The Real Deal?

 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)

 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV)

 Props: fake money and real money

              Begin with a skit in which a helper tries to make a purchase using fake money.  During his interaction with the vendor, he insists that the money looks real, someone told him it was real, he worked hard to get it, etc.  The vendor insists that without real currency, he can’t buy anything. 

             (Display real and fake money as you speak).  Fake money isn’t going to buy you anything because it’s not worth anything.  No matter how hard you try, you can’t buy anything with it.  Only real money has value and can be used to buy things. 

            Some people think that just because they do things that look good, Jesus is going to give them a reward.  Remember, though, that not everything that looks good is truly good, just like not every paper that looks like money is real money.  A truly good work is done out of a heart of love for God and love for others.  Those are the good works that are true, genuine and please God.  Those works will be rewarded.  Some people only do good things to be seen on the outside, or to please other people.  Those works will not be rewarded, because they are not truly good. 

            You may be able to fool people with you works, but Jesus will always be able to tell which works are truly good.  Jesus is our Judge.  What will He find when He looks at your works?  Are they truly good?