Blog Detail

About God’s Law… Jesus continues to explain.       (Pg.1)

In this New Year we will continue our studies of the Lord’s own Sermon in recorded by Matthew in chapters; 5, 6, & 7, because even though we sit under many anointed preachers to hear their sermons, and are blessed… surely Jesus’ own sermon deserves our continued study.

We continue with Jesus’ words from His Sermon recorded in Matthew chapter 5…

After teaching about infidelity; marriage; and divorce; (Matthew 5:27-32) Jesus explains more about the Old Testament Law in Matthew 5:33-37… “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.

— Vs.33 is about falsely making a solemn promise using the Lord’s name to seal your word.

Q1. Is Jesus saying that we should be quiet and only say, “yes” or “no”?

Comments:____________________________________________________________________
(A good example of why we need to read the scriptures in the context of what is being discussed.)

Q2. Can you name some times when we are called upon to make such oaths?

Comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wedding Vows: I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.

Oaths of Allegiance – I, [name], do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, his heirs and successors. So help me God.

CAF enlistment oath – “I ……… (full name), do solemnly swear and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”

Q3. How should we handle those oath-taking moments?

Comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

***

About God’s Law… Jesus continues to explain.          (Pg.2)

SEE… Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He who has clean hands and a pure heart, *who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. (5) He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
– To help us understand… Psalm 24:4 (GNB) Those who are pure in act and in thought, *who do not worship idols or make false promises.

Q4. (From vs.3-5) How do we receive salvation from God? – Is it about our honesty and righteousness? (Hint: “He will receive… righteousness from the God of his salvation.)

This theme of refraining from making oaths of promise, is stressed again in James 5:12…  But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

— We see here that James is following the teaching of Jesus…

Q5. Can you think of any loosely oaths or vows spoken out today: _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Q6. What can we learn from this about making an vow / solemn promise? _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Q7. Why did Jesus think it important to preach about honesty and God’s Laws? _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

— This study should reinforce our knowledge of God’s call for us to guard our words.

Q8. A final question. – What damage can a little failed promise do? (It’s about your witness.)

_____________________________________________________________________________

— In closing today, after further discussion, we will take time to pray, thanking God for His instruction, forgiveness, grace, and loving kindness. …KRK