Falsehood and the Kingdom (Mat 5.33-37)

Sermon podcast

Discussion Questions

1. As you reflect on the sermon, what one thing stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult?

2. Read Jeremiah 9.4-6. How many of these descriptors are true of our society today? Can you give some examples? How do we reverse the deepening culture of falsehood in our society? What is our role as Christians?  Read 2Chron 16.9. Do you think this verse applies to our situation, and if so, how?

3. Read Leviticus 19.11-12, where God forbids “dealing falsely” with one another.  (This is the passage Jesus quotes in Mat 5.33).  Now read Psalm 12.2, where David decries those who speak with a “double heart.” Do you think speaking with a double heart is part of what God had in mind when he said not to deal falsely with one another? What do you think it means to speak with a double heart? Can you think of some examples? What do you think is the difference between a compliment and flattery? Do you think it is possible to speak the truth and yet deal falsely? What do you think is the biggest sin challenge we face in the church today in terms of dealing falsely with one another? What would it mean to deal truthfully with one another?

4. Read Matthew 12.36, where Jesus says every idle word will be brought into judgment. Now reread Psalm 12.2, where David refers to people speaking “idly.” Based on Psalm 12.2, what do you think Jesus means by “idle” words? Do you think Jesus is condemning small talk, or perhaps something else?

5. In the sermon, Pastor Burrow showed from the Scriptures how taking the Lord’s name in vain means taking his presence lightly — as something that is insignificant.  He also showed from Scripture how God’s glory means God’s weightiness, and that as God’s New Testament temple, Christians are to be a people on whom God’s presence weighs heavily – not in a negative sense, but in the sense that we live always with a strong sense of his presence. If we lived with a strong sense that God is listening to everything we say (including what we say inside our heart), how would it change our speech? What would be the main ways your personal speech (in your heart and in your mouth) would change?

6. Why is the weightiness of God’s presence mostly absent from modern Christianity? How does this seem to compare with Islam?