8-10

"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

Here's verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:8-10

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk therein."

So God has ordained for our lives good works if we are his people. He's ordained, if we've been saved by grace through faith, that we are created unto good works in Jesus Christ, and he's ordained that we walk in those works.

Now, in reality, let me tell you this. Any good thing in us, any good work done by us, is only because of the grace of God in us and God using us and working through us. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 26 in verse 12: "Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou hast wrought all of our works in us." And when you stop and think about how our flesh hates God, and when you stop and think about the wickedness and sinfulness of your flesh, and then you do something righteous and holy and godly, it's because of God working in us. So he calls a dead faith a faith that has no works, a faith that cannot manifest itself and does not manifest or demonstrate itself.

A Divine Faith: Salvation as God's Work

True saving faith is a divine work, illustrated by birth (John 3), creation (2 Corinthians 4:6), and resurrection (Ephesians 2:1). Salvation is impossible with men but possible with God; it requires a revelation from the Father.

Now, here's the next thing. I want you to understand that there is indeed a divine faith. A divine faith is that which is wrought by God. Salvation is indeed the act of God. It is when God regenerates us and converts us. Salvation is an act of God alone for only God can accomplish it. Man does not help God. He does not work with God. Man does not take the first step. Anything and everything in biblical salvation is of God. The only thing that man could do is furnish the sinner.

Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 10. I'm not going to tell you this entire story. You know it. This is where the rich young ruler came running to Jesus Christ and kneeled before him and said, "Good master, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And of course, you know the story. And finally, when our Lord told him one thing, "You're like, go and sell everything you have." "And give to the poor, take up your cross and follow me." And the Bible tells us the young man went away exceedingly sorrowful, for he had great riches.

Now, here's the point I want to make. If you look in Mark chapter 10, and let's begin reading there with verse, well, let's read verse 22:

Scripture Reading — Mark 10:17-27

"And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. Jesus looked round about and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, which is impossible, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus, looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible."

So, I want you to look at the question specifically in verse 26:

Scripture Reading — Mark 10:17-27

"They were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?"

And our Lord responded, watch it, "With men it"—salvation. That was the subject. "With men it"—salvation—"is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." So, with man it is impossible. Years ago I was preaching, and I was really dealing with the doctrine of repentance. And after I got through preaching, I had a man come up to me and said, "Brother Weaver," he said, "you make it so hard for a man to be saved." And I looked at him and I said, "Well, please forgive me because I have made a very grievous error." He looked at me kind of halfway grin. I said, "Sir, I did not intend to make it hard for a man to be saved. I meant to make it impossible." That's what he said: with men, it is impossible. You cannot save yourself, you cannot help save yourself.

Now, I want you to look in your Bibles, if you look at Matthew chapter 11, I'm just trying to show you there is a divine faith and it differs greatly from a demon's faith and from a dead faith. So in Matthew chapter 11, if you look at verse 27, because in this passage, the word of God teaches us that actually salvation is indeed a revelation. I'll probably deal with this passage in the not too distant future. But look at verse 27. Our Lord says,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 11:27

"All things are delivered unto me of my Father. And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."

Isn't that amazing? Now, our Lord says no man knows me except my Father. And no man knows my Father except me, and to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. And the word "reveal" is the word apokalyptō.

It's actually the verb from apokalypsis, which we talk about in the book of Revelation. That's the apokalypsis. That's the unveiling. That's the revealing of Jesus Christ. So he says, no one can know the Father except the Son reveal him. And no one can know the Son except the Father reveal him. So in this passage, we're being told that salvation is impossible without a revelation. In other words, it's just like when our Lord asks his disciples, "Whom say ye that I the Son of Man am?" Matthew chapter 16. Some say you're Elijah, some say you're John the Baptist, one of the prophets. He's but whom say you that I am. Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And what did our Lord say? "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven." So the only way Peter knew who Jesus Christ was was because God revealed it to him. Now, there are only three illustrations of salvation in the New Testament.

Each one of these illustrations demonstrate conclusively that salvation is the work of God and the work of God alone. You're very familiar with the very first one, I'm sure. That's found in John chapter 3, when Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and Jesus looked at him and said,

Scripture Reading — John 3:3, 7

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, a man must be born again, or he cannot see the kingdom of heaven"

or "the kingdom of God." And then in verse 7, he said it again, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again of the Spirit and of water, he cannot see the kingdom of God." And each time the word "again" is used, it's the Greek word anōthen, which means from above. Literally, our Lord said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." In other words, he has to be begotten by God.

Now stop and think about this. Here, the spiritual birth is compared to the physical birth. How many of you in times past contemplated and said, "Well, here's what I think. I think I'll get my mother and father to come together tonight, and I will be conceived, and then I'll be born." You didn't get your father and mother to come together, and you had nothing to do with it. You were born at the pleasure of someone else, at the will of someone else. You were born that way physically, and you're born that way spiritually. Bible says in James 1 in verse 18, listen carefully:

Scripture Reading — James 1:18

"Of his own will begat he us."

Of his own will begat he us, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Of his own will begat he us. Now the word "begat

Scripture Reading — James 1:18

" is the word apokyeō and it literally means to cease being pregnant. It means to bring forth from the womb. Of his own will brought us forth from the womb. In other words, he begat us.

That's exactly what he said. So the very first illustration is that of birth. You had nothing to do with your physical birth and you really had nothing to do with your spiritual birth. Of his own will begat he us. The second illustration given in the Bible is that of creation. You'll find that in 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 6, where the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:6

"For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

So when God created, what did he do? God sovereignly, omnipotently said, "Let there be light." And the next verse says, "And there was light.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:6

" God spoke it into existence. Now, the apostle Paul says the same God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts. In other words, he spoke in our hearts and he has shined and given us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

So no man births himself, and no man creates himself. If we have a divine faith, it must be that God birthed us, he brought us to pass. If we have a divine faith, it's because God created in us the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and he gave us the grace and the mercy to receive Christ. The third illustration that's used in the Bible you're all familiar with, that's Ephesians 2:1, a resurrection. "And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sin." May I remind you of what he said in James chapter 2 and verse 26: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." So a dead man is a dead man. Why is he dead? He has no strength. He has no power. He has no spirit. He has nothing. You have never seen a dead man raise himself from the dead with the exception of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is ascribed to God the Father. It's also ascribed to God the Son. It's also ascribed to God the Holy Spirit. But no one else has ever raised himself from the dead. Why? Because he's dead. He has no strength. He has no power.

You don't go by a cemetery and hear something down below saying, "Move foot, wiggle toe, dig with your arms, body." No, no, he's dead. He's not saying anything. He's not doing anything. If a man is raised from the dead, it must be a power from on the outside that exerts that power upon him, for he has no power. That's why Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth." And God gave him life in that tomb, which enabled him to walk out. Because had Lazarus not been given life, he would have never walked out. Clearly then, Jonah 2:9 says it like this: "Salvation is of the Lord." And that's true. We cannot birth ourselves, we cannot create ourselves, and we certainly cannot resurrect ourselves.

Eternal Life as Intimate Knowledge

John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing (ginōskō) God and Jesus Christ intimately, not merely intellectually. Without this personal relationship, one is not saved.

Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of John, chapter 17. I know that you realize this is the high priestly prayer of our Lord. I want to show you the difference in the word "know." I want you to watch this. This is not just a head knowledge now, I want to explain it. John 17 verse 1: "These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come. Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." Here's eternal life: "And this is life eternal, that they may know thee"—ginōskō—"the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." So what is eternal life? Eternal life is an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Septuagint, it's the same word that is used when Adam knew his wife and she conceived, which was a personal, intimate act. That's what is used when the Septuagint, when he said, "The only have I known of all the families of the earth." Did not God know all the other families? Of course. But he said, "You only have I been intimate with. You only have I given my law to. You only have I given my ordinances and my ceremonies to. You're the only one." That's what he's saying. And so eternal life is not just simply living somewhere forever.

The unsaved are going to do that. But eternal life is a personal, intimate knowledge of God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you don't have it here on earth now, you're certainly not going to have it in eternity. Now, so he says, "This is life eternal, that they may know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." So here's my question: Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is yes, if all you have is a demon's faith or all you have is a dead faith. And unless you have a divine faith, you can know all the facts and still be lost. So here's my applications. First of all, a mere head knowledge, an intellectual knowledge, a knowledge of facts is not salvation. It is not a saving faith. Although our intellect is involved in salvation, it is more than just simply a mere intellectual act. Demons have a very accurate intellectual knowledge, but they're unsaved.

Applications and Conclusion

Mere head knowledge or accurate doctrine does not save. King Agrippa (Acts 26) had expert knowledge but remained lost. Only a divine faith, evidenced by departing from iniquity, marks true salvation.

Moreover, there are people who can recite scripture left and right. There are people that have been taught all of their lives and they know exactly what they've been taught. You may know the facts and have a dead faith. If there are no works that demonstrate that you have a living faith. Wow. Stop and think about this. Unless Jesus Christ has shown you the Father, and unless you have a personal, intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, then you are not saved. Now, someone may profess faith all the day long. But unless their works demonstrate it, they are just merely a hypocrite and have a dead faith.

Now, let me show you something. I want you to go back in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Acts chapter 26. In Acts chapter 26, the Apostle Paul is defending himself before King Agrippa. Now here's what I'm trying to tell you. Salvation is more than a knowledge of facts. It's more than a knowledge of accurate facts. It's more than a knowledge of accurate scriptural facts. So you can be accurate and you can be scriptural and still not be saved. Because all you have is a dead faith. So Paul now is defending himself before King Agrippa. And I want you to notice what he said beginning there with verse 1. Acts 26: "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand and answered for himself. I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews. Especially because I know thee to be an expert in all the customs and questions which are among the Jews."

"Wherefore, I beseech thee to hear me patiently." Did you hear what he just said? "Especially because I know thee to be an expert in all the customs and questions among the Jews." King Agrippa knew all about Judaism. King Agrippa knew all about the customs. He knew all about the ceremonies. He had what you and I would call a perfect intellectual knowledge because he was an expert in that area. Well, when Paul got through, if you look down in verse 28, "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." So Agrippa had all the facts, he knew all the truth, but he was lost. He was lost. You may be an expert in the truths of the Bible, you may know all the words and phrases, you may speak the language of a Christian, but unless you have been begotten of God, you're not saved. You remember that passage in Revelation chapter 2 in verse 9 and Revelation 3 in verse 8, where our Lord talked about those who claim to be Jews or Judahites, but they were nothing more than the synagogue of Satan.

He said in verse 9 of chapter 3 of Revelation, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet." So you could read that basically of all the church members. We're not saved. Wow. You know, there's a verse that sums up this entire message. I want you to think about it. It is 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 19. I'll quote it for you.

"Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal." Listen carefully. Number one, "The Lord knoweth them that are his." And number two, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." What did he say? The foundation of God stands sure, having a seal. Number one, the Lord knows who are his. And then he went on to say, if you are his, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. In other words, your works will demonstrate that you are indeed one of his. Your life will manifest that you are indeed one of his.

Because there is a demon's faith and there is a dead faith. But thankfully, by the grace of God, there is a divine faith. And that divine faith always works. It always wants to be obedient. And while pleasing unto the Lord. So stop and think about this question: Is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is yes. If all you have is a demon's faith or dead faith, it is quite possible. But it is impossible to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with a divine faith and be lost. For our Lord said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me, and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." In his high priestly prayer, he prayed, "Father, all those that thou hast given me, I pray that they will be with me forever." Thankfully, there is a divine faith, and it is a faith that produces obedient, godly, holy, and biblical works. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day.

We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. And we ask, Lord, that you would speak to our hearts and help us and teach us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Three Kinds of Faith

Summary: Weaver distinguishes demon's faith (intellectual), dead faith (profession without works), and divine faith (God-given, living, and fruitful).

Evidence: He states: 'So, first of all, I'm going to give you three things today. But first one, in verse 19 is what I'm going to call a demon's faith... there is also a dead faith... there is indeed a divine faith.'

Insufficiency of Intellectual Knowledge

Summary: Knowing facts about Jesus, even accurately, does not save; demons have such knowledge and tremble, yet are lost.

Evidence: He says: 'Demons know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God... they tremble... Most professing Christians do not even have the faith of a demon.'

Faith Evidenced by Works

Summary: Genuine saving faith inevitably produces good works; a faith without works is dead, as shown by Abraham and Rahab.

Evidence: James 2:17-26 is expounded: 'Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone... Seest thou how faith wrought with his works.'

Salvation as Sovereign Work of God

Summary: Salvation is impossible with men; it is a divine act of regeneration, creation, and resurrection, not human effort.

Evidence: He cites Mark 10:27, John 3, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 2:1: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God.'

Eternal Life as Intimate Relationship

Summary: Eternal life is not mere endless existence but a personal, intimate knowledge of God through Christ (John 17:3).

Evidence: He explains ginōskō: 'Eternal life is an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.'

Key Arguments

Demons believe and tremble but are not saved

Summary: James 2:19 shows that intellectual belief in God's oneness does not save; demons have accurate knowledge and shudder, yet remain condemned.

Evidence: He reads James 2:19 and says: 'The devils also believe and tremble... they're absolutely assured of the fact that Jesus Christ is God. They know it. They confess it. And they tremble at that knowledge.'

Faith without works is dead

Summary: James 2:14-26 argues that a professed faith lacking works is dead and cannot save, illustrated by Abraham's offering of Isaac and Rahab's protection of the spies.

Evidence: He states: 'Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone... Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?'

Works do not save but evidence faith

Summary: The Greek word dikaioō in James 2 means 'to show or evidence one is righteous,' not to declare righteous forensically; works demonstrate the reality of faith.

Evidence: He explains: 'The Greek word is dikaioō, and it simply means to show, to exhibit, to evidence one is righteous, that one is truly what he declares to be.'

Salvation is impossible with men

Summary: Jesus taught that salvation is humanly impossible (Mark 10:27); it requires a divine revelation (Matthew 11:27) and is pictured as birth, creation, and resurrection.

Evidence: He quotes Mark 10:27: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God,' and Matthew 11:27: 'No man knoweth the Son, but the Father...'

Eternal life is knowing God intimately

Summary: John 17:3 defines eternal life as ginōskō, an intimate, personal knowledge of God, not mere intellectual awareness.

Evidence: He says: 'This is life eternal, that they may know thee—ginōskō—the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.'

Accurate knowledge does not save (Agrippa)

Summary: King Agrippa was an expert in Jewish customs and questions, yet he was only 'almost persuaded' and remained lost.

Evidence: He cites Acts 26:3,28: 'Especially because I know thee to be an expert in all the customs and questions which are among the Jews... Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'

Scripture References

James 2:19

Context: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Matthew 8:28-29

Context: Demons recognize Jesus as Son of God and ask if He has come to torment them before the time.

Mark 1:23-24, 34

Context: Unclean spirit confesses Jesus as the Holy One of God; demons knew Him.

Mark 5:1-7

Context: Demoniac worships Jesus and calls Him Son of the Most High God.

Luke 4:33-34

Context: Demon cries out, 'I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.'

Luke 8:28

Context: Demon falls before Jesus, calling Him Son of God most high.

James 2:14-17

Context: What doth it profit if a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can faith save him? Faith without works is dead.

Titus 1:16

Context: They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him.

Galatians 2:16

Context: A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:5

Context: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

James 2:18-26

Context: Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Abraham and Rahab justified by works.

Joshua 2:9-11

Context: Rahab confesses the Lord your God is God in heaven above and earth beneath.

Titus 2:7, 14

Context: Showing thyself a pattern of good works; zealous of good works.

Titus 3:8, 14

Context: Be careful to maintain good works; learn to maintain good works.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Context: Saved by grace through faith, not of works; created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

Mark 10:17-27

Context: Rich young ruler; with men salvation is impossible, but not with God.

Matthew 11:27

Context: No man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

John 3:3, 7

Context: Except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.

James 1:18

Context: Of his own will begat he us.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Context: God who commanded light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts.

Historical References

King Agrippa (Acts 26)

Context: Agrippa was an expert in Jewish customs and questions, yet remained unsaved, illustrating that accurate knowledge does not save.

Important Quotes

Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble.

Significance: Key verse establishing that intellectual belief alone does not save, as demons believe and shudder.

Most professing Christians do not even have the faith of a demon. For even though they may know facts, they do not tremble before such a holy, righteous, sovereign God.

Significance: Highlights the deficiency of mere intellectual faith compared to the demons' fearful acknowledgment.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone.

Significance: Central text for the dead faith argument; faith without works is lifeless.

They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Significance: Shows the contradiction between profession and life, indicating a dead faith.

With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible.

Significance: Affirms that salvation is entirely a divine work, impossible by human effort.

This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

Significance: Defines eternal life as intimate, personal knowledge of God, not mere intellectual assent.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Significance: Agrippa's response shows that expert knowledge does not produce saving faith.

Discussion Questions

What is the difference between a demon's faith, a dead faith, and a divine faith?

Context: Weaver outlines three types of faith based on James 2 and other scriptures.

How can we discern whether our faith is a living, saving faith or merely an intellectual acknowledgment?

Context: The sermon emphasizes that true faith produces works and a changed life.

Why do demons tremble, and what does their response teach us about the nature of true fear of God?

Context: James 2:19 says demons believe and tremble; Weaver notes most professing Christians lack this trembling.

In what ways do Abraham and Rahab demonstrate that faith is shown by works?

Context: James uses these two Old Testament figures to illustrate living faith.

How does the biblical teaching that salvation is impossible with men affect our evangelism and prayer?

Context: Mark 10:27 and the illustrations of birth, creation, and resurrection show salvation is God's work alone.

What does it mean to 'know' God in the sense of John 17:3, and how does that differ from mere factual knowledge?

Context: Weaver explains ginōskō as intimate, personal knowledge.

How should the reality of a dead faith challenge those who profess Christ but show no evidence of good works?

Context: The sermon applies James 2 to professing Christians whose lives contradict their profession.

Applications

Examine your faith

Summary: Listeners are urged to test whether their faith is merely intellectual (demon's faith), professing but fruitless (dead faith), or a God-given, living faith that produces obedience.

Evidence: He asks: 'Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is yes, if all you have is a demon's faith or all you have is a dead faith.'

Look for works as evidence

Summary: True saving faith will manifest itself in a pattern of good works, zeal for good works, and a life that departs from iniquity.

Evidence: He cites 2 Timothy 2:19: 'Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity,' and emphasizes maintaining good works.

Do not trust in head knowledge alone

Summary: Accurate doctrinal knowledge, like that of King Agrippa or the demons, does not save; one must have a personal, intimate knowledge of God through Christ.

Evidence: He says: 'You may be an expert in the truths of the Bible... but unless you have been begotten of God, you're not saved.'

Recognize salvation as God's work

Summary: Salvation is impossible with men; it requires a divine revelation and regeneration. This should produce humility and dependence on God.

Evidence: He states: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God... Salvation is indeed the act of God.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T22:37:26Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T14:04:22Z

Clean Transcript

Is it Possible to Know Jesus and Not Be Saved

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Won't you open your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of James, chapter 2. And we're going to be looking at verse 19. I'm going to give you the title of the sermon, but the title of the sermon isn't a question. And of course, I think you're going to find it answered in the scripture. But here is the title: Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? Think about that. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? In James 2 in verse 19, the word of God says, "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well."
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"The devils also believe and tremble." So the question that I'm asking is really an exceedingly important question, because your eternal destiny depends upon the answer. Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved? So if you were to look upon the mass of professing Christians that attend church faithfully, regularly, and then on the second hand, you look upon the mass of those who profess to be saved, and yet they never ever darken the doorway of a church, and then, of course, there's a third mass that we need to look upon. And that third mass, of course, would be the mass of the unsaved.
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So you'd have to ask, why are there no discernible differences between these three masses? Now, I know that there are exceptions, especially to those that are lost. But I'm not referring to the murderers and the rapists. I'm simply talking about those lost folks who the world would call moral and upright and honest and work and try to do what they can do the best of their limited knowledge.
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So here's a couple of things. Why not go into a restaurant and watch people? How many people do you see that actually pray before they eat? How many are in control of their children and expect them to be obedient? If you go into a mall, just stand around and watch people. How many are careful with the items that they inspect? How many are concerned about the property rights of others? How many try to deceive and defraud the owners and how many will return money when it's been miscounted? And so here's another thing we could do. We could ask about any church member that professes to know Jesus Christ and carefully listen to their answer. When you ask them, "Do you really know the Lord Jesus Christ?" Wow. Ask any church member how his life differs from that of the unsaved. Ask any church member how the law of God has made a difference in his life. Ask him how he applies the law of God to every area of life as well. You can also ask about any church member to explain biblical doctrine, any biblical doctrine.
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And if he stutters and stammers and can't think of any, maybe you could suggest the doctrine of justification by faith alone or the doctrine of the imputation. Now, the point I'm trying to make is rather obvious. Obviously, the unsaved cannot answer any doctrinal questions, usually. And the truth of the matter is most professing Christians, either those that are regular attenders at church and those who just simply profess, they usually cannot answer any of the questions either.
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And when I ask this leading question, "Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved?" you have to understand that there are definitions of the word "know." And there's different ways that word is used. It's also a difference in the way the word "believe" happens to be used as well. And unhappily, most people cannot discern the differences even in scripture on how those terms are used.
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So you look back at James 2 in verse 19. Look what he said: "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well, the devils also believe and tremble."
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Now the interesting thing is the word "believe" both times is the same Greek word pisteuo and it means to think to be true, to be persuaded to be true, to place confidence in, and it's used both in a moral and in a religious sense. So here's the crux of the matter. The word may be used to convey a saving belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it can also be used just simply as a mere acknowledgement of some fact or facts or some event, which is nothing more than an intellectual faith.
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Now, there are even what I would call degrees or intensities in intellectual knowledge. Let me give you a good illustration. Everyone in this room knows for an absolute fact that you're going to die. You don't know when, but you know for a fact that you're going to die. And the truth is most people hardly ever think about dying. And most of us do not want to think about dying, that is for sure. But although we know that we're going to die, if you knew absolutely for sure that you are going to die within the next 10 minutes, I think your knowledge of death would be intensified. And I think the degree of that knowledge would be jacked up.
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And you realize you just simply do not have much time left now. So the word "believe" in this passage in James 2 in verse 19 can be used of true saving faith, but it can also be used of a mere intellectual knowledge.
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Now, the interesting thing is in verse 19, God says, "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils or the demons also believe and tremble." Now, the Greek word for "tremble" is the word phrisso. So it literally means to shudder. It means to be struck with fear. It literally means to be horrified. So the Bible is telling us they believe and they are absolutely horrified.
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So, first of all, I'm going to give you three things today. But first one, in verse 19 is what I'm going to call a demon's faith. Surely and clearly there is such a thing as a demon's faith. For he said in verse 19, "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils or the demons also believe and tremble." So they're absolutely assured of the fact that Jesus Christ is God. They know it. They confess it. And they tremble at that knowledge.
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Now, we have to discern the difference in the meaning of the word "know." We also have to discern the difference in the meaning of the word "believe." And certainly the demons know and they believe that Jesus Christ is God. And yet at the same time, they are unsaved.
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Now, I want you to hold James chapter 2. We're coming back there. But I want you to go in your Bibles, if you would, first of all, to Matthew, chapter 8. Matthew, chapter 8. And look, if you would please, beginning there with verse 28. Matthew, chapter 8, verse 28. Look at what the Bible says: "And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils or demons, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" So here the demons recognize that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They recognize the fact that they are condemned, and they realize that their time is absolutely short. If you would turn right over in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 1, Mark chapter 1, and look if you would please at verses 23 and 24.
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Mark chapter 1, verse 23, 24: "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, a demon, and he cried out, saying, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." Look at that confession. Look at what he knows. Absolutely. He knows that Jesus Christ is indeed the Holy One of God. Look in verse 34: "And he, that is Jesus Christ, healed many that were sick of diverse diseases and cast out many devils, and suffered not the devils or the demons to speak, because they knew him." They knew that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Turn right over to the book of Mark, chapter 5. Mark, chapter 5. And let's begin reading there in verse 1. Look at this, Mark 5, verse 1: "And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, a demon, who had his dwelling among the tombs, and no man could bind him,
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no, not with chains. Because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces, neither could any man tame him. And always night and day he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus? Thou Son of the Most High God, I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."
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And he asked him, "What is thy name?" And he answered, "My name is Legion, for we are many." But the point I'm trying to make is, here the demon is saying, "We know who thou art. We know that thou art the Son of the Most High God." If you would turn right over to the book of Luke, chapter 4, and Luke, if you would, please, in verse 34. Luke 4 and verse 34. In fact, we'll read verse 33: "And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us?" And look at this statement: "I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And then if you look in Luke chapter 8, and verse 28, Luke 8 and verse 28. Again, here's this statement of knowing and believing. Watch this.
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"And when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not."
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Now, here's the interesting thing. In each of these passages where the word "know" is used, it is the Greek word oida, which simply means to know, to perceive, to look at, to behold. It's merely an intellectual knowledge that is confessing facts, that is confessing reality. So let me explain it like this. Demons know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They know that Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God. They know that Jesus Christ has power over them. They know that they are defeated. They know that they will be tormented. They know they have a limited amount of time. Here we go. They don't even know, but they tremble. They're very, very horrified.
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Now I want you to think about this point. Most professing Christians do not even have the faith of a demon. For even though they may know facts, they do not tremble before such a holy, righteous, sovereign God. In other words, our Lord said, "Thou believest in one God, thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble." And most people are not afraid of a holy, sovereign, righteous God who holds their soul in life. They do not tremble over his sovereignty. They do not tremble over his authority. They do not tremble over his power. He is indeed the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, majestic, eternal, immutable God. And we know this as facts, but no one trembles like the demons do. There is a demon's faith. So here's my question. Is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is certainly true, because demons believe, the Bible says, and yet they tremble and they are not saved. So if you go back in your Bibles to the book of James, chapter 2, so there's not only a demon's faith, but I want you to note there is also a dead faith.
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So in James chapter 2 and verse 17, James writes, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone." Now, I'm going to come back to this passage, but I want you to see that statement in its context. So let's begin reading with verse 14. Look at this. He asks, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone." First of all, James is not teaching salvation by works. What he is teaching is that real saving faith works. It is never alone. Now, I want you to look back at verse 14, because I want to clarify something for you. And you can see this in the context before I get through.
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So James asks, "What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him?" If you add just about three little words, you can understand exactly what he is saying. Look at it again, verse 14: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can"—here's my addition—"that kind of faith save him?" So he's talking about a specific kind of faith. And that specific kind of faith that he's talking about is a dead faith. He's talking about a faith without works. He's talking about a faith that is nothing more than an empty profession. Now, listen to me. This dead faith may be a faith that is based upon facts. It may be a faith that is based upon scriptural reality and scriptural truth, and yet at the same time, it is a dead faith because there is no works. Here's the passage that really ties this together for you, or at least it should. Titus 1 and verse 16.
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Now think about this verse. Listen carefully. Titus 1, verse 16: "They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." So here it is on the one hand, they profess that they know him. And here it is on the other hand, but in works they deny him. In other words, their life is totally different from their profession. Their life, how they live, is total contradiction to what they profess. And God says they are abominable. That means it's a stench in his nostril, and they are disobedient and unto every good work reprobate. Now, we know that the scripture teaches that works do not save a man. A man cannot be saved by works. Works does not even help save a man. I could give you scripture after scripture.
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But Galatians 2:16 should be sufficient, for the Apostle Paul said, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believe in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." So it's impossible to be saved by your works. This is why in the book of Titus chapter 3 in verse 5, the Apostle Paul wrote again, "Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." So he said not by works of righteousness, which we have done. So there is no contradiction now between the teachings of the Apostle Paul and the teachings of the Apostle James. All James is doing is showing that a real, genuine, saving faith works.
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He's already pointed out a demon's faith, now he's pointing out a dead faith. Now, look in, if you would, in verses 17 and 18 of James chapter 2. Here he says this: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." Now, it is absolutely true that God knows our faith. God sees our faith. But man, yeah, I don't see faith. So I could say, "Gary, please show me your faith right now." You can't pull your faith out and show it to me. The only way that you can show me your faith is by the evidence of that faith, by producing good, godly, and biblical works. So, here's what I want you to see. James, in this passage, gives us two examples of how works demonstrate faith.
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First of all, he mentions Abraham. So if you look in James 2 and verse 20, he says it like this: "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" So here's your illustration, the first one. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works?" I'll come back to that word "justified." "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 said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called a friend of God." Now, we know that Abraham had faith because the Bible teaches us very clearly that he's the father of the faith. Read Romans chapter 4. We know that Abraham had faith. We know that God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, and he left in obedience to God. We also know that when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son Isaac, that the Bible said he immediately obeyed.
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And of course, you know how the story goes, how that the Lord stopped him and had a ram tangled in the thicket there. And he said, "I know that thou fearest me, Abraham, do not by any stretch of the imagination harm that child." Now, how do we know that Abraham believed God? How do we know that Abraham trusted in God? How do we know that Abraham followed God?
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And the answer is by his obedience. His works demonstrated, manifested that he had faith in the one true and living God. And that's why he says, "And it was imputed to him for righteousness. And he was called a friend of God." So very clearly, then, we're seeing how faith and works verify each other.
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Now, the second illustration is made in James chapter 2, verses 24 and 25. Watch this. We'll read through verse 26. He said, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only." We'll come back to that. "Likewise, also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." So James again is giving us a good illustration of exactly what he means. I do not care how many dead bodies you look at.
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Go to the funeral home. And the one thing that is in common in every dead body is this: there is no spirit in it. When the spirit leaves, the body's dead. That's exactly what he said. Without the spirit, the body is dead.
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Now, he's talking about Rahab. Now, I want you to hold James chapter 2, but turn in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Joshua chapter 2. Joshua chapter 2. I want you to see Rahab's confession of faith. It is a tremendous confession. Joshua chapter 2. And I want to begin reading there with verse 9.
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Now, she's already hidden the spies on the roof. So here's what she tells them. Look at this. "And she said to the men, I know"—there's that word—"I know that the Lord has given you the land and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did unto the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side of Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed." Now watch this. "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man because of you." Look at her confession. "For the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath."
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And then she says, "Now, therefore, I pray you swear to me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that you will show kindness unto my father's house and give me a true token." So here is her confession. She said, "I know, I know the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above." She said, "I know that because of what he has done. He's delivered you out of Egypt."
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He dried up the Red Sea. He took care of Og and Sihon. And he's giving you this. I know that. So my question is, how did she manifest her faith? By hiding the spies. And sending them out a different way. That is exactly what James is talking about now. I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of James. Because there's a couple of words I want to point out.
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The Bible says concerning Abraham, now look in verse 21: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?"
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Now, this same word is used in reference to Rahab. Verse 25: "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works?" The Greek word is dikaioō, and it simply means to show, to exhibit, to evidence one is righteous, that one is truly what he declares to be. So it's not saying that the works save them. It's just saying that the faith they had was evidenced by that work. It was real. It was genuine. It was not a hypocritical faith. It was not just a dead intellectual faith. It was real. Now, look in verse 22: "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" Now, the word "wrought" in verse 22 is the Greek word synergeō. And it means to work together, to help in the work, to be partner in and to put forth power together and to assist. So look what he said. It is his works then that assisted and made evidence that his faith was real and genuine as well. So you have to remember that works cannot save us.
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And here's a good illustration. This is how I'm saying exactly what James is talking about. Go back up to verse 14. Look at this question: "What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can that kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled."
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"Notwithstanding, you give them not those things which are needful to the body. What doth it profit?" In other words, here, Steve comes along. And Steve is saying, "I'm in bad, bad straits." I said, "What's wrong with you, Steve?" He said, "I haven't had any chocolate in two weeks." Well, I know he likes chocolate, but let's say I haven't had any food in two weeks. And I haven't had any water in two days. You go three days without water, you're in danger of dying. You can go 40 days without food, but he's hungry. He hasn't had anything for two weeks and hasn't had any water to drink in two days. And I look at him and I say, "Steve, I want to pray for you."
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"The Lord bless you and the Lord keep you and be ye warmed and filled as you walk down that road. Go and look for some other help."
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Now, this is what he's saying. What does that profit? I haven't given him anything to eat. I haven't given him anything to drink. What if he came to me cold and shivering and he needed a coat or he needed a blanket? And I said, "Now, look, brother, may the Lord warm you. And a good way to get warm is for you to jog the next two miles down the road."
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And boy, that'll help you. Your blood really circulate good and you'll warm up. This is what he's saying. Your profession without the evidence of the works is a dead faith. It's not real. It's hypocritical. It is indeed a false faith.
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Now, I want to show you what the word of God says about works. So I want you to turn in your Bibles back a few books to the book of Titus. First and Second Timothy, then the book of Titus. We should watch carefully. We're talking about works. Works do not save us, they do not help save us, but they do manifest and demonstrate our faith. So in Titus chapter 2, beginning there with verse 7, God says, "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he that is on the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." Now look at verse 7: "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works." Now if you have a pattern, a pattern is not something up and down, off and on. What did God tell David and what did God tell Solomon when they were talking about building the temple? God said, "See that thou make it according to the pattern which I gave thee in the mount."
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That's what he said to Moses as well when he's talking about the tabernacle. I'm just pointing out a pattern is something that you can go by, something you can depend upon. A lot of you ladies have made dresses. And what do you do? You buy a pattern. And you lay your material on that pattern or the pattern on the material and cut it out. The pattern is something true. It's something accurate. It's something that you can go by. And God says that we are to have a pattern of good works. In other words, I want to be able to look at Gary and say, "Yeah, he's been doing this for 25 years now or 30 years or whatever." Now, it's not only a pattern of good works. Look in verse 14 of Titus chapter 2. In fact, let's read verse 13.
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"Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." So we're not only to have a pattern of good works, we're to be zealous of good works. It should be our zeal. And a good work is that which is holy, godly, right, biblical. It's not just what someone says, what someone makes up in their mind. No.
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Now look in Titus chapter 3 and verse 8. He says, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." Now look at this: "These things are good and profitable unto men." So we're not only to have a pattern of good works, we're not only to be zealous of good works, but we're to be careful to maintain good works because he says these things are good and profitable to men. They're not profitable to God. God sees our faith. God knows our faith. But men do not. Now, look, if you would, please, at verse 14, Titus 3, verse 14. Look at this: "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." God says that we are to learn to maintain good works.
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You remember in the passage in 2 Timothy 3, verses 16 and 17, where he said all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. When you get to verse 17, "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work" or "unto all good works." Wow. Now, I think if you remember, it was our Lord who said in Matthew 5 and verse 16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify my Father who is in heaven." The same thing is saying, have a pattern of good works, be zealous of good works, maintain good works.
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Now, here's a concluding thought on this. Everybody in here can quote Ephesians 2:8-9, probably can quote verse 10 as well, but here it is: "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Here's verse 10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk therein." So God has ordained for our lives good works if we are his people. He's ordained, if we've been saved by grace through faith, that we are created unto good works in Jesus Christ, and he's ordained that we walk in those works.
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Now, in reality, let me tell you this. Any good thing in us, any good work done by us, is only because of the grace of God in us and God using us and working through us. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 26 in verse 12: "Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou hast wrought all of our works in us." And when you stop and think about how our flesh hates God, and when you stop and think about the wickedness and sinfulness of your flesh, and then you do something righteous and holy and godly, it's because of God working in us. So he calls a dead faith a faith that has no works, a faith that cannot manifest itself and does not manifest or demonstrate itself.
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So is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? Yeah. If all you have is a demon's faith, all you have is a dead faith. It's possible. You may have all the facts accurately, but your faith is a dead faith.
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Now, here's the next thing. I want you to understand that there is indeed a divine faith. A divine faith is that which is wrought by God. Salvation is indeed the act of God. It is when God regenerates us and converts us. Salvation is an act of God alone for only God can accomplish it. Man does not help God. He does not work with God. Man does not take the first step. Anything and everything in biblical salvation is of God. The only thing that man could do is furnish the sinner.
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Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 10. I'm not going to tell you this entire story. You know it. This is where the rich young ruler came running to Jesus Christ and kneeled before him and said, "Good master, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And of course, you know the story. And finally, when our Lord told him one thing, "You're like, go and sell everything you have."
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"And give to the poor, take up your cross and follow me." And the Bible tells us the young man went away exceedingly sorrowful, for he had great riches.
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Now, here's the point I want to make. If you look in Mark chapter 10, and let's begin reading there with verse, well, let's read verse 22: "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. Jesus looked round about and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, which is impossible, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus, looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible." So, I want you to look at the question specifically in verse 26: "They were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?"
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And our Lord responded, watch it, "With men it"—salvation. That was the subject. "With men it"—salvation—"is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." So, with man it is impossible. Years ago I was preaching, and I was really dealing with the doctrine of repentance. And after I got through preaching, I had a man come up to me and said, "Brother Weaver," he said, "you make it so hard for a man to be saved." And I looked at him and I said, "Well, please forgive me because I have made a very grievous error." He looked at me kind of halfway grin. I said, "Sir, I did not intend to make it hard for a man to be saved. I meant to make it impossible." That's what he said: with men, it is impossible. You cannot save yourself, you cannot help save yourself.
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Now, I want you to look in your Bibles, if you look at Matthew chapter 11, I'm just trying to show you there is a divine faith and it differs greatly from a demon's faith and from a dead faith. So in Matthew chapter 11, if you look at verse 27, because in this passage, the word of God teaches us that actually salvation is indeed a revelation. I'll probably deal with this passage in the not too distant future. But look at verse 27.
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Our Lord says, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father. And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." Isn't that amazing? Now, our Lord says no man knows me except my Father. And no man knows my Father except me, and to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. And the word "reveal" is the word apokalyptō.
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It's actually the verb from apokalypsis, which we talk about in the book of Revelation. That's the apokalypsis. That's the unveiling. That's the revealing of Jesus Christ. So he says, no one can know the Father except the Son reveal him. And no one can know the Son except the Father reveal him. So in this passage, we're being told that salvation is impossible without a revelation. In other words, it's just like when our Lord asks his disciples, "Whom say ye that I the Son of Man am?" Matthew chapter 16. Some say you're Elijah, some say you're John the Baptist, one of the prophets. He's but whom say you that I am. Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And what did our Lord say? "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven." So the only way Peter knew who Jesus Christ was was because God revealed it to him. Now, there are only three illustrations of salvation in the New Testament.
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Each one of these illustrations demonstrate conclusively that salvation is the work of God and the work of God alone. You're very familiar with the very first one, I'm sure. That's found in John chapter 3, when Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and Jesus looked at him and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, a man must be born again, or he cannot see the kingdom of heaven" or "the kingdom of God." And then in verse 7, he said it again, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again of the Spirit and of water, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
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And each time the word "again" is used, it's the Greek word anōthen, which means from above. Literally, our Lord said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." In other words, he has to be begotten by God.
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Now stop and think about this. Here, the spiritual birth is compared to the physical birth. How many of you in times past contemplated and said, "Well, here's what I think. I think I'll get my mother and father to come together tonight, and I will be conceived, and then I'll be born." You didn't get your father and mother to come together, and you had nothing to do with it. You were born at the pleasure of someone else, at the will of someone else. You were born that way physically, and you're born that way spiritually.
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Bible says in James 1 in verse 18, listen carefully: "Of his own will begat he us." Of his own will begat he us, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Of his own will begat he us. Now the word "begat" is the word apokyeō and it literally means to cease being pregnant. It means to bring forth from the womb. Of his own will brought us forth from the womb. In other words, he begat us.
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That's exactly what he said. So the very first illustration is that of birth. You had nothing to do with your physical birth and you really had nothing to do with your spiritual birth. Of his own will begat he us. The second illustration given in the Bible is that of creation. You'll find that in 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 6, where the Bible says, "For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." So when God created, what did he do? God sovereignly, omnipotently said, "Let there be light." And the next verse says, "And there was light." God spoke it into existence. Now, the apostle Paul says the same God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts. In other words, he spoke in our hearts and he has shined and given us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
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So no man births himself, and no man creates himself. If we have a divine faith, it must be that God birthed us, he brought us to pass. If we have a divine faith, it's because God created in us the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and he gave us the grace and the mercy to receive Christ. The third illustration that's used in the Bible you're all familiar with, that's Ephesians 2:1, a resurrection.
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"And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sin." May I remind you of what he said in James chapter 2 and verse 26: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." So a dead man is a dead man. Why is he dead? He has no strength. He has no power. He has no spirit. He has nothing. You have never seen a dead man raise himself from the dead with the exception of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is ascribed to God the Father. It's also ascribed to God the Son. It's also ascribed to God the Holy Spirit. But no one else has ever raised himself from the dead. Why? Because he's dead. He has no strength. He has no power.
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You don't go by a cemetery and hear something down below saying, "Move foot, wiggle toe, dig with your arms, body." No, no, he's dead. He's not saying anything. He's not doing anything. If a man is raised from the dead, it must be a power from on the outside that exerts that power upon him, for he has no power. That's why Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth." And God gave him life in that tomb, which enabled him to walk out. Because had Lazarus not been given life, he would have never walked out.
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Clearly then, Jonah 2:9 says it like this: "Salvation is of the Lord." And that's true. We cannot birth ourselves, we cannot create ourselves, and we certainly cannot resurrect ourselves.
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Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of John, chapter 17. I know that you realize this is the high priestly prayer of our Lord. I want to show you the difference in the word "know." I want you to watch this. This is not just a head knowledge now, I want to explain it. John 17 verse 1: "These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come. Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee."
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"As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." Here's eternal life: "And this is life eternal, that they may know thee"—ginōskō—"the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." So what is eternal life? Eternal life is an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Septuagint, it's the same word that is used when Adam knew his wife and she conceived, which was a personal, intimate act. That's what is used when the Septuagint, when he said, "The only have I known of all the families of the earth." Did not God know all the other families? Of course. But he said, "You only have I been intimate with. You only have I given my law to. You only have I given my ordinances and my ceremonies to. You're the only one." That's what he's saying. And so eternal life is not just simply living somewhere forever.
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The unsaved are going to do that. But eternal life is a personal, intimate knowledge of God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you don't have it here on earth now, you're certainly not going to have it in eternity. Now, so he says, "This is life eternal, that they may know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." So here's my question: Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved?
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And the answer is yes, if all you have is a demon's faith or all you have is a dead faith. And unless you have a divine faith, you can know all the facts and still be lost. So here's my applications. First of all, a mere head knowledge, an intellectual knowledge, a knowledge of facts is not salvation. It is not a saving faith. Although our intellect is involved in salvation, it is more than just simply a mere intellectual act. Demons have a very accurate intellectual knowledge, but they're unsaved.
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Moreover, there are people who can recite scripture left and right. There are people that have been taught all of their lives and they know exactly what they've been taught. You may know the facts and have a dead faith. If there are no works that demonstrate that you have a living faith. Wow. Stop and think about this. Unless Jesus Christ has shown you the Father, and unless you have a personal, intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, then you are not saved. Now, someone may profess faith all the day long. But unless their works demonstrate it, they are just merely a hypocrite and have a dead faith.
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Now, let me show you something. I want you to go back in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Acts chapter 26. In Acts chapter 26, the Apostle Paul is defending himself before King Agrippa.
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Now here's what I'm trying to tell you. Salvation is more than a knowledge of facts. It's more than a knowledge of accurate facts. It's more than a knowledge of accurate scriptural facts. So you can be accurate and you can be scriptural and still not be saved. Because all you have is a dead faith. So Paul now is defending himself before King Agrippa. And I want you to notice what he said beginning there with verse 1. Acts 26: "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand and answered for himself. I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews. Especially because I know thee to be an expert in all the customs and questions which are among the Jews."
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"Wherefore, I beseech thee to hear me patiently." Did you hear what he just said? "Especially because I know thee to be an expert in all the customs and questions among the Jews." King Agrippa knew all about Judaism. King Agrippa knew all about the customs. He knew all about the ceremonies. He had what you and I would call a perfect intellectual knowledge because he was an expert in that area. Well, when Paul got through, if you look down in verse 28, "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." So Agrippa had all the facts, he knew all the truth, but he was lost. He was lost. You may be an expert in the truths of the Bible, you may know all the words and phrases, you may speak the language of a Christian, but unless you have been begotten of God, you're not saved. You remember that passage in Revelation chapter 2 in verse 9 and Revelation 3 in verse 8, where our Lord talked about those who claim to be Jews or Judahites, but they were nothing more than the synagogue of Satan.
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He said in verse 9 of chapter 3 of Revelation, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet." So you could read that basically of all the church members. We're not saved. Wow. You know, there's a verse that sums up this entire message. I want you to think about it. It is 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 19. I'll quote it for you.
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"Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal." Listen carefully. Number one, "The Lord knoweth them that are his." And number two, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." What did he say? The foundation of God stands sure, having a seal. Number one, the Lord knows who are his. And then he went on to say, if you are his, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. In other words, your works will demonstrate that you are indeed one of his. Your life will manifest that you are indeed one of his.
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Because there is a demon's faith and there is a dead faith. But thankfully, by the grace of God, there is a divine faith. And that divine faith always works. It always wants to be obedient. And while pleasing unto the Lord. So stop and think about this question: Is it possible to believe on Jesus Christ and not be saved? And the answer is yes. If all you have is a demon's faith or dead faith, it is quite possible. But it is impossible to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with a divine faith and be lost. For our Lord said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me, and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." In his high priestly prayer, he prayed, "Father, all those that thou hast given me, I pray that they will be with me forever." Thankfully, there is a divine faith, and it is a faith that produces obedient, godly, holy, and biblical works. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day.
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We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. And we ask, Lord, that you would speak to our hearts and help us and teach us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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so so
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T22:37:26Z

Is it Possible to Know Jesus and Not Be Saved

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver examines James 2:19 to answer whether one can know Jesus Christ and yet remain unsaved. He distinguishes three kinds of faith: a demon's faith (intellectual acknowledgment without saving trust), a dead faith (profession without works), and a divine faith (a God-wrought, living faith that produces obedience). Using biblical examples, he argues that mere head knowledge or empty profession does not save; only a faith given by God, evidenced by good works, constitutes true salvation.

Introduction: The Question and Three Groups

Scripture Reading — James 2:19

"Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well."

The Meaning of 'Believe' and 'Know'

He explains that the Greek word pisteuo (believe) can mean either saving faith or mere intellectual assent, and that 'know' (oida) can refer to factual knowledge rather than intimate relationship.

A Demon's Faith (James 2:19)

A Dead Faith (James 2:14-26)

So in James chapter 2 and verse 17, James writes,

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone."

Now, I'm going to come back to this passage, but I want you to see that statement in its context. So let's begin reading with verse 14. Look at this. He asks,

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone."

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can faith save him?"

If you add just about three little words, you can understand exactly what he is saying. Look at it again, verse 14:

Scripture Reading — James 2:14-17

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works, can"

Now think about this verse. Listen carefully. Titus 1, verse 16:

Scripture Reading — Titus 1:16

"They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

But Galatians 2:16 should be sufficient, for the Apostle Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 2:16

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believe in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

He's already pointed out a demon's faith, now he's pointing out a dead faith. Now, look in, if you would, in verses 17 and 18 of James chapter 2. Here he says this:

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

So here's your illustration, the first one.

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works?"

I'll come back to that word "justified."

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"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 said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called a friend of God."

Now, the second illustration is made in James chapter 2, verses 24 and 25. Watch this. We'll read through verse 26. He said,

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only."

We'll come back to that.

Scripture Reading — James 2:18-26

"Likewise, also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

So James again is giving us a good illustration of exactly what he means. I do not care how many dead bodies you look at.

The Role of Good Works

Works do not save, but they manifest faith. Believers are called to maintain a pattern of good works, be zealous for them, and walk in the good works God has prepared (Ephesians 2:10).

Scripture Reading — Titus 2:7, 14

That's what he said to Moses as well when he's talking about the tabernacle. I'm just pointing out a pattern is something that you can go by, something you can depend upon. A lot of you ladies have made dresses. And what do you do? You buy a pattern. And you lay your material on that pattern or the pattern on the material and cut it out. The pattern is something true. It's something accurate. It's something that you can go by. And God says that we are to have a pattern of good works. In other words, I want to be able to look at Gary and say, "Yeah, he's been doing this for 25 years now or 30 years or whatever." Now, it's not only a pattern of good works. Look in verse 14 of Titus chapter 2. In fact, let's read verse 13.

Now look in Titus chapter 3 and verse 8. He says,

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:8, 14

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works."

Now look at this:

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:8, 14

"These things are good and profitable unto men."

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:8, 14

"And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful."

God says that we are to learn to maintain good works.

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:8-10

"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

Here's verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:8-10

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk therein."

A Divine Faith: Salvation as God's Work

Now, here's the point I want to make. If you look in Mark chapter 10, and let's begin reading there with verse, well, let's read verse 22:

Scripture Reading — Mark 10:17-27

"And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. Jesus looked round about and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God? It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, which is impossible, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus, looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible."

So, I want you to look at the question specifically in verse 26:

Scripture Reading — Mark 10:17-27

"They were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?"

Scripture Reading — Matthew 11:27

"All things are delivered unto me of my Father. And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."

Scripture Reading — John 3:3, 7

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, a man must be born again, or he cannot see the kingdom of heaven"

Scripture Reading — James 1:18

"Of his own will begat he us."

Of his own will begat he us, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Of his own will begat he us. Now the word "begat

Scripture Reading — James 1:18

" is the word apokyeō and it literally means to cease being pregnant. It means to bring forth from the womb. Of his own will brought us forth from the womb. In other words, he begat us.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:6

"For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

So when God created, what did he do? God sovereignly, omnipotently said, "Let there be light." And the next verse says, "And there was light.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 4:6

" God spoke it into existence. Now, the apostle Paul says the same God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts. In other words, he spoke in our hearts and he has shined and given us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Eternal Life as Intimate Knowledge

John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing (ginōskō) God and Jesus Christ intimately, not merely intellectually. Without this personal relationship, one is not saved.

Applications and Conclusion

Mere head knowledge or accurate doctrine does not save. King Agrippa (Acts 26) had expert knowledge but remained lost. Only a divine faith, evidenced by departing from iniquity, marks true salvation.

We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. And we ask, Lord, that you would speak to our hearts and help us and teach us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Is it Possible to Know Jesus and Not Be Saved

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	86saVshETwI
Subject	Church Government
Course	Church Order: Worship, Sacraments, and the Lord's Supper
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-07-20
Dictation Name
Book	Book 040: Church Order and Worship - Volume 2 — Chapter 47
Source Timed Segments	79

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Question and Three Groups: Weaver poses the question 'Is it possible to know Jesus Christ and not be saved?' and observes that professing Christians, churchgoers, and the unsaved often show no discernible differences in life and doctrine.
The Meaning of 'Believe' and 'Know': He explains that the Greek word pisteuo (believe) can mean either saving faith or mere intellectual assent, and that 'know' (oida) can refer to factual knowledge rather than intimate relationship.
A Demon's Faith (James 2:19): Demons believe in one God and tremble (phrisso), demonstrating an accurate intellectual knowledge of Christ's identity and power, yet they are unsaved. Most professing Christians lack even this trembling fear.
A Dead Faith (James 2:14-26): James describes a faith without works as dead, using the illustrations of Abraham and Rahab to show that genuine faith is evidenced by obedient works. A mere profession without corresponding works is hypocritical.
The Role of Good Works: Works do not save, but they manifest faith. Believers are called to maintain a pattern of good works, be zealous for them, and walk in the good works God has prepared (Ephesians 2:10).
A Divine Faith: Salvation as God's Work: True saving faith is a divine work, illustrated by birth (John 3), creation (2 Corinthians 4:6), and resurrection (Ephesians 2:1). Salvation is impossible with men but possible with God; it requires a revelation from the Father.
Eternal Life as Intimate Knowledge: John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing (ginōskō) God and Jesus Christ intimately, not merely intellectually. Without this personal relationship, one is not saved.
Applications and Conclusion: Mere head knowledge or accurate doctrine does not save. King Agrippa (Acts 26) had expert knowledge but remained lost. Only a divine faith, evidenced by departing from iniquity, marks true salvation.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Demons believe and tremble but are not saved

James 2:19 shows that intellectual belief in God's oneness does not save; demons have accurate knowledge and shudder, yet remain condemned.

He reads James 2:19 and says: 'The devils also believe and tremble... they're absolutely assured of the fact that Jesus Christ is God. They know it. They confess it. And they tremble at that knowledge.'

Faith without works is dead

James 2:14-26 argues that a professed faith lacking works is dead and cannot save, illustrated by Abraham's offering of Isaac and Rahab's protection of the spies.

He states: 'Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone... Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?'

Works do not save but evidence faith

The Greek word dikaioō in James 2 means 'to show or evidence one is righteous,' not to declare righteous forensically; works demonstrate the reality of faith.

He explains: 'The Greek word is dikaioō, and it simply means to show, to exhibit, to evidence one is righteous, that one is truly what he declares to be.'

Salvation is impossible with men

Jesus taught that salvation is humanly impossible (Mark 10:27); it requires a divine revelation (Matthew 11:27) and is pictured as birth, creation, and resurrection.

He quotes Mark 10:27: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God,' and Matthew 11:27: 'No man knoweth the Son, but the Father...'

Eternal life is knowing God intimately

John 17:3 defines eternal life as ginōskō, an intimate, personal knowledge of God, not mere intellectual awareness.

He says: 'This is life eternal, that they may know thee—ginōskō—the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.'

Accurate knowledge does not save (Agrippa)

King Agrippa was an expert in Jewish customs and questions, yet he was only 'almost persuaded' and remained lost.

He cites Acts 26:3,28: 'Especially because I know thee to be an expert in all the customs and questions which are among the Jews... Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'

Scripture References

James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Matthew 8:28-29: Demons recognize Jesus as Son of God and ask if He has come to torment them before the time.
Mark 1:23-24, 34: Unclean spirit confesses Jesus as the Holy One of God; demons knew Him.
Mark 5:1-7: Demoniac worships Jesus and calls Him Son of the Most High God.
Luke 4:33-34: Demon cries out, 'I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.'
Luke 8:28: Demon falls before Jesus, calling Him Son of God most high.
James 2:14-17: What doth it profit if a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can faith save him? Faith without works is dead.
Titus 1:16: They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him.
Galatians 2:16: A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.
James 2:18-26: Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Abraham and Rahab justified by works.
Joshua 2:9-11: Rahab confesses the Lord your God is God in heaven above and earth beneath.
Titus 2:7, 14: Showing thyself a pattern of good works; zealous of good works.
Titus 3:8, 14: Be careful to maintain good works; learn to maintain good works.
Ephesians 2:8-10: Saved by grace through faith, not of works; created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
Mark 10:17-27: Rich young ruler; with men salvation is impossible, but not with God.
Matthew 11:27: No man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
John 3:3, 7: Except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.
James 1:18: Of his own will begat he us.
2 Corinthians 4:6: God who commanded light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts.

Historical References

King Agrippa (Acts 26): Agrippa was an expert in Jewish customs and questions, yet remained unsaved, illustrating that accurate knowledge does not save.

Important Quotes

Thou believest that there is one God. Thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble.

Key verse establishing that intellectual belief alone does not save, as demons believe and shudder.

Most professing Christians do not even have the faith of a demon. For even though they may know facts, they do not tremble before such a holy, righteous, sovereign God.

Highlights the deficiency of mere intellectual faith compared to the demons' fearful acknowledgment.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone.

Central text for the dead faith argument; faith without works is lifeless.

They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Shows the contradiction between profession and life, indicating a dead faith.

With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible.

Affirms that salvation is entirely a divine work, impossible by human effort.

This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

Defines eternal life as intimate, personal knowledge of God, not mere intellectual assent.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Agrippa's response shows that expert knowledge does not produce saving faith.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What is the difference between a demon's faith, a dead faith, and a divine faith?

[Context]

Weaver outlines three types of faith based on James 2 and other scriptures.

[Question]

How can we discern whether our faith is a living, saving faith or merely an intellectual acknowledgment?

[Context]

The sermon emphasizes that true faith produces works and a changed life.

[Question]

Why do demons tremble, and what does their response teach us about the nature of true fear of God?

[Context]

James 2:19 says demons believe and tremble; Weaver notes most professing Christians lack this trembling.

[Question]

In what ways do Abraham and Rahab demonstrate that faith is shown by works?

[Context]

James uses these two Old Testament figures to illustrate living faith.

[Question]

How does the biblical teaching that salvation is impossible with men affect our evangelism and prayer?

[Context]

Mark 10:27 and the illustrations of birth, creation, and resurrection show salvation is God's work alone.

[Question]

What does it mean to 'know' God in the sense of John 17:3, and how does that differ from mere factual knowledge?

[Context]

Weaver explains ginōskō as intimate, personal knowledge.

[Question]

How should the reality of a dead faith challenge those who profess Christ but show no evidence of good works?

[Context]

The sermon applies James 2 to professing Christians whose lives contradict their profession.

Applications

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