September 13, 2015
Morning Service

Matt. 5:33-42

 

            As we are studying the Sermon on the Mount, we see the different topics that are much needed today, but also just how difficult some of them are to adhere too.  I can readily see that there are some of these teachings that I have great difficulty in conquering.  But I realize the goal is to work toward accomplishing them, whether we do or not is up to God, but our part is to strive for victory over them.

However, the one we have this morning should not be too difficult for anyone.

 

Mat 5:33-42  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 

·         Said by them of old time:  Lev 19:12  And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

·         Deu 23:23  That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

(34)  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 

(35)  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  (36)  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.  (37)  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

·         This one is simple, don’t swear.  This is one of the first lessons your Mother taught you growing up.  “I’ll wash your mouth out with soap, if I hear that again.”  Familiar?

·         But Jesus here is talking about swearing an oath.

·         The Bible has a lot to say concerning conversations.  Every time you study your Bible there will be topics that God will bring again to your mind, as you live for Him daily.

·         Ecc 5:2  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

·         Pro 10:19  In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

·         Pro 13:3  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

·         Pro 15:2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

·         Jas 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

·         Jas 3:8-13  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  (9)  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  (10)  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  (11)  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  (12)  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  (13)  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

·         Jas 4:11  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

·         The Apostle Paul;= Col 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

·         Jesus said this in another place; “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”

In order to bridle the tongue, the heart has to be changed.  This happens only by being born again, and having Jesus live in you.   Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

 

Listen to Paul again; Col 3:1-10  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  (3)  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  (5)  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  (6)  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  (7)  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  (8)  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  (9)  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  (10)  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

 

Working at controlling the tongue is a very important part of a Christian’s life.  Sometimes it is harder for some than others.  It’s the way with all our short comings, what easy for you to overcome, may be really hard for me, but the important thing is that we are trying to be better Christians.

 

We think of the Scriptures that say, “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”  And again, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”

 

We serve a God who is able to transform anyone who wants to be transformed.

But we see that in these last days, people are so caught up with the things of this world, that they have no time for God, nor do they fear God the way they should.

 

The Apostle Paul told Timothy;  2Ti 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

If we can’t this happening then we are as blind as the world.  The way things are today people should be knocking the doors down to get into the church, but as we can see, they are not.

 

James sums it up at the beginning of his letter when he says, Jas 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLOSER WALK WITH YOU.  GIVE US THE DESIRE TO BE FAITHFUL AND TRUE.   AMEN.