PART IIPART II

Jesus Teaches on Marriage and Divorce

February 22, 2015

Jesus in Judea

Jesus went to the region of Judea. The crowds gathered to him and

Jesus began to teach them.

Pharisees Seek to Trap Jesus

The Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife.

The Context of the Pharisees Question

1) The division of the Pharisees between the teachings of Hillel and Shammai.

2) This altercation with the Pharisees took place in the territory of Herod Antipas.

Jesus and the PhariseesJesus Asked: What did Moses command you?The Pharisees Respond: Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.

Jesus Provides the Reason for Moses’ Allowance: Moses allowed

for a divorce because of your hardness of heart.

God’s Creational Design in Marriage

1) God has created all humans individually as male and female.

2) In and through the marriage covenant the male and female become one flesh – the two become one.

3) Only God joins people together in marriage and that bond is a permanent divine bond.

4) Man should not attempt to separate what God has joined together.

Mark’s Main Points

1) A man who divorces his wife in order to marry another woman commits adultery against his wife.

2) A woman who divorces her husband in order to marry another man commits adultery against her husband.

Matthew’s Exception Clause

All divorces and all remarriages result in the sin of adultery

except when the divorce is the result of sexual immorality.

Sexual Immorality – from Greek word ‘porneia’

Jesus Is NOT Saying

1) All sexual immorality in a marriage must or should result in divorce.

2) Unbiblical divorce and remarriage is the unforgivable sin.

3) Look for a way out of your marriage.

My Positional Views on Divorce

1) God hates divorce because all divorce is the result of sin.

2) Not all divorces are sinful. 3) Many divorces are sinful because

they have taken too lightly the divine bond and covenant of marriage.

4) Married believers should not consider divorce as an option.

Disciples’ Response to Jesus’ Teaching

They determined it was better NOT to marry than to marry and have to abide by this teaching.

Four Truths to a God Glorifying Marriage

1) Your view of marriage must match God’s view and God’s design.

2) You must faithfully believe that Christ will never leave his bride – the church!

3) The Gospel of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness must be central in your marriage.

4) You must realize that your marriage exists for God’s glory – not your own!