(By Ron Halbrook)

Introduction: 1. Matt. 5:37 Tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 2

Introduction: 2. All men face the challenge: be honest OR dishonest 3. Christ teaches right doctrine & right life! 3

I. Matt. 5:33-37 Always Tell the Truth With or Without an Oath. 4

5 I. Matt. 5:33-37 Always Tell the Truth With or Without an Oath. 33 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: 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.

I. Matt. 5:33-37 Always Tell the Truth With or Without an Oath. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 6

I. Matt. 5:33-37 Always Tell the Truth With or Without an Oath A. Law of Moses: Do Not Dishonor God by Breaking an Oath Taken in His Name B. New Law of Christ: Do Not Dishonor God by Any Kind of Deceit 7

I. Matt. 5:33-37 Always Tell the Truth With or Without an Oath C. Three Ways of Speaking: Tell the truth under an oath to God Loophole to lie if oath not mention God ALWAYS tell the truth, the whole truth, & nothing but the truth! 8

II. Lk. 19:1-10 Jesus Commends Dispised But Penitent Tax Collector A. Tax Collectors Often Dishonest B. vv. 8-9 Jesus Commends Zacchaeus for His Commitment to Total Honesty 9

10 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

II. Lk. 19:1-10 Jesus Commends Dispised But Penitent Tax Collector A. Tax Collectors Often Dishonest B. vv. 8-9 Jesus Commends Zacchaeus for His Commitment to Total Honesty Jesus can save honest hearts 11

III. Acts 5:1-11 God Condemns Respected But Lying Members of the Church A. Barnabus Was Loved for His Sacrifices B. Ananias & Sapphira Wanted to be Loved for Serving God But Lied in Serving Vv. 3-5 Ananias lied 12

Vv. 3-5 Ananias lied 13 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

III. Acts 5:1-11 God Condemns Respected But Lying Members of the Church A. Barnabus Was Loved for His Sacrifices B. Ananias & Sapphira Wanted to be Loved for Serving God But Lied in Serving Vv Sapphira lied 14

Vv Sapphira lied 15 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

III. Acts 5:1-11 God Condemns Respected But Lying Members of the Church A. Barnabus Was Loved for His Sacrifices B. Ananias & Sapphira Wanted to be Loved for Serving God But Lied in Serving Great gifts & service do not excuse lying 16

IV. Rom. 3:7-8 We Cannot Do Evil that Good May Come A. God Is Glorified by His Plan to Forgive Sin False teachers accused Paul of preaching a lie: the more we sin, the more God is glorified 17

IV. Rom. 3:7-8 We Cannot Do Evil that Good May Come B. Rom. 3:7-8 Paul Repudiated “Let Us Do Evil that Good May Come” 18

B. Rom. 3:7-8 Paul Repudiated “Let Us Do Evil that Good May Come” 19 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

C. We Cannot Lie or Be Dishonest “that Good May Come” Elder, treasurer, preacher report work or handle church funds “for Christ” Business practices “for profit, success” Young people with parents or school “for privileges or grades” 20

IV. Rom. 3:7-8 We Cannot Do Evil that Good May Come D. Follow Christ as Paul: Teach Total Honesty in Word & Deed 21

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life 22

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life 23 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life 24 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life A. Paul Rejected All Dishonesty in His Work. Not faint: not fall into dishonesty thru trials caused by unbelievers & false brethren Must not fail God’s mercy or hope of heaven 25

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life B. Paul Manifested Truth in Doctrine & Life, But Many Rejected It. Many blinded by love of sin & error 26

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life C. Followed Straight Line of Truth by Keeping Proper Focus: Exalt Christ Not Self! 27 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

V. 2 cor. 4:1-5 Paul Exalted Christ Not Self: Honest in Teaching & Life C. Followed Straight Line of Truth by Keeping Proper Focus: Exalt Christ Not Self! Servant not master of brethren Men resort to dishonesty in doctrine & life because of selfish desires 28

VI. 2 cor. 8:20-21 Paul Provided for Honest Things in Sight of God & Man A. Paul Carried Funds, & Other Brethren with Him Vv Titus & “messengers of the churches” with him Vv Providing for honest things 29

30 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. Vv Providing for honest things

VI. 2 cor. 8:20-21 Paul Provided for Honest Things in Sight of God & Man B. Paul An Open Book in Handling the Lord’s Money & Business 31

VI. 2 cor. 8:20-21 Paul Provided for Honest Things in Sight of God & Man C. God & Man Could See Paul’s Total Honesty in Teaching & in Life Apply in the church’s work Apply in family relationships Apply in business & school activities 32

VII. Eph. 4:14-15 The Gospel Defeats Deception & Teaches Only Truth That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

VII. Eph. 4:14-15 The Gospel Defeats Deception & Teaches Only Truth A. False Teachers Deceive & Use People B. Gospel Teaches Truth in Love, & People Grow to Spiritual Maturity 34

VIII. Eph. 4:24-25 United as One Body in Christ, We Must Not Deceive Each Other And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

IX. Col. 3:9-10 Put Off the Old Man’s Lies, Put On New Man Made in Christ’s Image 36 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:

IX. Col. 3:9-10 Put Off the Old Man’s Lies, Put On New Man Made in Christ’s Image A. Dishonesty Slanders Christ’s Image B. Honesty Accurately Reflects Christ’s Image 37

X. Tit. 2:9-10 Honest Even in Small Things: Show the Beauty of the Gospel 38 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

X. Tit. 2:9-10 Honest Even in Small Things: Show the Beauty of the Gospel A. Tempted to Steal or Lie in “Small” Things B. Make Gospel Dirty, Doubtful, Discredited C. Honesty & Truth Make Gospel Beautiful! Attractive! Genuine! 39

XI. Rev. 21:8 All Liars Are Destined to Hell 40 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

XI. Rev. 21:8 All Liars Are Destined to Hell A. Lying Is Not a “Small” Sin to God— Listed with Horrible, Hurtful Sins 41

XII. Rev. 22:11-15 If Die as Liar: Fate Sealed as Hopeless Forever 42

43 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. XII. Rev. 22:11-15 If Die as Liar: Fate Sealed as Hopeless Forever

44 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. XII. Rev. 22:11-15 If Die as Liar: Fate Sealed as Hopeless Forever

XII. Rev. 22:11-15 If Die as a Liar: Fate Sealed as Hopeless Forever A. As We Die, Our Character & Destiny Will Never Change B. If We Want to Change our Destiny, We Must Change Our Character NOW! 45

Invitation: 1. Matt. 5:37 Tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 46

Invitation: 2. All men face the challenge: be honest OR dishonest 3. Christ teaches right doctrine & right life! Mk. 16:16 Saved from all sins & dishonest habits Ja. 5:19-20 Fallen saints restored 47

48 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mk. 16:16 Saved from all sins & dishonest habits

49 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. Ja. 5:19-20 Fallen saints restored