The Moment of Truth

I. Introduction
   A. Thanks to our nation's moral depravity and the writer's 
      strike, a new "game" show on television: "The Moment of 
      Truth"
   B. Show concept
      1. Contestants answer 100 questions while attached to a lie 
         detector
      2. They are later brought on the show, and are asked any of 
         the 100 questions
      3. If they answer truly, they continue on; if they answer 
         falsely, they lose
      4. Potential to win anything from $10,000 to $500,000, 
         depending on number of questions answered
      5. Family and friends are also brought on to watch the 
         proceedings
   C. What people will be willing to do for money!
   D. Nevertheless, the show and its concept can help us understand 
      much about humanity and God's wisdom in the Scriptures
   E. Let us consider this today

II. Devotion to Money
   A. The first thing the show illustrates is the blinding desire 
      for money
      1. Think of it-- answer 100 questions honestly, get a half a 
         million dollars!
      2. The rub, however, is within the questions!
   B. The questions are not easy-- they dig into the deepest 
      recesses of people and their histories
      1. Most of the contestants have not been fully truthful with 
         their friends, family members, and others
      2. Sometimes, no doubt, the contestants themselves don't want 
         to come to terms with the full truth!
   C. In the end, there will be great consequences for gaining the 
      money
      1. Sure, you might get rich...
      2. ...but in the process alienate your family and loved ones, 
         lose your job, or perhaps even face criminal proceedings!
   D. It just goes to show how devoted some people are to money-- 
      it does not matter what gets lost as long as money is 
      obtained!
      1. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 indeed!
      2. What good is the money if you have nothing left to show 
         for yourself?
      3. If your spouse leaves, your family is mad, your boss fires 
         you, and everyone in the world knows the inner recesses of 
         your being, you're going to need that money!
   E. Yet what people on this show do rather outwardly and 
      explicitly is being done by thousands more throughout the 
      world!
      1. Not everyone devoted to money goes on game shows!
      2. Many work and work, have no time for family or friends, 
         and ends up being a stranger to everyone
      3. Many are willing to engage in any practice, legal or 
         illegal, to gain more money
      4. Love of money is destroying households everywhere!
   F. Not limited to money
      1. It's not just money that has become an idol for people 
         (cf. Ephesians 5:3-5)
      2. Drugs, sex, fame-- there are people who are so focused 
         and devoted to these things that they end up losing
         everything else in their lives!
   G. There is only one thing worth devoting your life to obtaining
      1. Matthew 13:44-46
      2. Matthew 16:24-26
      3. The Kingdom of God is the only thing worth losing friends, 
         family, and everything else in life to obtain, for it is 
         the only thing that will truly endure (2 Peter 3:9-12)
   H. Why should you devote your life to things that will not last 
      and that cannot truly please?

III. The Moment of Truth
   A. Perhaps the greatest lesson we can gain comes from the show's 
      concept: the moment of truth
      1. This is the time when all the secrets in the inner recess 
         of the heart are exposed
      2. This is the moment when the person, and those who love 
         him or her, must be confronted with the ultimate reality
   B. You may never go on this television show, but you will have 
      your own moment of truth!
   C. The Scriptures teach regarding the upcoming Judgment Day!
      1. Matthew 12:35-36
      2. Matthew 25:31-46
      3. Acts 17:30-31
      4. Romans 2:5-10
      5. Revelation 20:11-15
   D. Yes, indeed, all people must look forward to the day when 
      they will be called into account for their words and deeds!
   E. What do you think about that day?
      1. What are the deepest, darkest secrets that you hold to 
         dearly?
      2. They very well might be exposed before all!
      3. Do not be deceived-- that day is coming, and we will all 
         have to render our accounts!

IV. Preparation for the Judgment Day
   A. Knowing, therefore, that a day of reckoning is coming, how 
      shall we prepare for it?
   B. For Christians, confession!
      1. 1 John 1:9
      2. Confession not a popular concept, since it requires 
         facing one's sins and difficulties head on
      3. What is not confessed now may be exposed later 
         (Ephesians 5:7-15)
      4. If we are willing to come face to face with our sins and 
         failings, we may avoid shame and embarrassment on the 
         Judgment day!
  C. For unbelievers, believing in the Gospel and obeying Jesus!
      1. Ephesians 5:5-6 is clear: punishment will come upon the 
         sons of disobedience!
      2. You can try to hide, deceive yourself, or look the other 
         way, but God's light will expose your darkness on that 
         day!
      3. The solution is quite simple: turn from disobedience 
         and become as an obedient son!
   D. The moment of truth may come upon you at any time-- make 
      your life right with God today!