“I Resolve”
December 30th, 2007
Matthew 5:33-37 - We all like to make new years resolutions. My question is this; where is God in the process, either of determining what our resolution will be or in helping us to keep it? We need to learn to let God shape the goals of our lives. Then our character will be reflect true strength. Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.”
“I Resolve”
Matthew 5:33-37
1. In a former life, I used to be a trainer at a health club. It never failed – after New Year’s Day there was a surge in the number of first appointments I had with people.
A. My favorite – the 40-something man that said, “I want to be buff.”
B. He had all the gear – new gym clothes, gloves, sweat bands, etc. And enough vitamins and supplements in his gym bag to make George Mitchell stand up and take notice (that was a joke for the baseball fans).
C. Most of these folks would be gone by the end of January.
D. This happened to such an alarming degree that it really got me thinking about why so many of us fail to keep our new year’s resolutions.
E. “I resolve.” Where is God in the process – either of determining what our resolution will be or in helping us to keep it?
F. We think we can just start over clean and easy.
G. They said wouldn’t it be great if like were like that. I said it is, but not when we try to do things on our own.
2. No one knows better than Jesus that talk is cheap.
A. Sermon on the Mount – Jesus’ “manifesto” for living in the kingdom of God.
B. Major theme – righteousness that exceeds the limitations of the law.
C. Not about simply doing the “legal” thing, but on being truly righteous, from the inside out.
D. Oaths were very common in the ancient world. The OT lays out some specifics for the use of oaths.
E. They developed a status similar to our perjury laws today.
F. But Jesus understood that the oath was only as good as the character of the person making the oath. Just because we have laws against perjury doesn’t mean that people don’t do it.
G. Righteousness beyond the confines of what the law means that your yes is yes and your no is no, and it is your character that backs it up.
3. Anyone that has ever heard me preach – or talk, for that matter – knows that I am a big baseball fan.
A. I want to tell you, I come by my passion honestly.
B. My father – every bit the warrior on the baseballs. Baseball was a source of connection and teaching growing up.
C. One time as a youth during infield practice, I got into a trash-talking contest with a friend from the opposing team.
D. It got to the point where I was more focused on out-talking my friend than I was in getting ready to play baseball.
E. My dad would call out my name “Jon,” and then wouldn’t say anything else. That would keep me quiet until my friend said something else, and then I was back at it.
F. After our team finished warm-ups, my dad met me at the dugout (that’s never a good sign).
G. “Your mouth isn’t very helpful when it comes to playing baseball. You do your talking on the field.”
H. Do your talking on the field. It was years before I actually understood what he was talking about.
I. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Because the rest is just noise.
4. Jesus had very little interest in oaths or promises – or resolutions, for that matter – that had no connection to righteousness, no connection to him.
A. Does that mean that we should not make vows?
B. Of course not. One of the greatest joys of being a minister is sharing with you in some of the vows that you make.
C. Wedding vows – go the heart of the commitment you are making. But, ultimately, they are meaningless if not connected to a deeper truth.
D. We shared in the sacrament of Holy Baptism this morning – Gabriel James Hooper. If he is not going to be raised to know Jesus as Lord of his life, then we are just saying words, we’re just talking.
E. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. And let the vows you make be meaningful.
5. This is all fine and good, Pastor Jon, but what does it mean? Should we not make New Year’s resolutions, or vows or oaths, etc.?
A. On the contrary. Make your resolutions. Make your vows. Make your oaths. But invite God into the process. Let God help determine the vision for your life, and then let God help you to fulfill that vision.
B. Because I have news – character, true character, comes straight from the heart of God. It is the gift of his grace and love…
C. So, how do we do this? Another good question.
D. At LOTC, we have a means to practice this. On the “Welcome Table” you find “River of God” booklets.
E. The “River of God.”
F. The resolution that you are making is to journey with God. The rest of it, you get help with.
6. I resolve. I want to be buff. I want to lose weight. I want to find the right women, or the right man. I want to advance in my career.
A. There is nothing wrong with these resolutions.
B. But, there is a righteousness that is deeper and more meaningful than our abilities and our vision.
C. It is a righteousness grounded in the grace of God and the commitment to travel through this life with Him and your guide and partner.
D. And it is the path to an abundant life that no health club or diet can match.
E. In 2008, let your yes be yes, and let your no be. Let your visions and dreams be from God. And let the source of your strength and character be the spirit of God that gives life to all people.
F. Anything else…is just pretty words. Amen.
Sermon delivered 12/30/07 at Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church, Anaheim Hills.
