If You Say You must Say B or A + B =C (1)

(Back to helps home page)    (Sermon, April 28, 2002)
(Back to sermons home page)    (Back to Shultz home page)

April 28, 2002 - Matthew 5:33-37

Open It

  1. Persons in what occupations (for example, ministers, insurance agents, lawyers, car salesmen, and politicians) are often distrusted for what they say?
  2. How do you determine if someone is telling the truth?

Explore It

  1. What ancient teaching did Jesus bring up? (5:33)
  2. What oaths did Jesus' audience consider especially important to keep? (5:33)
  3. How did Jesus update the ancient proverb about oaths? (5:34)
  4. What exceptions did Jesus permit in vow making? (5:34)
  5. Why was it inappropriate to swear by heaven? (5:34)
  6. Why was it inappropriate to swear by earth? (5:35)
  7. According to Jesus, why shouldn't people swear by Jerusalem? (5:35)
  8. Why not swear by one's own head? (5:36)
  9. How should believers respond to questions? (5:37)
  10. What's wrong with swearing oaths? (5:37)

Get It

  1. How much does swearing on a Bible guarantee that a legal witness will tell the truth?
  2. Why do we swear?
  3. In what situations do people typically swear?
  4. What are some ways that our society takes the name of God lightly or frivolously?
  5. What statements of assurance ("Trust me," "Would I lie to you?" "I really mean it this time," etc.) do you hear most often?
  6. How does lying in the name of God affect the reputation of God?
  7. How should we respond when people try to get us to make promises or extra assurances?
  8. What does it imply when people don't take you at your word?

Apply It

  1. What steps can you take this week to become known as a person who keeps his or her word?
  2. What unfulfilled promise have you made in the last week that you need to carry out today?

Notes

Here, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of telling the truth. People were breaking promises and using sacred language casually and carelessly. Keeping oaths and promises is important; it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible. The Bible condemns making vows or taking oaths casually, giving your word while knowing that you won't keep it, or swearing falsely in God's name (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:1-2; Deuteronomy 19:16-20). Oaths are needed in certain situations only because we live in a sinful society that breeds distrust.

Oaths, or vows, were common, but Jesus told his followers not to use them--their word alone should be enough (see James 5:12). Are you known as a person of your word? Truthfulness seems so rare that we feel we must end our statements with "I promise." If we tell the truth all the time, we will have less pressure to back up our words with an oath or promise.

1. Taken from LESSONMaker © 1992-1996, NavPress Software, Used with permission.

(Back to helps home page)    (Sermon, April 28, 2002)
(Back to sermons home page)    (Back to Shultz home page)