Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No 2.16.20 SERIES: The Sermon on the Mount

SERIES: Sermon on the Mount

TEXT: Matthew 5:33-37

MESSAGE: “Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No”

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TEXT: Matthew 5:33-37

 

As we look through today’s text, we see that Jesus calls his followers to be true to their word, to be faithful in all they say they will do.  Today we see how our yes and no impacts the gospel message.

 

Question for today:  How can I let my yes be yes and my no be no?

 

  • The Meaning of Oaths

 

Deuteronomy 6:13

Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

Leviticus 19:12

“ ‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

Matthew 5:33

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.

Matthew 5:34-36

 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 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 swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

Isaiah 66:1

This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. 

Psalm 48:2

Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. 

Matthew 23:16-22

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

 

  • The Impact of Oaths

 

Psalm 37:21

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 

Proverbs 3:28

Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. 

Proverbs 10:26

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.

Proverbs 26:6

 Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

James 5:4 

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

 

  • The Consequence of Oaths

 

Matthew 5:37

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Titus 2:9

 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (ESV)

 

TAKEAWAYS: What can we apply to our lives?

  • Finish what you start.
  • Admit failings and make things right if possible.
  • Give Grace to those who have failed you.

 

 

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