“Do Not Swear at All …

• Not by heaven (God’s Throne)
• Not by earth (God’s footstool)
• Not by Jerusalem (the Great King’s City)”

But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

He Didn’t Say, “Keep it to a Minimum.” He said, “Don’t Swear at All.”

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The Authority Spoke

• Get Up!
• Take Your Mat!
• Go Home!

The Paralyzed Man Responded

• He Stood Up (for All to See)
• He Took Up (His “Disabili-Bed”)
• He Took Off (Went Home Praising God)

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Because of the Power Jesus Held, the Man was Made Able to Take Hold of the Bed that had Held Him.

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• Flee Judea (to the Mountains)
• Flee the City (out of Jerusalem)
• Avoid the City (in the Country)

When Taking an Urgent Trip, It’s Best to Follow “the Signs” (Troubled Seas)

• in the Sun
• in the Moon
• in the Stars

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. [...] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

This Good Book Offers Early Travel Planning Ideas for Dangerous Situations

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• Jerusalem
• Judea/Samaria (together or as separate points)
• The Ends of the Earth

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NIV

Being a witness: “Here, There & Everywhere”

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• Heaven
• Earth
• Sea
• Everything

Prayer Petition: Now, Lord …

• Consider Threats
• Enable Servants
• Stretch Out Your Hand

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ (cf. Psalm 2:1-2) Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’” NIV

A prayer of a prayer can preach (quite well) …

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