1. Why God Hates Divorce Malachi 2:14-16 Matthew 19:3-9 Part 1

2. 2 God Hates Divorce Men of Judah were putting away wives, Malachi 2:10-17 Men of Judah were putting away wives, Malachi 2:10-17 – God hated this treacherous treatment of wives – God brought them under judgment It is sin to sunder what God joins together, Matthew 19:6 It is sin to sunder what God joins together, Matthew 19:6 To honor marriage we must hate every sin that corrupts it, Hebrews 13:4 To honor marriage we must hate every sin that corrupts it, Hebrews 13:4

3. 3 Matthew 19:4-6 Genesis 2:23-24 God established marriage God established marriage Permanent, committed union (Prov. 5:18) Permanent, committed union (Prov. 5:18) We honor marriage by… We honor marriage by… Living as “one” with our companion Living as “one” with our companion Unselfishly keeping our responsibilities Unselfishly keeping our responsibilities Marriage is not “disposable” Marriage is not “disposable”

4. 4 God Protects Marriage By defining its purposes, obligations & privileges, Rom. 7:2-3 By defining its purposes, obligations & privileges, Rom. 7:2-3 By commanding not to sunder what He has joined together, Matt. 19:6 (Mk. 6:17-18) By commanding not to sunder what He has joined together, Matt. 19:6 (Mk. 6:17-18) By the difficulty of putting away & remarrying with His approval, Matt. 19:9-12; 1 Co 7:10-11 By the difficulty of putting away & remarrying with His approval, Matt. 19:9-12; 1 Co 7:10-11

5. 5 God Honors and Judges Marriage Heb. 13:4; Rom. 7:2-3 Judge ourselves by God’s word, Jno. 12:48 Judge ourselves by God’s word, Jno. 12:48 Already many are under condemnation & need to repent for dishonoring marriage Already many are under condemnation & need to repent for dishonoring marriage Many cannot see the honor of marriage… Many cannot see the honor of marriage… Entangled in defiling sins, 2 Pet. 2:14 Entangled in defiling sins, 2 Pet. 2:14 Do not see marriage as a relationship from God that includes God Do not see marriage as a relationship from God that includes God

6. 6 Man Dishonors Marriage! Matthew 19:3, 6-8 Primary responsibility is love 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Jno. 14:15; 1 Jno. 4:20-21 Primary responsibility is love 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Jno. 14:15; 1 Jno. 4:20-21 By refusing marriage 1 Cor. 6:13, 18; 7:2 By refusing marriage 1 Cor. 6:13, 18; 7:2 By bringing adultery into the marriage bed Jeremiah 5:7-9; 13:27; James 4:4 By bringing adultery into the marriage bed Jeremiah 5:7-9; 13:27; James 4:4

7. 7 Man Dishonors Marriage! Matthew 19:3, 6-8 By sundering what God has joined together Matthew 19:6 (3) By sundering what God has joined together Matthew 19:6 (3) CHORIZO: “to separate, divide, part, put asunder, to separate one’s self from, to depart” CHORIZO: “to separate, divide, part, put asunder, to separate one’s self from, to depart” From CHORA: “the space lying between two places or limits” From CHORA: “the space lying between two places or limits” “they are no more two, but one flesh”

8. 8 Man Dishonors Marriage! Matthew 19:3, 6-8 By treating the exception as the rule Luke 16:18; Matthew 19:9 (5:31-32) By treating the exception as the rule Luke 16:18; Matthew 19:9 (5:31-32) Rule: One man & woman joined for life Rule: One man & woman joined for life Exception: Whoever puts away for the cause of fornication may remarry Exception: Whoever puts away for the cause of fornication may remarry – Otherwise, responsible for subsequent adultery “except for the cause of fornication”

9. 9 Man Dishonors Marriage! Matthew 19:3, 6-8 By divorcing for every cause Matt. 19:3, 7-8; 1 Cor. 7:10-11 By divorcing for every cause Matt. 19:3, 7-8; 1 Cor. 7:10-11 Not for just “any reason” (“every cause”) Not for just “any reason” (“every cause”) God expects us to honor our marriage, not easily cast aside our spouse God expects us to honor our marriage, not easily cast aside our spouse “let not man separate”

10. 10 Man Dishonors Marriage! Matthew 19:3, 6-8 By remarrying without God’s permission Matt. 19:9 (Rom. 7:3) 1 Cor. 7:11 By remarrying without God’s permission Matt. 19:9 (Rom. 7:3) 1 Cor. 7:11 Remain unmarried or be reconciled Remain unmarried or be reconciled Not lawful to have another man’s wife, Mark 6:17-18 Not lawful to have another man’s wife, Mark 6:17-18 “remain unmarried or be reconciled”

11. 11 Man Dishonors Marriage! Matthew 19:3, 6-8 By saying “all marriage is good” 1 Cor. 7:17, 20, 24 By saying “all marriage is good” 1 Cor. 7:17, 20, 24 “Remain in the same calling (marriage)” “Remain in the same calling (marriage)” Non-sinful conditions! (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11) Non-sinful conditions! (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11) Herodias & Herod’s marriage not good, Mk. 6:18 Herodias & Herod’s marriage not good, Mk. 6:18 “let each one remain with God”

12. 12 By keeping it pure “until death we do part” Rom. 7:2; Ezek. 16:8 (15, 32, 38, 59) By keeping it pure “until death we do part” Rom. 7:2; Ezek. 16:8 (15, 32, 38, 59) – Christians in best position to do so, Eph. 5:22-25 – Yet, more & more Christians are sundering their marriages “if it doesn’t work out” God hates such selfish, sinful treatment of one’s mate & the marriage He has blessed with honor, 1 Pet. 3:7; Col. 3:18-19 God hates such selfish, sinful treatment of one’s mate & the marriage He has blessed with honor, 1 Pet. 3:7; Col. 3:18-19 We Must Honor Marriage Hebrews 13:4