WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.359 I must admit that I'm tempted to not preach this morning and just let Wes and Liz keep singing songs and Wes preaching homilies in between the songs. 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:09.400 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.299 Our text for today will be Matthew chapter 5 verses 33 through 37. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:43.039 And this text falls within what is most often called the Sermon on the Mount. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:46.060 We've been in for quite some months now. 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:52.400 And across our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we've considered two prominent themes. 00:00:52.399 --> 00:01:02.060 So two large frameworks that I think are important for us to have on our minds as we venture into any smaller part of this great sermon. 00:01:02.839 --> 00:01:05.599 The first is human flourishing. 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:12.780 What does it look like to live well as a citizen of God's kingdom? 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:17.539 What does it mean to be a good citizen of this good kingdom? 00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:25.800 And we see that the human flourishing that Jesus teaches is not the same as the flourishing that the world would teach us. 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:29.219 Jesus says at the very outset of the sermon, 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:38.420 Blessed are those who are poor in spirit and who mourn and who are meek and who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:41.820 who are merciful, pure peacemakers, 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:47.059 and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:50.859 It's the ones that Jesus calls flourishing. 00:01:51.539 --> 00:02:02.879 He steps into a world turned upside down by all of the self-sitterness and self-promotion of His day and ours 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.459 and turns it again right side up. 00:02:07.179 --> 00:02:08.120 So that's the first theme. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:12.879 The second theme is the theme of whole person righteousness. 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:21.319 And that would be to say that we are meant to be holy and blameless before God in all senses 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:24.159 and that we are flourishing when we're doing this thing. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:29.140 These themes don't, they interact quite often in the text. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:34.259 Jesus has taught us that citizens of His kingdom are keepers of the law. 00:02:34.259 --> 00:02:38.979 Not that they gain their citizen by the keeping of the law, 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:43.139 but that they have been granted citizenship by the mercy of God. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:48.379 And that this keeping of the law evidences their citizenship. 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:54.539 God's people, the citizens of His kingdom, should be zealous to please their king, 00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:57.159 to walk in His ways. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:04.520 And this law keeping, this righteousness, is not merely meant to be an outward working, 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:07.519 but an inward one as well. 00:03:08.359 --> 00:03:14.519 Both the actions, but the intentions, the feelings, the emotions. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:17.740 What we hope to see accomplished by the actions. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:23.439 Every bit of our being is meant to be leveraged in service to God. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:27.659 And this is what Jesus means when He says in Matthew 5 and verse 20, 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:33.740 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, 00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:37.159 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:41.240 The listeners of His day would have been shocked by this. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.780 The scribes and the Pharisees seemed to have it all figured out. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:48.740 They were the most outwardly righteous. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:52.099 They seemed to be following God. 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:58.419 But He then begins to press this point by using a series of phrases, 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:03.120 beginning in Matthew 5, verses 21 and 22. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:04.500 You'll note at the beginning of 21, 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:08.780 You have heard that it was said to those of old. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:10.620 And then the beginning of verse 22, 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:14.039 But I say to you. 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:19.659 He's taking these common teachings, the rabbinical teachings of the day, 00:04:19.660 --> 00:04:25.040 these standards by which people would have looked at the scribes and the Pharisees 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:26.360 and called them holy, 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.439 and He's correcting them. 00:04:29.140 --> 00:04:32.460 He's showing how they don't actually get to the point. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:38.360 This whole person righteousness that's required of us by God. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:42.520 And He does this six times to the end of chapter 5. 00:04:43.480 --> 00:04:48.780 And what He's doing is bringing about this correction of common misinterpretations 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:50.840 of the law in His day. 00:04:51.400 --> 00:04:53.720 And we are apt to these same errors. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:57.259 We may not pick them up as rabbinical teachings, 00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:01.480 but we may pick them up in other forms in our day. 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:04.819 This morning's text is the fourth in this series 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:09.659 and concerns the making and keeping of promises. 00:05:11.099 --> 00:05:15.039 Human societies depend upon truthfulness. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:18.000 It would suggest that they will both rise and fall 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:23.839 based on the degree of truth that is contained within said society. 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:28.719 We certainly live in a day that it is very difficult to know 00:05:28.719 --> 00:05:33.759 what the truth is and who is telling the truth. 00:05:34.239 --> 00:05:40.319 It is difficult to trust much of anything that you read or hear any longer. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.219 And if you try to delve down and figure out what the truth is, 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:47.319 I find I often get much more confused. 00:05:49.099 --> 00:05:52.120 The state that we find our society in 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:57.060 should not be the case amongst followers of Jesus Christ. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:59.500 Citizens of the kingdom of heaven 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:03.399 are to be characterized by truthfulness. 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:07.319 Truth ushered us into the kingdom. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:12.620 And so we are to be lovers of the truth. 00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:16.980 On your bulletin, you'll find a Richard Sibbes quote 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:19.399 who was a 16th century Puritan. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:20.340 I love this. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:23.139 He said, when we come to be religious, 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:25.159 and by that he means converted to God, 00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:28.119 not the way we think of outwardly religious. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:30.339 When we come to be religious, 00:06:30.619 --> 00:06:33.839 we lose not our pleasure, but translate it. 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:37.519 Before we fed on common notions, 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:41.719 but now we live on holy truths. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:47.660 We should be lovers of the truth as God's people. 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:51.380 And so this morning we will look at our text 00:06:51.380 --> 00:06:56.120 simply and briefly to that end. 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:58.160 Before I read the text, beloved, 00:06:58.260 --> 00:07:00.580 let me remind you that this is God's word to us. 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:04.479 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:07:05.359 --> 00:07:08.479 And as such, we would all do well to listen to it 00:07:08.479 --> 00:07:12.699 in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:17.139 So Matthew chapter 5, and I begin reading in verse 33. 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:22.500 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:24.959 you shall not swear falsely, 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:28.199 but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:30.160 But I say to you, 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:32.199 do not take an oath at all, 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:34.139 either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:36.139 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:39.800 or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:42.000 And do not take an oath by your head, 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:45.240 for you cannot make one hair white or black. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:50.680 Let what you say be simply yes or no. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:54.040 Anything more than this comes from evil. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:58.819 We must first look at the misrepresentation of the law 00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:01.460 that Jesus is correcting. 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:05.699 We need to understand the negative command found here 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:07.780 in order to understand the positive. 00:08:07.900 --> 00:08:10.280 What is Jesus saying we ought not to do 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:15.139 in order for us to understand what it is we are to do? 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:18.100 And so you see in verse 33, 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:20.340 Jesus again with this phrasing, 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:22.819 you have heard it said to those of old. 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:25.840 This was their statement. 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:27.379 You shall not swear falsely, 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:30.780 but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.980 This rabbinical teaching was an amalgamation 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:37.320 of a number of Old Testament texts. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:40.440 It's not a direct citation from any Old Testament text. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:45.220 They likely had in mind texts like Exodus 20, 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:47.100 and verse 7, 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:50.740 you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.120 for the Lord will not hold him guiltless 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:55.120 who takes his name in vain. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:57.680 So you shouldn't make a promise on the name of God 00:08:57.680 --> 00:08:59.259 and then not keep the promise. 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:02.560 This would be an infraction of Exodus 20, 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:03.480 and verse 7. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:07.480 They also may have had in mind texts like Deuteronomy 6, 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:11.200 it is the Lord your God you shall fear, 00:09:11.700 --> 00:09:12.899 Him you shall serve, 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:16.580 and by His name you shall swear. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.120 Or Leviticus 19, 12, 00:09:19.560 --> 00:09:22.560 you shall not swear by my name falsely, 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:25.720 and so profane the name of your God. 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:28.700 I am the Lord. 00:09:29.940 --> 00:09:31.460 So now on the surface, 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:35.460 this seems very satisfactory. 00:09:35.680 --> 00:09:37.779 This idea of you shall not swear falsely, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:41.580 but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:45.019 But there were two very common 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:48.060 and very unsatisfactory practices 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:51.340 in the oath-taking of Jesus' day. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:54.160 And we have to do a little work to understand that. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:55.740 If we simply come to the text, 00:09:56.180 --> 00:09:59.340 we're not his primary audience. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:01.120 We're the wonderful beneficiaries 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:03.200 as a secondary audience, 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:05.620 but he's speaking to a people. 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.120 He's speaking to a culture 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:10.019 and practice of the day. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.879 So there's these two very common 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:14.019 and two very unsatisfactory practices 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:16.800 in the oath-taking of his day. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:22.859 Number one was frivolous swearing. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.939 Oath-making. 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:25.919 I don't mean cursing. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:27.419 I mean oath-making when I say swearing. 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:29.620 Frivolous swearing. 00:10:30.719 --> 00:10:32.000 People would make an oath 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:34.759 for almost anything at all. 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.799 So insignificant statements 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:38.620 were placed on the same level 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:41.219 as very serious statements. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.479 If you should ever be called 00:10:43.479 --> 00:10:45.120 to testify in a court of law, 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:47.159 you will be asked to swear 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:47.840 to tell the truth, 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:48.639 the whole truth, 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.820 and nothing but the truth. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:54.659 This is a very serious matter. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:56.500 You've been called as a witness 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:59.500 and your testimony may free 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:01.399 or imprison someone. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.700 This is a weighty matter. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:04.980 But at times, 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.799 many people in our day 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:08.259 will make a trivial statement 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.000 and then follow it with something like, 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.220 I swear, 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:13.019 or I swear to God. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:16.179 That's the kind of frivolous activity 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:18.199 that was happening in his day. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:20.539 The application of oath-taking 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:22.860 to things that didn't deserve 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:26.439 the weight of oath-taking. 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:30.220 This is this frivolous swearing 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:31.579 that I'm referring to. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:33.759 James Montgomery Boyce, 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:36.500 who was a 20th century Presbyterian minister, 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.199 in his commentary on this text, 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:38.899 said this, 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:41.379 it was exactly as if a servant 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.720 who lived in the household 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:44.579 of an honorable state official 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:46.679 should go around talking about 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:48.100 the honorable house, 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:49.340 the honorable chair, 00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:50.259 the honorable mop, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:51.519 the honorable dishpan, 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.539 and so forth. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:55.079 His speech would then have 00:11:55.079 --> 00:11:56.019 much less meaning 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.699 when he called 00:11:56.699 --> 00:11:58.019 the Lord of the house, 00:11:58.740 --> 00:11:59.159 Your Honor. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.459 So this was a prevalent thing 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:02.980 in the day, 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:04.899 but the more serious abuse 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:07.720 of oath-taking of the day, 00:12:07.959 --> 00:12:09.699 which Jesus more poignantly addresses 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:10.939 in this text, 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.799 was evasive swearing. 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:16.220 Evasive swearing. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:18.699 People were afraid 00:12:18.699 --> 00:12:19.899 to make an oath 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.980 in the name of the Lord 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:23.459 because they were either 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:25.639 telling less than the truth, 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:28.360 they were out and out lying, 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.939 and they didn't want to take 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:32.340 an oath in the name of the Lord, 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:33.039 fearing judgment, 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.719 or they were afraid 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:35.719 that they would be unable 00:12:35.719 --> 00:12:36.819 to keep their promise, 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:39.779 or had no intention 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:42.559 of keeping their promise at all. 00:12:43.099 --> 00:12:46.159 So, they developed the habit 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:49.299 of swearing on something lesser, 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:53.139 like heaven, the earth, 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:55.399 Jerusalem, or their own heads. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:57.319 They'd swear on their own life. 00:12:58.199 --> 00:12:59.579 And these oaths 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:02.219 were not considered binding. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.879 So you could take an oath, 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.459 but in a lesser thing 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:06.279 than God Himself, 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:09.179 and you could get out of it. 00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:10.879 It wasn't really an oath at all 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:13.159 in that case. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:15.179 Jesus speaks to this 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:16.699 in Matthew chapter 23. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.480 This is the chapter 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.679 where all the woes 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.480 to the scribes 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:21.559 are contained within. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.319 And He says, 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.779 beginning in verse 16, 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:26.559 Woe to you blind guides 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:27.339 who say, 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:29.620 if anyone swears by the temple, 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.439 it is nothing. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.879 But if anyone swears by the gold 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.779 of the temple, 00:13:34.079 --> 00:13:35.759 he is bound by his oath. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.720 So these are these laws 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.199 they put in place. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.259 Jesus says, 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:41.240 you blind fools, 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.799 for which is greater, 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:44.220 the gold or the temple 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:46.759 that has made the gold sacred? 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.759 And you say, 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:50.959 if anyone swears by the altar, 00:13:51.199 --> 00:13:51.899 it is nothing. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:54.000 But if anyone swears by the gift 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.879 that is on the altar, 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:57.079 he is bound by his oath. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.879 You blind men, 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.360 for which is greater, 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:02.579 the gift or the altar 00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:04.439 that makes the gift sacred? 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:07.319 So whoever swears by the altar 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:08.259 swears by it 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.939 and by everything on it. 00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:11.860 And whoever swears by the temple 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.779 swears by it 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:15.860 and by him who dwells in it. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.939 And whoever swears by heaven 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:19.579 swears by the throne of God 00:14:19.579 --> 00:14:21.500 and by him who sits 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.980 upon it. 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:25.340 The Pharisees, 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.940 in an effort to carefully 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:28.460 keep the law, 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:31.299 so often lost sight 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:32.399 of the spirit 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:34.019 of that law 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:36.860 and became far too concerned 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:38.960 about the letter of it. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.019 People lived, 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.980 as many do today, 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.840 as if any part of their life 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.480 could ever be separated 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.860 from the presence of God. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:51.240 And this is simply not so. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:55.539 So this was the misrepresentation 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.080 of the law that Jesus is correcting. 00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.580 It appears on the surface 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.560 to be so good. 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.320 If you make an oath, 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:01.980 keep it. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.899 But this was the practice 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.960 that was going on 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.159 in the day 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:08.100 to try to avoid 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.759 the biblical way 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.700 in which oaths are meant 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:13.000 to be made 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:14.300 and kept. 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.899 So he's correcting them. 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:17.219 This frivolous 00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:19.919 and this evasive swearing. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:22.120 One minimizing the truth 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.279 and the other avoiding it 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.120 altogether. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.959 And he does so 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:27.459 with the following statement. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.759 We've read already. 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:29.699 Verse 34, 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:51.020 Now there are many, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.240 even today, 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.500 that believe that Jesus here 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.400 is abolishing 00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:57.900 the practice of oath-taking 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.899 completely. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.100 He is entirely doing away 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.679 with it altogether. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.159 There are those 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.759 who refuse to make promises 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.860 with any degree 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.860 of gravitas 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.279 who do not hold 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.059 that one should take 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:11.319 an oath in a court of law 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.819 or that doctors, 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:13.759 police officers, 00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:14.879 military personnel, 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.019 judges, 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:18.299 our elected officials, 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.259 and so forth 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.639 should be sworn in 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:22.000 to their prospective offices. 00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:23.360 They all take oaths 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.460 when they do this 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.779 to upkeep 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.100 particular promises 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:29.220 of that office. 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.299 I am not one 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.419 of those people 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:34.299 and I will show you why 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:36.100 from the two testaments. 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.600 So what I'm doing here 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:39.360 is I'm debunking 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.039 the idea, 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:40.699 I hope, 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:43.179 that we ought not ever 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.879 take an oath 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.559 that Jesus' word, 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.579 but I say you do not 00:16:45.579 --> 00:16:46.819 take an oath at all, 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.279 has to be placed 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.379 in its proper context 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.559 and in the larger context 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.000 of Scripture 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.720 to understand 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.539 what it is 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.220 he's combating 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.180 specifically 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.720 in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.340 So let me show you 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.440 from the two testaments 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.100 briefly. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.019 So first in the Old Testament, 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.680 I read it to you already, 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:03.420 but in Leviticus 19.12, 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.160 God gives instruction 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:07.539 for the taking of oaths. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.380 He tells us 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:10.559 in this particular case 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:13.000 how not to take an oath. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.120 So there's a positive 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:15.440 implication as well. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.380 He says, 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:18.019 you shall not swear 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:20.059 by my name falsely 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.860 and so profane 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.879 the name of your God. 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.719 I am the Lord. 00:17:24.219 --> 00:17:25.359 So the inverse of that 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.019 would be to say, 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.119 you should swear 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:30.159 by my name truthfully. 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.699 If you make an oath, 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:34.759 you should keep said oath. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.139 Many Old Testament saints 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:38.459 made oaths. 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.659 Abraham swore by God's name 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:42.039 in Genesis chapter 14, 00:17:42.219 --> 00:17:43.000 verse 22, 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.639 and verse 23 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:46.099 as he interacts 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:48.019 with the king of Sodom. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.679 He says, 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:51.340 I have lifted my hand 00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.039 to the Lord, 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.480 God most high, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:55.299 possessor of heaven and earth, 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.500 that I would not take 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.279 a thread 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.700 or a sandal strap 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.920 or anything that is yours, 00:18:01.060 --> 00:18:02.259 lest you should say, 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:04.779 I have made Abram rich. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.299 He's saying, 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.460 I have lifted my hand, 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:08.019 I have made a promise 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:10.759 in God's name, 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.880 in His presence, 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.960 with Him as the witness 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:13.700 of the promise 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.340 that I'm making to you. 00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.440 And he affirms this 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.640 to the king of Sodom 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:19.380 by telling him this very thing. 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:21.259 Another example, 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.240 amongst many, 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.680 David and Jonathan 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.980 covenanted together 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.080 in the name of the Lord 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:27.680 in 1 Samuel chapter 20 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.160 and verse 16. 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:31.020 And Jonathan made a covenant 00:18:31.020 --> 00:18:31.900 with the house of David, 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.440 saying, 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:34.700 May the Lord take vengeance 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.700 on David's enemies. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.100 Right? 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:39.000 He calls God, 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:39.520 right, 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:41.080 to uphold the covenant 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:42.660 that they make together 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.680 in that case. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.900 So those are just two 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:47.600 of the many Old Testament examples 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.460 I could provide. 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.580 But more importantly, 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:51.440 I want to look at the New Testament 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.500 on the matter. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:52.940 Right? 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.720 So those who would say 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.640 that Jesus has come 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:57.120 and He's put away the practice, 00:18:58.060 --> 00:18:58.240 right? 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.180 So there's a practice 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.440 we've established. 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.740 And I want to show you 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.279 that the practice continues on 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.519 in the New Testament as well 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.580 and spend a bit more time there. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.440 So in the New Testament, 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:11.500 and I think the highest example 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.900 we may have here, 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.039 earthly example, 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.380 Jesus swore an oath 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.299 when He was on trial 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.320 before Caiaphas 00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:21.640 in Matthew chapter 26. 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:25.220 This is verse 63 and verse 64. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.019 It says, 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:29.720 But Jesus remained silent. 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.559 And the high priest said to Him, 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:36.019 I adjure you by the living God. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:38.859 Tell us if you are the Christ, 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.319 the Son of God. 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:40.839 And here he's doing, 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:42.599 he's appealing to God Himself, 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.200 right? 00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:44.779 Before God, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.099 in the name of God, 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:48.200 speak the truth. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.680 And what does Jesus say in response? 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:53.500 You have said so. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.359 He doesn't say to Him, 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.059 right? 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.720 Well, I'll tell you, 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.099 but I'm not going to do that. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.619 I'm not going to swear 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.400 on the name of God 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.180 that I am in fact 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.559 the Son of God. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.759 But when He says it, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.279 He says, 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:08.500 You have said so. 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:10.220 He affirms the very thing 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:12.299 that Caiaphas is asking Him to do. 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.559 Further, 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:15.420 Paul swore oaths. 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.879 And we don't pick these up often, 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.759 but this is what he's doing. 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:19.119 Romans chapter 9 and verse 1. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.440 He says, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:22.879 I am speaking the truth in Christ. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.640 I am not lying. 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:27.160 My conscience bears me witness 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:30.019 in the Holy Spirit. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:33.819 He's appealing to God 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:37.480 as the witness of His truthfulness. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:41.619 And in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 23, 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:44.039 I think more emphatically here, 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.539 he says, 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:48.539 But I call God to witness against me. 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.379 It was to spare you 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:52.900 that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.620 So again, 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:57.180 appealing to making a promise. 00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:58.620 I'm speaking the truth 00:20:58.620 --> 00:21:00.680 and God will bear me witness 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.900 for this truth 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.180 that I am speaking. 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:06.560 Most importantly to the case I'm making, 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.960 the writer of Hebrews tells us 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.080 that God Himself 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:11.440 swore an oath 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.940 to His people. 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.519 And this is Hebrews chapter 6. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.440 And I'd like for you to turn 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.560 and look at this with me. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.220 Beginning in verse 13. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.280 Verse 13. 00:21:18.280 --> 00:21:18.280 00:21:18.280 --> 00:21:18.340 Verse 13. 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:42.920 The writer of Hebrews 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:45.060 is writing at this point 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:46.880 to give his readers 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:49.300 a confidence in the promises of God. 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:52.060 A confidence that remains 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.539 for us today. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.619 It was certainly active for them 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:56.779 and is still active for us. 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:58.519 And he bases that confidence 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.919 in an oath 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:02.240 made by God Himself. 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.599 If we think that oaths 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.440 are no longer allowable, 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.240 I would tend to think 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:11.059 that oaths are broken in that case 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:13.039 and we cannot have this kind of confidence. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.279 So he writes, 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:15.119 beginning in verse 13, 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.940 For when God made a promise to Abraham, 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.200 since he had no one greater 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.519 by whom to swear, 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.559 he swore by himself, 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.759 saying, 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.200 Surely I will bless you 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.619 and multiply you. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.119 And thus Abraham, 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.339 having patiently waited, 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.319 obtained the promise. 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.539 For people swear by something 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:35.440 greater than themselves, 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.960 and in all their disputes, 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.720 an oath 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.379 is final 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.519 for confirmation. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.639 So when God desired 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.960 to show more convincingly 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.599 to the heirs 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.579 of the promise 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:47.059 the unchangeable character 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.839 of His purpose, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.519 He guaranteed it 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.639 with an oath. 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:53.420 He made a promise. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:56.359 He swore by Himself. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.839 God, 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.700 who cannot change 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.579 and cannot lie, 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.759 swore an oath. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:06.160 And it is a blessed oath, 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:06.619 right, 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.839 that all the nations of the world 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.559 will be blessed 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:11.220 in Jesus Christ, 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.839 the seed of Abraham. 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:15.699 So Jesus is not telling us 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.720 that we cannot make 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.339 large, 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.419 weighty promises. 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:22.220 Jesus is warning against 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:24.220 the type of promise making 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:26.159 that was so prevalent 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:27.179 in His day 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.199 and 00:23:28.199 --> 00:23:30.000 in ours. 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.559 And He works through 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:34.859 unraveling their logic 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:36.159 of swearing on a 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:37.740 lesser thing, 00:23:37.959 --> 00:23:38.480 doesn't He? 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.200 He says the lesser thing 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:42.579 really belongs to God 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.120 anyway, 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.620 right? 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.640 Heaven is the throne of God, 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.940 earth is His footstool, 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.680 Jerusalem is His city, 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:53.180 and you can't even 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.220 control your head. 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:56.059 I am also the God 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.339 of your life. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:00.559 So swearing on anything lesser 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.319 is to swear 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:03.059 by God Himself. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.680 Jesus will not allow anyone 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.759 to play games 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.240 and cheat the rules. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.420 He sees the motivations 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.539 and purposes 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:13.220 of our hearts, 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.480 this whole person 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.500 righteousness, 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.080 right? 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:18.240 All of our lives 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.240 ought to be lived 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.759 quorum Deo, 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.680 that is, 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.940 in the presence 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.259 of God. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.120 Jesus is saying 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.539 don't make frivolous 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.759 or evasive 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.840 promises. 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.740 When you make 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.900 weighty promises, 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.620 they should be made 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.259 as a people 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.059 who love 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.900 and walk 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.879 in the truth. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.879 And we do make 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.579 these sort 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:42.279 of weighty promises. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.500 I would not want 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.240 to do away 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.079 with these kinds 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.700 of promises 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:47.059 that we make. 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.720 As examples, 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.220 we do so 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.920 in our marriage vows. 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.440 We agree 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.119 that God 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.799 is presiding 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.920 over our marriage. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.180 We are making 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.759 promises 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.579 to each other, 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.779 big promises 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:01.000 to each other. 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.319 We are making 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.339 an oath 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.179 as we covenant 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.019 together in 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.220 marriage. 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.240 And, 00:25:07.959 --> 00:25:08.819 we have done 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:09.980 so as a covenant 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.299 community. 00:25:11.699 --> 00:25:12.240 Those of you 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.720 who are members 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.339 of our church 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.919 and those who 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.279 aren't, 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.319 come on, 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.720 get on the process. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:18.939 But, 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:20.599 we have made 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:22.059 weighty promises 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.579 to one another 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:25.960 and we've done 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.359 so, 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:26.919 we've taken 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:28.039 this oath, 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.879 we've sworn 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.659 by God. 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.159 Listen to 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:32.879 the conclusion 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.740 of our membership 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.159 covenant. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.319 Those of you 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.559 who remember 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.159 signed this. 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:39.099 It reads, 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.719 I enter into 00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.179 this covenant 00:25:41.179 --> 00:25:41.799 together with 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.359 Christ Family 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.619 Church under 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.079 the common 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.659 goal of 00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:45.619 obedience to 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.959 glorification of 00:25:46.959 --> 00:25:47.639 and joyful 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.759 satisfaction in 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.480 Jesus Christ 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.959 because I believe 00:25:50.959 --> 00:25:51.939 and assert with 00:25:51.939 --> 00:25:52.419 the rest of the 00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:53.039 body that we 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:54.219 need one of 00:25:54.219 --> 00:25:54.639 those help 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.259 to do so. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.799 As believers 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.500 and disciples 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.000 of Jesus, 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.339 we have entered 00:25:59.339 --> 00:25:59.899 into a covenant 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.579 relationship with 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.399 God who revealed 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.279 himself in 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.959 Jesus Christ. 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.319 The blessings 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.939 and promises 00:26:04.939 --> 00:26:05.859 of this covenant 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.219 have been freely 00:26:07.219 --> 00:26:07.959 extended and given 00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.319 to us. 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.759 Therefore, 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.839 out of wonder, 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:10.779 love, 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.639 thanksgiving, 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.519 and reverence, 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:14.200 we hereby accept 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.019 and take up 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.960 these covenant 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.679 responsibilities 00:26:16.679 --> 00:26:18.119 which accompany 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:19.139 said privileges 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:21.000 together as a 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.759 covenant family. 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.279 This is our 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.639 reasonable service 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.339 and we should 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.159 do nothing 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.919 less. 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:29.019 God help us 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.899 all. 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.720 We rely on 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.319 his grace alone 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:32.980 and hold fast 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.539 to his promise 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.019 that there is now 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.919 no condemnation 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:36.019 for those who 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.799 are in Christ 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.200 Jesus. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.240 May his 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.140 grace provide 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:40.180 for all 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.120 that he 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.000 commands. 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.460 We have 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.059 made weighty 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.039 promises. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.519 We have 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.359 taken an 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:48.160 oath to 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.700 one another 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.200 and I'll 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.759 leave out the 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.359 details of what 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:51.839 that covenant 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.680 says but to 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.740 walk in truth 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.339 together, 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.180 to pursue 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:56.240 Christ together, 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.640 to take the 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.339 gospel to the 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.380 nations together 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.640 is the summary 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.339 of those 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.380 promises that 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.240 we made in 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.819 the name 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.099 of God. 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.039 Jesus is 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.460 telling the 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.960 listeners of 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.460 his day 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.220 and us 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.859 this morning 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:11.139 that when 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.679 we take 00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:12.339 oaths, 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.299 the people 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.539 that we 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.000 are making 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.179 promises to 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:16.139 should be 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.619 able to 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.539 believe what 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:17.859 we have 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:19.259 said because 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.099 our lives 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:21.019 are characterized 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.639 by the truth. 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.160 To make this 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.799 point further, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.920 Jesus goes on 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.539 to say, 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:28.900 let what you 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.900 say be 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:31.779 simply yes 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.019 or no. 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.220 Anything more 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.660 than this 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.879 comes from 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.099 evil. 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.839 I believe 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.119 here that 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.500 Jesus is 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.099 speaking to 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.920 our everyday 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.160 interactions with 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:42.519 one another, 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.039 with our 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.819 spouses, 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.680 our employers, 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.700 our employees, 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.279 your pastor. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:49.399 If you 00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:50.059 say that 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.259 you will 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.899 do something, 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.460 your life 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.220 should back 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.839 the answer 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.960 of yes. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.079 You should 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.559 be 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.700 trustworthy, 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.359 a person 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.220 that can 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.960 be trusted 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.559 as honest. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.119 If you 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:05.460 are asked 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.940 a question, 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.259 you should 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.619 give no 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.200 reason for 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.899 anyone to 00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.980 doubt your 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.359 answer. 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.960 Our lives 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.240 would be 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.720 characterized 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.279 in this 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.619 way. 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:13.720 In the 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.079 original 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.639 language, 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.019 Jesus 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.579 actually 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.180 says, 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.279 let what 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.980 you say 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.900 be simply 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.160 yes, 00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:20.700 yes, 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.160 or no, 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.299 no. 00:28:24.340 --> 00:28:24.840 Your 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.299 translation 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.720 may in 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.279 fact render 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.060 it this 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:27.539 way. 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:27.940 It's a 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.259 little more 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.820 faithful if 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.660 it does 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.320 on this 00:28:30.320 --> 00:28:30.620 particular 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.100 verse. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.400 This 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.060 redundancy 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:33.460 in Jesus' 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.180 speech is 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.940 much like 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.420 his teaching 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.019 that begins 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.880 with truly, 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.420 truly, 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.720 I say 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.400 to you. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.759 It places 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.779 emphasis on 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.779 the weightiness 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.740 of what was 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.039 said. 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.360 This was 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.779 common 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.320 practice. 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.960 You repeat 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.519 a word. 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.480 We really 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:47.799 are supposed 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.079 to pay 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.819 attention to 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.480 this word 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.039 that has 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.140 repetition 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.039 with it. 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.880 It adds 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.740 a weightiness 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.420 to it. 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.460 Our 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.640 yeses 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.360 and our 00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:57.920 nos 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:59.259 should hold 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.240 value in 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.920 the minds 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.720 of our 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.039 listeners. 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.519 We as 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:04.900 American 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.180 English 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.660 speakers don't 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:05.920 need to go 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.319 around saying 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.620 yes, 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:06.920 yes, 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.259 and no, 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:07.600 no. 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.100 The point 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:09.400 being, 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:09.819 I think 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.500 why the 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:10.980 ESV 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.600 translators 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:12.120 just said 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:12.539 yes and 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:12.840 no, 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.360 is because 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:14.619 we're 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.299 supposed to 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.179 say yes 00:29:16.179 --> 00:29:16.519 and it 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.819 carries 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.779 that weight. 00:29:17.979 --> 00:29:18.500 It carries 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.099 the truly, 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.579 truly weight 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.719 behind it. 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.179 People would 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:23.279 hear us 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.299 and believe 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.959 us as 00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:26.659 followers of 00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:28.179 Jesus Christ. 00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.879 As lovers 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.559 of the truth, 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.099 those who have 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.079 been redeemed 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.879 by our faith 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.259 in it, 00:29:34.719 --> 00:29:35.259 we should be 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.639 speakers of 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.039 the truth. 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.359 We are 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.079 children of 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.339 God and 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.359 God cannot 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.799 lie. 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.359 Titus 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.879 chapter 1 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.439 verse 2, 00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.500 we are 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.139 not 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:48.639 children of 00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:49.619 Satan. 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.179 In John 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:51.519 chapter 8 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.159 verse 44, 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.139 Jesus accuses 00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:53.539 the religious 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.220 leaders of 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.759 his day by 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.319 saying, 00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.319 you are 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.839 of your 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.359 father, 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.439 the devil, 00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:58.939 and your 00:29:58.939 --> 00:29:59.699 will is to 00:29:59.699 --> 00:30:00.259 do your 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:00.939 father's 00:30:00.939 --> 00:30:01.559 desires. 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.039 He was a 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.639 murderer from 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.019 the beginning 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.539 and does 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.419 not stand 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.699 in the 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:06.619 truth because 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.419 there is no 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:08.519 truth in 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:08.839 him. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:09.940 When he 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.720 lies, 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.460 he speaks 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:11.720 out of 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.019 his own 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.619 character, 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.539 for he is 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.799 a liar and 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.440 the father 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.680 of lies. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.059 This should 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.879 not be us. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:19.920 And in 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.519 Matthew 12 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.200 verse 34, 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.660 he says again 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.440 this indictment, 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.180 you brood of 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.720 vipers, 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.240 how can you 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.059 speak good 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.019 when you are 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.400 evil? 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.220 For out of 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.779 the abundance 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.019 of the heart 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.240 the mouth 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.339 speaks. 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.119 Good trees 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.959 produce good 00:30:38.959 --> 00:30:40.019 fruit. 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.079 Apples don't 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.679 grow on 00:30:42.679 --> 00:30:43.599 pear trees. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.339 Apples don't 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:44.799 grow on, 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.059 right? 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.359 I have now 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:47.839 been recorded 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.359 singing and 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.859 that's frightening. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:50.699 No 00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:51.359 nana's come, 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:51.879 it only 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.539 grows plums. 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.019 Your heart 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.519 is where 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.279 the words 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.079 of your 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:59.319 mouth 00:30:59.319 --> 00:30:59.699 grow. 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.000 Your mouth 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.539 is where 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.219 the words 00:31:02.219 --> 00:31:02.839 of your 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.359 heart 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.479 go. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:06.400 Jesus 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.160 change 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.360 our 00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:07.880 hearts 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.839 to bear 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.700 good 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.819 fruit. 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.000 Citizens 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.660 of his 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.120 kingdom, 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.400 that was 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:13.799 entirely 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.220 unplanned 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.440 by the 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.660 way, 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:17.660 citizens 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.339 of God's 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:18.799 kingdom 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.880 will be 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.720 truth 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.680 speakers. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.579 This 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.279 qualifies 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.700 us. 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.460 And again, 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.240 we are not 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.140 citizens because 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:27.640 we speak 00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.120 truth, 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:28.980 but because 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.319 we are 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.860 citizens. 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.480 We're 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.140 desirous 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.579 for this. 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.380 We hunger 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.100 and thirst 00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:34.900 for this. 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.060 We long 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:36.520 for God's 00:31:36.520 --> 00:31:36.880 spirit to 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.440 work in 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:37.780 us this 00:31:37.780 --> 00:31:38.220 righteousness 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.180 that seeks 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.240 truth at 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.000 all cost. 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.160 May we 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.440 be a 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.180 people set 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.400 apart for 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:46.800 the praise 00:31:46.800 --> 00:31:47.280 of God 00:31:47.280 --> 00:31:48.180 in all 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.420 that we 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.640 do. 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.160 May we 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:51.020 be characterized 00:31:51.020 --> 00:31:51.940 as followers 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.320 of the 00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:53.260 truth by 00:31:53.260 --> 00:31:54.400 being speakers 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.980 of the 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.540 truth in 00:31:55.540 --> 00:31:56.420 all things 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.720 to all 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.300 peoples 00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:59.720 for the 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.080 glory of 00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:00.360 God. 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.200 I want 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.480 to leave 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.779 you with 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:04.000 one last 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.420 reading. 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:05.720 This is 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.100 from 1 00:32:06.100 --> 00:32:06.380 John 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.080 chapter 1 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:08.360 and this 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:08.620 is verses 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.200 5 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.620 through 10. 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:12.980 John 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.220 writes, 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:13.680 this is the 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.140 message we 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.539 have heard 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.080 from him 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:16.000 and proclaimed 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.559 to you, 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.920 that God 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.480 is light 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.000 and in 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.840 him is 00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:20.580 no darkness 00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:21.779 at all. 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.100 If we 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.480 say we 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.120 have fellowship 00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.580 with him 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:24.980 while we 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.519 walk in 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.900 darkness, 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.660 we lie 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.180 and do 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.100 not practice 00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:29.420 the truth. 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.560 But if we 00:32:30.560 --> 00:32:30.940 walk in 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.440 the light 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.259 as he 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.500 is in 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.920 the light, 00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:33.920 we have 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.380 fellowship 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:35.000 with one 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.820 another and 00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:36.400 the blood 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.060 of Jesus 00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:37.940 his son 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.660 cleanses 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.660 us from 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.320 all sin. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.820 If we 00:32:41.820 --> 00:32:42.200 say we 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:42.720 have no 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:42.940 sin, 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.640 we deceive 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.200 ourselves 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:44.620 and the 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.019 truth 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.779 is not 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.279 in us. 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.480 If we 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:47.860 confess 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.660 our sins, 00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:49.660 he is 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.160 faithful 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.980 and just 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.640 to forgive 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.060 us our 00:32:52.060 --> 00:32:52.420 sins 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.220 and to 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.820 cleanse us 00:32:53.820 --> 00:32:54.400 from all 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:55.519 unrighteousness. 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.620 If we 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.019 say we 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.440 have not 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:57.920 sinned, 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.000 we make 00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.259 him a 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.200 liar and 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.740 his word 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.680 is not 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.100 in us. 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.340 Let's pray 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:03.640 together.