Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The subject of oath taking
This was another matter the Lord Jesus had to address

2. This had become a scandalous sin problem

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:33-37

1. An ancient teaching

‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’

Matthew 5:33

a) This may be traced to Leviticus

And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12

b) It may be further compared with a text in Deuteronomy/ Exodus

‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Deuteronomy 5:11; Exodus 20:7

2. The original teaching had changed for the worse

3. People were swearing in different ways

4. They think that if they do not actually use God’s name, it would be “all right”

a) People were swearing by heaven

b) They were swearing by the earth

c) They were also swearing by Jerusalem

d) They were swearing by their head

5. The response of the Lord Jesus

a) Heaven
It is God’s throne

b) Earth
It is God’s footstool

c) Jerusalem
It is the city of the great king (The LORD)

d) Head
Meaningless: One cannot make the hair black or white

6. The Teaching of the Lord Jesus

a) Let “Yes” be “Yes”

b) Let “No” be “No”

c) Meaning:

i) God’s name should not be used lightly

ii) It is holy/ sacred

iii) His name is to be revered

iv) We should be people who are honest

Our word should be our bond!

7. A solemn word of warning

a) There is the danger of being used by the evil one

b) His work is that of:

i) Deception

ii) Dishonesty

iii) Disregard of God and things which are holy