Summer on the Mount: Truthfulness (Matthew 5:33-37) | Pastor Hayden Thomas

Preaching Point: God’s displeasure with word manipulation should cause you to think carefully before making frivolous promises you are not committed to keeping. 

Main Text: Matthew 5:33–37 33 “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.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 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 take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Teaching Points:

1. Recognize Every Commitment is Made in God’s Presence vv33-36
2. Communicate Simply and Sincerely v37a
3. Distance Yourself from Satanic Practices v37b

Application Questions:

1. What is one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon?
2. Read Psalm 139:1–12 and Matthew 12:36–37. How should recognizing God’s omnipresence cause you to increase the care you put into making commitments and promises that would please God?
3. What are some examples of subtle verbal manipulations that can be utilized to gain the upper hand in relationships with others?
4. Why are these examples counter to gospel-centered relationships?
5. Read Genesis 3:1–6. How are these examples more akin to what Satan tries to do to people than what Christians should do?
6. Read Philippians 2:3. How does counting others as more important than yourself change the way you communicate with them, especially in regard to making promises? 
7. Read James 5:12 and 1 Peter 3:10. What long-term benefits are there in communicating simply and sincerely in contrast to communicating in a way that gives you loopholes to get out of a commitment?  
8. What temptations exist that might motivate you to use ambiguous statements that do not clearly state your level of commitment to someone or something?
9. How do these kinds of ambiguous or subtle evasive statements harm the progression of otherwise healthy, godly relationships? 
10. What are some ways you can keep your communications with others simple and sincere in a way that honors God and others?
11. How can you utilize these principles in the area of an invitation to an event, party, or hang out?
12. How about in a larger commitment like weekly one-on-one discipleship?