Today we look at the fourth example of Jesus’ contrasting of the Pharisees’ version of righteousness with the truth in [esvignore]Matthew 5:33-37[/esvignore]. Jesus wipes away devious uses of oaths and vows and gets to the heart of the matter, which is integrity and truth-telling. There is no room for willful deception among God’s people. Our task is to be people of forthright speech, letting our yes and no be truthful. Further, we will look at a common idea among some Christian traditions by asking: Is this text one that forbids any vows or oaths? Can we draw that kind of hard rule from the Bible? We’ll answer that tomorrow. Our outline is simple:

1. The Pharisee’s Oaths
2. But I say…
3. Finding Accuracy and Clarity – what is allowed, what isn’t?
4. Applications
   1. Historical example of a ‘white lie’
   2. Integrity in the world
   3. Integrity in the marriage
   4. Integrity with children
   5. Integrity in the church
   6. Integrity with God

Public reading:[esvignore]Zechariah 8:14-17[/esvignore]; Benediction:[esvignore]Jude 1:24-25[/esvignore]

In the sermon is a historical example of a “white lie.” The story of the S.S. Atlantic can be seen here. You can find in this tale a “white lie” intended for good, but ended in doom.

Matthew 5:33-37

Zechariah 8:14-17

Jude 1:24-25