God’s Will on Divorce

2001053

Subject: sermon on the mount; divorce

Introduction:

A. Must remind ourselves of the context.

1. 5:20 – He contrasted His true religion with their superficial rituals.

2. He gives 6 statements to illustrate 5:20.

a) this = 3^rd statement.

b) Killing/adultery studied so far.

c) Tonight: God’s will on divorce.

B. Divorce has become a trivial thing in society. At least on the surface…

1. Some here can testify of its devastating effects.

2. Hard to go through it involuntarily.

C. Tonight’s lesson: Simple/straightforward.

1. What was Moses’ teaching?

2. What were the Pharisees practicing?

3. What is God’s will on this matter?

I. Moses’ Teaching:

A. Deut 24:1-4

1. Husband could give wife certificate of divorce.

a) certificate stated fact that she had been his wife & that he had dissolved the marriage.

2. Two schools of thought among Jews: some said divorce allowed for any cause others only in case of adultery.

B. Moses’ object was to control divorce.

1. men held low view on women & were divorcing them from trivial reasons.

2. Probably boiled down to lust/passion – of which Jesus has just got through discussing in 5:27-31.

3. condition had become grossly unfair to women.

C. Law of Moses had 3 principles for divorce:

1. it limited divorce to certain causes.

a) Deut 24:1 – only if some uncleanness found.

b) All frivolous excuses not allowed as just cause.

c) This law given to control divorce.

2. Note also from 24:1 that husband had to give her a certificate of divorce. B/f this he could just put her out.

3. He also could not remarry her – 24:3-4.

a) purpose – to emphasize that this was not a trivial matter.

b) One cannot walk in/out of marriage at will.

c) One would need to think seriously before divorce.

II. What were the Pharisees Practicing?

A. There were most concerned w/the legal matter – not the spirit of the law.

1. As a result, they sought to avoid & circumvent God’s law.

B. Mt. 19:7 – said that Moses commanded divorce.

1. Law did not command it. Said if one wanted to divorce his mate he could on certain conditions.

2. Law added – b/c of the hardness of their hearts. 19:8

a) only a temporary expedient growing out of a special state of things & not designed to be perpetual.

C. Even in days of Jesus – hearts of people hard – still hard for that matter.

1. Probably fell back to all kinds of inadequate reasons.

2. Can you imagine how they interpreted “uncleanness?”

III. God’s will in this matter:

A. Jesus’ statements on the matter found in 5:32 & 19:4-9

B. Here = some basic principles we must understand!

1. He stresses the sanctity of marriage.

a) 19:4-5 – all way back to Eden.

b) God’s view of marriage where two b/c one. This phrase used throughout the bible and used to describe bond b/t hus/wife.

2. See also 19:6.

a) marriage not just a legal contract

b) not a church ordinance; sacrament.

c) An act of God – something that cannot be dissolved!

3. God has never anywhere commanded divorce.

a) only … if it were to come … bill of divorcement had to be granted.

b) Must get away from idea: “He/She has ruined my life; I don’t love him/her, I must divorce him/her.”

C. We also see one legitimate cause for divorce:

1. Mt. 19:9 – for unfaithfulness on part of one marriage partner.

2. Note: even here divorce is not a command – but permission.

D. What is the effect of Jesus’ teaching?

1. under law of Christ – divorce permitted only in case of adultery.

2. Jesus annulled what Moses allowed.

3. HE also established the legitimacy of divorce in case of adultery.

Conclusion:

A. If we not faithful to our most sacred bonds and vows – no wonder that other vows are lightly regarded.

B. Problems in marriage? Do your best to get them worked out.

1. God’s will is for happy marriages & happy families.

2. Problems – make an effort to put the pieces back together the best you can.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



God’s Will on Divorce 2001053 Subject: sermon on the mount; divorce Introduction: A. Must remind ourselves of the context. 1. 5:20 – He contrasted His true religion with their superficial rituals. 2. He gives 6 statements to illustrate 5:20. a) this = 3^rd statement. b) Killing/adultery studied so far. c) Tonight: God’s will on divorce. B. Divorce has become a trivial thing in society. At least on the surface… 1. Some here can testify of its devastating effects. 2. Hard to go through it involuntarily. C. Tonight’s lesson: Simple/straightforward. 1. What was Moses’ teaching? 2. What were the Pharisees practicing? 3. What is God’s will on this matter? I. Moses’ Teaching: A. Deut 24:1-4 1. Husband could give wife certificate of divorce. a) certificate stated fact that she had been his wife & that he had dissolved the marriage. 2. Two schools of thought among Jews: some said divorce allowed for any cause others only in case of adultery. B. Moses’ object was to control divorce. 1. men held low view on women & were divorcing them from trivial reasons. 2. Probably boiled down to lust/passion – of which Jesus has just got through discussing in 5:27-31. 3. condition had become grossly unfair to women. C. Law of Moses had 3 principles for divorce: 1. it limited divorce to certain causes. a) Deut 24:1 – only if some uncleanness found. b) All frivolous excuses not allowed as just cause. c) This law given to control divorce. 2. Note also from 24:1 that husband had to give her a certificate of divorce. B/f this he could just put her out. 3. He also could not remarry her – 24:3-4. a) purpose – to emphasize that this was not a trivial matter. b) One cannot walk in/out of marriage at will. c) One would need to think seriously before divorce. II. What were the Pharisees Practicing? A. There were most concerned w/the legal matter – not the spirit of the law. 1. As a result, they sought to avoid & circumvent God’s law. B. Mt. 19:7 – said that Moses commanded divorce. 1. Law did not command it. Said if one wanted to divorce his mate he could on certain conditions. 2. Law added – b/c of the hardness of their hearts. 19:8 a) only a temporary expedient growing out of a special state of things & not designed to be perpetual. C. Even in days of Jesus – hearts of people hard – still hard for that matter. 1. Probably fell back to all kinds of inadequate reasons. 2. Can you imagine how they interpreted “uncleanness?” III. God’s will in this matter: A. Jesus’ statements on the matter found in 5:32 & 19:4-9 B. Here = some basic principles we must understand! 1. He stresses the sanctity of marriage. a) 19:4-5 – all way back to Eden. b) God’s view of marriage where two b/c one. This phrase used throughout the bible and used to describe bond b/t hus/wife. 2. See also 19:6. a) marriage not just a legal contract b) not a church ordinance; sacrament. c) An act of God – something that cannot be dissolved! 3. God has never anywhere commanded divorce. a) only … if it were to come … bill of divorcement had to be granted. b) Must get away from idea: “He/She has ruined my life; I don’t love him/her, I must divorce him/her.” C. We also see one legitimate cause for divorce: 1. Mt. 19:9 – for unfaithfulness on part of one marriage partner. 2. Note: even here divorce is not a command – but permission. D. What is the effect of Jesus’ teaching? 1. under law of Christ – divorce permitted only in case of adultery. 2. Jesus annulled what Moses allowed. 3. HE also established the legitimacy of divorce in case of adultery. Conclusion: A. If we not faithful to our most sacred bonds and vows – no wonder that other vows are lightly regarded. B. Problems in marriage? Do your best to get them worked out. 1. God’s will is for happy marriages & happy families. 2. Problems – make an effort to put the pieces back together the best you can. C. I N V I T A T I O N