Pastor Rev. Steven Wagner Telephone: 573-437-5190

Rt 3, Owensville MO. 65066

THE DEVIL BELIEVES AND TREMBLES

CHRISTIANS BELIEVE AND DO

Open Door Fellowship

August 17, 1997 a.m.

Rev. Steven Wagner

Scripture: (James 2:19 KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

a. It takes more to live a pleasing life for the Lord than to just believe that he exists.

b. The devil believes in God, but he just trembles, it doesn't motivate him to do anything else.

c. A lot of people that are supposedly Christians believe in God, they may even come to church some and do other things in the church but all they do is tremble. They never really do anything for God, they never really let God change there life, they just keep believing in God and never serve God.

CHRISTIANS BELIEVE AND DO

A. If your a real Christian you will not just believe in God, but you will be a doer of his word.

(James 1:23 KJV) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

(James 1:24 KJV) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

(James 1:25 KJV) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

a. Doer of the work

1. The work of God

God's People See Their Primary Vocation as Serving Him For Christians, life's primary vocation is ministry. Christians view their workplace as a ministry post. Their pulpits are their desks, their cars, their classrooms, their kitchens.

b. When we are doers of the word we will not be Christians that believe and tremble, but Christians that believe and do.

c. When you are a doer of the word you will be a doer of the work of God.

(James 2:14 KJV) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

1. Do you honestly believe that if you only believe in God you are going to heaven? Only those that believe and do will be going to heaven. Warming a pew doesn't count, keeping your mouth shut at work or with family and never witnessing for Christ doesn't count, be the good old boy doesn't count, your spouse being saved doesn't count, your parents being saved doesn't count only YOU believing and doing will count.

(James 2:15 KJV) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

(James 2:16 KJV) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

(James 2:17 KJV) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

(James 2:18 KJV) 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.

1. A real Christian not only believes but does.

(James 2:19 KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

(James 2:20 KJV) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

(James 2:21 KJV) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

(James 2:22 KJV) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

(James 2:23 KJV) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

(James 2:24 KJV) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

1. You can believe all day long, but if you don't have any works to go along with that belief it is empty, without meaning, useless.

2. Honey I love you but I'm never going to kiss you, hug you, care for you, treat you with love and concern but I love you.

(James 2:25 KJV) Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

(James 2:26 KJV) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

B. I believe Peter was a good example when Christ came to him after the resurrection.

(John 21:15 KJV) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

(John 21:16 KJV) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

(John 21:17 KJV) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

a. I believe Jesus was telling him its going to take more than lip service, its going to take Peter doing something if he really loved Jesus Christ. FEED, FEED ,FEED

C. If we are going to be a real Christian one that believes and does, than we will be a doer of His word.

a. We will keep his commandments.

(John 14:15 KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

(John 15:10 KJV) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

b. We must follow what His word says.

c. Do you even know what His word says? How can you be doer of the word if you don't know the word.

d. What the word says we should be doing.

1. Witnessing for him, going out into the highways and hedges, taking the power of God to the sick and oppressed, Be a light to the world not keeping to our selves. I'm just a little mouse that never says much, well get the Lion of Judah inside you, the fire of the Holy Ghost will make some changes.

(Luke 14:23 KJV) And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

(Mark 16:15 KJV) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(Mark 16:16 KJV) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

(Mark 16:17 KJV) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

(Mark 16:18 KJV) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

(Mat 5:14 KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

(Mat 5:15 KJV) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

(Mat 5:16 KJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

IF YOUR GOING TO BE A CHRISTIAN AND CHILD OF GOD YOU MUST DO MORE THAN BELIEVE YOU MUST DO!

(Mat 7:17 KJV) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

(Mat 7:18 KJV) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

(Mat 7:19 KJV) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

(Mat 7:20 KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.