FULL SERVICE: *See SERMON ONLY below
SERMON ONLY:
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Introduction: Jesus continues His Sermon on the Kingdom of God, the righteousness of which was superior to the righteousness that was external and surface and at times misapplied, and certainly redirected from their original intent. This is the 4th contrast Jesus between His approach and the approach of the Pharisees and the Scribes. This one concerned oath taking. But in fact, it is so much more than the mere formality of making an oath. But even here, Jesus exposes how even something so elementary became so complicated in the hands of false teachers. Thankfully, we have Jesus to give us the proper understanding. It’s like finding on old vase, functional but hidden for the dirt caked on it. Then Jesus reveals it in all its glory. In His cleaning off the false teachings of the Pharisees and the Scribes, Jesus shows us the beauty of truthfulness as a characteristic of the kingdom that only its citizens can hold.
- The words Jesus uses are not direct quotes from the commandments. In fact, they are a summary of 4 verses (Ex. 20:7, Lev. 19:12, Num. 30:2 and Deut. 23:31. Jesus confronts the false approach by showing us that when the Scribes were finished jumbling them all together, they ended up a million miles from the intention of God. Can you see what they were doing?
- What kind of darkness tries to use the holy commands of God to say what we want them to say! How were they doing this?
- So, by human trickery, (that’s really how they were playing with the Scriptures) if I don’t invoke the name of God, no matter what I swear to, I am not obligated to fulfil it! what are the implications of that?
- I generalize oaths along with the other cognates – promises, covenants, and vows. How many ways can these 4 words would be used in modern life?
- What would happen if there was no accountability for breaking these promises?
- Jesus says that when the intention has been destroyed, (that is the taking of oaths that are solemn), it is best not to have any oaths at all, either by heaven, earth, Jerusalem or even our own heads! Why would He say that, when God swears oaths, as does Jesus, Paul and Peter? What is He really saying to them?
- Beneath the schemes of the religious is a self-serving spirit. In what way is that revealed by Jesus teaching to have no oaths at all in such cases?
- I say that “if you are not trusted based on your reputation and character, all of the oaths and promises won’t add up to a hill of beans! How is that what is beneath formal oath making?
- So, in reality, what is the real meaning of Jesus teaching here?
- Jesus finishes by saying “let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. If he is not talking about the ingredients of what goes into the manufacturing of oaths, how are these simple words to be understood?
- Can a natural man do this in the “kingdom way” Jesus says? Why, why not?
- Lastly, this comes the closest to Jesus repeating that the kingdom belongs to the pure in heart. How does this apply to us now? How is it possible for us to apply, what Jesus seems to imply we should do so?
