John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
INTRODUCTION
o Satan's goal has always been to interrupt what God is doing and the sacredness and blessings of marriage are no exceptions.
o It's God's will for you to have a good marriage!
o Today Donna and I are going to talk about a very troubling time in our lives and share with you how God helped us through it when it appeared certain that all hope was lost.
o Two reasons why this message is for everyone.
o It may help you
o It may help you help someone
Our Story…
I. GOD AND DIVORCE
A. God hates divorce
1. God forgives
2. God gave Israel a writing of divorcement (Jeremiah 3:8)
B. Biblical grounds for divorce
1. Fornication or sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32)
2. If an unbelieving spouse departs… let them depart. This is known as desertion. (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)
o Jesus "allows" divorce but does not command it.
3. What about the Scriptures where God commands us to not be in any unequally yoked relationship? (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ezra 10:3; Judges 3:6-8; Deuteronomy 21:10-14; Psalms 89:38-45)
4. Christians who have been divorced unscripturally and then remarried can truly repent of their sin and be restored to the Lord and to the fellowship of the church.
C. Marriage is a covenant
1. A divorce is a broken covenant.
2. Covenants that are broken are no longer in force.
3. Is remarriage adultery?
o If the divorced or the divorcee were divorced for unscriptural reasons.
o It's important to remember that God forgives adultery.
D. Should a minister step down if they have been divorced and remarried? (1 Timothy 3:2)
1. That depends on how powerful you think Calvary is.
2. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)
3. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. The blood is the qualifier not a man's opinion.
4. If you have been divorced (experienced broken covenant) and then remarried (entered into a new covenant) then you are still the husband of just one wife…
II. THE EMOTIONS
A. The pain was real
1. Jesus can heal your broken heart.
B. I'm so lonesome I could cry…
1. Loneliness mixed with pain is devastating.
2. Remember - God has not abandoned you. God is our helper! (Hebrews 13:5-6)
C. God I don't understand…
1. God is not a task master. He will not force people against their will.
2. Pray that God helps you through the misunderstanding.
3. Trust in the Lord "with all thine heart"… (Proverbs 3:5-6)
D. Depression
1. Chemical (Medical)
2. Emotional (Grief Cycle)
3. Spiritual (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
III. THE DIVORCE GRIEF CYCLE
A. Denial
B. Pain and Fear
C. Anger Stage
D. Bargaining Stage
E. Guilt
F. Depression
G. Acceptance
IV. THINGS TO REMEMBER
A. This is not God's fault…
B. Resist the temptation to isolate yourself.
C. The relationship you had has to end before restoration can take place.
1. You don't want the kind of relationship you would have to have now
2. Things can never be as they were.
3. You would probably spend your days feeling violated, used and abused.
D. Weeping may endure for a night but joy… (Psalms 30:5)
E. He will guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)
CLOSING:
Jesus can heal your broken heart…
