“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ Matthew 5:33

 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; Matthew 5:34

or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. Matthew 5:35

And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Matthew 5:36

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

Disciples Don’t allow others’ mistrust to sway their mission Have little genuine reason to be questioned

A Bunch of Lies Adam and Eve –Genesis 3 Abraham and Sarah –Genesis 12 Jacob Tricking Esau –Genesis 27 Joseph’s Brothers –Genesis 37

“Woe to you, blind guides “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ Matthew 23:16

You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? Matthew 23:17

You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ Matthew 23:18

You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Matthew 23:19

Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. Matthew 23:20

And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. Matthew 23:21

And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it. Matthew 23:22

–The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, John Stott, p.101 Oaths “If divorce is due to human hard-heartedness, swearing is due to human untruthfulness. Both were permitted by the law; neither was commanded; neither should be necessary.” –The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, John Stott, p.101

Oaths “Only the cross as God’s truth about us makes us truthful. Those who know the cross no longer shy away from any truth. Those who lie under the cross can do without the oath as a commandment establishing truthfulness, for they exist in the perfect truth of God.

-Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 131 Oaths There is no truth toward Jesus without truth toward other people. Lying destroys community. But truth rends false community and founds genuine fellowship. There is no following Jesus without living in the truth unveiled before God and other people.” -Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 131

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ Matthew 5:38

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Matthew 5:39

And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. Matthew 5:40

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Matthew 5:41

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42

Jesus on Revenge Personal Insult Taken to Court Do Soldiers Bidding Helping Those in Need

–Dale C. Allison, The Sermon on the Mount, p. 93 Revenge “The brief scenes vividly represent the demand for an unselfish temperament, for naked humility and a will to suffer the loss of one’s personal rights: evil should not be requited with evil. There is no room for vengeance on a personal level.” –Dale C. Allison, The Sermon on the Mount, p. 93

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ Matthew 5:43

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44

that you may be children of your Father in heaven that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Matthew 5:46

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:47

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Find the BEYOND…and GO there!

Go Beyond law of speech and trust in truth

Go Beyond revenge and extend care

Go Beyond loving the loveable and the LOVE the hated