Lesson 8 in Matthew, Marriage and Divorce

VIII. Marriage and Divorce                                         Matthew 5:27 – 32, Mark 9:43 – 48, 10:11, 12, Luke 16:18

          A. Law vs. the Heart                                           Matthew 5:28

Can we all agree that you just don’t show up at the destination of murder and adultery?

There is something that happens first in the mind and heart, and after it festers is acted upon. Jesus is trying to get Christians to deal with sin in the heart before it becomes physical. Many times, once it becomes physical the damage cannot be contained.

          B. Pluck it out                                                     Matthew 5:29

                   No sacrifice is too great if it enables us to conquer a lust which cuts us off from Jesus.

         

          C. Cut it off                                                                   Matthew 5:30

                   Cost of Discipleship pg 132

          D. Divorce, Sin and the Law                               Matthew 5:31, 32, Mark 10:11, 12, Luke 16:18

          Do we understand that once the law comes into play, Sin has already taken place?

          Sin happens and Christ gives us true and real forgiveness of sin where the law fell short. So now, with a heart changed by Christ, we can sin no more if we lean on him. When we lean on our own understanding, or the law, or on anything but God and his love, we will sin again and again.

          Marriage is the illustration that God uses when telling us of the return of the Groom (Jesus) to claim his bride (the Church). Let us take all of God’s precepts seriously, but marriage is a precept that shows the Christian example to the world.

I believe (the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word.