Be Honest
Be • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 20:45
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· 9 viewsThe world has tried to teach us how to live our lives. Through influencers and media, they push their agenda. But Jesus has a different way, a better way, and we are going to take our time and unpack what Jesus' way is.
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Intro
Intro
we are continuing our series BE
I realized I skipped a portion of scripture last week. The reason I say I skipped it is that I have the whole series mapped out, and in order to finish when planned, I need to stick to the schedule.
However, it does tie into nicely with what we are talking about, so we will reference it loosely
last week we talked about adultery, and how this is not just a married person’s problem, and it is not just a sexual problem. If you are single now, that doesn’t mean you will always be single, and God knows when and if you will be married. So, any sexual activity you engage in now would be considered adultery. But it isn’t just looking at someone of the opposite sex we need to be aware of. Lust is literally to desire or yearn for. We can desire a lot of different things, and there’s no shortage of things that would love to take the throne of your life away from your spouse. What are the things in life that are trying to steal away your time or your heart from your spouse?
This week, we are diving into Jesus’ teaching on vows.
Lawyer Shows
Lawyer Shows
anyone else ever watch the show Suits? If you’ve never seen the show, it is a bunch of corporate lawyers trying to outdo each other. Over the course of the show, they have clients that need better contracts, and they have clients trying to get out of contracts. They are always looking for loopholes, either trying to eliminate them or exploit them. Not exactly the most edifying show, but the wit and intensity is something I enjoy
Unfortunately, it is the pursuit of the loophole that Jesus is trying to address in our next passage of Scripture
“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’
But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.
And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
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in order to understand what Jesus is addressing, we need to understand what the law teaches us about taking vows
The Law:
“Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.
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“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin.
However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow.
But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.
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Vows:
Both passages talk about making vows using God’s name
Jews were taught that speaking the name of God was dishonoring
Legal experts found ways to get around the law and break oaths
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there is two things at work here. The first was that if you broke a vow made to God, you were profaning or bringing shame to God’s name. To make a vow to God was supposed to be unbreakable and top priority. To treat a vow made to God as breakable was to undermine God’s authority
the other thing was the consequences of breaking the oath. If the oath or vow was broken, something or someone had to be destroyed. So swearing by heaven or earth or Jerusalem is inappropriate because God alone has authority over those things.
the true purpose of the oath was to encourage the person making the oath to keep their word, especially when it was tempting to break it
New Standard
New Standard
Jesus was calling his followers to something more. Instead of making oaths and vows as a sign that you will keep your word, just keep your word. If you say you are going to do something, do it
One commentator said,
He who cannot be believed without [swearing by] God is already condemned.
He who cannot be believed without [swearing by] God is already condemned.
If you have to promise to keep your word in order for people to believe you are going to keep your word, something is wrong.
One writer asked, “Has your kid ever asked you to promise that you will carry out your word? Why did he or she feel the need to make you promise, unless at some point you broke your word to them.”
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Think about who you are most likely to break your word to. Chances are you less likely to break your word to those in authority or power, and more likely to break your word to your kid or some one who has no authority over you
What Jesus is saying is that your yes is yes, no matter who you’re saying yes to. Your no is no, no matter who you’re saying it to
The reality is that keeping your word may cost you something. It may inconvenience you.
But keeping your word is worth more then it will ever cost you. Remember, God’s word is unchanging, so why should our words ever change? If you are willing to stand by your word, no matter how much it costs, people will begin to trust you.
BE True to your word
BE True to your word
God’s never changes, God’s word is always true. Jesus is the truth. May we treat the things we say with the same kind of weight. Keep your word to everyone, not matter what the potential cost may be.
Let’s pray.