Introduction A. The Sermon on The Mount B. The context Matthew 5:16-17 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
God s Law On Vows Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord. Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
God s Law On Vows Deuteronomy 23:21-23 21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. 23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.
I. Be A Person of Your Word 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.
I. Be A Person of Your Word A. The basis of integrity (5:33) B. Vows should not be the norm (5:34-36) 1. You do not own the things you swear by 2. You are not the one who made you 3. You are taking things for granted
I. Be A Person of Your Word James 4:13-16 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
I. Be A Person of Your Word A. The basis of integrity (5:33) B. Vows should not be the norm (5:34-36) 1. You do not own the things you swear by 2. You are not the one who made you 3. You are taking things for granted C. A radical idea Be truthful all the time Zechariah 8:6 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
Restitution on Criminal Offenses Exodus 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Leviticus 24:20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. Deuteronomy 19:21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Verses to Consider Romans 12:17, 19 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 2 Timothy 4:14-15 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Matthew 5:38-42 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
II. Do Positive When Wronged
II. Do Positive When Wronged A. The issue (5:39) B. Four examples (5:39-42) 1. A (backhanded) slap 2. Sues you for your clothes (Exodus 22:25-27, Deuteronomy 24:10-13) 3. Asks you to go a mile 4. Asks you for money (Deuteronomy 15:7-10) Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
II. Do Positive When Wronged
Attitude Toward Others Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
III. Love As God Matthew 5:43-47 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
III. Love As God Matthew 5:43-47 continued 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
III. Love As God A. Can t get there by wrong thinking (5:43) B. A command beyond human thinking (5:44) C. The consequence of loving as God loves (5:45) D. The consequences of loving as man loves (5:46-47) 1. No spiritual reward (v 46) 2. No spiritual difference (v 47)
IV. Conclusion Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.