Grace and Truth in Marriage and Divorce

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the complex and sensitive topics of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, grounding our understanding in the authority of Scripture and the grace of Jesus Christ. We delved into the covenant of marriage as established in Genesis and reinforced by Jesus in Matthew 19 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 7. This covenant reflects God's character and His commitment to us, and it is to be approached with reverence and respect.

We examined the Mosaic Law, which provides a foundation for understanding marriage and circumstances that may lead to its dissolution. However, we also acknowledged that treacherous behavior, such as adultery, abuse, and abandonment, can violate this sacred covenant. While divorce is not to be taken lightly, it is sometimes the necessary and biblically justified response to such violations.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the importance of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion in dealing with those who have experienced divorce. Whether a divorce is the result of sin or biblically justified reasons, we must remember that the grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient to wash away all sins. We meet people where they are, extending the same grace to them that we have received from Christ.

I also addressed the reality that some sins have greater consequences than others and may affect one's role within the church. For example, while a person with a history of certain offenses may be forgiven, it would not be prudent to place them in positions where they could cause harm, such as a recovered pedophile working in children's ministry.

In conclusion, we must approach each case with a heart aligned with God's, seeking to understand, forgive, and restore whenever possible, while also upholding the sanctity of the marriage covenant. We must not allow past sins to hold believers hostage in their walk with Christ, their service in the church, or their enjoyment of life.

Key Takeaways:

- The covenant of marriage is a divine institution that mirrors God's unwavering commitment to us. As such, it demands our utmost respect and should not be entered into or dissolved lightly. When we honor marriage, we honor God's design and reflect His faithfulness in our lives. [06:02]

- Divorce, while always painful, is not always sinful. There are biblically justified reasons for divorce, such as adultery, abuse, and abandonment. In these cases, the church must offer support and guidance, balancing the need for accountability with the imperative of compassion. [20:15]

- Grace is the cornerstone of our response to those who have experienced divorce. Regardless of the circumstances, we are called to extend the same forgiveness and love that we have received through Christ. This grace is transformative and allows for healing and restoration within the community of believers. [24:45]

- The church must be a place of refuge and acceptance, where all are treated as redeemed individuals. We must not discriminate against those with difficult pasts but rather embrace them as fellow recipients of God's grace, encouraging them to grow and serve according to their gifts and calling. [23:33]

- Understanding Scripture requires humility and a willingness to grapple with its complexities. As we study Paul's teachings on marriage and divorce, we must do so with open hearts, seeking the Spirit's guidance to discern the heart of God on these matters. This approach fosters unity and maturity within the body of Christ. [10:50]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:24 (NIV): "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
2. Matthew 19:6 (NIV): "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
3. 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 (NIV): "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 2:24, what is the significance of a man leaving his parents and being united with his wife?
2. In Matthew 19:6, what does Jesus say about the union of marriage and its sanctity?
3. What specific instructions does Paul give to married believers in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11?
4. How does Paul address marriages between believers and unbelievers in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16? [13:08]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the covenant of marriage reflect God's character and His commitment to us? [06:39]
2. Why does Paul emphasize that a believer should not divorce an unbelieving spouse if the unbeliever is willing to stay? What might be the spiritual implications of this? [13:08]
3. How should the church balance accountability and compassion when dealing with cases of divorce due to adultery, abuse, or abandonment? [20:15]
4. What does it mean to approach each case with a heart aligned with God's, seeking to understand, forgive, and restore? [19:43]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of the marriage covenant. How can you honor this covenant in your own life or support others in honoring it? [06:02]
2. Have you or someone you know experienced a divorce? How can you extend grace and compassion to those who have gone through this painful experience? [24:45]
3. In what ways can the church be a place of refuge and acceptance for those with difficult pasts, including those who have experienced divorce? [23:33]
4. How can you personally contribute to fostering a community that balances accountability with compassion in cases of marital issues? [20:15]
5. Think of a time when you had to grapple with a complex issue in Scripture. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience? How can this approach help you understand Paul's teachings on marriage and divorce? [10:50]
6. How can you ensure that past sins do not hold you or others hostage in their walk with Christ, their service in the church, or their enjoyment of life? [23:00]
7. Identify one specific way you can support someone in your church community who is struggling with marital issues. What steps will you take this week to offer that support? [19:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Honoring the Divine Marriage Covenant
Marriage is a divine institution, a covenant that mirrors the unwavering commitment of God to humanity. It is not merely a social contract but a sacred bond that reflects the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Creator. When entering into marriage, individuals are called to approach it with the gravity and reverence it deserves, recognizing that it is a reflection of God's covenant with His people. To honor marriage is to honor God Himself, as it is an earthly representation of the divine relationship between Christ and the Church.

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." - Hebrews 13:4 ESV

Reflection: How can you actively honor and uphold the sanctity of marriage in your own life and in the community around you? [07:40]

Day 2: Divorce: Painful, Not Always Sinful
While divorce is a painful reality of a broken world, it is not always a reflection of sin. There are circumstances, such as adultery, abuse, and abandonment, where divorce may be a biblically justified course of action. In these situations, the church's role is to provide a balanced approach of support, accountability, and compassion. It is essential to recognize the complexities of each case and offer guidance that aligns with biblical principles while also showing the love and mercy that Christ extends to all.

"In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace." - 1 Corinthians 7:15b ESV

Reflection: How can the church better support individuals going through the painful process of divorce while upholding biblical truth? [20:15]

Day 3: Grace, the Cornerstone for the Divorced
Grace is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and our response to those who have experienced divorce. Regardless of the circumstances leading to a divorce, the transformative power of grace through Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, healing, and restoration. As a community of believers, we are called to extend this grace to others, just as we have received it, allowing for the love of Christ to bring about reconciliation and new beginnings within the body of Christ.

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you extend grace to someone who has experienced the pain of divorce, reflecting the forgiveness you've received in Christ? [24:45]

Day 4: Embracing the Redeemed in Community
The church is to be a refuge for all, a place where every individual is seen as a redeemed child of God. Past sins and difficult histories should not be a barrier to acceptance within the church community. Instead, believers are encouraged to embrace each other as fellow recipients of God's grace, fostering an environment where everyone can grow in their faith and serve according to their unique gifts and calling.

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." - Romans 15:7 ESV

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your church community is a welcoming place for those with challenging pasts? [23:33]

Day 5: Seeking Unity Through Scriptural Humility
Understanding the complexities of Scripture, especially regarding sensitive issues like marriage and divorce, requires humility and a willingness to seek the Spirit's guidance. As believers, we must approach the Word of God with open hearts, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us into a deeper understanding of God's heart on these matters. This approach not only fosters personal spiritual growth but also promotes unity and maturity within the body of Christ.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16 ESV

Reflection: How can you cultivate a humble and teachable spirit as you study Scripture, especially on challenging topics? [10:50]

Quotes

"The covenant marriage of God going back to Genesis 2, Jesus points us back there in Matthew 19, Malachi's building in Chapter 2 in the Old Testament before we get to the new... We do not approach marriage as sacred and we must approach it with great respect and reverence. It's a reflection of God's character, his Covenant with us." [06:02]( | | )

"Let's say someone enters into a divorce that's outside of that and man is the one that puts it asunder... We do not want any sin being held against a Believer for their entire life, holding them hostage in Ministry, holding them hostage in Salvation, holding them hostage in just life. People have regrets, people make mistakes, people sin." [23:33]( | | )

"I think we should always lean to Grace and forgiveness and mercy and compassion always... We should try to walk with them, coach them, encourage them unless there's abuse to where their life is in danger and threat, addictions to where it's harming the family and harming others, there may be time of separation, even divorce." [19:43]( | | )

"Sometimes divorce is justifiable, sometimes it is sinful, it's always painful. So let's end on that thought... If someone goes through a divorce and it is biblical, how do we respond to that? They're free just like the Bible says, so can they serve in the church? Absolutely." [20:15]( | | )

"I think not to cause confusion to you, I think you need to really just read it with open eyes and a heart that's ready to say what is the heart of God on this topic. And I think as you do that, you'll find your way through it and you may come to different conclusions than me." [10:50]( | | )

"What Paul's doing and again I've confessed this over and over again, you cannot build an entire theological view on this. I think there are some cases that Paul's recognizing that are going to be like this... In cases like this, you are not bound. What are you not bound to? You're not bound to the marriage covenant." [16:10]( | | )

"If you're married to a Believer but that believer acts like an unbeliever can be verified over time that that is the case, they're not under the lordship not under the authority of church then treat them like an unbeliever... then you're not bound. If you're married to an unbeliever and that does not work out and the unbeliever leaves you, then abandonment, you are free." [18:37]( | | )

"Paul's saying in the Lord marry in the Lord, if you're married as believers Stay Together... if you're not and even they abandon then Remar in the Lord. If you're a widow or unmarried and you decide to stay unmarried that's great but if you decide you it's better to marry than to burn and then again if widows Remar it says it gives guidance in the same text to marry in Remar in the Lord." [19:08]( | | )

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 22, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?