Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Divorce Question (Part 1)

May 12, 2025 | S25:E226

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Divorce Question (Part 1) | May 12, 2025

♪ music ♪
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[narrator] from the pulpit
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Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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This is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
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Welcome again to pathway to victory.
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When a man and a woman become husband and wife,
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God intends for their marriage to be a lifelong partnership.
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However, in our imperfect world,
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God anticipated that divorce would arise.
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Today we're going to look at what the apostle paul taught
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In first corinthians about exceptions to the marriage rule.
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My message is titled "the divorce question"
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On today's edition of pathway to victory.
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[narrator] think about a child in your life
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Who needs to put their faith in jesus.
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How do you explain the gospel to them
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In a way they can understand?
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In "the gift: the gospel for children"
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Dr. robert jeffress presents the gospel message
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In a way that's clear and engaging.
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The book also includes a salvation prayer
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For you to pray with your child or grandchild.
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Give your child the most important gift
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They'll ever receive,
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The opportunity to begin a relationship with jesus christ.
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Request your copy of "the gift" at ptv.org.
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♪ music ♪
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I'm a great admirer of president reagan,
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But having said that,
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There is one blemish on the reagan record.
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Most sociologists believe
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That it was ronald reagan's instigation
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Of the no-fault divorce policy
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While he was governor of california
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That was responsible for the last 40 years
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Of the rising incidents in divorce in america today,
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And because of the epidemic of divorce in america today,
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Many states are trying to roll back
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That no-fault divorce policy
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Either by encouraging premarital counseling
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Or requiring that couples before they are granted a divorce
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Seek counseling as well.
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Why is that?
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Why is there an attempt
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To roll back the liberal divorce policy?
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Because even secularists
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Are understanding the devastating social impact
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Of divorce on our culture.
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Consider these facts.
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Divorce dramatically increases the likelihood of early death
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From strokes, hypertension, respiratory cancer,
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And intestinal cancer.
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Astonishingly, smoking a pack of cigarettes a day
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And staying married is only slightly more dangerous
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Than being a non-smoker and getting divorced.
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Divorce also disrupts mental health, especially for men.
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The suicide rate for white males
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Goes up by a factor of four with divorce,
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And they have 10 times the probability
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Of needing psychiatric care.
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Families with children that were not poor before a divorce,
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See their income drop as much as 50%.
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Almost 50% of parents with children going through a divorce
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Move into poverty after the divorce.
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Divorce also takes a devastating toll among children.
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Proportionately twice as many criminals
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Come from single parent homes.
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Children from broken homes
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Are more likely to do poorly in school,
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Abuse drugs, and attempt suicide.
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God, the architect of marriage
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Has always understood the devastating toll
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That divorce takes.
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And that's why in malachi 2, the lord says,
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"i hate divorce."
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Now, he doesn't say, i hate divorced people.
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What he does say though is i hate the process of divorce
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Because what it does to men and women and children.
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And that's why from the very beginning,
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God's foundational principle for marriage
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Has been one man with one woman for life.
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That's the foundation for marriage.
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But what happens when there are cracks in that foundation?
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Well, that's what we're going to look at tonight.
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Does the bible ever permit for divorce and remarriage?
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If you have your bibles tonight,
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Turn to 1 corinthians chapter seven,
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As we look at the divorce question.
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We are christ representatives and it is important
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That we reflect god and the lord jesus christ
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In our marriages.
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Now, let's look and see what the bible says.
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Last time we looked at verses 10 and 11
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Where the basic foundational principle of marriage
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Was given.
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Paul said, "but to the married i give instructions,
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Not i, but the lord
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That the wife should not leave her husband."
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Now skip the parenthesis for just a moment
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"and that the husband should not divorce his wife."
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Paul said, i'm repeating what the lord already repeated,
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That you're to remain married.
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Women should not leave their husbands,
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Husbands should not leave their wives.
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Well, when is it that the lord commanded this?
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Well, it was in matthew chapter 19.
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Remember the story the pharisees were trying to trick jesus,
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Trying to discredit his ministry and so they said,
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"lord, is it permissible to divorce for any reason at all?"
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That was a trick question.
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He was, the pharisees were trying to get jesus
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To either identify with the halal camp,
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The liberal rabbi who taught divorce for any reason
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Or to side with the shammai camp
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That said divorce for no reason.
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And of course jesus very wisely answered the question.
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He said, "well, you're the scholars of the old testament.
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Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning
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Made them male and female, one man and one woman."
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Consequently, a man shall leave his father and mother
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And shall cleave to his wife
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And the two shall become one flesh.
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Therefore, what god has joined together,
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Let no man separate.
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Jesus said, "here's the principle.
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One man with one woman for a lifetime not to be separated."
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Well, pastor, are you saying that there are no exceptions
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To that one man with one woman for life principle?
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Not at all.
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As we're going to see tonight, there are three exceptions
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To the one man with one woman for a lifetime principle,
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And that first exception is actually found
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In the matthew 19 passage and it is adultery.
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Hold your place in 1 corinthians 7,
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And turn over to matthew chapter 19 for just a moment.
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Remember, jesus has just said in verse six,
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"what god has joined together let no man separate."
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The pharisees understood what he was saying.
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They understood that he was saying no divorce,
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And so they asked this question in verse seven.
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"now, lord, if that's so, if there is never to be a divorce,
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Why is it that moses commanded a husband
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To give his wife a certificate of divorce?"
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If there's to be no divorce,
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Why did moses command people to get divorced
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With a certificate of divorce?
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Now, let me give you a hint here.
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Anytime somebody tries to use the bible
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To bolster his argument
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Or to disprove something you're saying,
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Make sure that person is quoting the bible accurately.
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Many times people misquote the bible
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To strengthen their argument or they take it out of context.
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Did moses actually command people to be divorced?
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As we'll see in a moment, of course he didn't.
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What is this about a certificate of divorce?
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The certificate of divorce was a piece of paper
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That a man could give his wife in order to get rid of her.
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Now, there was nothing in the bible
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That commanded a certificate of divorce.
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This was something the jews came up with
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In order to legitimize divorce for any reason at all.
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For example, if a man didn't like the way
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His wife fixed her hair that morning,
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He could give her a certificate of divorce.
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If the woman burned the bagel for breakfast,
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He could give her a certificate of divorce.
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You could divorce for any reason at all.
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That wasn't scripture, that's what the jews did.
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There's only one time in the bible
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That the certificate of divorce is even mentioned
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And it's found in deuteronomy chapter 24.
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Now, can you hold three places in your bible at one time?
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Okay, skip back from matthew 19 to deuteronomy 24:1-4,
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Because this has a very relevant application for us today.
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Moses said, "when a man takes a wife and marries her
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And it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes
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Because he's found some indecency in her,"
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Boy, you could drive a mack truck through that exception,
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Something he doesn't like about her,
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"and he writes her a certificate of divorce
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And puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house
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And she leaves his house
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And goes and becomes another man's wife.
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And if the latter husband turns against her
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And gives her a certificate of divorce
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And puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house,
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Or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife,
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Then her former husband who sent her away
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Is not allowed to take her again to be his wife
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Since she has been defiled
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For that is an abomination before the lord,
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And you shall not bring sin on the land
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Which the lord your god gave you as an inheritance."
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Let me summarize the situation here.
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Let's say john marries lisa,
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And lisa for whatever reason, loses favor in john's sight.
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So john says, i'm tired of lisa,
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I've given you a certificate of divorce,
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So lisa gets kicked out of the house.
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She goes and she marries bill
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And bill after a couple of months with lisa
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Gets tired of her as well
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And gives her a certificate of divorce.
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Talk about a woman unlucky in love.
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I mean she is really having a difficult time,
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But let's say her first husband, john says,
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"you know what, lisa wasn't that bad after all.
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I made a big mistake,
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And now that she's free from bill,
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I think i'm going to take her back as my wife."
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God says, "you can't do that."
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That is to make a mockery of marriage.
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See, the israelites left to their own devices,
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They would change marriage partners
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As often as you would change a pair of socks.
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That's what they were doing.
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And so moses said,
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"we're going to have to regulate this practice.
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This is an abomination before the lord."
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And because of that, moses tried to regulate
00:10:34.957 --> 00:10:38.260
The out of control divorce situation among the israelites
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By regulating this whole divorce issue.
00:10:41.564 --> 00:10:45.868
But just because moses tried to regulate divorce
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In no way means that he condoned divorce.
00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:54.877
Now, the pharisees said,
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"well, if moses was against divorce,
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Why did he even mention the certificate of divorce?"
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I was reading this afternoon in the "dallas morning news,"
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You may have seen the story about this place up in frisco.
00:11:04.253 --> 00:11:08.324
It's a place where they redo car batteries,
00:11:08.324 --> 00:11:13.662
Or whatever up there, old car batteries,
00:11:14.530 --> 00:11:15.464
And the epa is concerned
00:11:15.464 --> 00:11:17.166
About the soil underneath this plant
00:11:17.166 --> 00:11:19.535
That it has contaminated the soil with lead
00:11:19.535 --> 00:11:22.271
And there's school children nearby and all of this.
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And so the epas gotten involved
00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:26.408
And they're testing the soil.
00:11:26.408 --> 00:11:28.177
Now, the epa says you're allowed 400 parts of lead
00:11:28.177 --> 00:11:32.715
Per 1 million parts of soil, 400 parts per 1 million parts.
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That is the regulation.
00:11:38.454 --> 00:11:39.855
And some of the tested areas are lower than that,
00:11:39.855 --> 00:11:42.858
But they still think it's dangerous.
00:11:42.858 --> 00:11:44.727
Now, the epa says it's okay to pollute the land
00:11:44.727 --> 00:11:48.297
Up to this amount.
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Just because the epa says 400 is the limit,
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Is the epa condoning pollution?
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Are they saying lead's a wonderful thing
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And it's really healthy?
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If they don't believe in lead,
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Why are they allowing any lead at all in the soil?
00:12:02.011 --> 00:12:05.347
Why don't they have a zero tolerance policy
00:12:05.347 --> 00:12:08.217
Toward lead in the soil?
00:12:08.217 --> 00:12:10.186
Because the epa recognizes we live in an imperfect world
00:12:10.186 --> 00:12:14.223
And because we live in an imperfect world,
00:12:14.223 --> 00:12:16.425
There has to be some allowance for that.
00:12:16.425 --> 00:12:18.861
So they said the limit is 400.
00:12:18.861 --> 00:12:21.197
That's not ideal, but that is tolerable.
00:12:21.197 --> 00:12:24.533
Now that's exactly what moses was doing.
00:12:24.533 --> 00:12:26.902
Moses was not condoning divorce at all.
00:12:26.902 --> 00:12:29.471
Look at verse 8, what jesus said,
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Jesus said, "it is because of the hardness of your heart
00:12:31.774 --> 00:12:35.110
That moses permitted you,"
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He didn't command you to divorce,
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"he permitted you to divorce your wives,
00:12:39.281 --> 00:12:41.917
But from the beginning it has not been this way."
00:12:41.917 --> 00:12:46.822
Have you ever heard the argument from people,
00:12:46.822 --> 00:12:48.390
People have asked you before,
00:12:48.390 --> 00:12:49.658
"oh, the bible is so filled with errors
00:12:49.658 --> 00:12:51.560
And it's so full of contradictions.
00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:53.062
Why, for example, why does the bible allow polygamy?
00:12:53.062 --> 00:12:56.332
Why does it allow all of these multiple wives?"
00:12:56.332 --> 00:12:58.434
Have you ever heard that before?
00:12:58.434 --> 00:12:59.768
Abraham, david, solomon, all of these multiple wives,
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Why the bible is just full of contradictions.
00:13:05.307 --> 00:13:07.776
You know what the answer to that is?
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The answer is that was never god's will.
00:13:09.511 --> 00:13:12.047
God's will was stated in the beginning,
00:13:12.047 --> 00:13:14.049
One man with one woman for life.
00:13:14.049 --> 00:13:16.252
For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother
00:13:16.252 --> 00:13:18.687
And shall cleave to his wife
00:13:18.687 --> 00:13:20.322
And the two shall become one flesh.
00:13:20.322 --> 00:13:23.392
Man is the one who distorted, perverted god's plan
00:13:23.392 --> 00:13:26.695
For marriage.
00:13:26.695 --> 00:13:27.830
And by the way, even though the bible
00:13:27.830 --> 00:13:29.265
Records some of god's servants as engaging in polygamy,
00:13:29.265 --> 00:13:33.702
Every time a man took more than one wife,
00:13:33.702 --> 00:13:36.772
He always had problems, always had problems.
00:13:36.772 --> 00:13:40.476
Think about abraham and what happened with agar.
00:13:40.476 --> 00:13:43.112
Think about david and his multiple wives.
00:13:43.112 --> 00:13:45.381
Think about solomon and his hundreds of wives
00:13:45.381 --> 00:13:48.217
And all of the problems it caused in the household.
00:13:48.217 --> 00:13:51.086
God's plan was always for one man with one woman for life.
00:13:51.086 --> 00:13:56.125
That's what jesus is saying here.
00:13:56.125 --> 00:13:58.427
Now, verse nine, jesus makes it very clear.
00:13:58.427 --> 00:14:01.430
"i say to you, whoever divorces his wife,
00:14:01.430 --> 00:14:05.901
Except for the case of immorality and marries another woman
00:14:05.901 --> 00:14:11.173
Commits adultery."
00:14:11.607 --> 00:14:13.609
And jesus had said the same thing in matthew 5:32,
00:14:13.609 --> 00:14:17.146
"but i say to you that everyone who divorces his wife
00:14:17.146 --> 00:14:20.649
Except for the reason of unchastity
00:14:20.649 --> 00:14:23.819
Makes her commit adultery,
00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.387
And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
00:14:25.387 --> 00:14:29.825
Jesus said the exception
00:14:29.825 --> 00:14:32.161
To this one man with one woman for life principle
00:14:32.161 --> 00:14:36.732
Is immorality, adultery.
00:14:36.732 --> 00:14:40.302
Now, what does he mean by immorality?
00:14:40.302 --> 00:14:43.739
That word immorality is the greek word porneia.
00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:47.576
It's a word we get obviously pornography from.
00:14:47.576 --> 00:14:50.245
It is an umbrella term
00:14:50.245 --> 00:14:51.613
That refers to all kind of sexual immorality,
00:14:51.613 --> 00:14:55.384
And because of that, there have been three prevalent views
00:14:55.384 --> 00:14:58.520
About what jesus meant when he said you can divorce
00:14:58.520 --> 00:15:02.291
In the case of immorality.
00:15:02.291 --> 00:15:04.827
One view is called the betrothal view of this passage.
00:15:04.827 --> 00:15:09.298
These people who believe this
00:15:09.298 --> 00:15:11.100
Believe that jesus was talking about the engagement period.
00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:14.837
Remember in jewish custom,
00:15:14.837 --> 00:15:17.006
People went through a very formal engagement period of time.
00:15:17.006 --> 00:15:20.275
Dows were exchanged, dowry was paid.
00:15:20.275 --> 00:15:23.245
Everything happened in the engagement period
00:15:23.245 --> 00:15:25.681
Except the sexual consummation of the relationship.
00:15:25.681 --> 00:15:29.385
Remember, mary and joseph were betrothed to one another
00:15:29.385 --> 00:15:33.122
When mary was found to be pregnant
00:15:33.122 --> 00:15:34.990
With the lord jesus christ.
00:15:34.990 --> 00:15:37.092
And when joseph first of all didn't understand
00:15:37.092 --> 00:15:39.395
What had happened, he considered ending the marriage
00:15:39.395 --> 00:15:42.531
Because after all in deuteronomy chapter 22,
00:15:42.531 --> 00:15:45.734
There was the provision that if you were engaged
00:15:45.734 --> 00:15:48.637
And your fiance was found to be unholy,
00:15:48.637 --> 00:15:52.641
You could end the relationship.
00:15:52.641 --> 00:15:55.077
So some people say
00:15:55.077 --> 00:15:56.578
He's talking about the betrothal period here, not marriage.
00:15:56.578 --> 00:16:01.850
Well, that's not a logical explanation
00:16:01.850 --> 00:16:03.619
Because the question here is not about engagement,
00:16:03.619 --> 00:16:06.422
It's about marriage itself.
00:16:06.422 --> 00:16:08.624
Some people accept the immoral marriage view
00:16:08.624 --> 00:16:11.493
Of this passage.
00:16:11.493 --> 00:16:12.761
That is what they're saying is
00:16:12.761 --> 00:16:14.329
Jesus is saying you can divorce
00:16:14.329 --> 00:16:16.398
If your marriage is an immoral marriage.
00:16:16.398 --> 00:16:19.334
That is let's say a father engages
00:16:19.334 --> 00:16:21.637
In an incestuous marriage and marries his daughter
00:16:21.637 --> 00:16:25.474
And later becomes a christian, well, he can divorce
00:16:25.474 --> 00:16:28.510
Because that marriage is an immoral marriage
00:16:28.510 --> 00:16:31.413
Or maybe perhaps a homosexual marriage
00:16:31.413 --> 00:16:33.715
Or something like that.
00:16:33.715 --> 00:16:35.217
Again, that is a farfetched interpretation of that
00:16:35.217 --> 00:16:38.087
Because such marriages were already outlawed
00:16:38.087 --> 00:16:40.689
According to god's word.
00:16:40.689 --> 00:16:43.025
The third view is my view, the traditional view,
00:16:43.025 --> 00:16:46.195
And it is that jesus is referring to adultery.
00:16:46.195 --> 00:16:50.432
If your mate commits adultery,
00:16:50.432 --> 00:16:53.569
You are permitted, not commanded,
00:16:53.569 --> 00:16:56.572
But you are permitted to divorce.
00:16:56.572 --> 00:16:59.675
Now remember in the old testament times,
00:16:59.675 --> 00:17:03.445
If you were found guilty of adultery,
00:17:03.445 --> 00:17:05.781
You were stoned to death, you were put to death.
00:17:05.781 --> 00:17:08.550
Obviously that ended the marriage relationship,
00:17:09.485 --> 00:17:12.621
Didn't it, okay?
00:17:12.621 --> 00:17:14.289
And god's word is very clear that if your mate dies,
00:17:14.289 --> 00:17:17.793
You're free to remarry, romans 7:2.
00:17:17.793 --> 00:17:21.830
I believe that when jesus gives permission to divorce
00:17:21.830 --> 00:17:25.200
In the case of adultery, implicit in that permission
00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:28.904
Is also the permission to remarry.
00:17:28.904 --> 00:17:31.340
Why?
00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:32.908
Because adultery destroys the marriage bond in this sense.
00:17:32.908 --> 00:17:36.745
If your mate were living in the old testament times,
00:17:36.745 --> 00:17:39.148
He or she would be executed, you'd be free to remarry.
00:17:39.148 --> 00:17:42.017
Just because we live in a more grace-filled society today
00:17:42.017 --> 00:17:46.455
That doesn't execute adulterers
00:17:46.455 --> 00:17:48.957
Does not mean that the innocent party would have to suffer,
00:17:48.957 --> 00:17:52.494
Because grace is shown to the guilty party
00:17:52.494 --> 00:17:54.830
And he's allowed to leave.
00:17:54.830 --> 00:17:56.431
I believe the bible allows
00:17:56.431 --> 00:17:58.333
For not only divorce as jesus said,
00:17:58.333 --> 00:18:00.636
But remarriage when there is adultery.
00:18:00.636 --> 00:18:05.340
Now, let me say again, the bible doesn't command it.
00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:09.244
If your mate is involved in a one time sexual affair,
00:18:09.244 --> 00:18:15.217
A one time act of immorality,
00:18:15.851 --> 00:18:18.954
Yes, you have permission to divorce in that situation,
00:18:18.954 --> 00:18:24.326
But you're not commanded to divorce,
00:18:25.093 --> 00:18:26.361
And i think if you're mate is repentant
00:18:26.361 --> 00:18:28.697
And wants to go through the process of rehabilitation
00:18:28.697 --> 00:18:31.934
And regain your trust,
00:18:31.934 --> 00:18:33.769
I think personally it is a foolish thing to end a divorce.
00:18:33.769 --> 00:18:38.307
I think god always desires reconciliation.
00:18:38.307 --> 00:18:42.077
Remember those statistics i gave
00:18:42.711 --> 00:18:44.813
About the effects of divorce?
00:18:44.813 --> 00:18:47.115
Those effects are for people who divorce
00:18:47.115 --> 00:18:49.284
For legitimate reasons as well as illegitimate reasons.
00:18:49.284 --> 00:18:52.988
I believe that god prefers for there to be reconciliation.
00:18:52.988 --> 00:18:57.092
However, if your mate is engaged in hard hearted adultery,
00:18:57.092 --> 00:19:01.597
They will not repent, they are involved in multiple affairs
00:19:01.597 --> 00:19:06.268
And multiple sexual partners
00:19:06.268 --> 00:19:08.170
In a day of aids and sexually transmitted diseases,
00:19:08.170 --> 00:19:11.873
You may have no choice but to divorce.
00:19:11.873 --> 00:19:14.509
But the bible does allow for divorce and remarriage
00:19:14.509 --> 00:19:18.513
In the case of adultery.
00:19:18.513 --> 00:19:19.948
Now the second allowance for divorce and remarriage
00:19:19.948 --> 00:19:23.185
Is found in 1 corinthians 7.
00:19:23.185 --> 00:19:24.987
I hope you haven't lost your place.
00:19:24.987 --> 00:19:26.655
Let's go back to 1 corinthians 7,
00:19:26.655 --> 00:19:28.890
And that is in the case of desertion, desertion.
00:19:28.890 --> 00:19:33.362
Now remember what was going on in corinth?
00:19:33.362 --> 00:19:35.564
A lot of people were being saved in corinth.
00:19:35.564 --> 00:19:38.200
They were coming out of immoral, decadent backgrounds.
00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:41.637
They were coming into the church
00:19:41.637 --> 00:19:43.138
And they started asking the question,
00:19:43.138 --> 00:19:44.573
Now that we're christians,
00:19:44.573 --> 00:19:46.008
How does our christianity affect our sexuality?
00:19:46.008 --> 00:19:49.344
I mean, should we remain single if we're not married?
00:19:49.344 --> 00:19:53.515
What about if we're married, is sex wrong?
00:19:53.515 --> 00:19:55.684
Should we try to be celibate in the marriage relationship?
00:19:55.684 --> 00:19:58.787
Or what if we're married and we became a christian,
00:19:58.787 --> 00:20:01.590
But our mate is still an unbeliever?
00:20:01.590 --> 00:20:02.958
Are we supposed to divorce that mate
00:20:02.958 --> 00:20:04.693
And go find a christian?
00:20:04.693 --> 00:20:06.128
Lots of questions about this issue
00:20:06.128 --> 00:20:08.330
Of divorce and remarriage.
00:20:08.330 --> 00:20:10.332
And so paul answers three typical cases
00:20:10.332 --> 00:20:14.569
That apparently the corinthians had asked him about.
00:20:14.569 --> 00:20:16.872
Here's case number one in verses 10-11.
00:20:16.872 --> 00:20:19.474
What about a believer who wants to leave the marriage?
00:20:19.474 --> 00:20:23.178
Now, let's go back and look at verses 10-11
00:20:23.178 --> 00:20:24.913
And at that parenthesis.
00:20:24.913 --> 00:20:26.715
"but to the married, i give instructions,
00:20:26.715 --> 00:20:28.784
Not i, but the lord,
00:20:28.784 --> 00:20:30.319
That the wife should not leave her husband."
00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:32.921
Now here's the passage, "but if she does leave,
00:20:32.921 --> 00:20:36.825
She must remain unmarried
00:20:36.825 --> 00:20:39.561
Or else be reconciled to her husband,
00:20:39.561 --> 00:20:41.930
And that the husband should not divorce his wife,"
00:20:42.931 --> 00:20:44.666
And the same applies.
00:20:44.666 --> 00:20:45.967
If he does leave, he is to be remained unmarried
00:20:45.967 --> 00:20:49.705
Or he is to go back to his wife, be reconciled to his wife.
00:20:49.705 --> 00:20:55.544
Now, obviously he is speaking for another reason
00:20:56.545 --> 00:20:59.981
Other than adultery.
00:20:59.981 --> 00:21:01.183
Jesus has already talked about adultery
00:21:01.183 --> 00:21:03.485
Being a permissible reason for divorce and remarriage.
00:21:03.485 --> 00:21:08.023
Paul has in mind another situation.
00:21:08.023 --> 00:21:10.659
He has in mind
00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:12.060
Somebody who decides they want out of a marriage
00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:14.162
For something other than adultery.
00:21:14.162 --> 00:21:17.933
Maybe it's a case where there is an emotional abuse
00:21:17.933 --> 00:21:20.469
Or physical abuse or the person feels like his life
00:21:20.469 --> 00:21:23.004
Is in danger.
00:21:23.004 --> 00:21:24.773
A number of situations that come to mind
00:21:24.773 --> 00:21:28.043
That a person wants out of a marriage.
00:21:28.043 --> 00:21:30.746
Remember, god hates divorce.
00:21:30.746 --> 00:21:32.647
He doesn't want divorce.
00:21:32.647 --> 00:21:33.982
But paul says if a believer leaves a marriage
00:21:33.982 --> 00:21:37.986
For any other reason other than adultery,
00:21:37.986 --> 00:21:41.323
If he leaves that marriage, he or she is to remain unmarried
00:21:41.323 --> 00:21:46.428
Or be reconciled to his or her mate.
00:21:47.229 --> 00:21:50.699
That's what paul is saying here.
00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:52.401
A believer who wants to divorce
00:21:52.401 --> 00:21:54.169
For some reason other than adultery.
00:21:54.169 --> 00:21:58.039
Pastor, what about if that mate leaves and abandons me?
00:21:59.141 --> 00:22:01.943
Well, that's a whole other story
00:22:01.943 --> 00:22:03.111
We're going to get to in a minute,
00:22:03.111 --> 00:22:04.646
But here i'm talking about leaving for some other reason
00:22:04.646 --> 00:22:08.216
Than adultery, you're to remain unmarried or be reconciled.
00:22:08.216 --> 00:22:13.121
Now here's case number two paul deals with.
00:22:13.121 --> 00:22:15.924
"a believer married to an unbeliever who wants to remain,"
00:22:15.924 --> 00:22:22.197
Look at this in verse 12,
00:22:22.764 --> 00:22:24.332
"but to the rest i say, not the lord."
00:22:24.332 --> 00:22:27.269
Paul said the lord didn't address this subject,
00:22:27.269 --> 00:22:29.538
But i'm going to address it
00:22:29.538 --> 00:22:31.006
"that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever
00:22:31.006 --> 00:22:34.810
And that unbeliever consents to live with him,
00:22:34.810 --> 00:22:37.612
He must not divorce her.
00:22:37.612 --> 00:22:39.648
And a woman who has an unbelieving husband
00:22:39.648 --> 00:22:41.850
And he consents to live with her,
00:22:41.850 --> 00:22:43.485
She must not send her husband away."
00:22:43.485 --> 00:22:45.720
♪ music ♪
00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:50.992
And we're going to pause right here,
00:22:50.992 --> 00:22:52.627
But we'll continue to look at these exceptions
00:22:52.627 --> 00:22:54.996
To the marriage rule next time.
00:22:54.996 --> 00:22:57.699
In closing, i want to express my heartfelt gratitude
00:22:57.699 --> 00:23:00.535
To all of you who generously give to pathway to victory,
00:23:00.535 --> 00:23:04.339
Especially our pathway partners.
00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:06.908
Your faithful giving makes this ministry possible.
00:23:06.908 --> 00:23:10.312
Every day we're blessed to receive messages
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From viewers and listeners
00:23:12.747 --> 00:23:14.483
Whose lives have been transformed by god's word.
00:23:14.483 --> 00:23:18.153
These powerful testimonies of life change
00:23:18.153 --> 00:23:20.722
Are a direct result of friends like you
00:23:20.722 --> 00:23:23.792
Who stand with us in this mission
00:23:23.792 --> 00:23:25.694
Through prayers and your giving.
00:23:25.694 --> 00:23:28.163
Thank you so much for your continued partnership
00:23:28.163 --> 00:23:31.299
As we work together to pierce the darkness
00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:34.336
With the light of god's word.
00:23:34.336 --> 00:23:36.204
Now, please stay right there.
00:23:36.204 --> 00:23:37.772
I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
00:23:37.772 --> 00:23:41.977
The most important task a parent or grandparent has in life
00:23:43.111 --> 00:23:47.148
Is to lead their child or grandchild
00:23:47.148 --> 00:23:49.150
To faith in jesus christ.
00:23:49.150 --> 00:23:51.152
Yet, many don't know where to begin.
00:23:51.152 --> 00:23:53.355
That's why i've written "the gift: the gospel for children,"
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A beautifully illustrated book
00:23:57.192 --> 00:23:59.294
Designed to help you share the gospel
00:23:59.294 --> 00:24:01.162
With the children you love.
00:24:01.162 --> 00:24:03.164
[narrator] "the gift" provides a clear presentation
00:24:03.164 --> 00:24:05.600
Of the gospel for your child or grandchild
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And makes sharing the life-changing message of jesus simple.
00:24:08.003 --> 00:24:11.573
Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
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From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
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With your child.
00:24:16.878 --> 00:24:18.413
You can give this book to your children or grandchildren
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To read on their own, or better yet,
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Read it together to begin a rewarding spiritual journey
00:24:23.218 --> 00:24:27.122
That will shape their eternity.
00:24:27.122 --> 00:24:29.324
At the end of my book, i've included a prayer for salvation.
00:24:29.324 --> 00:24:32.827
They can pray to trust in christ as their savior.
00:24:32.827 --> 00:24:36.898
[narrator] help your child or grandchild
00:24:36.898 --> 00:24:38.400
Make the decision to follow jesus christ.
00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:41.169
Request "the gift" when you give a generous gift
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To support the ministry of pathway to victory,
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And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
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We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions,"
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Chapters one through nine on both dvd and audio disc.
00:24:52.948 --> 00:24:56.885
Thank you for partnering with pathway to victory.
00:24:56.885 --> 00:24:59.454
Together, we're preaching the gospel
00:24:59.454 --> 00:25:01.056
To as many people as possible
00:25:01.056 --> 00:25:02.958
And equipping parents and grandparents
00:25:02.958 --> 00:25:04.859
To lead the children they love to faith in jesus christ.
00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:11.066
Let me be especially clear,
00:25:11.666 --> 00:25:13.602
God's will for marriage is one man with one woman for life,
00:25:13.602 --> 00:25:18.473
But god has also granted specific exceptions to the rule
00:25:18.473 --> 00:25:22.377
To help us deal with our fallen world and our fallen nature.
00:25:22.377 --> 00:25:26.581
And in this message,
00:25:26.581 --> 00:25:27.916
We're working through the various scenarios
00:25:27.916 --> 00:25:30.418
In which god allows a christian to divorce and remarry.
00:25:30.418 --> 00:25:34.623
Now there's much more to cover,
00:25:34.623 --> 00:25:36.057
So be sure to join us next time,
00:25:36.057 --> 00:25:38.827
And stay tuned for a preview
00:25:38.827 --> 00:25:40.161
Of what's coming up next in our series,
00:25:40.161 --> 00:25:42.497
"straight answers to tough questions."
00:25:42.497 --> 00:25:45.867
It just takes one christian in a home
00:25:46.701 --> 00:25:49.037
To make a christian home.
00:25:49.037 --> 00:25:51.206
You see, we get the idea that, oh man, if i'm a believer,
00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:54.976
Now remember this is after the marriage, not before,
00:25:54.976 --> 00:25:57.445
If i'm this believer and i remain in this marriage
00:25:57.445 --> 00:25:59.648
With this non-christian, i'm going to be defiled.
00:25:59.648 --> 00:26:02.350
No, no, you're not going to be defiled.
00:26:02.350 --> 00:26:05.053
That unbeliever is going to be sanctified.
00:26:05.053 --> 00:26:08.657
[narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
00:26:08.657 --> 00:26:10.825
For part two of the message, "the divorce question"
00:26:10.825 --> 00:26:13.628
Here on pathway to victory.
00:26:13.628 --> 00:26:15.263
♪ music ♪
00:26:15.263 --> 00:26:18.667
Each of us will leave a legacy.
00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:22.070
What will your legacy be?
00:26:22.070 --> 00:26:24.472
Your legacy giving can further the gospel
00:26:24.472 --> 00:26:27.242
And be an example to your children
00:26:27.242 --> 00:26:29.611
About what matters most in life.
00:26:29.611 --> 00:26:32.213
The world my daughters and grandchildren are growing up in
00:26:32.213 --> 00:26:35.717
Is vastly different than the one you and i grew up in.
00:26:35.717 --> 00:26:39.421
The gospel of jesus christ is our only answer,
00:26:39.421 --> 00:26:43.558
And naming pathway to victory as a beneficiary in your will
00:26:43.558 --> 00:26:47.829
Helps guarantee that there will be a trusted ministry
00:26:47.829 --> 00:26:51.499
That will continue to be salt and light.
00:26:51.499 --> 00:26:54.602
Like the ripples that emanate from a rock
00:26:54.602 --> 00:26:57.138
Thrown into a pond,
00:26:57.138 --> 00:26:58.707
Your influence for christ can keep going on and on
00:26:58.707 --> 00:27:02.410
After you die with a gift in your will.
00:27:02.410 --> 00:27:05.747
What will your legacy be?
00:27:05.747 --> 00:27:08.450
Only one life will soon be passed.
00:27:08.450 --> 00:27:11.820
Only what's done for christ will last.
00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:11.820

Robert Jeffress - The Divorce Question (Part 1)

May 12, 2025 | S25:E226

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