1. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 1

2. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 2  A Life Long Commitment  May not have a Right to Marry  Understanding The Nature of the Relationship  Your Mate Will Influence You  Parent to your Children

3. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 3  One man for one woman  Must Cleave  One Flesh  God has joined them together  Man not to separate Matt. 19:4-6  Wife not to depart – husband not to divorce – 1 Cor. 7:10,11  Bound by the law – Rom. 7:1-3  God hates divorce – Mal. 2:16

4. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 4 Marriage Physical Relationship Obligates & Restraints Vow Bound Divorce end’s Marriage; But the bond exists as long as they BOTH shall live! Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:39

5. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 5 Bound(Joined) married X marries Adultery Lk. 16:18 Adultery Matt. 19:9b As long as alive! – 1 Cor 7:39 Called an adulterous Rom 7:3 Commits adultery! – Mat 19:9b; Mark 10:11,12; Luke 16:18 All are guilty!! God

6. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 6 Bound(Joined) married May marry Liberty to marry whom she will – only in the Lord! – 1 Cor 7:39 NOT an adulterous Rom 7:3 DEATH Bound(Joined)or God No Longer Now Bound

7. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 7 Matthew 19:9 (NKJV) And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

8. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 8 God Bound(Joined) married May marry Jill No Longer bound Now Bound Commits fornication X CANNOT REMARRY Matthew 19:9

9. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 9 *Have seen lives ruined because they did not seek to know! *One who has never been married (1 Cor. 7:8-9, 27-28) *One whose first mate has died (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:8-9, 39) *One who has put away his mate for fornication (Mt. 19:9)  One who reconciles with a lawful mate (1 Cor. 7:10-11)

10. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 10  Closer than the parent/ child relationship - Gen. 2:24; Mat. 19:5  A relationship requiring mutual respect - Eph. 5:22,24; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet 3:7  A loving relationship - Eph 5:25,33; Tit. 2:4  Built upon a relationship with God! – Ps. 127:1

11. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 11  Due to the nature of the relationship – Mat 19:5,6  The bad often spoils the good - Exo. 34:11-16; Deut. 7:3-4; Neh. 13:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:33...  Both need to be MORE committed to the Lord than to each other!! – 1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 5:22-33  Don’t expect to change your spouse AFTER marriage!!

12. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 12  Not only will your spouse influence you – but also your children!! –  Bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is VERY difficult when both spouses are not committed to doing so!! – Eph 6:1-4  Are you willing to risk the salvation of your children?

13. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 13  A Life Long Commitment  May not have a Right to Marry  Understanding The Nature of the Relationship  Your Mate Will Influence You  Parent to your Children

14. Don McClainW. 65th St. church of Christ - April 30, 2006 14