Leptondale on Demand

marriage and divorce in America—the Barna Group divorce rate among adults who have been married — 33% Catholics — 28% Evangelicals — 26% born-again Christians — 33% married born-again Christians divorced 2 or more times — 23%

“There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage…Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life. ” George Barna

Be a tie that binds 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

“For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Verse 9 I. Marriage is a gift God gives to a husband and wife through each other (verses 1-6) 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. “For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Verse 9

I. Marriage is a gift God gives to a husband and wife through each other (verses 1-6) 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

I. Marriage is a gift God gives to a husband and wife through each other (verses 1-6) “A secret of successful marriage is not to insist upon what our partner owes us but to focus on our duty to our marriage partner.” Derek Prime, Opening up 1 Corinthians

take aways about marriage from verses 1-6 Sexual intimacy outside the confines of marriage, as God defines marriage, is sinful sexual intimacy within marriage protects us from sexual immorality and is part of God’s gift to us through marriage husbands and wives are called to focus on their marriage partner, not themselves, as God’s means of meeting one another’s needs for intimacy we must not deny this intimacy to one another except for limited times, by mutual agreement, for spiritual purposes

II. Singleness is a gift of self-control God gives so that one may have undivided devotion to Him (verses 7-9, 35) 7 “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.”

III. Two believers joined in marriage “should not separate” (verses 10-11) 10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:9

“…they are no longer two but one flesh.” Mark 10:8 III. Two believers joined in marriage “should not separate” (verses 10-11) 10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. “…they are no longer two but one flesh.” Mark 10:8

Iv. A believing spouse should, as much as depends upon them, remain in their marriage to a non-believer for the sake of the spiritual well-being of their household (verses 12-16) 15 “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. ”

Iv. A believing spouse should, as much as depends upon them, remain in their marriage to a non-believer for the sake of the spiritual well-being of their household (verses 12-16) “For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? ” verse 16 “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.” 1 Peter 3:1-2

take aways about marriage from verses 12-16 Married believers should not divorce their unbelieving spouses If the unbelieving spouse wants a divorce, as Paul commands in verse 15, “let it be so ” on the basis of this command, the believing spouse is free to remarry after such a divorce Remaining in the marriage as a believer is a good thing because the changed and Christ-like life of the believing spouse is an ever- present proclamation of the power of the gospel with great potential to reach and bring salvation both to the children and to a lost spouse

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 1: The elders of Leptondale Bible Church unanimously believe the Scriptures teach that marriage is a covenant relationship, instituted by God, as a sacred union between one man and one woman, intended to last as long as they both live. God makes two into one flesh. Marriage vows are a covenantal promise before God to live and love within his design. (Genesis 2:24, Malachi 2:14- 15, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:39)

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 2: We believe that God hates divorce. We believe that divorce is most often wrong and sinful. We believe that divorce is hated by God, and is sinful, even in the case of a second marriage. (Malachi 2:13-16)

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 4: We believe that all sexual relations outside of a proper marriage union are, and should be treated as, sin. This includes fornication, adultery and homosexual relations, whether recognized as legal by the state or not. (Leviticus 18:22, Matthew 15:19, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Hebrews 13:4) “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 5: We believe that the scriptures teach that God's desire is for believers to marry only other believers. Based on this truth, we commit to teach and encourage our young, unmarried people to seek serious relationships only with those with whom they are like-minded and equally yoked. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 Corinthians 7:39)

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 6 pertains to counseling any having difficulty with their marriage “we firmly believe that the best end is always a full reconciliation and return to a loving relationship. ”

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 7: Some of the elders of LBC believe that divorce, and then remarriage, are allowed by the Scriptures in some instances. Those in the church are free to express their differing Biblical views on this subject. We will not ostracize or discipline people for remarrying under circumstances which some elders consider to be appropriate. (Matthew 5:32; 1 Corinthians 7:15) “And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful ” (NLT). Matthew 19:9

V. Where does lbc stand? Point 8: We believe that the act of remarrying in wrong circumstances is sin, but the married couple are not then continually living in sin. Even a marriage improperly begun should be lived to the glory of God. “…Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more. ” John 8:11

Be a tie that binds