SF475 - LIFE OF THE ROCK - A ROCK SOLID FAMILY (Matthew 19 1-9)
SF475
LIFE ON THE ROCK
A ROCK SOLID FAMILY
Matthew 5:31-32, 7:24; 19:1-9
INTRODUCTION
A Home on Garbage
Man purchased dump. Filled with dirt, built a subdivision, beautiful. After a few years the subdivision began to sink. Everyone moved. Too many homes today are built on the wrong stuff.
Time of National Tragedy
Throw away marriages
People get married looking for an ideal, that idea turns to an ordeal and they look for a new deal.
The hurts, heartaches that comes from disobeying God’s Word.
Marriage is for keeps.
Divorce is not the answer for happiness...
After 10 years only 10% of divorced couples say that their life is better. Judith Walerstein
We are in an epidemic of divorce...
Broken homes = broken lives = broken homes
We need to learn how to break the cycle
Malachi 2:16
"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, ...
Matthew 19:1-9
1A. THE PRIORITY OF MARRIAGE (5)
“leave” = To abandon
1B. The relationship between husband and wife is the closest on earth
Closer than parent and child
2B. We must prepare our children to leave the nest
We need to give them what they need most - love and preparation to go out on their own.
The parent is successful when the children no longer need them.
We need to work ourselves out of a job but not our of a relationship.
Children love parents because they need someone to care for them, parents have a need to be needed love. Children will grow out of this and so must we!
This is very hard - we assume they have become rebellious.
Page 3
2A. THE PERMANENCE OF MARRIAGE
1B. God’s Intention (5B)
“be united to” = to glue, to weld
Do not even consider divorce!
Do you think that people who divorce, divorce because they have problems and that people who don’t, don’t because they don’t have problems?
No problems too big to solve, just people too small to solve them.
Everyone has problems!
2B. Man’s Excuses (8)
“I don’t love her/him any more.”
Your marriage is not sustained by love but by commitment. God’s definition of love is commitment!
You are commanded to love your wife!
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
Titus 2:4
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,
Marriage is made in heaven, but it is worked out on earth.
Page 4
“It is better for the children.”
Why don’t you ask the children.
Better for them not to be around constant argument. - Then get right with God and quit.
“I owe it to myself to be happy.”
God would rather that you be holy. Pursuing happiness is the surest way to sadness.
“God told me to get a divorce.”
God never goes against His Word.
3B. God’s Exception (9)
“pornia” = physical act of sexual immorality
God does not command or commend divorce, he simply permits it.
God’s idea is reconciliation - Hosea!
Marriages are never healed over night. But the direction of your marriage can be changed over night.
Page 5
3A. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE (5C)
“Become one flesh”
1B. Physically = procreation and multiplication
Children are the heritage of the Lord
2B. Psychological = communication
Your should be your best friend!
3B. Spiritually = communion
Page 6
4A. THE PARDON FOR A FAILED MARRIAGE
Matthew 6:12
1B. What about people who have already failed?
You cannot unscramble eggs.
Many want to make divorce to unpardonable sin.
Repentance is Key
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
2B. We are here to help people! - We have all failed!
John 8 - Woman taken in adultery
John 8:10‑11
Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" {11} "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Jesus will do the same today!
So must WE
Page 7
APPLICATION
If you are married, Make Jesus the head of your home.
If you are divorced and are at fault - Ask for forgiveness and make every wrong right.
If you are the innocent party, Ask God to take the bitterness out of your heart and ask God to give you the spirit of forgiveness toward them.
If you are thinking about getting a divorce, Don't do it!
Let your home be a testimony for God!
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.