When Marriage, Lust, and Covenant Collide: Jesus’ Teaching

Today, we gathered as a family of saints to open our hearts to the transforming work of God, focusing on Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount regarding marriage, adultery, and the heart’s role in sin. We began by acknowledging the deep pain that surrounds the topics of divorce and broken relationships, affirming that God’s word is never meant to condemn or wound, but to bring life, healing, and transformation. Jesus’ teaching moves beyond the outward act of adultery to the inward reality of lust, revealing that sin’s root is in the heart long before it manifests in action. This is not about shaming the past, but about inviting us into a new way of living—one that honors God’s design for marriage and personal purity.

Marriage, as God created it, is a covenant, not a contract. It is a holy, lifelong union between one man and one woman, joined together by God Himself. The world may treat marriage lightly or redefine it, but we are called to honor its sacredness. Sexual intimacy is a gift to be enjoyed within marriage alone, and any deviation from this—whether in action or in thought—undermines the covenant and damages our souls. For singles and young people, this means pursuing holiness and setting clear boundaries in relationships. For the married, it means guarding our hearts and eyes, being vigilant against the subtle encroachment of lust, and keeping our affections solely for our spouse.

We also confronted the pervasive influence of pornography and sexual immorality in our culture, recognizing its destructive impact on individuals, marriages, and families. The normalization of lust and impurity is a spiritual epidemic, and Jesus’ words are a call to radical action—guarding our eyes, making covenants with our hearts, and refusing to tolerate what the world accepts. Yet, in all of this, we are reminded of God’s grace. No matter our past, we serve a God who redeems, restores, and empowers us to walk in purity and faithfulness. The invitation is to move forward, to let God’s Spirit bring newness to our lives, and to be a light in a darkened world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Heart is the Battleground: Jesus teaches that sin begins in the heart, not just in outward actions. Lust and impurity take root internally before they ever manifest externally, so true transformation requires us to address our inner life, not just our behavior. Guarding our thoughts and desires is essential to living in the freedom Christ offers. [04:05]
• 2. Marriage is a Sacred Covenant: God designed marriage as a covenant, not a contract, making it a holy and lifelong union that reflects His own faithfulness. Treating marriage lightly or as disposable undermines its spiritual significance and invites brokenness into our lives. Honoring the covenant means seeing our spouse as God’s unique gift and partner, worthy of exclusive love and commitment. [09:04]
• 3. Purity is a Calling for All: Whether single or married, God calls His people to a life of holiness, especially in the area of sexuality. For singles, this means setting boundaries and seeking relationships that honor God; for the married, it means keeping one’s heart and eyes solely for their spouse. Purity is not just about avoiding sin, but about pursuing God’s best for our lives and relationships. [17:55]
• 4. The Destructive Power of Lust and Pornography: The normalization of lust and pornography in our culture is a spiritual crisis that devastates individuals, marriages, and families. What the world accepts as normal, God calls us to reject, recognizing the deep spiritual and relational harm it causes. Radical steps may be necessary to guard our hearts and homes, treating lust as a mortal enemy rather than a casual companion. [35:10]
• 5. Grace for the Journey Forward: No matter our past failures or wounds, God’s grace is greater. We cannot change yesterday, but we can choose today to walk in purity, forgiveness, and faithfulness. God’s Spirit empowers us to live differently, to restore what’s been broken, and to be a breath of fresh air in a polluted world, carrying the light of Christ into every relationship. [48:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Opening Prayer and Setting Our Hearts
• [01:04] - Kingdom Builders Banquet Invitation
• [02:15] - Addressing the Pain of Divorce and Brokenness
• [04:05] - Jesus Moves from Actions to the Heart
• [06:33] - Reading Matthew 5:27–30
• [08:25] - The Meaning of Adultery and the Covenant of Marriage
• [10:18] - God’s Design for Marriage
• [12:11] - The Spiritual Union of Marriage
• [14:38] - The Sacredness of Sex and Boundaries for Singles
• [17:55] - Practical Guidelines for Dating and Purity
• [23:44] - Faithfulness and Purity in Marriage
• [25:39] - Guarding Our Eyes and Hearts
• [35:10] - The Impact of Pornography and Cultural Norms
• [39:41] - Making a Covenant with Our Eyes
• [41:01] - God’s Wisdom for Marital Intimacy
• [45:01] - Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Hardness of Heart
• [48:55] - Grace, Restoration, and Moving Forward
• [50:06] - Prayer of Purity and Commitment
• [52:03] - Closing and Testimonies of Freedom
• [54:39] - Worship and Benediction

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:27–30 (ESV) — > “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

Mark 10:6–9 (ESV) — > “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV) — > “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Matthew 5:27–30, where does the sin of adultery begin, and how does He intensify the standard compared to the Old Testament commandment?
2. In Mark 10:6–9, what does Jesus say about the nature and origin of marriage?
3. What does 1 Thessalonians 4:3 say is God’s will for His people, and what specific area of life does it address?
4. In the sermon, what are some ways the pastor described that our culture treats marriage and sexual purity differently than God’s design? [[10:56]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus focuses on the heart and inner desires, not just outward actions, when teaching about adultery and lust? How does this change the way we view sin? [[04:05]]
2. The pastor said marriage is a covenant, not a contract. What is the difference between these two, and why does it matter for how we approach marriage? [[09:04]]
3. The sermon highlighted the destructive impact of pornography and normalized lust in our culture. Why is this such a serious issue for individuals, marriages, and families? [[35:10]]
4. The pastor emphasized that God’s grace is available no matter our past. How does this truth affect how we move forward after failure or brokenness? [[48:55]]

Application Questions

1. Jesus says that sin begins in the heart, not just in our actions. Are there areas in your thought life where you need to invite God’s transforming work? What practical steps could you take to guard your heart and mind this week? [[04:05]]
2. If you are married, what are some specific ways you can honor your marriage covenant and keep your affections solely for your spouse? If you are single, what boundaries or habits can you set to pursue holiness in your relationships? [[17:55]]
3. The sermon challenged us to treat lust and pornography as mortal enemies, not casual companions. What radical steps might you need to take to guard your eyes and your home? Is there something you need to remove or change in your daily routine? [[39:41]]
4. For parents and those influencing young people: How can you help the next generation understand and value God’s design for marriage and purity? Are there conversations or actions you need to initiate? [[19:51]]
5. The pastor mentioned making a covenant with our eyes, like Job did. What would it look like for you to make a similar commitment? Is there a specific situation or temptation where you need to draw a clear line? [[39:41]]
6. The message reminded us that God’s grace is greater than our past. Is there an area of shame, regret, or brokenness in your life where you need to receive God’s forgiveness and start fresh? What would it look like to walk in that freedom this week? [[48:55]]
7. How can you be a “breath of fresh air” and a light in a world that normalizes impurity? Is there a relationship or environment where you feel called to live differently and reflect Christ’s purity? [[51:22]]