Liar Liar Series

LIAR LIAR

A STUDY OVER THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PART XVI (TOPIC: LYING)

OPEN:

The book The Day America Told the Truth says that 91 percent of those surveyed lie routinely about matters they consider trivial, and 36 percent lie about important matters; 86 percent lie regularly to parents, 75 percent to friends, 73 percent to siblings, and 69 percent to spouses.

One study shows that 74 percent of high school students out of 12,000 surveyed,said they had cheated on an exam at least once in the past year. That’s up from 61 percent of students surveyed in 1992.

After doing 3.8 million background checks, Automatic Data Processing Inc. announced that 52 percent of job applicants had lied on their résumés.

1. Another Reason to Keep Your Oath: Judgment Day

BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 12:36-37

12:36 I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Thank God that we live our lives before a gracious God, one who will forgive our sins, isn’t that amazing!

(could put a brief plan of salvation in here, always remembering our audience and who it is we speak to).

By the way, how is the language spoken by your classmates?

2012: There is a movie coming out some time in the near future. The premise of the movie is that the end of the world is here, and the date happens to be 2012, because it is the end of the ancient Central American Mayan Calendar. It is actually referred to as the “Mesoamerican Long Court Calendar Conspiracy.” It is the date when the current Baktun calendar is to be officially over. So some move producers are cashing in on it. Who knows, maybe it will be a good movie. Years ago, Armageddon & Deep Impact were exciting ends to the world also.

Judgment Day: But seriously, and no joking around, there is going to be end, and if the end doesn’t come than we will have an end. And after that end we will face judgment, it is for certain. I can go to 1000 cemetaries and look at tons and tons of graves, few of those people expected death. And whether those who lived 100 years ago, forget that, even 30 years ago, were great at their job or horrible, the only thing history will record them as being is deceased.

Friends, salvation and Gospel of Christ is an amazing message, we need to tell others this message.

2. Why Lie?

This process should be used in invoke a discussion. It is of my belief that youth of today, and maybe even youth of forever, are notorious for their frequent lying. This discussion should be done in a fun-loving way, but firm enough to point out that these lies are sins, and sins are wrong.

A. To Get Out of Trouble: Most common answer I get in 15 years of teaching HS for not handing in homework is that it is done, and it is at home. Funny, I don’t usually get that homework handed in.

B. To Make Money: This car is a great deal! I already paid you back! Whatever! People probably have some stories here, so time to talk is of vital importance. The key here is that this sin is a Two-Fer. If we are lying about money, than we are also stealing. Can I have $5, I will pay you back (without any intent).

C. For Revenge: There are people who will purposefully wreck someone’s reputation to put them down. Hate someone, no problem, just spread a rumor (it is what the Pharisees did to Jesus).

D. To Cover up Another Lie: Pathologically speaking, some people lie ALL THE TIME. They don’t even know the truth themselves—it’s not possible. They live in a fake world and don’t ever change their ways.

(a truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness bears out lies –Proverbs 14:5)

E. To NOT Hurt Someone’s Feelings: We tell “White Lies” in order to make someone feel good—or so we think so. Sure, you’re new haircut looks great with the pink, purple, and bald stripes (by the way, if our true reason for giving a white lie is to NOT hurt someone, then why do we gossip behind their back?).

F. To Show We Don’t Know Something: If someone asks if we have seen the movie, we sometimes play along like we have seen it.

G. Because We Are Self-Deceived: We just tell ourselves the red light we went thru was yellow to we don’t officially become a law breaker.

H. To Protect Someone: How did Jesse James get a way with bank robbing for so long? No one turned him in when police questioned them. Look, if we tell the authorities when they ask, the authorities are ultimately responsible what they do with the information—not us. Could we be saving some of friends from drugs? They may hate us at the time, but we should tell the truth.