Synopsis: To encourage everyone to live a life with Godly character and integrity, in a manner
which reflects Christ, and for God’s glory.
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Happy New Year everyone!!! I hope you’re having a great start to your 2015.
I am sure some, if not most of you are curious as to why I am standing here at this moment
instead of Pastor Cam. Unfortunately, Pastor Cam is at home still not feeling 100%, as he lost his
voice last week and is still recovering. We shall keep him in prayer for his full recovery.
In his absence, he has requested and has given me his blessing to preach the sermon today. If
some of you have been in the Sunday service in the past couple of months, I have stood before
you to introduce the pre-recorded sermon and to do the announcements. Well today, God had a
slightly different plan in mind. Today, He decided to use me to deliver the message.
I have faith and trust that God doesn’t make mistakes, so I have comfort and trust that He will use
me today, and speak through me. Let us go to our Father in prayer.
The title for today’s sermon is When No One Else Is Looking!
Purpose: To encourage everyone to live a life with Godly character and integrity, in a manner
which reflects Christ, and for God’s glory.
God put this subject on my heart almost a decade ago as I was growing in my relationship with
Christ. There was a desire in my heart to encourage people, as well as myself, to live a life
without hypocrisy so we can truly impact the life of people around us and draw more souls into the
Kingdom. Also, that we would always be prepared to be used by God, such as moments like this
for myself.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Genesis 1:27 (ESV): 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Character: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
: the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality
: a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc.
: a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things
Integrity: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Completeness, wholeness, honesty, sincerity
: the quality of being honest and fair
: the state of being complete or whole
As Christians, there should be something different about our lives that is different than nonbelievers.
We are a peculiar people as the bible says. We are the salt and light of the world.
Acts 5:1-4 (ESV): 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
What do we do when no one is looking and we think we can get away with whatever it is we are
doing that we should not do, and not doing what we should do? What are we watching on
television? What are we listening to that is poisoning our minds? Are we really spending time
with God, praying, studying the scriptures? How do we treat our loved ones behind closed doors?
What are we looking at on the internet?
Luke 8:17 (ESV): 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Here’s a question for all of us. Would I do what I am doing right now in the presence of other
people? Or is my life just a fake façade, a religious show.
Building and shaping our character does not happen over night, it is a process of facing and
enduring trials, tribulations, and many temptations.
James 1:2-4 (ESV): 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (adherence to something in which one is bound by duty) 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking in nothing.
As we go through different issues in life, we are blessed to have a way of escape that God has
provided us through Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Through the saving grace of Jesus, we have been reconciled to God, to have a relationship again with Him. We have also received a helper, which is the Holy Spirit. The spirit of God is here to help us on our Christian journey. There is no way we can make it in this world without the help of the spirit.
When we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, or some may be considering it today at
the start of this new year, it is at this moment, that we truly decide to commit our life to the
Kingdom and live for Christ and no longer for the world.
At this point we also now take on the title of a Christian, which means we are supposed to be Christ like,
which also means we should have His nature, His character and His integrity.
Here are 3 elements to being Christ-like, Christian Perfection (Maturity):
Examination, Preparation, & Implementation
Romans 13:12-14 (ESV): 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1. Examination of yourself
Psalms 51:10: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
We must rely on seeking God in prayer, asking Him to constantly purge our minds, hearts, and
spirits of anything that is not like Him. Most of the time we know when we are not doing what
would please God. As believers, the Holy Spirit gives us that uncomfortable feeling on the inside
when we are not lining up with God’s word.
2. Preparation
We must be continually transformed from our old nature into our new nature by renewing our
minds with God’s word.
Romans 12:2 (ESV): 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The bible is our weapon of warfare. If we are not reading it, studying it, and learning it, we will be
in a spiritual battle without a weapon.
a. The effectiveness of our time with God is measured by the effect it has on our attitude
and behavior. To see results in our life, we have to have meaningful time with God.
b. Athletes spend countless hours in preparation (practice) to be prepared for the main
event, the game or match. We have to be prepared for the spiritual main events in our lives
by spending time preparing in private so when we are in public, our life will reflect Christ in
us.
3. Implementation
James 1:22 (ESV): 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Practice living holy, when no one is looking. Plan and act out your responses when no one is
looking. When you face satan as Jesus did after his fasting for 40 days and nights, you will be
able to rise up and fight with the word of God, AS IT IS WRITTEN…… AS IT IS WRITTEN….. AS
IT IS WRITTEN……. You will be able to use your weapon, the bible to walk in Godly character
and integrity. Let’s pray.
Study text
Romans 8:5-10 (ESV): 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Discussion Questions
- How can we improve our private (When No One Else Is Looking) time with God?
- How can practicing living holy (When No One Else Is Looking) help expand the Kingdom of God?
- How can living a life of Godly character and integrity impact people we encounter everyday?
- Do we spend enough effective time (When No One Else Is Looking) with God.