Does anybody know what tomorrow is the 16th anniversary of?  Don’t you just love these quizzes?  Does these people look familiar?  Anita Hill and Justice Clarence Thomas.

July 1, 1991 - President Bush the First nominated Clarence Thomas to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall - which began the bizarre and controversial confirmation hearings that had little to do with truth and whole lot to do with politics.  What really did happen?  Don’t know.  Is it important?  Tomorrow is the 16th anniversary of Judge Thomas’ confirmation as an Associate Supreme Court Justice.

What about this person?  Two weeks ago Marion Jones - who won 5 medals at the Sydney Olympics - who was called one of the greatest women athletes in the world.  Two weeks ago Marion Jones admitted to  a US District Court Judge that she lied to investigators about her using banned performance enhancing drugs.  Her Olympic performance was a lie.

One more:  Take a look at this car.   The ad shows the rear end of a beautifully conditioned Audi.  The rest of the car is a pile of junk.

The question on the job application read, “Have you ever been arrested?”  The applicant printed the word “No” in the space.  The next question was a follow-up to the first.  It asked, “Why?”  Not realizing he didn’t have to answer this part, the applicant wrote, “I guess it’s because I never got caught.”

Please turn with me to Matthew 5 - starting at verse 33.  In the passage we’re coming to this morning Jesus is going to take on the dishonesty in our relationships. The distrust - the lying - the deceit - that is way too often prevalent in how people deal with each other.

Jesus is where?  Out on a hill by the Sea of Galilee talking to who?  a large diverse crowd of people.  He’s taking the unimaginable - hard to wrap our minds around - reality of God and His kingdom - and bringing all that down to the reality of where we live our lives.  Teaching us what it means for us to live in relationship with the Sovereign God down on the level where we live life.

Jesus has been teaching that God and His kingdom isn’t about us somehow reaching up to God - trying to achieve some kind of righteousness - but that God has reached down to us.  Brought His presence into our lives.  Blessed us with His presence and given purpose to our lives.

The section of Jesus’ teaching that we began last Sunday - that we’re looking at today - Jesus is focusing on our relationships with others -  how those who live in relationship with the living God - that’s us - how we are to live out that relationship with others.

Matthew 5 - starting at verse 33:  Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, “You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.”  But I say to you…”

Let’s pause there.  There’s a pattern that Jesus follows in this part of His teaching.  First - He quotes a commandment or law from the Old Covenant - “You have heard that the ancients were told...” - in verse 33 He’s summarizing law from different places in the Old Testament - bringing then together into one concise teaching.  (c.f. Exodus 20:7;  Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23)

Second part of the pattern:  Jesus applies that commandment or law in a teaching that exposes the deeper implications of what all that means for those He’s teaching - “But I say to you…”

Point being:  Jesus isn’t talking about Scripture - like a rabbi or theologian.  Jesus is teaching with Divine authority as to what it means to live out our relationship with God in our relationships with others.

Let’s go on in verse 34:  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.

We need to stop there and make sure that we’re clear about two things.

First:  We need to be clear about the meaning of the laws that Jesus summarizes in verse 33.  In other words - if we were a first century Jew listening to Jesus what should be going through our minds when we heard Jesus summarize these laws.

Remember Rodney Dangerfield?  October 5th was the third anniversary of Rodney’s death.  What was his most famous line?  “I don’t get no respect.”  Say that with me.  “I don’t get no respect.”  If you can picture Rodney Dangerfield as God then you’ve got handle on what Jesus is getting at here.  These laws are about respecting God.

Names for the Hebrews were a profound thing.  Your name was who you were - your reputation - the summary and representation of your character.  With a good name you were respected.  With a bad name you were dishonored.  In Scripture, the “name” of God is the description of who He is - God’s reputation - His character - His nature.

In the Bible there are a number of different names for God that God uses to reveal different aspects of His character or how He deals with humankind.  The two most significant are Elohim - which describes the fullness of God’s divine power.  The second name is Yahweh - which describes God as the One who always has been - always is - and always will be.  God who is - absolute - unchangeable - holy.  Sometimes those names are used together - the Lord God - even more awesome to consider. 

Yahweh is the name God uses when entering into relationship with His people.

When God meets Moses at the burning bush, Moses says to God, “You’re sending me back to Egypt to the people of Israel to tell them that the God of your fathers has sent me.  They’re going to ask me, ‘What is His name?’  What should I tell them?”

God answers Moses - what?  “I AM WHO I AM.”  Same name - “I AM” - “Yahweh.”

The amazing reality is that this almighty awesome God - Yahweh - enters into a relationship with His people - opens the door for them - for us - to know Him. 

In the third commandment - Moses and the Ten Commandments - God commands His people:  “You shall not take the name of the Lord - Yaheweh - your God - Elohim - in what?  vain, for the Lord - Yahweh - will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

The third command says what?  “Don’t use the name of your awesome - almighty - relationship establishing - God in vain.”

Then there’s God’s warning.  “Misuse My name and there will be punishment.”   This is serious stuff.

Don’t drag God’s name down into the gutter.  Don’t trivialize God’s name.  When we trivialize the name of God - we trivialize who He is.  Don’t misuse the name of God.  When we misuse God’s name we disrespect God.

Notice also who God is speaking to:   “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” - “your God.”  He’s talking to His people.

When a non-believer misuses God’s name it bothers us - and it should.  But they don’t know God.  They don’t have a relationship with Him.  When God’s people misuse God’s name it disrespects God - trashes the name - the character - the reputation of the God who loved us so passionately that He sent only Son to die in our place on the cross to establish our relationship with Him.

God’s people don’t trash His name.  We’re called on to respect Him.  To honor Him.  To give our lives to Him.  God holds us accountable to respect Him.

The third command and the laws that Jesus is summarizing out on that hill - at their core they’re about respecting God..  To respect God’s name is to respect God.   Let’s say that together, “To respect God’s name is to respect God.”

Going back to the people sitting on the hill listening to Jesus - what they should be thinking - to make a vow - using God’s name - Yahweh - the almighty self-existent God who’s chosen to have a relationship with us - to make a vow using God’s name - and then break it - is disrespecting God - punishable by God - a very very serious thing to be avoided.

The second thing we need to be clear about is Jesus’ application of these laws to where we live life.

Years ago - a lot of years ago - when I was as student at Biola - there was a girl I wanted to take out on a date.  But the only way she would consent to go out with me was if she could bring her friend.  Which meant that I had to find a date for this other girl.

I asked every guy I knew.  Everyone had something to do - most of it legitimate.  The best I could find was some guys who were available early in the evening and some guys who could come later.  Which I figured  was good enough because I really wanted to go out with this girl.  So I called her up and said, “I got a date for your friend.  Let’s go out.” 

At the time it seemed like such a little deception with a big payoff - going out with this girl.

So this girl, her friend, and date #1 and I went out to the movies.  Part way through the movie - date #1 and I excused ourselves and went to the bathroom where date #2 - who looked like date #1 and was dressed identical to date #1 - was waiting for us.

We made the exchange - slipped back into the movie.  Which worked out really good until after the movies - when we got out to the parking lot -  and my date’s friend realized that date #2 wasn’t date #1.  I did a lot of apologizing for that one.

A vow is a solemn promise.  The Greek word for “vow” is “orkos”  “Orkos” is related to the word for “fence.”  Invoking God’s name added an additional boundary - an additional weight - legitimacy - to the solemn promise that was being made.

People today understand this - in kind of a twisted way - the authority - reputation - of God’s name.  At an early age.  They learn it from their parents - other kids - relatives.  God’s name is powerful.  That’s why it gets used in conversation so much.  “God this and God that.”  “Jesus H. this and Jesus H. that.”  Giving emphasis to what were saying, “I swear to God.”  Or as an exclamation:  “Oh my God.” 

Its like identity theft.  Remember those commercials where some senior lady is talking in a deep male voice racking up huge bills on some guy’s credit card?  Have you seen those?

Consciously or subconsciously we use God’s name to invoke God’s authority - His reputation and character - to cover our own inadequacies - to make what we’re saying more seem powerful - more deserving of respect.

The people Jesus is talking to understood that the vows which invoked God’s holy name - they were bound by.  They had to fulfill - otherwise they were misusing the name of the holy God - breaking God’s law.

So what the people did to get around this - the deception - what Jesus is talking about here in verses 34 and 35 - was that they would swear by everything else - heaven - earth - Jerusalem.  “By heaven if you give me your three chickens today next week I give you my goat.”  “As sure as Jerusalem is there I promise to come and fix your ox cart.” 

All of which was non-binding - deception - lies - because of course they hadn’t used God’s name.  So they were off the hook.

That may seem a little silly.  “Hah.  Hah.  I swore by heaven.  Not Yahweh.  So I’ve still got your goat.” 

But think about that for today.

The endless fine print in contracts today is a sad reminder that people do not trust each other.  That one’s oath - one’s promise - is non-binding unless bound by reams of iron clad fine print legalese - which any good lawyer - paid enough - can shred.

Isn’t this great.  Every copy of Windows XP is 100% Safe - Reliable - Secure.  Guaranteed by Bill Gates himself.  So who needs Vista?  Do we really trust the ads we read?

Most politicians - not all - but it seems like most politicians will make all kinds of promises to get elected - even invoke God’s name.  Show up a churches acting all pious.  Or now they show up at synagogues and Mosques.  Do people really believe them anyway?  Aren’t we all just a tad cynical about what most politicians say?  All the rhetoric?  Today, someone keeping their word is only as important as the benefit to them personally.

When we loose genuine respect for God any deception is possible.

Jesus reminds us in verses 34 and 35 that all this stuff people are vowing by is really God’s stuff:  Heaven is the throne of God.  The earth is His footstool.  Jerusalem is His city.  Vowing by God’s stuff is still vowing by God - misusing His name - disrespecting God and what it means to live in a covenant relationship with Him.

Verse 36 is even more personal:  “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.”

How many of you dye your hair?  You don’t have to raise your hand.  Underneath all that dye the hair is still grey.  Right?  We can try to deceive ourselves - or others - but ultimately if its grey.  Its grey.

We can vow something.  “I promise to pay you back.  I promise to change.  I promise never to do that again.”  From the depth of who we are we may honestly desire to fulfill that vow.  But, ultimately it’s only the sovereign God who can change the core of who we are and what we’re able to do.

God knows what limits us.  Knows what we struggle with.  Knows what will happen to us tomorrow.  God is the one who controls tomorrow and has orchestrated future history to fulfill His promises.

Jesus’ point?  Say what we want.  But ultimately we must recognize that we’re accountable to God for what we say.  All of this oathing and vowing and swearing has to do with our relationship with the Almighty God - our understanding of who we are before the holy sovereign God - our respect of God.

Verse 37 - Jesus drives His point home with a final application.  So how do we live - knowing what we know about living respecting God - how do we live all that out in our relationships with people around us?

Verse 37:  But - instead of misusing God’s name - let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. - it leads us into misusing God’s name.

Think about how these Old Testament laws - the ones that Jesus is summarizing - think how those laws could be put positively.  “You shall make vows and fulfill them out of respect for the Lord.  Otherwise, don’t make vows.”

Have you heard this, “Say what you mean.  Mean what you - what? say”?

Two challenges for us - by way of application.

First:  There are ways to swear using God’s name.  Say that with me.  “There are ways to swear using God’s name.”  Ways that don’t bring down  God’s judgment and wrath and hell fire and brimstone.  Ways that respect God. 

Three examples. 

Deuteronomy 6:13 - “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.”  Moses - giving instructions to God’s people on how to swear.  Swearing by God’s name - tied to our fear of God - our respect of God - our worship of God.  If we’re going to use God’s name, do it in a way that shows that we respect Him - honor Him - value Him above all others.

Romans 1:9 - Paul, writing to the church in Rome:  “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you…”  Do you hear the oath?  “God is my witness” “I swear to God.” - is an understanding that our God is integrally concerned with - orchestrates - passes judgment on how we live our lives.

“I’m striving to live in obedience to the one God who is worthy of serving.  Who’s given purpose and value to my life.  He knows what I’m doing for you.”  There’s respect there. 

Third example - Revelation 10:5,6:  “Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that there will be delay no longer.”

Invoking God’s name - with respect for Him - giving Him His rightful place - as creator - ruler - possessor and sovereign over all that was - is - and will be.  That’s respect.

This is a challenge for us.  Elbow the person next to you and tell them that, “This is a challenge for us.”

We all struggle with this.  Church - hear this.  If we say we respect God on Sunday and then disrespect Him on Monday - by what’s coming out of our mouth - then we’re taking His name in vain.

If we sing words of worship on Sunday - “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” - and on Monday we’re saying, “Me, me, me, me, me.”  Doing what works best for us - even lying and deceiving others to get our own way.  That disrespects God.

If we talk righteousness on Sunday - clean up our speech and talk Church talk - with our Christian siblings - and Monday we’re telling filthy jokes at the office - or talking using four letter words - “God this and God that” - that’s disrespecting God.

If we’re pleading with God in prayer on Sunday - but Monday what’s coming out of our mouth shows that our hearts are not sold out to God - that’s disrespecting God.

But, imagine if we went through our week with our “Yes” meaning “Yes” and our “No” meaning “No” - just telling it like it is.  Who God is - respecting Him - honoring Him for who He is - testifying of His grace and mercy and all He’s done for us.  Using His name to speak words of blessing and righteousness and encouragement - words offered in prayer for other.  Honoring Him - lifting up His name.

Would that make a difference in our families and schools and the people we work with?  Would people see something different in us?

What Jesus is teaching - here in the Sermon on the Mount - is about God meeting us at the point where we live our lives.  Not about us earning a relationship with God.  But about God establishing our relationship with Him.

Not about rules and regulations so that somehow we earn God’s favor or avoid His wrath.  But about the God who wants to pour out His love on us - to take the burdens off our shoulders - to bring peace to our hearts - to establish us and bless us and watch out for us and heal us and care for us and guide and lead us through life into eternity with Him.

What God is saying here is, “Respect Me.”  That’s what people do in a relationship.  Its not just the words we say.  Its the characteristic of how we live our lives with God.  The people around us are desperate to see that kind of relationship lived out - spoken about - demonstrated in words which honor God and bring His Gospel and healing into their lives.

That’s a challenge for us.  Don’t misuse God’s name.  Use it respecting Him.

Second thought of application:  We have an obligation to speak the truth.  Repeat that with me, “We have an obligation to speak the truth.”

We live in a society that rejects the idea of absolute truth.  In our schools - courts - politics - community - we’re told to be tolerant - inclusive - open to the experiences and beliefs of others.  “Truth is relative to how I experience life - a matter of perspective.”  “Gay is okay.”  “Marry whoever or whatever you want.”  “Never question the beliefs - or faith journey of someone else.”  “God is who I experience Him - or her - or it - to be.”

You heard these?  Or similar.

If there’s no absolute truth then lying and cheating and deception is an expectation.  Would you agree with that?  Do whatever it takes - say whatever you want - lie to get ahead.  As long as you don’t get caught it’s okay.  And, if you do get caught - lie.  Blame someone else.

Pilate asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)  Is there an absolute truth?

What did Jesus say?  John 14:6.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the - what? truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”

That’s an awesome claim!  Isn’t it?  Jesus doesn’t say, “I show the way.  I teach the truth.  I give life.”  Jesus isn’t just someone who has a piece of a truth - someone with a different perspective of spirituality - someone pointing the way to some god.

Jesus makes this absolute - dogmatic - exclusive statement about Himself that runs completely counter to our “inclusive” society of today.  Many people - even in the so-called church - stumble and struggle over these words.  But, these words of Jesus mean absolutely what it sounds like Jesus is claiming:

“There is no other way - no other truth - no other life.  When you come to me you’re meeting God.  You’ve found the ultimate truth.  When you come to me you then and there possess life.”

As Christians - call us whatever you want - blind - easily led - people with fruitcake between their ears - we believe what Jesus said.  That God speaks truth.  He never lies. (Psalm 119:160)  That Jesus is God’s truth in the flesh.

We believe - because God’s word tells us - we believe that humankind is more that just a freak accident of some proteins and energy.    We believe that God values and cares for each one of us and that He will give to us - even today - life with Him.

We believe God’s word when God says that Jesus Christ is the means by which our sins are forgiven - that through faith in Jesus and His work for us on the cross - paying the penalty for our sins - that we can know God.  We believe in the truth of the resurrection of Jesus and that its possible to live in His triumph over death and to spend eternity with God.

We believe that God speaks to us the truth of how we’re to live before Him - what we need to know that makes sense out of life.  That in Him there’s healing for our lives and purpose for our future.

We believe that there is right and wrong.  That God demands that we live in obedience to Him - to do what is right - not because He’s some kind of cruel - maniacal God - but because He loves us and desires what is best for us.

We who know that there is absolute truth have an obligation - in the midst of a society that Satan has confused and deceived and lied to and is leading into destruction - leading our families and neighbors and anyone else he can get his claws on - leading them into destruction - we have an obligation to speak God’s truth to those around us - to challenge the lies of the society in which we live.

People need to know Jesus who is the truth.  Say that with me, “People need to know Jesus who is truth.”

Remember Billy Joel?  Listen to these words - and think about the people we experience life with.

If you search for tenderness
It isn't hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness
You might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give

I can always find someone
To say they sympathize
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve
But I don't want some pretty face
To tell me pretty lies
All I want is someone to believe

When I'm deep inside of me
Don't be too concerned
I won't ask for nothin' while I'm gone
But when I want sincerity
Tell me where else can I turn
Because you're the only one that I depend on

Can we try singing this.  I know its strange singing Billy Joel in a Service of Worship.  But - try it with me…  You don’t want me to sing this alone.

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you (1)

People need people who are honest.  People who are the real deal.  Who live out their lives based on what’s true.  Who will tell them the truth.   People need to see in us - people in relationship with the living God living out that relationship in how we live with others - respecting Him in what we say and do.

________________