Download the Sermon Notes here: SOTM Pt 26 – Keep Your Word
Discussion Guide:
In our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we have been exploring the profound transformation Jesus calls us to as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Today, we delve into the heart of Christian ethics, which is not merely about right behavior, but about the motivations that drive our actions and the goals we seek to achieve. As followers of Christ, we are called to a life that is radically different from the world’s standards and the religious distortions of Jesus’ time.
Jesus challenges us to examine our hearts and align our lives with the principles of loving God and loving people. This alignment results in right behavior, stemming from pure motives, with the ultimate goal of glorifying our Father in Heaven. As we have discussed, Jesus addresses various aspects of life, including anger, offense, and sexual ethics, all pointing to the condition of the heart and its impact on our relationships with God and others.
In today’s focus, we confront the issue of truthfulness. Jesus teaches us that our words should be a reflection of our integrity. In Matthew 5:33-37, He instructs us not to swear oaths but to let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no.” This teaching is a direct response to the religious leaders’ manipulation of the law, which allowed for deceit under the guise of technicalities. Jesus calls us to a higher standard, where our words are trustworthy because they are rooted in a life that follows Him.
The world may see lying as acceptable, with statistics showing the average person lies multiple times a day. However, as Christians, we are to be known for our truthfulness. If we cannot be trusted in small matters, how can we be trusted with the Gospel’s message? The enemy desires for our testimony to be undermined by falsehood, but we must stand firm in truth, speaking it in love as instructed in Ephesians 4.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from today’s message:
1. Christian ethics transcend mere behavior; they are about the transformation of the heart. When our hearts are aligned with God’s will, our actions naturally follow. This alignment is not just for our benefit but for the glory of God, as our lives become a testament to His transformative power. [05:58]
2. Truthfulness is not optional for a follower of Christ; it is a fundamental aspect of our witness. Our words must be consistent with our actions, and our actions consistent with the teachings of Jesus. When we live in such congruence, our testimony becomes credible and powerful. [15:42]
3. The world’s acceptance of deceit should not influence our commitment to truth. As Christians, we are set apart, and our integrity should reflect the character of Christ. Our honesty in all things, big and small, builds trust and honors God. [22:00]
4. Our speech should always be seasoned with love, as we are instructed in Ephesians 4. Speaking the truth in love is not just about what we say but how we say it. Our goal is to build up, not tear down, to encourage, not discourage. [22:42]
5. The enemy seeks to discredit the message of the Gospel by attacking the messenger’s credibility. By maintaining truthfulness in all areas of life, we safeguard our testimony and ensure that the message of Christ’s love and salvation is heard and received with trust. [20:23]
**Bible Reading:**
1. Matthew 5:33-37 (ESV) “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.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
2. Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”
3. Zechariah 8:16-17 (ESV) “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”
**Observation Questions:**
1. In Matthew 5:33-37, what does Jesus say about taking oaths and how does He instruct us to communicate instead? 2. What does the passage imply about the relationship between truthfulness and one’s character?
3. According to Zechariah 8:16-17, what are the things that the Lord commands us to do in relation to truthfulness? 4. How does Ephesians 4:15 connect the act of speaking the truth with the process of growing up into Christ?
**Interpretation Questions:**
1. Why might Jesus have emphasized the need for simple, clear communication such as “Yes” or “No” rather than swearing oaths?
2. How does the command to speak the truth in love challenge the way we typically think about honesty and its role in relationships?
3. Considering Zechariah 8:16-17, what might be the consequences of not speaking the truth to one another within a community?
4. In what ways does speaking the truth reflect our growth and maturity in Christ as mentioned in Ephesians 4:15?
**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where you might not have been completely truthful. What motivated your response, and how could you handle it differently in the future?
2. Identify a situation where you find it challenging to speak the truth in love. What is one step you can take to improve in this area?
3. Think about your daily interactions. Choose one relationship where you will commit to being more intentional about your honesty this week. What specific action will you take to ensure your words are trustworthy?
4. How can you demonstrate integrity in your speech in a culture that often excuses small lies? Give an example of a scenario you might face this week and how you plan to uphold truthfulness.
5. Consider a time when someone’s honesty had a significant impact on you. How can you emulate that example in your own life, and with whom will you start?
In conclusion, as we continue to walk through the Sermon on the Mount, let us commit to living out the Christian ethic of truthfulness in every aspect of our lives. Let our words and actions be a reflection of the One we follow, and may our lives bring glory to our Father in Heaven.