In the past century
divorce is up 700%
1 out of 1.8 marriages
end in divorce
Divorce was never God’s plan.
It was married to one man and one woman.
Divorce became a divine concession for a human weakness
Illustration: When you build a swimming pool and fill it with water, you except the water to
be straightforward, but sometimes it turns green�
So you have to work on it to get it corrected.
Marriage takes work.
Matthew 19
Duet 24:
The debate was about what is “uncleanness.”
Two views:
1. Conservative/narrow – the breaking of the marriage bed
2. Liberal/wide – anything the husband detested
Matthew 19:8
One flesh. Would you just cut off body parts for minor issues?
The broad view is like amputating your finger because you have a splinter in it.
They turned a concession into a command. Preachers love to do that with the Bible!
Exegesis vs. Eisegesis
Annual life insurance policy notice – “Note: A change in marital status could necessitate
a new beneficiary designation. Please get in touch with your agent if your marital status has
changed.”
I think we can safely say that the status of marriage in America has changed –
and NOT for the better!
– Our government has gotten involved in the society shifting decision to redefine
marriage to legitimize & legalize same-sex marriage.
o A district judge in PA struck down that state’s ban on gay marriage. Washington Post
article: “Judicial victories for gay marriage are coming almost daily now.” Said the
decision broke “new doctrinal ground” (http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokhconspiracy/wp/2014/05/20/federal-judge-strikes-down-pennsylvania-ban-on-same-sexmarriage/).
– The ease of divorce – Did a Google search for “easy divorce” – 1st page had websites
& ads that made these types of statements:
o “Easy online divorce – Doing your divorce is easy.”
o “Quickie divorce.”
o “Completed divorce in 3 easy steps.”
o “Do It Yourself Divorce Kits.”
o “Divorce online is fast & easy.”
o “$89 Divorce Pkg – Call now!”
– Reality TV has jumped on the polygamy bandwagon w/ shows like “Sister Wives” &
“My Five Wives.” Fox News website had this to say about “My Five Wives”: “Their show
begins airing in a social and political climate that has softened significantly toward plural
families in recent years.”
– Cohabitation/Living together – This trend is growing more & more all the time.
Unmarried couples are living together in unprecedented numbers now. One report
said that 2/3 of new marriages in the US start in cohabitation. It’s the new normal for
most weddings in our society today.
Matthew 19:10-12
Congenital – born that way
Culturally – forced by Kings
Consensual – voluntarily for the kingdom
Matthew 19:13-19
Have Faith for the Impossible
Not What You See is Impossible
Sight trusts in what we can see – Faith looks to God
The company focuses on how we could – Faith Focuses on the God who can!
Sight says my problem is more significant than I can handle –
Faith says God is more important than my problem.
The sight takes matters into its hands – Faith places them into God’s hands.
Sight relies on self – Faith waits on God.
Sight is based on how we feel – Faith is Based on the Word and promises of God.
Sight looks at how bad things appear to be –
Faith looks beyond the circumstances.
If you look at the storm, you will see the rain.
If you look at your situation, you will not see what God can do
If you look at your circumstances, you will not see beyond the trials and tribulations.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
(Hebrews 11:1)
Faith… the confidence of things hoped for.
Faith… the essence of what has yet to be revealed.
Faith… the evidence of things not seen.
Faith… the proof that we have only by believing.
Faith… the indication of God’s truths and promises revealed by His Word.
Let me remind you of the words of 1 Corinthians 2:9
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared
for those who love Him.
For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Faith, rooted and grounded in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Faith that understands and believes in the infallibility of the Word of God.
Faith to move beyond how circumstances and situations may make you feel.
Faith to believe God is able.
Faith when you can’t figure out how to pay your bills.
Faith when the enemy seeks to drag you down.
Faith when trouble seems more than you can bear.
Faith when it feels like everyone and everything is against you
Confidence when the storms come
Confidence when the mountain needs to be moved.
Faith when your feelings cloud your view of God.
Faith that God can bring healing and wholeness to your life.
Do you need prayer, more faith for the impossible?
Have you got a thousand cares and enemies on every side?
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Are you fearful? Are you angry confused?
Don’t put on a façade and try to bluff God – He knows what is in your heart
He knows your hurts and your weakness better than you do yourself.
Why don’t you ask Him to change you, change your ways and focus, and transform
your feelings into faith?
What do you need God to do
that you can not do?
As Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God
everything is possible.”
Are you feel isolated from God, be honest with Him.
Tell him how you are and how you feel. Then, focus on Him.
Rely on His unchanging nature.
Rely on God’s promises, not your feelings.
Jesus Christ died for me – for you – for us.
Does God feel far away from you right now?
Draw near to Him in prayer no matter how you feel!
Have faith in Jesus Christ in your difficult times
Jesus Christ is your bread when you are hungry
Jesus Christ is your Comfort when you are lonely
Jesus Christ is your Peace when you are feeling tense
Jesus Christ is your Rest when you are feeling weary
Jesus Christ is your Joy when you are feeling sad
Jesus Christ is your strength when you are weak
Jesus Christ is your Living Waters when you are thirsty
Jesus Christ is your Wisdom when you are confused
Jesus Christ is your Protection when you are endangered
Jesus Christ is your Supply when you are empty
Matthew 19
1. Whatever God calls you to do, He equips you to do.
2. God never tells kids to act like adults, but He tells adults to be like children in the faith.
3. Salvation is impossible without Jesus
4. Whatever you sacrifice in life for Jesus, He will abundantly repay in the kingdom.
What seems impossible is never impossible with Jesus Christ.
