Introduction

I Review: “The Divorce Dilemma - Part 1”

A summary of Jesus’ teaching (Mt 5:31-32; 19:8-9; Mk 10:10-12; Lk 16:18):

1. Marriage is, first and foremost, a binding promise made to God and cannot be broken – despite what the culture might say, what the legal system allows or what our desires dictate.
2. Sexual immorality is the only exception that Jesus allows for divorce! Having said that, the ideal response is to pursue biblical reconciliation leading to ultimate restoration!
3. If a man divorces his wife (unbiblically) and remarries someone else: a. The man and his new wife are guilty of adultery

b. The innocent wife and her new husband are guilty of adultery

Two events that permit biblical divorce and remarriage:

1. Physical death: Romans 7:1-3
2. Virtual death:

• The penalty for adultery was death - Lev 20:10; Dt 22:22
• Grace was evidenced in both the OT and NT:
• OT: David and Solomon
• NT: Woman caught in adultery and woman at the well
• But the fact that the penalty for adultery was sometimes ignored, doesn’t nullify the law or its effects.
• Consequently, adultery becomes the basis for treating an unfaithful spouse as “if dead”, therefore releasing the innocent spouse to divorce and remarry in the Lord.

Why I believe 1 Cor 7 does not allow for Christian divorce and remarriage:

1. Jesus has already clearly stated there are only two grounds for remarriage: 1) Physical death of a spouse; 2) Virtual death of a spouse by the act of adultery
2. This passage in 1 Cor 7 is not adding to the teaching of Jesus, but rather addressing a specific application issue facing the church of Corinth:

• A man and a woman were married as unbelievers
• One became a believer and the unbeliever [apistos] rejected the newfound faith of the spouse and pursued a divorce

In other words, this is not applicable to a couple where both husband and wife are “pistos” or of the faith.

1. The believing spouse is no longer “under bondage [doulos] in such cases -- God has called us to peace.”

Note: The passage says nothing about having the privilege to remarry another. Instead, she is to be at peace.

1. Paul’s teaching in 1 Cor 7:10-40 begins/ends with:

• A command: Do not divorce
• A fact: Only death terminates marriage - 1 Cor 7:39

1 Cor 7:39 “A wife is bound [Deo = “To bound, knitted or tied”] by law as long as her husband lives, but if her husband dies:

• She is free to be married to who she wishes
• But she must marry only a believer

(2014)

May God bless you through this message!

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Introduction

Matthew 19:1 marks an important transition in the Messianic story:

1. To this point in the narrative, the Synoptic Gospels have focused attention on Jesus’ Galilean ministry
2. However, from this point, the Gospel writers record the Lord’s determination to fulfill his redemptive purposes by setting his face toward Jerusalem.
3. Furthermore, the narrative highlights the growing intensity of the hostility of the Jewish leaders and their insistence on killing the Lord.

I The Reality of Divorce

1. The statistics of divorce
2. Every year about 2.3 million marriages take place in the US
3. 40%–50% of all first marriages will end in divorce
4. 60% of second marriages will end in divorce

And beneath the rubble of those numbing statistics, lie the crushed lives of men, women and 5-6 million children.

(2014)

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Introduction

Matthew 19:1 marks an important transition in the Messianic story:

1. To this point in the narrative, the Synoptic Gospels have focused attention on Jesus’ Galilean ministry
2. However, from this point, the Gospel writers record the Lord’s determination to fulfill his redemptive purposes by setting his face toward Jerusalem.
3. Furthermore, the narrative highlights the growing intensity of the hostility of the Jewish leaders and their insistence on killing the Lord.

I The Reality of Divorce

1. The statistics of divorce
2. Every year about 2.3 million marriages take place in the US
3. 40%–50% of all first marriages will end in divorce
4. 60% of second marriages will end in divorce

And beneath the rubble of those numbing statistics, lie the crushed lives of men, women and 5-6 million children.

May God bless you through this message!

(2014)

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com