I Didn’t Know You Were Looking

I. Text: Matthew 24:35-51

II. We are sometimes caught doing embarrassing or irresponsible things

A. Kids and chores

B. As parents, we try to teach our children responsibility and accountability by giving them work to do

C. However, children are resourceful when it comes to avoiding work.

D. Toys that they have not played with for years will suddenly become the focus of their attention. Though absorbed in their diversion, their ears are tuned to the sound of an opening door or other sign that the parents are coming. Quickly, the put down the toy and spring into the appearance of working. The most obvious behavior is when they quickly and reflexively jump from one part of the room to the other, thinking they have fooled their parents. Parents, though the experience of rearing children and being children, know the tricks and can tell when the child is not doing his work.

E. Goofing off at work

F. Kids are not the only ones who try to get out of their responsibilities.

G. People may be talking about something personal—work around the house, football game, latest movie—until the boss rounds the corner and they quickly change the conversation to something work related.

H. They think they have fooled the boss though he may have been listening well before he came into sight. Though the boss may not say anything then, it becomes part of his mental file of that individual

I. When I worked in computer contracting, I would often surprise someone who was hitting sports, news, or entertainment Internet sites while they were supposed to be working.

J. They would quickly hit the back key or a key to switch programs but I could tell what they were doing. If I did not say anything, they might think they had gotten away with something but, if they did not complete their project on time or were in danger of falling behind, I would remind them of their wasted time. I had little sympathy for a person who put themselves, and the development team, in jeopardy because they failed to meet their responsibilities.

K. People talking during the lesson

L. People get caught during worship services as well. Some try to talk during a class or a sermon but try to hide what they are doing. Some will lean towards one another and, when the preacher looks at them, stop talking and put a thoughtful, curious look on their face. Others will act like they are intently reading a passage while they are sleeping. I recognize these things because I have seen them often and, as a child, I did them.

M. Some of these are serious, some are amusing, but they illustrate how we often fail to do what we should do

N. Common elements

O. People were not doing what they should be doing. People thought they were getting away with something. The people did not get away with anything, though the person who caught them may not have said anything.

III. We cannot fool God

A. Hidden sin

B. There is no such thing as a sin that is unknown by God

C. We might hide the sin from others

D. We may try to cover our tracks and hide evidence. As with the example of kids and employees, people probably know much more than we think they know. Things eventually unravel and our sin is discovered. God always knows our sin

E. We will know that we are sinning

F. Even if others do not immediately know that we are sinning, we know.

G. It can, and should, cause us discomfort, Psalm 32:3-5

H. Sometimes we can become physically ill because of the stress of sinning AND trying to hide the sin.

I. The person can never have true peace and calm

J. They do not know when they might slip and let others know about their sin (phone message) They do not know when evidence might surface to reveal their hidden life (lady who figured out about husband’s affair) They are not wholly dedicated to God, therefore, they cannot have the peace that comes by devoting oneself completely to God. With the lack of peace is the shame that one feels because of his sin and his sneakiness

K. We must do what is right because it is right

L. We must not be men pleasers

M. Hypocrites are those who try to live one way but project another image Jesus compared them to white polished tombs filled with filthiness and decay, Matthew 23:25-28 We should not endeavor to please men, but please God, Colossians 3:22-24

N. We should have a character, molded in Christ’s spirit, that will move us to do right

O. Whether it is popular or not Whether others see or not Acting out of love for God not fear

IV. We must always be prepared to meet God

A. Jesus will come when we are not expecting him

B. Matthew 24:22-24 There will be no last minute changes to make things right, 1 Corinthians 15:50-52

C. Blessed servant is always prepared

D. Matthew 24:45-461 Thessalonians 5:1-11

V. Are you ready to meet God? Do you realize that He is watching and sees the good and evil?