The Weight of Your Words

Passage

Matthew 5:33-37

Sermon Summary

The Jews of Jesus‘ day swore by things other than God in order to seem trustworthy. Jesus dismantles their logic, challenging his followers to be so trustworthy that they don’t need to swear. Actually becoming trustworthy, however, requires us to first trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross to cover our natural untrustworthiness. When we have done that, we can begin to cultivate our awareness of God’s presence, to embrace our own limitations, and to refresh our confidence in his promises to provide.

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Do you agree with the preacher that Jesus wasn’t categorically banning all oaths and vows? Why or why not?
3. What habits and practices help you to cultivate an awareness of God’s presence?
4. Consider some important oaths or vows you have taken, like marriage vows or church membership vows. In what specific ways is Jesus stirring you to keep them more faithfully?
5. Consider smaller ways that your truthfulness is proved, like “I’ll be there,” or “I’’ll pray for you,” or even an e-vtie RSVP. How does Jesus challenge you to be more rigorously truthful?
6. Describe a “Yes” you gave that should’ve been a “No.” How could you have embraced your limitations and gracefully said No instead?
7. Choose a scripture that belongs in your own “arsenal of truth and beauty.” Write it down. Memorize it.

Resources Consulted:

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• Matthew for Everyone, NT Wright
• The Message of Matthew, John Stott
• The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: John Pennington
• The Sermon on the Mount: Sinclair Ferguson
• The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard
• Essentialism, Greg McKeown

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