and his whole household

"Jesus on Divorce" {Matt5:31-32}
* Intro
- Divorced? Married a divorcee? Divorce in family or close friends?
- Almost all people will answer yes to one of these questions; divorce touches almost all people, not few
- What does Lord think of divorce?
- "Kingdom code of Christ"
* Why does Jesus discourage divorce?
- Marriage to be a picture of Christ's love for world
- Divorce causes brokeness
- Culturally, divorce too easy to attain
- Lord had passion for faithful marriage
* Divorce inevitable in a sinful world
* Marriage an act of God, not a societal construct
* Moses on divorce {Deut24:1-5}
- Divorce only for serious offenses
- Man must give wife written certificate
- Man cannot remarry former wife
* When is divorce permitted
- Sexual immorality
- Unsaved spouse leaves (abandonment) {1Cor7:15}
- Divorce not to be first option; reconciliation and forgiveness is
* Practical advice
- Accept forgiveness from god
- If remarried, stay that way
- If single, stay that way
- Work on healing relationships
- Ask for and offer forgiveness