2. Matthew 5:31-32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: & whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. KJV

3. “Put away” - Apoluo; to free fully, (literally) relieve, release, dismiss or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce: Strong’s

4. Matthew 19:1-3 1 When Jesus had finished these words, He departed from Galilee & came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 & large crowds followed Him, & He healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him & asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?"

5. Matthew 19:4-5 4 And He answered & said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE & FEMALE, [Gen 1:27] 5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER & MOTHER & BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, & THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?” [Gen 2:24]

6. Marriage Marriage: broken only by death A union of one man & one woman – broken only by death (Gen 2:21-24; Gen 2:18; Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:10-11). not to be broken by man A union of one man & one woman – not to be broken by man (Matt 19:6).

7. Divorce Divorce: Moses permitted Moses permitted (Matt 19:7-8; Deut 24:1-4) – Israel’s stubbornness. Jesus granted Jesus granted (Matt 5:32; 19:9) – marital unfaithfulness.

8. Remarriage Remarriage: Jesus implied Jesus implied (Matt 5:32; 19:9) – only the spouse of an adulterer.

9. 1.Divorce for any reason other than adultery, & remarriage causes adultery. 2.Marrying the divorced adulterer causes adultery. 3.The “innocent party” is free to marry again. 4.Adultery begins in the heart, but it is the overt act Jesus addressed (Matt 5:31-32; Matt 19:9; cf. Deut 24:1; Num 5:11ff; Deut 22:113ff) 5.Divorce is permitted (not commanded) in cases of adultery.

10. 1.“Am I willing to love one person to the end of life?” – “Can I love no matter what happens?” 2.“Am I mature enough for a lifetime commitment to one person?” – “Do I habitually consider others when I act?”

11. 1.Count the cost to everyone, not just yourself. 2.Would God justify it, not your feelings? 3.Seek God’s help in doing His will, not your own will.