Posts Tagged ‘ Promise ’

VerseD: Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9, ESV

Our God has promised to always be with us, and He proved it through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

VerseD: Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8, ESV

God has not given us instructions and then abandoned us. He has promised to keep teaching us by His Holy Spirit, a promise of eternal security.

VerseD: 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17, ESV

Christ has set us free from the tyranny of sin, not as a temporary fix but eternal healing, and we have His Holy Spirit as a deposit of that promise.

VerseD: Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6, ESV

The promise is not that God would make a visit to us. God has come, and He is reigning over Earth from Heaven through His Holy Spirit-filled Church.

Let us spread the Kingdom of our God who is with us.

VerseD: Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23, ESV

Our God loves us, as proven by His haven’t destroyed us all yet and by keeping His promises, especially through the cross of Christ.

VerseD: Ephesians 6:2-3

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Ephesians 6:2‭-‬3, ESV

God’s promises are mostly conditional in that disobedience has natural consequences, and obedience can reap supernatural rewards in Christ.

VerseD: Isaiah 55:1-2

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2, ESV

What peace we have knowing our Lord has promised and provides all our needs, especially salvation.

Let us feast on the promises and grace of God.

Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:32-37

I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]

Sermon on the Mount – Part 8

Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.

What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian. (A focus on why we’re blessed from 5:3-11)

[Jesus always takes us deeper]

What is an oath?
What was discussed last time?
• Lust and Divorce
• What are the most important promises we make in this life?
o Faith in Christ
o Marriage

Matthew 5:33:
What is Jesus saying?
• Once again, “an archaic saying”
o Said of old means: The Old Testament, specifically the Torah, more specifically Leviticus 19:11-12
▪ Essentially a rehashing of the 10 Commandments, but deeper
• Is He saying “Don’t cuss”?
o No, but also a good idea. Look back at vv. 21-22 – words spoken in anger
▪ OMG
▪ “I swear [to God], if you …”
o It becomes an issue of “Lord’s name in vain” then, as well
• Based on Lev. 19, don’t drag God into your lying and false promises
But what else is He saying?

Matthew 5:34-37:
What is Jesus saying?
Did Jesus abolish this law?
[Not exactly, but He also says “Just do it. Say you will, and then do.”]
• In other words, do not make oaths:
o That drag God into your failures or make your deeds seem good (Matthew 12:22-32)
o Based on Creation
o Based on your own abilities – James 4:13-17
• James 5:12 – Jesus’ brother reiterates “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
o Notice the context: James 5:7-16
▪ He reiterates that we will suffer for Christ.
▪ Don’t grumble/complain/get angry
• We remember Christ is coming soon
• Do we really believe Christ is coming soon (swear to God), or do people see us squabbling and
assume we doubt His return?
▪ Actually pray for people when you say you will! (This keeps coming up in these lessons)
▪ Confess sins
• Do we really believe God has forgiven us, or do people see us hold sins against each other and
assume we doubt His forgiveness?

Are all oaths/promises bad?

Not necessarily:

  • Intent matters:
    • Do you promise beyond ability? Then oaths and promises are stupid.
    • “As much as I can … if the Lord wills …”
  • It would rule out … covenants!
    • Remember: God swore by Himself with Abraham (Hebrews 6:13-14)
    • Covenants can be one-sided or two-sided (yes, sometimes more), but are commitments/promises between parties to fulfill obligations
  • Oaths/Promises can display sincerity (i.e. marriages, court trials, desperate pleas)

VerseD: Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23, ESV

We know that God keeps His promises, so we can cling to His promises that we are saved from His wrath and that He is coming back for us!

VerseD: John 16:33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, ESV

There are many things that can scare us or give us anxiety in this world, yet we can remember that our Lord has warned us they would come, He went through worse, and He is with us until He returns to remove all those things for ever.