The Sermon on the Mount (Part 11)

Matthew 5:33-37

Text (Matthew 5:33-37): 33. Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Introduction: The Pharisees thought that if you swear on the name of God that mad an oath more binding. Christ is telling us first not to swear, then we ought to be content with a simple yes to affirm something, or a no to deny something as the truth.
 
I.   Christ’s references to the Old Law
Leviticus 19:12, and Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Why did Christ reference the Old Law?

  • They were still under the Old Law – Romans 7:1-6, Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 9:15-16, and Hebrews 10:12-20.
  • The Old Law is a reference to us for learning – Romans 15:4
      II.   Christians should be people of truth
Look at what happened to Ananias and his wife for lying – Acts 5:1-10

Lying is of the Devil – John 8:44

Lie not one to the other – Colossians 3:9
 

III.   The mouth, a place that CAN spew evil easily
The tongue can do some bad things – James 3:5-6;8

We should speak good things – I Peter 3:8-12

The mouth should be used to confess Christ – Romans 10:10

The mouth should be used to glorify God – Romans 15:6
 

Conclusion: It should not be that we swear by God for someone to believe us. We should have reputations of being truthful.
 
 

Copyright 2001 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others. www.christianlibrary.org

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