Mark 10

A Biblical View of Divorce and Remarriage

 

 

Between Mark 9 and Mark 10 is an event that is recorded in Luke 9:51-62 that we should read that will help set the tone for the sermon this morning.

1. Jesus did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. (vs 51-56)
2. Jesus' life and ministry required a crucified life. (vs 57-62) cf Mark 10

I. The Teaching of Jesus (vs 1)

Jesus by teaching and preaching was setting forth a Gospel witness of the Kingdom of God.

Mt 7:24-29 / Lk 4:17-22, 32, 36,

 

II. The Tempting of the Pharisees (vs 2)
 

     A. Their pride - Love to be seen of men

     B. Their pursuit of lust

           2 sects were within the Pharisees,

                1) Shammai, followed the strict law of Moses

                2) Hillel, following the traditions as with law

Hillel would go from town to town teaching and promoting themselves and would get a "new wife" each time they went to a new place.

Ever wondered why the Pharisees did not question Jesus about Malachi 3:11-16?

Jesus asks what sayeth Moses? - Why?
 

III. The Testimony of Moses (vs 3-4)
 

       A. Ex 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

       B. De 5:18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

       C. Le 20:10 ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

       D. Dut 24:1-4 – Read verses carefully - uncleaness = nakedness

 

IV. The Thoughts of God (vs 5-12)

      A. The Attitude of the heart (vs 5) cf (Luke 16:1-18)

 

      B. The Authority of the Creator (vs 6) cf Rom 1

      C. The Announcement of the Savior (vs 7-9) Moses not God gave the precept.

      D. The Asking of the Disciples (vs 10-11) cf Mt 19:10-12

The Exception Clause
 

Mt 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

It is safe to assume that any person committing adultery was to be put to death, so Jesus was not speaking of that when he spoke of putting away.

What is Fornication? Acts 15:15-31 – cf Lev 17-18

This is a biblical definition that fits within the rest of scripture.

Here are some Bible reasons to accept the no divorce position.

1. It supports the commands and wisdom concerning vows
   De 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
   Ec 5:4 ¶ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
   
   
2. It supports the Biblical picture of Christ and the Church
   Ephesians 5 –
   Is the church always faithful? No
   Was Israel always faithful? No! Jer 3 / Hosea
   
   
3. It supports the Biblical position of restoration
   1Cor 7:10-11 / Gal 6:1
   
   
4. It supports the Biblical teaching of the immanence of Christ's return
   1Cor 7:29-35
   
   
5. It supports the Biblical nature of interpretation
   1Peter 1:19-21 / Following Scripture rather than the social criteria of the day

6. It supports the biblical teaching of priority
   Heb 3:1-13 God is greater than Moses
   Moses the Servant  but  Christ the Son

Three Christian concepts that must be considered
 

Grace
 

Here is a question that every person needs to ask themselves. Is God and his grace sufficient to meet the needs of an individual?

1) Can a person who is circumstantially led to live a single life enjoy God and be content in that place?

2) Can the person who is wasted physically in a horrible accident and finds them selves disfigured and hindered from a normal life able to live within the grace of God?

3) Can a person who finds themselves wronged in life through a departing spouse and tragic circumstances trust the living God to be the source of satisfaction of all of their needs?

It is amazing what things we allow God's grace to be sufficient for certain aspects of life but not for others!
 

Love

Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 

Account
 

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.  What would the ramifications be on the day of Judgment, if a pastor married a bunch of his members into adultry?