Divorce & RemarriageDivorce & Remarriage

Matthew 19:1-12Matthew 19:1-12

Divorce Harms Many

• 15 years AFTER divorce only 10% of children felt good about it

The Effects of Divorce on America, Fagan & Rector, 2000

Divorce Harms Many

• The emotional effects of divorce can impact the child’s life for the next 3 decades

The Effects of Divorce on America, Fagan & Rector, 2000

Divorce Harms Many

• Following divorce children are more likely to stop practicing their faith

The Effects of Divorce on America, Fagan & Rector, 2000

Testing GodTesting God

• Pharisees’ question by traditionPharisees’ question by tradition

• Jesus’ answer by the WordJesus’ answer by the Word

The Unhappy MarriageThe Unhappy Marriage

• Divorce for “any cause?” (Deut. 24:1-4)Divorce for “any cause?” (Deut. 24:1-4)

•"When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce

Beginning at the BeginningBeginning at the Beginning

• Marriage is God’s GlueMarriage is God’s Glue– God’s CovenantGod’s Covenant

• Divorce is Man’s KnifeDivorce is Man’s Knife

Proverbs 2:11,16,17Proverbs 2:11,16,17

Discretion will preserve you; Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you…16 Understanding will keep you…16 To deliver you from the immoral To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress woman, From the seductress whowho flatters with her words… 17 flatters with her words… 17 Who forsakes the companion of Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And her youth, And forgets the forgets the covenant of her Godcovenant of her God..

Matthew 5:32Matthew 5:32

"But I say to you that whoever "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes except sexual immorality causes

her to commit adultery; and her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is whoever marries a woman who is

divorced commits adultery.divorced commits adultery.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and

adulterers God will judge.

Permitted vs. Exceptional

• Permission by Moses for Hard hearts (3)

““The HEART of the matter is The HEART of the matter is the heart IS the matter”the heart IS the matter”

Heart of the MatterHeart of the Matter

Hardness is seen in: – Loose commitments (Matt. 19:8)

– Weak faith (Mark 16:14)

Malachi 2:14-16Malachi 2:14-16The LORD has been witness between you and the The LORD has been witness between you and the

wife of your youth, With whom wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt you have dealt treacherouslytreacherously; yet she is your companion and ; yet she is your companion and your your wife by covenantwife by covenant. .

Malachi 2:14-16Malachi 2:14-16

But did He not make But did He not make themthem one, Having a one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. seeks godly offspring.

Malachi 2:14-16Malachi 2:14-16

15 Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherouslydeal treacherously with the wife of his youth.

Malachi 2:14-16Malachi 2:14-16

"For the LORD God of Israel says that He HATES divorce

Malachi 2:14-16Malachi 2:14-16

For it covers one’s garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:14-16Malachi 2:14-16

"Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherouslydo not deal treacherously."

Permitted vs. Exceptional

• Permission by Moses for Hard hearts (3)

• Exception by Jesus for Sexual Sin (9)

Living Single

• Exception by Jesus for Sexual Sin (9)

• The disciples hard conclusion (10)

• Jesus’ commendation of celibacy (11-12)

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Understand your sinfulness– "You have heard that it was said to those of

old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt. 5:27-28

– 1 Cor. 6:9-11—“such were some of you…”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

• Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicatorsfornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterersadulterers, nor homosexualshomosexuals, nor sodomitessodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Experience godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10)

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;

but the sorrow of the world produces death.

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Confess the sin– 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is

faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Call on God’s grace – John 8:11 She said, "No one, Lord." And

Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.“

– John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Choose righteousness – John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the

temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.“

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Choose righteousness – Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will

not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

What if I’ve been divorced?

• Choose righteousness – 1 Peter 1:15-16 but as He who called you is

holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."