When No One Is Looking

Daniel 1:1-17
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king
of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of
Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into
the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the
treasure house of his god. 3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his
eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed,
and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful
in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as
had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the
learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily
provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them
three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among
these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto
whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of
Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to
Azariah, of Abednego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the
eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king,
who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse
liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my
head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had
set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech
thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our
countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat
of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he
consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten
days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which
did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of
their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these
four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and
Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Introduction:

Today's message is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life. Most of us
know how to put our Sunday faces on. We know how we out to dress, the tone our voices
should take, and all the other Christian trappings that we bring to our public worship. The
key is... who are you when no one is looking? If you have trusted Jesus as your personal
Savior, you owe it to Him to live for Him. Most everyone seems like a good person at
first glance. Some of you children and teen agers brought up in a Christian home have
good manners in public... you have not been involved in the sins