The Sermon on the Mount
Daily Bible Studies for July 21-26, 2008
Learn what we believe and how we are to behave!
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37 MOT & NLT
[Jesus said,] “33Again you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘You (singular) shall not perjure yourself, but you shall repay to the Lord your oaths.’ 34But I myself say to you, ‘Do not swear at all; not by the heaven, because it is the throne of God; 35nor by the earth, because it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36Nor by your head shall you swear, because you do not have the power to make one hair white or black. 37But let your word be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no’; for anything in excess of these is of the evil one.” MOT
[Jesus said,] “33Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34But I say, don’t make any vows! If you say, ‘By heaven!’ it is a sacred vow because heaven is God’s throne. 35And if you say, ‘By the earth!’ it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don’t swear, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36Don’t even swear, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37Just say a simple, “Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.” NLT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for a new week to love and serve You! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may keep my promises to You and to everyone. Make my life a testimony to others, so they will see You in me and be drawn to know and trust You. This I pray in the name of Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
[Jesus said,] “33Again you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘You (singular) shall not perjure yourself, but you shall repay to the Lord your oaths.’
[Jesus said,] “33Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’
What is the difference in meaning between the two translations of Matthew 5:33 or is there any difference?
Why do you think Jesus included this statement in the list of commands that He addressed in the Sermon on the Mount?
Today’s Challenge: I will keep my promises to others, so they will see the trustworthiness of Jesus in my life!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You will touch me by Your Spirit so that people will know that my words are true, that I don’t need to swear, or vow or take an oath in order to be believed. Use me today as an instrument of Your goodness, and keep me true to You in all that I am an do. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
’ 34But I myself say to you, ‘Do not swear at all; not by the heaven, because it is the throne of God;
’ 34But I say, don’t make any vows! If you say, ‘By heaven!’ it is a sacred vow because heaven is God’s throne.
Why do you suppose that Jesus “banned” vow taking by His followers?
What is the significance of not taking a vow “by heaven”?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in truthfulness, and keep my statements clear and simple as Jesus commands.
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus told us not to make vows by anything on heaven or earth, because it all belongs to You. Keep my heart pure today that I my words may also be pure and true. Glorify Yourself in me today, and make my light shine brightly for You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
35nor by the earth, because it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.
35And if you say, ‘By the earth!’ it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don’t swear, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
In Jesus’ day the Pharisees could make a vow “binding” or not based on what it was the used to swear the vow. Jesus bans all swearing in this week’s Scripture because all of creation belongs to Him. What similar means to people use in our day to attempt to keep from fulfilling their promises and commitments?
Today’s Challenge: I will fulfill my commitments to God and others in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, In our day we do have the ability to make our hair whatever color we want it to be—but we can’t change the nature of our hair. Please let me not attempt to finagle my way around Your will for my life. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may always respond to You and others in truth. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
36Nor by your head shall you swear, because you do not have the power to make one hair white or black.
36Don’t even swear, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.
Why do you think that Jesus turned from such huge objects as the heaven, earth and Jerusalem, to a person’s “head,” when he was banning vows?
What is the significance of this statement of Jesus?
Today’s Challenge: I will trust Jesus enough to obey Him today!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus made it simple for us, when He told us to let our “Yes,” be Yes, and our “No,” be No. Fill me with Your Spirit today that I may do that in every relationship I engage—family, friends, co-workers, even strangers. Be glorified in my life today and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name and for the sake of His coming Kingdom! Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
37But let your word be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no’; for anything in excess of these is of the evil one.” MOT
37Just say a simple, “Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.” NLT
How would you put Jesus’ statement in your own words?
Is what Jesus tells us to do here easy or hard? Why?
Today’s Challenge: I will let my words be clear, simple and honest today in order to glorify Jesus in my life!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, All week we have been talking about telling the truth, speaking clearly and simply. In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul reminds us when we speak the truth, we must do so in love. Lord, empower me by the Spirit to do that—to speak the truth in love, today and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
BONUS SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
What, if anything, do the Apostle Paul’s instructions add to this week’s teaching by Jesus?
How is speaking the truth in love “growing up into Jesus”?
Today’s Challenge: I will speak the truth in love to everyone I meet today!