Let Your Yes Be Yes

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Tim Keller

Religion & Spirituality, Religion, Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Christianity, Spirituality

4.8 • 15K Ratings

🗓️ 25 August 2023

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As we look at the hard sayings of Jesus, we see in this passage that Jesus gives us a radical principle of truthfulness. The whole Bible is built on covenants, public promises, observed words. So what does Jesus mean when he says to let your “yes” be “yes”? He can’t mean you can’t take oaths. What he does mean is actually something almost the opposite, that if you think you can separate and create levels of truthfulness, you’re wrong. Everything is observed. Every yes and every no is an oath. Jesus is teaching us 1) the importance of truthfulness, 2) the nature of truthfulness, and 3) how you become a person of integrity. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on February 14, 1993. Series: Hard Sayings of Jesus (1993). Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37. Today's podcast episode is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Gospel in Life.
0:04.0	This may sound strange at first, but in many ways Jesus is an upside down Savior.
0:08.8	He came not in strength, but in weakness.
0:11.3	He came not to gain power, but to give away power.
0:14.6	As a teacher then, he spoke in a way that turned people's expectations on their heads, calling
0:19.6	people to lose their lives to gain them, to die to themselves so they can truly live.
0:25.0	Some of his teachings can be difficult to understand or accept.
0:28.6	Today Tim Keller is teaching through one of the hard sayings of Jesus, showing us that
0:32.9	while Christ's teachings aren't always easy, they provide the answers to having a meaningful
0:37.9	life and a relationship with him.
0:40.5	After you listen, please take a few seconds to rate and review our podcast.
0:44.1	Your review can help others to discover our podcast and experience the hope of the gospel.
0:49.3	Now here's today's teaching from Dr. Keller.
0:53.1	We're still looking at Jesus' teachings, especially the hard sayings, the difficult
0:58.6	call, statements that Jesus makes in his teaching.
1:06.3	I'm going to read in chapter 5 verses 33 to 37.
1:14.3	Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, do not break your oath,
1:20.9	but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.
1:23.8	But I tell you, do not swear at all, either by heaven for it is God's throne or by the
1:30.6	earth for it is his footstool or by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great king and do
1:36.1	not swear by your head for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
1:41.6	Simply let your yes be yes and you know, be no.
	...

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