My sermon/teaching notes for Wednesday, Sept. 23rd Our current Wednesday Series is THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week please visit http://www.fbcap.net
Oaths & Honesty
Matthew 5:33–37 – [33] “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ [34] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (ESV)
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn – v. 33
Of old
- This involved invoking God’s name, or substitutes for it, to guarantee the truth of one’s statements
- Lev. 19:12, Numbers 30:2, Deut. 23:21
Swear Falsely, but shall perform
- Do what you say you will be.
- Honesty and integrity
But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all… – v. 34
- Using oaths to affirm truth.
- Pharisee were experts of side-stepping truth
- Jesus is forbidding
- careless words
- deceptive words
- Not that an oath is evil, but that we WOULD NEED AN OATH to protect ones integrity.
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil – v. 37
- Simply…Yes or No.
- Nothing mor should be needed
Application
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. (ESV)
Philippians 4:8–9 – [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV)
1 Peter 3:10–12 (Ps. 34:12-14) “Whoever desires to love life and see good days let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; [11] let him turn away from evil and do good ;let him seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (ESV)
Proverbs 10:9 – Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (ESV)