1. Gen 2:21-24 Matt 19:6; Mark 10:7 “What God Has Joined”

2. Only God Can Join In Marriage Mark 10:6-8 – But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male & female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father & mother & be joined to his wife, 8 & the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. [Matt 19:6 – “Therefore what God had joined together, let not man separate.” (cf. Gen 2:21-24).]

3. Only God Can Join In Marriage A man & woman who have never been married (Gen 2:21-24; Matt 19:4-5). A widowed person (Rom 7:1-3; 1 Cor 7:39). A man or woman who has divorced an adulterous spouse (Matt 19:9).

4. Only God Can Separate A Marriage Deuteronomy 24:1-4 A 2 nd marriage “defiled” her. A 2 nd marriage was condemned like idolatry (cf. Jer 3:1; Lev 18:20; Num 5:13-14). God only permitted divorce because of the “hardness” of their hearts (Matt 19:8). A second marriage was adulterous.

5. Only God Can Separate A Marriage Matt 5:31-32 – Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality [adultery] causes her to commit adultery; & whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

6. Only God Can Separate A Marriage Matt 5:31-32 The rabbis misunderstood the law on divorce. Divorce can lead to adultery. Divorcing an adulterer does not cause that person to commit adultery, because he/she already is an adulterer. Marrying a divorced person results in adultery.

7. Only God Can Separate A Marriage When a spouse dies – 1 Cor 7:39 (NIV) – A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord [nkjv – but only in the Lord.].

8. Only God Can Separate A Marriage When a spouse is divorced for adultery – Matt 19:9 – And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, & marries another, commits adultery; & whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.

9. Only God Can Separate A Marriage What about abandonment? Paul stated the will of the Lord (1 Cor 7:10-11). Paul used his judgment to apply the Lord’s will to the “present distress” (1 Cor 7:12-16, 26).

10. Only God Can Separate A Marriage What about abandonment? Remarriage is not mentioned in connection with abandonment. “Bondage” (1 Cor 7:15) is douloo: to make a slave of, to reduce to slavery. “Joined” (Matt 19:6) – suzeugnumi: to fasten to one yoke, yoke together; to join together, unite. Abandonment frees one from marital obligations; the abandoned spouse is not free to remarry.

11. Hebrews 13:4 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Matthew 19:10-12 Marriage is a very serious matter!

12. Forgiveness of Sin: Salvation! Believe Jesus is Lord & Christ, the Son of God Believe Jesus is Lord & Christ, the Son of God John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Heb 11:6 Repent or turn from your sins Repent or turn from your sins Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Confess your faith in Christ Confess your faith in Christ Matt 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 10:9-10 Be immersed in water Be immersed in water Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Live in obedient faith to the Lord Live in obedient faith to the Lord Heb 5:8-9; 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10