Many people, religious folks and church members alike have the appearance of being saved and claim to be right with God. They go to church, quote the Bible, sing the hymns, do good things. But it does not matter how you appear here and now. But how you will appear at the moment of death. How you will appear on judgment day." May I ask you how will you appear? Will you appear as a Saint at The Judgment Seat of Christ, or will you appear as a Sinner at The Great White Throne Judgment?

In chapter 7 of the Gospel of Matthew verses (1-14), the Lord Exposes Frauds: In verses (15-20), we're told to beware of False Prophets. In verses (21-23), we are to beware of False Professors.

In our text today, the Lord gives us a picture of how "MANY" will appear "in that day."

   1. They Made a Public Profession - "Lord, Lord..."

       A. Their Profession was sincere.

           1. But their Confession was false.

       B. They had a head knowledge of Christ.

          1. But they needed a heart knowledge of Christ.

    2. They Undertook Christian Service - (Mat. 7:22) Many will say to me in

        that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy

        name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful

        works?

        A. But its not what you DO, but WHO you know, (Eph. 2:8, 9)

    3. They Had Remarkable Success -

       A. Success does not mean Sainthood

           1. Note Islam, Mormons, False Jehovah’s Witnesses

    4. They had religious Energy -

        A. Tried to work their way to heaven

    5. They Were Very Strict  In Their Religion- (legalists)

       A. They did everything in the name of Christ.

           1. The phrase "in thy name" is mentioned three times.

           2, Note (II Tim. 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power

               thereof: from such turn away.

They were faithful to their religion. [They would put most of us to shame]

    1. They Would Not Allow Men To Silence Them -

         A. Can the same be said of we true believers?

             1. Have you ever noticed that the liberals never pick on the counterfeits;

                they are only out to silence the Bible believing fundamental Christians?

    2. They Had Many Converts - (but what do they have?) (2Ti. 3:13) But evil

               men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being

               deceived. (Mat. 15:14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the

               blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

    3. They Expected To Enter Into The Heaven -

        A. Why Not, they worked hard, did all the right things, said all the right

             words. However:

            1. They had a false hope - (in themselves and their works)

            2. They lived a life of rejection instead of reception -

            3. They did it their way, instead of God's way - (Jesus)

    1. They Prophesied, but they Did Not Pray!

    2. They Cast Out devils, but the devil was NOT Cast Out of Them!

    3. They Attended to Marvels, but NOT to the Essentials!

        A. Mercy, grace and faith! (Romans 10:2, 3) For I bear them record that they

            have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being

            ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own

            righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of

           God.

    4. They Worked Wonders, but they were also Workers of Iniquity! (Mat. 7:23)

       A. (Pro. 15:8-9) . The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD:

            but the prayer of the upright is his delight The way of the wicked is an

           abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after

           righteousness.

      B. You can be mistaken about a lot of things and get away with it, but

           salvation is not one of them --

           1. Salvation is not in a church; it is in Christ!

           2. Salvation is not in the waters of baptism; it is in being washed in the

               blood of Christ!

          3. Salvation is not in reciting a prayer; it is in resting in the person of Christ!

         4. Salvation is not in good works; it is in the gospel of Christ!

Notice:

    1. The Solemn ness of What He Said - "I never knew you"

        A. Jesus had been omitted from their religion!

        B. What a great and a fatal oversight!

        C. Now They Were Omitted From Heaven

    2. The Terror of What He Said - "depart from me"

       A. They must depart from all that's good!

       B. They must depart from all hope!

       C. They must depart FOREVER!

    3. The Awfulness of What He Said -

       A. He did not say that HE ONCE knew them, but NEVER knew them.

          1. They were strangers to Him:

          2. He never pardoned them.

          3. He never provided for them.

          4. He never protected for them.

    4. The Finality of What He Said -

        A. Their sentence will NEVER be altered, or canceled!

        B. They'll spend eternity in everlasting fire!

How will you appear when you die, or when the Lord returns: justified, or condemned, as a saint, or a sinner? If you're saved, come rejoice and make sure that you're right with the Lord. If you're not saved, come be saved TODAY!

The expression "face the music" is said to have originated in Japan. According to the story, one man in the imperial orchestra couldn't play a note. Being a person of great influence and wealth, he had demanded that he be given a place in the group because he wanted to "perform" before the emperor. The conductor agreed to let him sit in the second row of the orchestra, even though he couldn't read music. He was given a flute, and when a concert would begin, he'd raise his instrument, pucker his lips, and move his fingers. He would go through all the motions of playing, but he never made a sound. This deception continued for two years.

Then a new conductor took over. He told the orchestra that he wanted to audition each player personally. One by one they performed in his presence. Then came the flutist's turn. He was frantic with worry, so he pretended to be sick. However, the doctor who was ordered to examine him declared that he was perfectly well. The conductor insisted that the man appear and demonstrate his skill. Shamefacedly he had to confess that he was a fake. He was unable to "face the music."

In the realm of Christian service, many professing believers go through the motions, but they are only pretenders. Someday they will be called upon to stand before the Judge of heaven and earth, and their deception will be revealed. God will then separate the "phonies" from the real Christians. No one will be able to hide in the crowd. Each will be made to "face the music."