1. Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage?

2. God’s Marriage Law Given in Gen. 2:21-25 Given in Gen. 2:21-25 God “brought her unto” Adam God “brought her unto” Adam –God performed the first wedding! God’s Marriage Law: God’s Marriage Law: –Leave father and mother –Cleave to his (one) wife –Twain shall be one flesh

3. Matthew 19:3-6 Pharisees: “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” Pharisees: “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” Today: “irreconcilable differences” Today: “irreconcilable differences” Jesus appeals to “the beginning” Jesus appeals to “the beginning” –God’s marriage law is for all time “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”

4. Marriage Law Transcends Dispensations… Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. ( Gen 2:24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. ( Gen 2:24) He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Matt. 19:8) He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Matt. 19:8)

5. Romans 7:2-3 If a woman have a husband If a woman have a husband She is “bound by the law” to her husband She is “bound by the law” to her husband If he dies, she is “loosed from the law” If he dies, she is “loosed from the law” What law? What law? –The law that makes her an adulteress –That is God’s law Why is she an adulteress? Why is she an adulteress?

6. Man Can’t Release God’s Bond Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Matt. 19:6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Matt. 19:6) Attempt to release marriage bond invalid Attempt to release marriage bond invalid Marriage vows are intact after divorce Marriage vows are intact after divorce Thus re-marriage constitutes adultery Thus re-marriage constitutes adultery

7. Adultery Occurs in a Marriage Adultery by definition involves at least one married person who has sexual relations with one to whom they are not married. Adultery by definition involves at least one married person who has sexual relations with one to whom they are not married. Jesus says the divorced person commits adultery Jesus says the divorced person commits adultery Thus the divorced person has not been released from marriage vows by God Thus the divorced person has not been released from marriage vows by God

8. Listen to Jesus… Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery (Matt. 5:32)

9. Listen to Jesus… Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery (Matt. 19:9) Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery (Matt. 19:9)

10. Listen to Jesus… Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery (Mark 10:11, 12) Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery (Mark 10:11, 12)

11. Listen to Jesus… Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery (Luke 16:18) Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery (Luke 16:18)

12. Divorce is a Sin in That… It violates God’s law It violates God’s law Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matt. 19:6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matt. 19:6)

13. Divorce is a Sin in That… It is the breaking of a vow to God It is the breaking of a vow to God When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. (Eccl. 5:4-5)

14. Divorce is a Sin in That… It is the breaking of a vow to the spouse It is the breaking of a vow to the spouse … Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Mal. 2:13, 14 (NASB)

15. God Said… I hate divorce! (Mal. 2:16)

16. Are All People Amenable? Some argue alien sinner not amenable Some argue alien sinner not amenable Why just marriage law? Why just marriage law? –What makes a sinner a sinner? –Obvious answer….he has sinned! –Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) –All have sinned (Rom. 3:23) If not amenable…no right to marry! If not amenable…no right to marry! –Cannot enjoy privilege of law and be exempt

17. The Exception Noted Matt. 5:32 Matt. 5:32 –whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication Matt. 19:9 Matt. 19:9 –Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication

18. Another Exception? 1 Cor. 7:10 Contains a command 1 Cor. 7:10 Contains a command –Let not the wife depart from her husband V. 11 V. 11 –But and if she depart –let her remain unmarried –or be reconciled to her husband License or Liability? License or Liability?

19. Another Exception? Did God give a command, then take it back?! Did God give a command, then take it back?! Compare with 1 John 2:1 Compare with 1 John 2:1 –My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: –My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

20. Another Exception? If this justifies divorce… If this justifies divorce… –Let not the wife depart from her husband –But and if she depart This must justify sin! This must justify sin! –I write unto you, that ye sin not. –And if any man sin Both deal with violating a command Both deal with violating a command 1 Cor. 7:10-11 is not another exception 1 Cor. 7:10-11 is not another exception

21. Another Exception? But what about 1 Cor. 7:15? But what about 1 Cor. 7:15? –If the unbelieving spouse departs –“Not under bondage” Not under bondage to marriage law? Not under bondage to marriage law? –This would violate Matt. 19:9 –“Whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” The deserted party is not responsible, but cannot remarry The deserted party is not responsible, but cannot remarry

22. Some Will Say… But this is too hard!

23. So Did Jesus’ Disciples… Matt. 19:10-12 Matt. 19:10-12 –If such is the case…it is better not to marry –How would you respond? God will understand? God will understand? We can’t judge in such matters? We can’t judge in such matters?

24. Jesus Said… There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it. (Matt. 19:12) (Matt. 19:12)