Making a Promise

Notes from a survey sermon based on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:27-37

People with good intentions make promises. People with good character keep them.

It would be a challenge for anyone to live up to Wooden’s Nine Promises that can Bring Happiness every day in every way, but imagine a world if everyone did.

1. Promise yourself that you will talk health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible.

2. Promise yourself to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value

3. Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others.

4. Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

5. Promise yourself to be strong so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

6. Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.

7. Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile.

8. Promise to give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

9. Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, to strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you.

1) Consider the Consequences of breaking a promise (27 -30)

Ex: This sermon elevates the seriousness as to which we are to approach our sin-life.

There is something we can do about sins – make a choice to avoid sinful situations, make a plan to deal with sin as dangerous thing, make a promise to go to extreme lengths when we sin.

AP: lust (one of the 7 deadly sins) is the most extreme example that Jesus throws our way in this portion of the sermon. Many think that as long as they don’t act on the impulse of adultery (lusts ultimate goal) than a glance is ok. The trouble is lust is not satisfied with a glance.

2) Consider the Commitment of relationship (31-32)

Ex: While Jesus places a category on permissible Biblical divorce – this is in effect to deal with the seriousness of marriage and right the wrong of giving up on a marriage that may take work. This is an indictment of the condition that the Rabbi’s had allowed to come to marriage.

(IL: Divorce was a simple as writing a certificate and sending the woman back to her family. There did not even need to be any cause or reason – not pleasing to look upon, not quick enough with the supper…)

(This is one of the passages that I believe can be pointed to as Jesus elevating the status of ladies in culture. In cultural context a woman was a mere possession. Jesus changed all that and elevated the status and importance of ladies.)

AP: for specific context Jesus is pointing to the commitment of relationships – which allows takes work, hard work!

3) Consider the Consistency of keeping your promises. (33-37)

In the movie Second Hand Lions – my favorite scene is the fight at the soda shop…

Then the old tough uncle brings the boys home and gives a speech – “The Everything you to know to be a man speech”

Later he gives part of the speech to his young nephew – and promises later to give him all of it.. Hub McCann to Walter

" Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good. That honor, courage and virtue mean everything ; that power and money ... money and power mean nothing. That good always triumphs over evil. And I want you to remember this.... that love....true love never dies ! Remember that boy ... remember that. Doesn't matter if it is true or not, a man should believe in those things , because those are the things worth believing in...... got that ? "

I’ve added to this for my boys to include these truths to live up to:

Integrity Matters  

Honesty is essential

Consistent is about the habits we’ve developed when no one was looking.  

Dependable always be one others can depend on – therein lies the secrets of leadership.