The Snowball Effects of Sin
(Matt. 5:27-37)
Here is my bulletin insert first:
Divorce and Remarriage
The subjects of divorce and remarriage are complicated and have always been matters of controversy among Bible-oriented Christians. When addressing this matter, I recognize that many top-notch scholars agree AND disagree with my understanding of Scripture. I am personally satisfied that the evidence in Scripture is strong enough for me to come to certain conclusions, yet others with differing views feel the same way.
Interestingly, the strictest Protestant groups in matters of divorce and remarriage are many Baptist groups. Many Baptists believe it is never right to divorce and remarry. The most liberal mainstream religious group is the Reform Jews who view divorce as unfortunate but not really a moral issue. Surprisingly, Baptists have the highest divorce rate while liberal Jews have the lowest. The lesson needs to be learned that a stricter position or harsher approach does not necessarily produce better results.
Our goal in a Scriptural matter should be to find out the meaning of the text as understood by the writer/speaker, not to use verses to further our own personal agendas or viewpoints. The issue is not, "What viewpoint controls divorce the most?" but rather, "What do the Scriptures teach?" In Malachi 2:16, God’s general attitude toward divorce is clear, "I hate divorce." In Matthew 5 and 19, Christ tells us that divorce and remarriage are permissible on the grounds of immorality, a broad word that includes the concepts of adultery, the practice of homosexuality, or other perverted relationships. That does not mean one MUST divorce a spouse guilty of such offenses, but rather that one MAY do so. I advise continuing the marriage if the unfaithful spouse is truly repentant. If children are involved, it is usually better for the kids to have two natural parents with a strained marriage than one parent or step-parents(according to studies done by Dr. Wallerstein).
Here is a brief summary of my perspective on divorce and remarriage.
(1) Divorce and remarriage can be proper if there is a breach of faithfulness through immoral practice, such as adultery. Even in these situations, divorce is not always advisable (as per above), but often is appropriate (Mt. 19:3-9).
(2) Divorce and remarriage can also be proper if one is deserted. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 7 that Jesus did not address THESE issues, which is why Paul does (1 Cor. 7:12).
(3) If a spouse finds living with his/her spouse is intolerable and divorces (due to things like abuse, illegal activity, etc.), then he or she must remain single or be remarried to their former spouse, divorce with NO remarriage, NO cohabitation (which is ALWAYS wrong), or NO dating (1 Cor. 7:10-11). Though "unmarried"--hence divorced--her spouse is still "her husband." This concession is obviously made for extreme situations, not disappointment nor boredom.
(4) Lack of happiness or incompatibility are no grounds for divorce. Marriage is a commitment until death; we should not look back, second guess, or dream of greener pastures.
(5) When believers have fallen away from the Lord and divorce for improper reasons and are now cohabiting, etc., it may be better for them to remarry in certain instances. Since adultery has already been committed, sometimes the question is, "What is the lesser of evils?" This is especially complicated if the couple have had children together.
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Remember this: whenever we leave God’s ideal will and start looking for "least worst choices," we are the losers, even if things "work out." The marital vows are commitments, not options. Commitment, not the chemical high of romance, is what holds most marriages together.
******SERMON PROPER
Intro
1. My family of origin: conversing from one subject to another...
2. Followed a logical rabbit trail that we could see, but others could not...
3. Christ sometimes taught in this manner---one subject brings up a related subject...
Main Idea: Sins are not single isolated wrong, but are clustered into families.
TS-------> Let’s take a look at 3 subjects that are related and need to be examine together.
I. Lust: Entertaining Lust Promotes Adultery
1. Statistics regarding affairs....
2. Related Old Testament texts
(1) Ex. 20:17
(2) Job 31:1
3. Difference between lusting and chemical reaction (read article)
4. Men are stimulate by sight, women by touch...that’s why this is addressed to men
5. Are sinful thoughts as bad as sinful actions? No....the earlier you check a sin, the better...
6. We cannot help the thoughts that come into our minds; we can choose which to savor and entertain
II. Divorce: Adultery or Coveting Greener Pastures Facilitates Divorce
1. Happiness is a choice
2. Lincoln: "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be..."
3. Jesus addresses divorce several times in the Gospels...
(1) truth is not whole truth (e.g., Mark leaves out "except for immorality")
(2) Paul addresses divorce/remarriage issues that Christ never addressed
4. See bulletin insert, go over briefly
III. Adultery and Divorce Are Examples of Violating Our Commitments
1. Christ does not want us to renege, violate, renounce, default, or revoke our commitments....
2. Some of the teachers of the Law made ways to get around vows and commitments
---Matt. 23: 16-22
---other than clarification, vows, contracts, promises serve two purposes: (1) to punish fickleness, and (2) do guarantee that one will keep his word; if people had integrity, these things would not be necessary...
3. Christ seems to be saying, "You shouldn’t NEED to make vows; your yes, your word, should be so good that nothing more is needed....you should not be trying to deceive....
4. Does this mean Christians should not do business in writing?
(1) no, it doesn’t mean that---do it in writing, run standard clearance procedures...
(2) I would trust decent lost people over some professing Christians I know...
5. Does this mean Christians should not take a vow in court?
(1) no, just not necessary in life
(2) many vows and promises detailed under the Law; God is not going to ask people to do wrong...
