We are all familiar with divorce.  Probably most of us know or have known of someone that has been affected by divorce.  Here are just some statistics of divorce in our country.

• 50% of first marriages ended in divorce in 2002.
• Children of divorce are 50% more likely to divorce than children of intact families.
• The number of divorces has quadrupled from 4.3 million in 1970 to 18.3 million in 1996.

Instead of looking at man’s view of divorce, let us look to Jesus and His teaching on divorce.

 

I.             Divorce During the Time of Jesus

             A.           Rabbi Hillel believed that one could divorce his wife for any cause.

             B.           Rabbi Schammai’s believed divorce could only be for something indecent or lascivious in the wife’s conduct.

 

II.          Understanding Divorce Through Marriage

             A.           Jesus begins with marriage not divorce

             B.           Jesus shows God’s original design for man – marriage.

                              1.  One man and one woman for life.  Rom.7:2

                              2.  The man shall cleave to his wife.

             C.           God created marriage.

                             1.  Man and woman make a vow to God in marriage.

                             2.  Man cannot separate what God joins together.

 

III.          When Does God Permit Divorce?

             A.           God HATES divorce. Mal. 2:16

             B.           But divorce was allowed under the Law of Moses

                                      1.  The Jews viewed divorce as a command from Moses.

                                      2. Moses permitted divorce because of their hardness of heart.

            C.           Jesus gives only one reason for divorce – sexual immorality or fornication. Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:11,12

 

IV.      How can we live in marriage?

             A.           The disciples thought it would be better to not marry.

             B.           Jesus’ answer.

                              1.  Some men are eunuchs by birth.

                              2.  Some men are eunuchs by other men.

                              3.  Some are figuratively eunuchs for the sake of the gospel.

 

V.         What is our attitude towards divorce and remarriage?

             A.           Selfish attitude – Marriage is too hard to for me so let’s divorce.

             B.           Selfless attitude – What does God want in my marriage?