TEXT: Matthew 7:18:23

MEMORY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 8:21 “Providing for honest things; not only in the sight of the
Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

TEACHER’S OBJECTIVE
Each child should be able to explain pretense as it relates to Christianity or service to God.

CENTRAL TRUTH
God knows the intents of every heart. He weighs actions and motives behind them. God
cannot be deceived or mocked.

INTRODUCTION
Pretense is an act of behaving in a particular way in order to make a person believe something that is not true i.e. it is falsehood. Because our God is honest and pure, no one can go away with pretence in His sight. We cannot hide from God if you say you are a child of God but you are not with time your actions will tell.

PROGRESSION OF EVENTS
1. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
2. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
3. By your fruits you will be known.
4. It is not every one that says Lord, Lord that shall enter into the kingdom of God, but He
that does the will of God.
5. Jesus said, on that day many will say “Lord, Lord we have prophesied in thy name and done many wonderful things.
6. Jesus said, “He would say unto them, I never knew you depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

LIFE APPLICATION
• Have you been living a double life?
• How do you present yourself to people around especially those that do not know you too closely?
• What is your lifestyle at home, at school, in church or outings like.
• Are you pretentious?

MESSAGE OF SALVATION
Those who pretend always do things to be seen by men, they act to impress others, to
portray what they are not.

CONCLUSION
Don’t pretend, be honest. Do not behave one way in Church and another way at home. God hates the pretentious; He loves people who are truthful to self and others.

CHALLENGE
Be yourself at all times. Do not try to impress anyone because you will be judged by your intentions or motives for doing whatever you do. Do all to the glory and praise of God, not men.

INVITATION
Have you been serving God to impress men? Stop and have a change of attitude for the coming of the Lord is at hand and He will only take those that are truly His, those that have been serving or living to do His will. Remember, He created you, so He knows you in and out.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What will happen to those who pretend? On the last day Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
2. Is it good to pretend? No.

DAILY DEVOTION
MONDAY - Matthew 7:18 - Be honest
TUESDAY - Matthew 7:19-20 -By your fruits you will be known.
WEDNESDAY - Matthew 7:21 -Only those that do the will of God will enter heaven.
THURSDAY - Matthew 7:22 - Don’t pretend.
FRIDAY - Matthew 7:23 -God will reject those that pretend.
SATURDAY - Titus 1:15 -Unto the pure all things are pure
SUNDAY - Titus 1:16 - Do not pretend.