Promise keepers

Topics: keeping promise, do what you say

I. Biblical promises

* Jesus affirms biblical vows and swearing oaths of promise!

1. "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.'"(Mat. 5:33).
2. "You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name" (Deuteronomy 10:20; see Hebrews 6:13-16).
3. "You shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:12; see Numbers 30:2 and Deuteronomy 23:21-23).

II. Deceptive promises

* Jesus exposes the corruption of breaking one's promise!

1. "But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black" (Matthew 5:34-36; see Isaiah 66:1 and Psalm 48:2).
2. "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.' You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.' You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it" (Matthew 23:16-22).

III. Integrity promises

* Jesus highlights the life principle behind promise-keeping!

1. "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil" (Matthew 5:37).
2. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment (James 5:12).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins February 20^th, 2022