GODLY HOMES

In an ungodly world (5)

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

Divorceand remarriage (3)

In Previous Lessons Divorce ALWAYS involves

sin! Marriage intended for life He hates divorce (Mal.

2:13-16) You cannot divorce for just

any reason (Matt. 5:32-32, etc.

In Previous Lessons• A very divisive subject.

Primarily because of the emotions involved.

• The problem is that man doesn’t like what God’s word says about the subject.

In Previous Lessons• There are marriages that

God doesn’t recognize Matt. 14:3-4, Ezra 9-10, Matt. 5:31-32, 1 Cor. 5:1-2

Who Can Remarry?• Scriptural reasons for

remarriage • Death of a spouse – Rom.

7:3• For the cause of fornication

Matt. 19:8-9 –

Who Can Remarry?The “cause of fornication”

•“Therefore what God has joined together, do not let man separate” Matt. 19:6THIS IS THE RULE!!!!

Who Can Remarry?The “cause of fornication”

•In Matt. 19:8-9, Jesus gives a single exception, “and I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”

Manipulating the TextThe Law Only Applies to

Believers•Reasoned that since baptism washes away sins, previous divorces (i.e. sinful) are repented of and therefore removed when one obeys the Gospel.

Manipulating the TextThe Law Only Applies to

Believers•Answer: “From the beginning it was not so” Matt. 19:8. Such disregards what repentance is

Manipulating the TextIt was part of the Old Law

•Since Jesus lived under Old Law, this passage dealing with the Law of Moses.

Manipulating the TextIt was part of the Old Law

•Answer:•Jesus was teaching more than the Old Law.“From the beginning it was not so” Matt. 19:8.“And I say to you” Matt. 19:9Gospels written FOR ChristiansWhat about Romans & 1 Cor.?

Manipulating the TextDistinguished between putting

away and divorce•Argued that there is a difference between putting away and divorce. Some say Jesus was condemning a wife not divorced, but simply “put away”. (Cf. Deut. 24:1-4,…)

Manipulating the TextDistinguished between putting

away and divorce•Answer:•Jesus was answering questions about divorcing for ANY reason. Note: Such not permitted under Old Law (cf. Deut. 22:19, 28)What Jesus answered is NOT part of Old Law.

Manipulating the Text“Mental Divorce”

•Reasoned that when one divorces according to law (for reasons other than fornication) they can wait for their spouse to commit fornication (i.e. adultery) and then divorce them in God’s eyes (mentally put them away).

Manipulating the Text“Mental Divorce”

•Answer:•NOT supported ANYWHERE in scripture! Consider Matt. 5:32, 1 Cor. 7:1-5. The “waiting part” is NOT innocent!

Manipulating the TextIf innocent party can

remarry then so can the guilty party

•Reasoned that since the marriage is “sundered” in God’s eyes, both parties are free to remarry.

Manipulating the TextIf innocent party can remarry then so

can the guilty party•Answer:•Again note that the texts make NO provisions for guilty party to remarryConsider Matt. 5:32, 19:9 The one acted AGAINST cannot remarryWhere in scripture does God approve of sin to escape consequences??????

Manipulating the TextRepent of past divorce(s)

•Reasoned that while divorce is sin, when you “repent” you are free to remarry or stay in our present (previously unscriptural) marriage.

Manipulating the TextRepent of past divorce(s)

•Answer:•This misunderstands what repentance involves! Consider 2 Cor. 7:10-11

Manipulating the TextLust is a cause for divorce

•Matt. 5:27-28 speaks of committing adultery in the heart. Therefore one who views pornography (etc.) can be divorced.

Manipulating the TextLust is cause for divorce

•Answer:•Pornography IS sinful and requires one to repent!Context of sermon on the mount - Jesus using extreme examples to develop proper motives cf. Matt. 5:21-22, 29-30The point: Address motives BEFORE you sin.

Manipulating the TextLust is cause for divorce

•Answer:•BUT, fornication is a physical act in which the marriage bed is defiled. Pornography does NOT meet that standard!NOTE: Do NOT trivialize the sin of pornography. IT does damage! cf. 2 Tim. 2:22, 1 Pet. 2:11, Job. 31:1

Manipulating the TextWhat the text says is plain, whether we like it or not!NOTE: Do we firmly believe that such arguments are perversions of scripture?If so, we should STAND UP and defend the truth and AVOID those who teach such errors!

Manipulating the TextWhat the text says is plain, whether we like it or not!If you know of a brother in sin you go to him – Jas. 5:19-20, Gal. 6:1This subject is a matter of moral conduct (1 Cor. 5:1-7)

Manipulating the TextWhat the text says is plain, whether we like it or not!If a congregation will not stand for the truth on this subject (or any other) it is UNSOUND and should be avoided Eph. 5:11, 2 John 9-11

What if…One is in an unscriptural marriage?•Understand that God does NOT recognize the marriage!Cf. Matt. 5:31-32, 19:8-9

What if…One is in an unscriptural marriage?•You MUST repent.NOT simply saying, “I’m sorry.” It involves making circumstances right!2 Cor. 7:10-11

What if…One is in an unscriptural marriage?•You MUST repent.Why is a sinful marriage any different than any other sin?•Example: Unscriptural marriages dissolved Ezra 10:1-4, 44

What if…One is in an unscriptural marriage?•“But you are dissolving a loving relationship when previous marriage was a mistake.”•Emotional appeal! Subjective! Prov. 14:12, Ac. 26:9

What if…One is in an unscriptural marriage?•Such does NOT change what the Bible says!•Do NOT risk your salvation on what you THINK God might accept!•Also consider the dilemma this put your brethren in endangering their souls.

May we live so that these issues do not become an issue!