PROMISE KEEPERS
A STUDY OVER THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PART XV (TOPIC: OATHS)
INTRO: PAUL HARVEY STORY ABOUT 4 STUDENTS LATE TO HIGH SCHOOL
Radio announcer told of the classic tale of 4 HS boys who were late to school. When they arrived late, they told the teacher they had had a flat tire. The teacher said that is fine, but you have to make up the quiz. So she put them into 4 separate locations, and they had to answer the question, “which tire was flat?”
TRANSITION: Lying always kind of ends up like that. The lie is discovered as the truth comes out, and the liar is left humiliated because he has been discovered.
BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 5:33-37
5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 5:34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 5:35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 5:36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 5:37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one. (evil one could also mean evildoer).
1. The Rabbi’s, Oaths, Money, & Other Questions.
A. The Rabbi’s:
The rabbi’s, or the religious leaders, had an unusual custom in their day of making people keep their word. For example, if somebody wanted to borrow money, today we go in to a bank, sign a piece of paper that is a legal document, and the money is loaned. Back then, no paperwork. Instead, they had their word. But in order to keep your word, the legal and religious people had an unusual way of swearing oaths.
“I swear to pay you back in the name of God. Or, I swear to pay you back in the name of Jerusalem. Or, I swear to pay you back facing Jerusalem.” And each of these had their own reasons for doing so.
I looked for a giant list of legal terms for these. But I found out that there are so many, there really never was a specific list, and depending on which oath you took, which ones could be broken. For example,
Swear to earth…can break the promise.
Swear to heaven…can break the promise.
Swear to God….not break the promise.
Swear by Jerusalem…not binding.
Swear towards Jerusalem…binding.
People have used their possessions, religion, life, reputation, anything at all.
BUT ALL THIS WAS USED AS SIMPLY A LEGAL PROCESS TO BREAK WHAT WE WOULD CALL CONTRACTS.
Leviticus 19:12:
19:12 You must not swear falsely in my name, so that you do not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
B. What Does this Say About Contracts?
Talk a bit here if the students can understand this, optional.
C. What Does this Say About Bankruptcy?
Talk a bit here if the students can understand this, optional. Remember, the Mosaic law did provide a way to remove oneself from out of the cover of debt, but anyone purposefully taking money they could not repay, OR having the ability to repay money but declaring bankruptcy so they don’t have to…a breach of contract, or a breach of a vow.
D. Bankruptcy Cases (look at Appendix for specifics):
I. Mike Tyson: Despite a stellar boxing career & world titles, filed because he is $27 Million in hole.
II. MC Hammer: Can’t Touch This Man spent $30M, and declared bankruptcy.
III. Michael Vick: Spent $17.7M in his 2 years prior to bankruptcy, in prison made 12 cents/hour.
Note: MC Hammer is now a Christian living his life to fulfill God’s purposes, his lifestyle echoes that of Solomon who experience everything under the sun, but wasn’t satisfied.
E. What if Keeping the Oath Ends Up Hurting You?
Seriously, things change don’t they? God is in charge of the universe isn’t He? If a person takes an oath to be single for three years, what if God puts his future spouse into his life?
BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 15:4
…who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
F. What Does this Say About Going to Court OR Being Sworn in as President?
Talk a bit, get some feedback. The specific question is: if taking an oath is wrong, then why do we place our hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Or why did President Obama and 43 other Presidents do the same?
BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 26:63-64
26:63 But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 26:64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
2. 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.
3. 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.
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. Sometimes people
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.
I. We Are Born Liars And We Just Don’t Stop: In the book Lying and Deception in Everyday Life by Michael Lewis, 2/3rds of 3 year olds lie, & 98% of 7 year olds, unless they are taught differently by parents.
I could give more and more reasons. Fear, doubt, survival, vanity, fame, ego, imitation, whatever. But the Word says we will be held accountable for it.
CLOSE:
BIBLE VERSE: Numbers 30:2
30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath of binding obligation on himself, he must not break his word, but must do whatever he has promised.
What is One of the Biggest Promises Broken to God?
The promise of “I will give my life to the Lord.” Then, we take it back, wrong!
Folks, there is a big difference between someone who “have Christ in his life AND someone who Christ IS his life.” Let’s not take it back.
Sources:
Anselmi, Jeffrey. Integrity. First Christian Church: Arizona, June 2009.
Axelrod, Mark. Sowing Your Wild Oaths. Peace Evangelical & Reformed Church: Wisconsin, January 2007.
Guptill, Dean. 24.9 The Truth About Lying. Cornerstone Wesleyan Church: August 2007.
Hey! Wanna See Some Sin? Geocities.com: Why Do We Lie?
MCHammer Tells Bankruptcy Court He Can’t Pay Bills Because He Is #13.7 Million in Debt. Johnson Publishing Company, Gale Cengage Learning, June 24, 1996.
Thesmokinggun.com. Archives: Mike Tyson, bankruptcy.
Thesmokinggun.com. Archives: Michael Vick, bankruptcy.
Appendix:
Mike Tyson:
AUGUST 4--Despite earning hundreds of millions during his boxing career, Mike Tyson has filed for bankruptcy, claiming that he is "unable to pay my bills," which total about $27 million, according to federal court records. Along with his personal case, the 37-year-old athlete also filed an August 1 bankruptcy petition for his company, Mike Tyson Enterprises. Noting that, "I have been in financial distress since 1998," Tyson and his firm each list dozens of creditors, a group topped by the Internal Revenue Service, whom the boxer owes $13.3 million. The fighter, who has hired a "restructuring and turnaround manager" to help him deal with his financial woes, also listed debts that reflect his lavish lifestyle: a limousine company ($308,749); a Las Vegas jeweler ($173,706); a New York rug store ($78,000); Ferrari of Beverly Hills ($60,603); and a Hawaiian resort ($30,000). And while amounts are not specified, creditor matrixes filed in both cases list ex-wife Robin Givens, her mother Ruth Roper, various lawyers, doctors, and managers, several tax agencies, and an Ohio gas company as also being owed money. Below you’ll find a list of Tyson’s largest personal creditors and his corporate creditors. In a sworn affidavit accompanying both bankruptcy petitions, Tyson states that his "tangible assets" include two Las Vegas residences, cars, and other property. He adds that his "intangible assets" include litigation claims against promoter Don King, Showtime, and other defendants. But he is also being sued for $20 million by Lennox Lewis, the heavyweight champion, who claims that Tyson breached an agreement to fight him a second time.
MC Hammer:
Rapper MC Hammer, who filed for bankruptcy nearly two months ago (JET, April 22), recently told the United States Bankruptcy Court Central District of California that he is $13.7 million in debt and only has $9.6 million in assets.
The award-winning singer end entertainer, whose real name is Stanley Kirk Burrell, said he has no idea how much money he’ll get from royalties from songs because his re cords "could be selling anywhere out there. (But) as far as being in, like, a regular job, it doesn’t work like that."
The rapper who skyrocketed to fame with his 1990 album, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt `Em, listed among his debts $110,000 to an interior decorator who went nut of business when he didn’t pay; $100,000 to the IRS; $500,000 to a lawyer; and a $500,000 loan from Dallas Cowboys star Deion Sanders.
Michael Vick:
NOVEMBER 13--Michael Vick, who now earns 12 cents an hour for prison work, has just filed detailed reports and ledgers showing how his financial condition imploded in tandem with his football career. Vick, who declared bankruptcy in July, yesterday filed a statement of financial affairs charting how he spent $17.7 million in the two years preceding his Chapter 11 petition (keep in mind, of course, that he has been imprisoned since November 2007). As seen below, the two-page statement lists the former football star’s payments to lawyers, relatives, and the mothers of his children. Lousy investments, security, cars, a boat, $3.5 million in "miscellaneous" transfers, and $1.1 million in checks made out to "Cash" are also memorialized in the ledger. One indication of Vick’s, um, unorthodox financial controls can be found in the recording of a $1000 check cut to his mother Brenda Boddie in October 2006. At the time, Vick gave a brief description of the payment: "chump change." Vick’s U.S. District Court filings also included a list of the nine cars he owns: a $73,000 Land Rover is driven by his fiancee, the woman’s mother uses a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, and Vick’s brother Marcus drives a 2007 Land Rover. A 2007 Infinity is even kept in Leavenworth, Kansas--where Vick is imprisoned--for use by his fiancee, Kijafa Frink, when she visits the federal lockup. The court records also describe Vick’s financial interest in about five horses. But considering that the ex-quarterback is behind bars for dog fighting and knew that his cronies killed underperforming pit bulls, Vick might have offered a more assuring statement on the well-being of the horses than, "Upon information and belief, these horses are being fed and cared for by an individual, unknown to the Debtor, who is not being paid or compensated for his services."
PROMISE KEEPERS
A STUDY OVER THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PART XV (TOPIC: OATHS)
BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 5:33-37
5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an ________________, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 5:34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 5:35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 5:36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 5:37 Let your word be ‘Yes, __________________’ or ‘No, _________________.’ More than this is from the evil one. (evil one could also mean evildoer).
1. The Rabbi’s, Oaths, Money, & Other Questions.
The Rabbi’s ___________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
Leviticus 19:12 _________________________________________________________________________
Oath Questions:
Contracts? ____________________________________________________________________________
Bankruptcy? ___________________________________________________________________________
If the Oath Hurts? ______________________________________________________________________
Going to Court? ________________________________________________________________________
Being Sworn in as President? _____________________________________________________________
2. Another Reason to Keep Your Oath: ______________________________________________
BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 12:36-37
12:36 I tell you that on the day of ______________________________, people will give an account for every worthless ___________________________________ they speak. 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be ____________________________________.
2012
Judgment Day
3. Why Lie?
A. ___________________________________________________________________________________
B. ___________________________________________________________________________________
C. ___________________________________________________________________________________
D. ___________________________________________________________________________________
E. ___________________________________________________________________________________
F. ___________________________________________________________________________________
G. ___________________________________________________________________________________
H. ___________________________________________________________________________________
I. ____________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE VERSE: Numbers 30:2