GODLY HOMES

In an ungodly world (3)

An ongoing study of the Home as God’s Word teaches.

Divorceand remarriage (1)

Marriage is for LifeMarriage intended “till death do us part.”Gen. 2:24, Matt. 19:4-6Romans 7:2-31 Cor. 7:39Our study of marriage must respect this!

Divorce in AmericaMarriage today is not given the high respect of times past.Pew Research survey released Nov, 2010 stated that 39% of Americans believe that marriage is becoming obsolete.

Divorce in AmericaMarriage is not given the high respect of times past seen in -No fault-divorceCohabitation – choosing to say, “I don’t”Some states – no divorce statistics (why?)“Till death do us part”Removed from wedding vows

Divorce in America• Divorce rate higher than

previous decades• For every 2 marriages, there

is approx. 1 divorce in America (in a given year)IF this trend continues, the divorce rate could reach 50%

Divorce in AmericaThe negative effects of divorce:Higher probability of problems requiring professional help:“Intact” family – 90% of children in “normal range”Divorced family – 74% boys & 66% girls in “normal range”

Divorce in AmericaThe negative effects of divorce:Higher probability of problems:- Parental loss- Economic loss- More stress- Parental adjustments - Parental incompetence- Conflict between parents

The effects of divorce on children, 2009, Robert Hughes

Divorce in AmericaThe negative effects of divorce:Higher probability of problems:- Higher probability of divorce- Health problems- Higher crime rates

The Bible & Divorce• Where there is divorce, sin

is ALWAYS involved!• NEVER looked upon

favorably (tolerated under Old Law – Matt. 19:8)

• Permitted NOW for one cause – Matt. 19:9, 5:32

The Bible & Divorce• Malachi 2:13-16,

“For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence.”

The Bible & Divorce• Matthew 5:31-32,

“…But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

The Bible & Divorce• Matthew 19:8-9,

Similar in statement of 5:31-32, but allows provision for remarriage for the one divorcing his wife.

The Bible & Divorce• Mark 10:1-12,

Account of same occasion as Matt. 19:1-9, but he doesn’t deal with the exception. He does mention that it applies to both husband and wife.

The Bible & Divorce• 1 Cor. 7:10-16,

“…A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife”

The Bible & Divorce• 1 Cor. 7:10-16, • Vs. 10-11 The RULE

stated.• Vs. 11 – “But if she does

depart.” NOT permission (but it happens). Cf. 1 John 2:1 concerning sin.

The Bible & Divorce• 1 Cor. 7:10-16, • Vs. 11 IF she departs –

remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.

The Bible & Divorce• 1 Cor. 7:10-16, • Vs. 12-16 Deals with

spiritually mixed marriages (believer-unbeliever).

• Vs. 12-13 NOTE that preference is NOT to divorce.

• Vs. 14 – unbeliever & children “sanctified”

The Bible & Divorce• 1 Cor. 7:10-16, • Vs. 15-16 IF the unbeliever

departs, a brother or sister is “not under bondage”. Not permission to remarry, but not bound to fulfill marriage vows (i.e. not responsible for adultery).

• NOTE who departs!

Divorce is something we ought

to seek to avoid – BEFORE we enter

into marriage!