What does God think about divorce?
Four reasons where divorce is possible
– Ex 21:9-10 – deprives her of food, clothing and conjugal rights
– Deut 24:1 – adultery
… “any thing” clause – twisted scripture –
Matthew 19:3 – Jesus answer to this twisted scripture
1 Cor 7
1 Cor 7:10 – remain married
– v 3-5 – the importance of sex in a marriage relationship.
– v 8 – sex is only for marriage
– v 10 – cannot just leave their marriage.
– v 11 – other significant tensions exist
– v 12-13 – remain married if you can
– v 15 – the non Christian spouse leaves then the Christian is not bound
For us today
Case by case basis
What constitutes adultery?
Who should make the final decision?
– 1 Cor 7:15
not ‘looking for ways out’
– Exodus 21:9-10 – not legalistic but grace
Remarriage
Expected to remarry
“you are free to remarry any Jewish man you wish” – see 1 Cor 7 :39
In 1 Cor 7:15 … free to remarry.
Bringing it together
For us as a church
Firstly – clear teaching
Secondly, divorce is never good but sometimes it will happen
Thirdly, as a church we have not done well
Fourthly, seek reconciliation …
… but sometimes muddy outcomes