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November
6
2016

The Sermon on the Mount: The King’s Mandate: To Tell the Truth

Sermon Series: The Life of Christ: From Creation to the Cradle to the Cross to the Crown

Sermon Title: The Sermon on the Mount: The King’s Mandate: To Tell the Truth

Sermon Text: Matthew 5: 33-37

Sermon Date: November 6, 2016

 What Jesus says in these passages touch on every area of life.

 He deals with our church life (vv. 21-26),

 our thought life (vv. 27-30),

 our married life (vv. 31-32),

our business life (vv. 33-37),

our personal rights and possessions (vv. 38-42),

and even our relationship toward our enemies (vv. 43-48).

  1. The Perception of the Law – verse 33
  1. The Tradition of an Oath
  1. Old Testament-Gen 21: 23-24
  2. New Testament-Gal 1:20
  3. Jesus-anytime he used the word verily, verily
  1. The Corruption of the Oath-“You shall not swear falsely”
  2. The Obligation to the Oath-“but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.”

    God fully expects His people to keep their promise

    Num.30:2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth

    Ecclesiastes 5: 4-5 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

     

  1. The Proclamation of the Lord –verses 34-36
  1. The Caution “But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all”
  2. The Application -34-36

    Jesus makes application to the other oaths and offers a reminder that regardless of the oath, it is in essence made unto the Lord. He speaks of:

  1. A Moral Oath – 34 Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,”  We know of people who seek to appear moral and upright, but really are deceptive and manipulative.  They seek to use the appearance of morality to further their greed and immoral desires.
  2. A Material Oath -35a “or by the earth, for it is his footstool,” This is a reference to their material good and gain.  They seek to use their wealth and possessions as a means of influence and never give God the praise for His blessing in their life. Romans 14:6 warns “The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
  3. A Positional Oath -35b “or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.” This is a reference to the pride and arrogance of some because they bear special privilege and they abuse that influence for their own gain.  They believe they are above the law.
  4. A Personal Oath – 36 “And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.”  This is the most arrogant of all.  They feel as if they have acquired all they possess by themselves and they don’t need the help of others. They refuse to acknowledge God, or anyone else, in regard to their lives and possessions. They assume they are their own man and have acquired it all by their own sweat, hard work, and wisdom. What they fail to realize is that God has given them all that ability. Without Him they could do nothing. They feel as if they are the one in control, but in reality they are no less dependent upon the Lord than any other.

     

  1. The Principle for Life –verse 37  “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;  anything more than this comes from evil.”
  1. Involves Honesty – Say what we mean and mean what we say. No deception or dishonesty in our communications.
  2. Involves Integrity –We must be willing to stand for truth and oppose that which is not right based on the clear teaching of Scripture.
  3. Involves Purity –“anything more than this comes from evil.” When we stray from the will and ways of God, we have given in to the influence of evil. All of life should be based upon the Word of God and in accordance to it. If God commands us to do it, we should obey. If He warns us to avoid something, we must be willing to refrain from that. If we seek to live according to the Word and please Him in all we do, we will enjoy a life of victory and abundance!

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