Sermon Notes

“People with good intentions make promises.
People with good character keep them.”
—Unknown

Matthew 5:33–37 NIV
³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.“

Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

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Series Resources

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Discussion Igniters

(1)  Has anyone ever broken a promise to you?
How did that impact you? 

(2)  Has there ever been a time when you made a promise and then didn’t or couldn’t come through on it? 

(3)  Read Matthew 5:33–37.
Why do you think Jesus is telling people not to make promises?

(4)  How would it impact the people around you if you were a person of your word?

(5)  What changes do you need to make in your life to be truer to your word?