Robert Jeffress - The Divorce Question (Part 2)

May 13, 2025 | S25:E228

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 2) | May 13, 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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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to pathway to victory.
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  • Few topics cause christians more confusion than the issue
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  • Of divorce and remarriage.
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  • The bible is clear that divorce wasn't a part of god's plan
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  • For husbands and wives, but does god make a few exceptions?
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  • Well, today we're going to explore the scenarios
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  • In which god permits divorce and remarriage.
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  • My message is titled:
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  • The divorce question on today's edition
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  • Of pathway to victory
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  • (instrumental music)
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  • ♪ i've been changed ♪
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  • ♪ healed, freed ♪
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  • ♪ delivered ♪
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  • -♪ i've been changed ♪ -♪ i've been changed ♪
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  • -♪ healed ♪ -♪ healed ♪
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  • -♪ freed ♪ -♪ i'm freed ♪
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  • -♪ delivered ♪ -♪ delivered ♪
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  • -♪ i've found joy ♪ -♪ i've found joy ♪
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  • -♪ peace ♪ -♪ peace ♪
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  • -♪ grace ♪ -♪ grace ♪
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  • ♪ and favor ♪
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  • ♪ an right now ♪
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  • ♪ right now is the moment ♪
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  • ♪ today is the day ♪
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  • ♪ i've been changed ♪
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  • ♪ i have waited for this moment to come ♪
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  • ♪ and i won't let it pass me by ♪
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  • ♪ so we say ♪
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  • ♪ i won't go back, i can't go back, to the way it used to be ♪
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  • ♪ before your presence came and changed me ♪
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  • ♪ thank you lord, i wont ♪
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  • ♪ i won't go back, i can't go back to the way it used to be ♪
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  • ♪ before your presence came and changed me ♪
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  • ♪ changed me, i thank you lord ♪
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  • -♪ i won't go back ♪ -♪ i can't go back ♪
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  • ♪ to the way it used to be ♪
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  • ♪ before your presence came and changed me ♪
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  • ♪ thank you lord ♪
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  • -♪ changed me ♪ -♪ i remember the change ♪
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  • -♪ jesus changed me ♪ -♪ you changed me ♪
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  • (congregation clapping)
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  • [narrator] think about a child in your life who needs
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  • 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 in a way
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  • That's clear and engaging.
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  • The book also includes a salvation prayer for you
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  • 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, the opportunity
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  • 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 believe that god prefers for there to be reconciliation.
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  • However, if your mate is engaged in hard hearted adultery,
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  • They will not repent.
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  • They are involved in multiple affairs,
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  • And multiple sexual partners.
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  • In a day of aids and sexually transmitted diseases,
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  • You may have no choice but to divorce,
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  • But the bible does allow for divorce
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  • And remarriage in the case of adultery.
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  • Now the second allowance for divorce and remarriage
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  • Is found in 1 corinthians seven.
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  • I hope you haven't lost your place.
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  • Let's go back to 1 corinthians seven,
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  • And that is in the case of desertion. desertion.
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  • Now remember what was going on in corinth?
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  • A lot of people were being saved in corinth.
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  • They were coming out of immoral, decadent backgrounds.
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  • They were coming into the church,
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  • And they started asking the question,
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  • Now that we're christians,
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  • How does our christianity affect our sexuality?
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  • I mean, should we remain single if we're not married?
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  • What about if we're married, is sex wrong?
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  • Should we try to be celibate in the marriage relationship?
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  • Or what if we're married and we became a christian,
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  • But our mate is still an unbeliever,
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  • Are we supposed to divorce that mate
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  • And go find a christian?
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  • Lots of questions about this issue
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  • Of divorce and remarriage.
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  • And so paul answers three typical cases
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  • That apparently the corinthians had asked him about.
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  • Here's case number one in verses 10 to 11.
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  • What about a believer who wants to leave the marriage?
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  • Now let's go back and look at verses 10 and 11
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  • And at that parenthesis,
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  • "but to the married i give instructions, not i,
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  • But the lord that the wife should not leave her husband."
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  • Now here's the passage, "but if she does leave,
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  • She must remain unmarried or else be reconciled
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  • To her husband.
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  • And that the husband should not divorce his wife."
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  • And the same applies if he does leave,
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  • He's to be remained unmarried
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  • Or he is to go back to his wife,
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  • Be reconciled to his wife.
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  • Now obviously he is speaking for another reason
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  • Other than adultery.
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  • Jesus has already talked about adultery
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  • Being a permissible reason for divorce and remarriage.
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  • Paul has in mind another situation.
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  • He has in mind somebody who decides they want out
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  • Of a marriage for something other than adultery.
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  • Maybe it's a case where there is an emotional abuse,
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  • Or physical abuse or the person feels like his life
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  • Is in danger.
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  • A number of situations that come to mind
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  • That a person wants out of a marriage.
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  • Remember, god hates divorce.
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  • He doesn't want divorce.
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  • But paul says if a believer leaves a marriage
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  • For any other reason other than adultery,
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  • If he leaves that marriage, he or she is to remain unmarried
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  • Or be reconciled to his or her mate.
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  • That's what paul is saying here.
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  • A believer who wants to divorce
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  • For some reason other than adultery.
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  • Pastor, what about if that mate leaves and abandons me?
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  • Well, that's a whole other story
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  • We're going to get to in a minute,
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  • But here i'm talking about leaving for some other reason
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  • Than adultery, you're to remain unmarried or be reconciled.
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  • Now here's case number two paul deals with.
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  • A believer married to an unbeliever who wants to remain.
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  • Look at this in verse 12,
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  • "but to the rest i say not the lord,"
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  • Paul said the lord didn't address this subject,
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  • But i'm going to address it.
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  • "that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever
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  • And that unbeliever consents to live with him,
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  • He must not divorce her.
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  • And a woman who has an unbelieving husband
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  • And he consents to live with her,
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  • She must not send her husband away."
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  • Here's the case.
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  • A husband or wife becomes a christian in the marriage,
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  • The remaining mate is an unbeliever.
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  • And let's say this new christian wife says, you know,
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  • Being a christian is such a wonderful thing.
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  • I'm meeting so many great men down
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  • At the first baptist church in corinth.
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  • Man, it is great down there.
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  • I think i want to leave this non-christian pagan mate
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  • That i have and i want to go be married
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  • To a fine christian man.
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  • Paul, isn't that what i need to do?
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  • After all, you keep teaching us over,
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  • And over and over again.
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  • Believers are not to be unequally yoked together
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  • With an unbeliever,
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  • "for what fellowship has light and darkness."
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  • So i think i'm going to divorce my mate.
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  • Isn't that all right, paul?
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  • When paul says you're not to be unequally yoked together
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  • With an unbeliever, he's talking about before you marry,
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  • Don't intentionally marry an unbeliever.
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  • But here the situation
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  • Is what if you're already unequally yoked to somebody?
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  • Are you to leave? paul says no.
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  • If you're married to a non-christian,
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  • And that non-christian wants to remain in the marriage,
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  • You must remain in the marriage.
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  • Well, why is that?
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  • Why would god tell me to do that? look at this.
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  • This is so interesting, for the un...
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  • Verse 14, "for the unbelieving husband is sanctified
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  • Through his wife and the unbelieving wife
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  • Is sanctified through her believing husband;
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  • For otherwise your children are unclean,
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  • But now they are holy."
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  • What does that word sanctified mean?
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  • It means to set apart.
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  • It means to make holy.
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  • Do you know how many christians it takes in a home
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  • To make a christian home?
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  • One. just one.
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  • It just takes one christian in a home
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  • To make a christian home.
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  • And what paul is saying here
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  • Is the reason you as a christian are to remain
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  • In that marriage with a non-christian
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  • Is because of the influence you have over
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  • That non-christian husband or wife,
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  • That influence you have over those children as well.
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  • You see, we get the idea that, oh man, if i'm a believer,
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  • Now remember this is after the marriage, not before.
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  • If i'm this believer and i remain in this marriage
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  • With this non-christian, i'm going to be defiled.
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  • No, no, you're not going to be defiled,
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  • That unbeliever is going to be sanctified.
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  • Now, the word sanctified doesn't mean...
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  • It doesn't mean to become a christian.
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  • Nobody's saying that, that non-christian husband
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  • Or wife is automatically saved
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  • Because you become a christian.
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  • But what it is saying is your godliness,
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  • Your influence splashes over to them
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  • And it benefits them in a very positive way.
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  • Let me illustrate it this way.
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  • Let's say my wife, amy receives a large inheritance,
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  • Okay, she gets a big inheritance.
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  • Boy, i wish i had married rich.
  • 00:10:51.073 --> 00:10:52.775
  • No i don't. no, no.
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  • Let's say she gets a big inheritance.
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  • Now, that inheritance that amy receives belongs to her.
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  • It is her, it's not mine, it's not given to me,
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  • It's not in my name, it's in her name.
  • 00:11:03.753 --> 00:11:06.756
  • But you know what?
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  • Even though that inheritance belongs to her,
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  • Possibly, probably i'm going to get a little benefit from it.
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  • It may be residual benefit, it may be splash over benefit,
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  • But you know, she might buy some new lamps around the house
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  • And put them there with the inheritance she receives.
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  • I get to benefit from that.
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  • Or maybe she'll, you know,
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  • Let me buy an extra carton of ice cream,
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  • You know, on sunday nights and i benefit from that.
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  • Or maybe she buys me a tie,
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  • Or maybe she takes me on a trip.
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  • It's her money, it's her inheritance,
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  • But i get some of the benefit from it.
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  • Now it's the same way in salvation.
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  • No, we receive salvation individually.
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  • It belongs to us.
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  • It doesn't automatically go to somebody else,
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  • But sometimes our relationship with christ spills over.
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  • It benefits others in our home.
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  • And that's what he's talking about here.
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  • And then he goes ahead and says,
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  • "for otherwise your children are unclean,
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  • But now they are holy."
  • 00:12:06.448 --> 00:12:09.218
  • What's this saying?
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  • It's just saying the same thing that the children in a home
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  • Where there's one christian parent receives
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  • A special benefit and they are much more likely to be saved
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  • In a home where there's a christian present than in a home
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  • Where there is no christian present.
  • 00:12:22.498 --> 00:12:24.967
  • So for that reason, we are to remain in the marriage.
  • 00:12:24.967 --> 00:12:28.070
  • Now, case number three, paul addresses a believer married
  • 00:12:28.070 --> 00:12:32.308
  • To an unbeliever who wants to leave.
  • 00:12:32.308 --> 00:12:35.444
  • Here was the situation going on in corinth,
  • 00:12:35.444 --> 00:12:38.747
  • Let's say a wife becomes a christian,
  • 00:12:38.747 --> 00:12:41.951
  • The husband is a non-christian and he says,
  • 00:12:41.951 --> 00:12:44.553
  • I am so tired of all that god talk coming from you.
  • 00:12:44.553 --> 00:12:49.058
  • I'm tired of you going down
  • 00:12:49.058 --> 00:12:50.659
  • To that church every time, the candles are lit.
  • 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:53.762
  • I just hate it that you are always down there
  • 00:12:53.762 --> 00:12:56.565
  • And trying to bring this stuff into our home.
  • 00:12:56.565 --> 00:12:58.467
  • In fact, tertullian, one of the early church fathers wrote
  • 00:12:58.467 --> 00:13:03.439
  • That some of those un-christian, non-christian men
  • 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:06.642
  • May have had a legitimate complaint
  • 00:13:06.642 --> 00:13:08.844
  • About their wives going to church at nocturnal hours,
  • 00:13:08.844 --> 00:13:12.648
  • He talks about because they were going overboard
  • 00:13:12.648 --> 00:13:15.251
  • With the holy kiss that paul commanded for christians
  • 00:13:15.251 --> 00:13:18.454
  • To greet one another with.
  • 00:13:18.454 --> 00:13:20.189
  • And some of the christian women taking advantage
  • 00:13:20.189 --> 00:13:22.892
  • Of this probably did make their non-christian
  • 00:13:22.892 --> 00:13:25.094
  • Husbands angry.
  • 00:13:25.094 --> 00:13:26.695
  • But for whatever reason, here's a case
  • 00:13:26.695 --> 00:13:29.064
  • Where the wife has become a christian,
  • 00:13:29.064 --> 00:13:31.734
  • Or the husband's become a christian.
  • 00:13:31.734 --> 00:13:33.435
  • The non-christian mate remaining says,
  • 00:13:33.435 --> 00:13:35.738
  • I'm tired of all of this stuff,
  • 00:13:35.738 --> 00:13:37.573
  • I want out of the marriage.
  • 00:13:37.573 --> 00:13:39.441
  • Now what are you to do in that kind of a situation?
  • 00:13:39.441 --> 00:13:42.177
  • Here's what i've heard people teach.
  • 00:13:42.177 --> 00:13:44.179
  • Why more than anything, god wants to preserve that marriage
  • 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:47.483
  • And you make whatever compromise you need to make
  • 00:13:47.483 --> 00:13:50.352
  • In order to keep that marriage intact.
  • 00:13:50.352 --> 00:13:52.588
  • If that means not going to church anymore,
  • 00:13:52.588 --> 00:13:55.024
  • Quit going to church.
  • 00:13:55.024 --> 00:13:56.191
  • It's not that important to go to church.
  • 00:13:56.191 --> 00:13:57.927
  • If it means not tithing, quit tithing.
  • 00:13:57.927 --> 00:13:59.662
  • That's not important.
  • 00:13:59.662 --> 00:14:01.096
  • If your husband doesn't want you to talk
  • 00:14:01.096 --> 00:14:03.432
  • About god around the children, don't worry about,
  • 00:14:03.432 --> 00:14:05.768
  • Just don't talk about god, keep that marriage together.
  • 00:14:05.768 --> 00:14:09.238
  • Ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:14:09.238 --> 00:14:10.539
  • Nothing could be further from the truth.
  • 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:12.474
  • I want you to listen to what god's word says you ought to do
  • 00:14:12.474 --> 00:14:16.178
  • If that husband or wife continues to threaten,
  • 00:14:16.178 --> 00:14:19.281
  • To leave your marriage.
  • 00:14:19.281 --> 00:14:21.550
  • Look at verse 15, "if the unbelieving mate leaves,
  • 00:14:21.550 --> 00:14:26.889
  • Let him leave." let him go.
  • 00:14:27.489 --> 00:14:32.861
  • We used to have a saying, you know, go ahead and leave
  • 00:14:33.963 --> 00:14:36.498
  • And don't let the door hit you on the way out.
  • 00:14:36.498 --> 00:14:39.468
  • You know, that's what he's saying here.
  • 00:14:39.468 --> 00:14:42.538
  • "if the unbelieving one wants to leave, let him leave.
  • 00:14:42.538 --> 00:14:45.040
  • Furthermore, the brother or sister
  • 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:47.276
  • Is not under ******* in such cases."
  • 00:14:47.276 --> 00:14:52.648
  • The fact is,
  • 00:14:52.982 --> 00:14:54.583
  • You can't keep your unbelieving mate from leaving.
  • 00:14:54.583 --> 00:14:57.653
  • If they want to leave, let 'em leave.
  • 00:14:57.653 --> 00:14:59.455
  • And furthermore, he says, you're not under *******.
  • 00:14:59.455 --> 00:15:01.523
  • What does that word mean?
  • 00:15:01.523 --> 00:15:02.791
  • You are no longer restricted.
  • 00:15:02.791 --> 00:15:05.394
  • You're no longer obligated to remain unmarried.
  • 00:15:05.394 --> 00:15:09.798
  • You're free from the bonds of marriage.
  • 00:15:09.798 --> 00:15:12.167
  • By the way, he uses that same word in romans 7:2
  • 00:15:12.167 --> 00:15:15.170
  • To refer to a person whose mate dies.
  • 00:15:15.170 --> 00:15:17.406
  • That person's no longer under *******. he's free to remarry.
  • 00:15:17.406 --> 00:15:20.342
  • He'll say the same thing in verse 39
  • 00:15:20.342 --> 00:15:22.411
  • Of 1 corinthians seven,
  • 00:15:22.411 --> 00:15:23.779
  • You're no longer under *******.
  • 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.481
  • If your mate dies, you are free to marry.
  • 00:15:25.481 --> 00:15:29.118
  • Now, what is paul's reasoning here?
  • 00:15:29.118 --> 00:15:31.286
  • Why does paul say it's okay to let them go
  • 00:15:31.286 --> 00:15:34.656
  • Instead of trying to hold on to that marriage?
  • 00:15:34.656 --> 00:15:37.326
  • Notice there's two reasons.
  • 00:15:37.326 --> 00:15:38.894
  • First of all, he says, god has called us to live in peace.
  • 00:15:38.894 --> 00:15:42.865
  • Look at verse 15, "but god has called us to live in peace."
  • 00:15:42.865 --> 00:15:46.902
  • God wants your family to be a family of peace.
  • 00:15:46.902 --> 00:15:50.339
  • In romans 12:18, paul says,
  • 00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:52.207
  • "if possible, so far as it depends on you,
  • 00:15:52.207 --> 00:15:54.510
  • Be at peace with all men."
  • 00:15:54.510 --> 00:15:58.313
  • Now, that's not always possible,
  • 00:15:58.313 --> 00:16:00.482
  • But to the extent that it is,
  • 00:16:00.482 --> 00:16:02.117
  • You ought to have your home be a peaceful home.
  • 00:16:02.117 --> 00:16:04.720
  • God wants a home, a family that is free from ranker,
  • 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:07.423
  • And anger and bitterness and bickering.
  • 00:16:07.423 --> 00:16:10.259
  • And sometimes it's better just to leave the mate
  • 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:12.461
  • Who's threatening to leave all the time.
  • 00:16:12.461 --> 00:16:14.329
  • Just let him leave.
  • 00:16:14.329 --> 00:16:15.764
  • But there's a second reason, and that is paul says,
  • 00:16:15.764 --> 00:16:18.167
  • There's no guarantee that your unbelieving spouse
  • 00:16:18.167 --> 00:16:20.602
  • Will ever be saved.
  • 00:16:20.602 --> 00:16:22.271
  • Look at verse 16.
  • 00:16:22.271 --> 00:16:23.572
  • He says, "for how do you know, o wife,
  • 00:16:23.572 --> 00:16:26.575
  • Whether you'll save your husband,
  • 00:16:26.575 --> 00:16:28.477
  • Or how do you know, o husband
  • 00:16:28.477 --> 00:16:29.878
  • Whether you will save your wife?"
  • 00:16:29.878 --> 00:16:33.215
  • Why in the world would you live
  • 00:16:33.215 --> 00:16:35.350
  • In a lifetime of unpleasantness?
  • 00:16:35.350 --> 00:16:37.553
  • Why would you compromise your beliefs about going to church,
  • 00:16:37.553 --> 00:16:41.723
  • About giving your money to the lord's work,
  • 00:16:41.723 --> 00:16:44.126
  • About making god the priority of life?
  • 00:16:44.126 --> 00:16:46.161
  • Why would you sacrifice all of that
  • 00:16:46.161 --> 00:16:48.497
  • In some hope of seeing your mates saved
  • 00:16:48.497 --> 00:16:50.999
  • When you don't know if they're ever going to be saved or not?
  • 00:16:50.999 --> 00:16:55.137
  • John macarthur says it this way,
  • 00:16:55.137 --> 00:16:57.206
  • "evangelism is not cause enough to maintain a marriage,
  • 00:16:57.206 --> 00:17:01.844
  • Especially if the unbelieving partner wants to leave."
  • 00:17:01.844 --> 00:17:04.746
  • The believer should let god follow that spouse's soul
  • 00:17:04.746 --> 00:17:08.050
  • With the message of salvation,
  • 00:17:08.050 --> 00:17:10.052
  • And use whomever he will to take up the call of faith.
  • 00:17:10.052 --> 00:17:14.723
  • The unbelieving mate wants to leave, let him leave.
  • 00:17:14.723 --> 00:17:17.226
  • Now, people ask me all the time, well pastor,
  • 00:17:17.226 --> 00:17:19.495
  • That's an unbelieving mate who leaves?
  • 00:17:19.495 --> 00:17:22.364
  • What if i'm married to a christian who wants to leave?
  • 00:17:22.364 --> 00:17:25.801
  • What if i'm a married to a christian
  • 00:17:25.801 --> 00:17:28.303
  • Who says i'm leaving the marriage?
  • 00:17:28.303 --> 00:17:30.739
  • What about me?
  • 00:17:30.739 --> 00:17:32.508
  • Well, paul doesn't address that specifically,
  • 00:17:32.508 --> 00:17:36.378
  • But i would just have you think about this for a moment.
  • 00:17:36.378 --> 00:17:40.616
  • The truth is you don't know whether your mate
  • 00:17:40.616 --> 00:17:42.417
  • Is saved or not.
  • 00:17:42.417 --> 00:17:44.353
  • Jesus said very clearly.
  • 00:17:44.853 --> 00:17:46.221
  • "many, many will say to me on that day, lord, lord,
  • 00:17:46.221 --> 00:17:48.557
  • And i'll say to them, depart from me.
  • 00:17:48.557 --> 00:17:50.159
  • I never knew you."
  • 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:51.493
  • Just because he makes a profession of faith
  • 00:17:51.493 --> 00:17:52.761
  • Doesn't mean he's saved.
  • 00:17:52.761 --> 00:17:54.630
  • And furthermore, if he abandons the marriage,
  • 00:17:54.630 --> 00:17:58.167
  • If he forsakes the vows that he made to you and god,
  • 00:17:58.167 --> 00:18:01.203
  • He's acting like a non-christian, and jesus said,
  • 00:18:01.203 --> 00:18:04.506
  • "by your fruits, you shall know them."
  • 00:18:04.506 --> 00:18:06.808
  • I personally believe that whether the person is a christian
  • 00:18:06.808 --> 00:18:09.745
  • Or a non-christian, if they are the ones
  • 00:18:09.745 --> 00:18:12.080
  • Who desert the marriage, divorce is permissible.
  • 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:15.817
  • You have no control over that,
  • 00:18:15.817 --> 00:18:17.686
  • And therefore remarriage is permissible as well.
  • 00:18:17.686 --> 00:18:21.990
  • There is a third exception to this.
  • 00:18:22.724 --> 00:18:25.994
  • One man with one woman for life issue.
  • 00:18:25.994 --> 00:18:28.163
  • It has nothing to do with divorce,
  • 00:18:28.163 --> 00:18:30.699
  • But it does with remarriage.
  • 00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:32.234
  • And that is in the instance of death, if your mate dies,
  • 00:18:32.234 --> 00:18:36.238
  • What does the bible say you're able to do?
  • 00:18:36.238 --> 00:18:38.740
  • Look at verse 39 and verse 40, "a wife is bound as..."
  • 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:44.079
  • Isn't that an interesting way to view marriage?
  • 00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:47.249
  • "a wife is bound as long as her husband lives,
  • 00:18:47.249 --> 00:18:50.886
  • But if her husband is dead,
  • 00:18:50.886 --> 00:18:53.922
  • She is free to be married to whom she wishes,
  • 00:18:53.922 --> 00:18:58.026
  • Only in the lord."
  • 00:18:58.026 --> 00:19:01.363
  • Then paul adds his own view.
  • 00:19:01.964 --> 00:19:03.832
  • "but in my opinion, she is happier if she remains as she is,
  • 00:19:03.832 --> 00:19:08.237
  • And i think that i also have the spirit of god in this."
  • 00:19:08.237 --> 00:19:10.872
  • Paul was always a champion for staying single,
  • 00:19:10.872 --> 00:19:13.375
  • But he also realizes we saw earlier that marriage
  • 00:19:13.375 --> 00:19:16.111
  • Is the norm for most people.
  • 00:19:16.111 --> 00:19:17.713
  • Notice what paul says.
  • 00:19:17.713 --> 00:19:19.214
  • If your mate dies, you're no longer under obligation.
  • 00:19:19.214 --> 00:19:22.184
  • You can marry whomever you want to marry
  • 00:19:22.184 --> 00:19:25.520
  • As long as they're a christian, as long as it's in the lord.
  • 00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:29.124
  • And may i add, not only are you permitted
  • 00:19:29.124 --> 00:19:30.892
  • To marry whomever you want to marry,
  • 00:19:30.892 --> 00:19:33.362
  • You're permitted to marry whenever you want to marry.
  • 00:19:33.362 --> 00:19:38.634
  • In the last community where we served,
  • 00:19:39.468 --> 00:19:41.870
  • We hadn't been there very long and people,
  • 00:19:41.870 --> 00:19:45.107
  • You know were continuing to die just like they do
  • 00:19:45.107 --> 00:19:47.509
  • In our church and lots of funerals and so forth.
  • 00:19:47.509 --> 00:19:50.479
  • And i kept hearing people talking
  • 00:19:50.479 --> 00:19:52.114
  • About the three month rule.
  • 00:19:52.114 --> 00:19:55.951
  • The three month rule.
  • 00:19:56.451 --> 00:19:57.853
  • Finally, one day i asked what are you talking about,
  • 00:19:57.853 --> 00:19:59.221
  • The three month rule?
  • 00:19:59.221 --> 00:20:00.822
  • Well, the three month rule was the acceptable amount of time
  • 00:20:00.822 --> 00:20:03.759
  • That must elapse before a single woman can bring a casserole
  • 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:07.229
  • To a widowed man.
  • 00:20:07.229 --> 00:20:08.530
  • And you had to wait three months.
  • 00:20:08.530 --> 00:20:11.566
  • Now let me tell you, if some woman in our community violated
  • 00:20:12.734 --> 00:20:16.705
  • The three month rule, everybody knew about it.
  • 00:20:16.705 --> 00:20:19.374
  • Some of those ladies were on the doorstep ringing
  • 00:20:19.374 --> 00:20:21.677
  • The doorbell before the funeral happened, you know,
  • 00:20:21.677 --> 00:20:25.047
  • They were anxious.
  • 00:20:25.047 --> 00:20:26.315
  • Look, the bible has no three month rule,
  • 00:20:26.315 --> 00:20:28.984
  • There's no two month rule, there's no year rule.
  • 00:20:28.984 --> 00:20:32.120
  • If your mate dies, you are free to marry whomever you want
  • 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:36.725
  • Whenever you want.
  • 00:20:36.725 --> 00:20:38.293
  • And let me just say, church, let's be gracious to people
  • 00:20:38.293 --> 00:20:41.129
  • Who've lost their mate.
  • 00:20:41.129 --> 00:20:42.631
  • Let's don't impose any superficial restrictions,
  • 00:20:42.631 --> 00:20:45.100
  • Or in some way say they are dishonoring their mate
  • 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:47.803
  • By marrying again.
  • 00:20:47.803 --> 00:20:49.438
  • No, the bible says they are free to remarry in the lord.
  • 00:20:49.438 --> 00:20:53.575
  • Now, we've covered a lot of ground tonight.
  • 00:20:53.575 --> 00:20:57.279
  • I want to say, first of all,
  • 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:59.281
  • I realize there are some of you here tonight.
  • 00:20:59.281 --> 00:21:01.817
  • There are some of you listening to this message
  • 00:21:01.817 --> 00:21:03.685
  • By a variety of means who have been divorced,
  • 00:21:03.685 --> 00:21:07.689
  • And remarried perhaps for other than biblical reasons.
  • 00:21:07.689 --> 00:21:12.494
  • Let me say, and i think you saw it tonight,
  • 00:21:13.395 --> 00:21:14.896
  • If that is the case for you,
  • 00:21:14.896 --> 00:21:17.232
  • One thing you're not permitted to do is to divorce your mate
  • 00:21:17.232 --> 00:21:20.535
  • And go back to your original mate.
  • 00:21:20.535 --> 00:21:22.938
  • Deuteronomy 24 says very clearly that is not to happen.
  • 00:21:22.938 --> 00:21:27.042
  • If you are listening tonight and you have divorced
  • 00:21:27.042 --> 00:21:30.345
  • And remarried for other than biblical reasons,
  • 00:21:30.345 --> 00:21:33.415
  • Remember, divorce is not the unpardonable sin.
  • 00:21:33.415 --> 00:21:37.919
  • You can ask for god's forgiveness.
  • 00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:40.689
  • You might say, god, you know, i just never really knew.
  • 00:21:40.689 --> 00:21:42.891
  • I never took the time to bother to see
  • 00:21:42.891 --> 00:21:45.026
  • What your word said about this.
  • 00:21:45.026 --> 00:21:47.162
  • Or maybe lord i knew what i should or shouldn't do,
  • 00:21:47.162 --> 00:21:49.998
  • But i was so desperately lonely.
  • 00:21:49.998 --> 00:21:51.767
  • I felt like i had to do this.
  • 00:21:51.767 --> 00:21:54.536
  • But just confess that to the lord,
  • 00:21:54.536 --> 00:21:57.472
  • Ask for his forgiveness and most importantly,
  • 00:21:57.472 --> 00:22:00.509
  • Be the best christian husband
  • 00:22:00.509 --> 00:22:02.644
  • Or christian wife you can be in this marriage
  • 00:22:02.644 --> 00:22:05.313
  • From this point forward.
  • 00:22:05.313 --> 00:22:08.150
  • But i'm speaking tonight not about those
  • 00:22:08.150 --> 00:22:10.552
  • Who are looking back, i'm talking about looking ahead.
  • 00:22:10.552 --> 00:22:14.589
  • What about this issue of divorce,
  • 00:22:14.589 --> 00:22:16.658
  • And remarriage in the church?
  • 00:22:16.658 --> 00:22:19.461
  • I think we have to avoid two extremes.
  • 00:22:19.461 --> 00:22:23.031
  • One extreme is libertarianism, that says,
  • 00:22:23.031 --> 00:22:25.901
  • I can divorce and remarry for any reason at all.
  • 00:22:25.901 --> 00:22:28.570
  • If i'm not happy, god wants me happy,
  • 00:22:28.570 --> 00:22:30.806
  • And therefore i'm going to divorce my mate
  • 00:22:30.806 --> 00:22:33.041
  • And look for happiness.
  • 00:22:33.041 --> 00:22:35.377
  • That's not allowed. it shouldn't be allowed.
  • 00:22:35.377 --> 00:22:39.414
  • God has a standard that we as christians are to uphold.
  • 00:22:39.414 --> 00:22:43.185
  • To say, i'm going to divorce for any reason at all
  • 00:22:43.185 --> 00:22:46.388
  • Is an umbilical standard.
  • 00:22:46.388 --> 00:22:48.857
  • But the other extreme is legalism.
  • 00:22:48.857 --> 00:22:51.426
  • And that is to say you cannot divorce,
  • 00:22:51.426 --> 00:22:53.829
  • Or remarry for any reason at all.
  • 00:22:53.829 --> 00:22:57.332
  • To say that divorce and remarriage is never permissible
  • 00:22:57.332 --> 00:23:02.170
  • Is just as unbiblical as saying divorce and remarriage
  • 00:23:03.271 --> 00:23:07.242
  • Are always permissible.
  • 00:23:07.242 --> 00:23:09.945
  • Instead, what we need to do is to uphold god's standard.
  • 00:23:09.945 --> 00:23:14.749
  • And god's standard is divorce is a forever commitment.
  • 00:23:14.749 --> 00:23:19.621
  • However, in the cases of adultery and desertion,
  • 00:23:20.555 --> 00:23:25.227
  • God permits, he doesn't command,
  • 00:23:25.227 --> 00:23:26.995
  • But he permits divorce and remarriage.
  • 00:23:26.995 --> 00:23:30.565
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:30.565 --> 00:23:35.604
  • Few issues have stirred up more confusion among christians
  • 00:23:35.604 --> 00:23:39.374
  • Than the one we're talking about today.
  • 00:23:39.374 --> 00:23:41.843
  • And i'm praying that this biblical presentation
  • 00:23:41.843 --> 00:23:44.379
  • On the divorce question has provided the clarity you need.
  • 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:49.017
  • Now, before we wrap up today's program,
  • 00:23:49.017 --> 00:23:51.453
  • I want to share with you an encouraging report
  • 00:23:51.453 --> 00:23:53.855
  • About pathway to victory.
  • 00:23:53.855 --> 00:23:55.924
  • We continue to see unprecedented growth
  • 00:23:55.924 --> 00:23:59.160
  • As we reach new audiences through television, radio,
  • 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:02.564
  • And digital platforms across the nation,
  • 00:24:02.564 --> 00:24:05.467
  • And around the world.
  • 00:24:05.467 --> 00:24:07.135
  • But the true blessing
  • 00:24:07.135 --> 00:24:08.570
  • Is in the countless testimonies we receive from people
  • 00:24:08.570 --> 00:24:11.706
  • Whose lives are being forever changed
  • 00:24:11.706 --> 00:24:14.442
  • Through the power of god's word.
  • 00:24:14.442 --> 00:24:16.678
  • None of this would be possible
  • 00:24:16.678 --> 00:24:18.513
  • Without our faithful pathway partners
  • 00:24:18.513 --> 00:24:20.815
  • And every one of you who supports this ministry
  • 00:24:20.815 --> 00:24:23.952
  • Through your generous giving.
  • 00:24:23.952 --> 00:24:25.820
  • Thank you so much for standing with us
  • 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:28.089
  • As we fulfill this mission together.
  • 00:24:28.089 --> 00:24:30.959
  • Your partnership is making an eternal difference
  • 00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:34.496
  • As together we pierce the darkness
  • 00:24:34.496 --> 00:24:37.132
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:37.132 --> 00:24:39.301
  • Now i'll stay right there, i'll be back in just a moment.
  • 00:24:39.301 --> 00:24:44.205
  • The most important task a parent,
  • 00:24:44.205 --> 00:24:46.141
  • Or grandparent has in life is to lead their child
  • 00:24:46.141 --> 00:24:49.177
  • Or grandchild to faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:24:49.177 --> 00:24:52.080
  • Yet many don't know where to begin.
  • 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:54.349
  • That's why i've written, "the gift:
  • 00:24:54.349 --> 00:24:56.618
  • The gospel for children,"
  • 00:24:56.618 --> 00:24:58.153
  • A beautifully illustrated book designed to help you share
  • 00:24:58.153 --> 00:25:01.323
  • The gospel with the children you love.
  • 00:25:01.323 --> 00:25:04.259
  • [narrator] "the gift" provides a clear presentation
  • 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:06.595
  • Of the gospel for your child or grandchild,
  • 00:25:06.595 --> 00:25:08.830
  • And makes sharing the life-changing message of jesus simple.
  • 00:25:08.830 --> 00:25:12.634
  • Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
  • 00:25:12.634 --> 00:25:15.337
  • From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
  • 00:25:15.337 --> 00:25:17.872
  • With your child.
  • 00:25:17.872 --> 00:25:19.140
  • You can give this book to your children,
  • 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.842
  • Or grandchildren to read on their own,
  • 00:25:20.842 --> 00:25:22.744
  • Or better yet, read it together
  • 00:25:22.744 --> 00:25:25.213
  • To begin a rewarding spiritual journey
  • 00:25:25.213 --> 00:25:27.949
  • That will shape their eternity.
  • 00:25:27.949 --> 00:25:30.151
  • At the end of my book, i've included a prayer for salvation.
  • 00:25:30.151 --> 00:25:33.655
  • They can pray to trust in christ as their savior.
  • 00:25:33.655 --> 00:25:37.926
  • [narrator] help your child or grandchild make the decision
  • 00:25:37.926 --> 00:25:40.395
  • To follow jesus christ.
  • 00:25:40.395 --> 00:25:42.030
  • Request "the gift" when you give a generous gift
  • 00:25:42.030 --> 00:25:44.899
  • To support the ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:47.469
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:47.469 --> 00:25:50.538
  • We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions,"
  • 00:25:50.538 --> 00:25:53.942
  • Chapters one through nine on both dvd and audio disc.
  • 00:25:53.942 --> 00:25:57.646
  • Thank you for partnering with pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:57.646 --> 00:26:00.315
  • Together we're preaching the gospel to as many people
  • 00:26:00.315 --> 00:26:02.984
  • As possible and equipping parents, and grandparents
  • 00:26:02.984 --> 00:26:05.920
  • To lead the children they love to faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:11.426
  • Although paul affirmed jesus' teaching against divorce,
  • 00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:16.398
  • The apostle like jesus recognized that there are exceptions.
  • 00:26:16.398 --> 00:26:20.969
  • And we find these examples clearly laid out
  • 00:26:20.969 --> 00:26:23.905
  • In the passage we looked at today.
  • 00:26:23.905 --> 00:26:26.675
  • Well, for the most part, the bible clearly states
  • 00:26:26.675 --> 00:26:29.477
  • The difference between right and wrong,
  • 00:26:29.477 --> 00:26:32.280
  • But in some situations it's hard to find a definite answer.
  • 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:36.651
  • So how can we determine which choice to make in life?
  • 00:26:36.651 --> 00:26:40.522
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's up next in our series,
  • 00:26:40.522 --> 00:26:44.325
  • Straight answers to tough questions.
  • 00:26:44.325 --> 00:26:47.929
  • Is it okay to eat meat that had been offered to an idol?
  • 00:26:47.929 --> 00:26:51.966
  • Now, i realize that's not a burning issue
  • 00:26:51.966 --> 00:26:54.302
  • In the church today.
  • 00:26:54.302 --> 00:26:55.804
  • You don't go into albertsons,
  • 00:26:55.804 --> 00:26:57.472
  • And see a section in the meat department,
  • 00:26:57.472 --> 00:26:59.107
  • Meat that had been offered to idols and wonder,
  • 00:26:59.107 --> 00:27:00.742
  • Should i or shouldn't i?
  • 00:27:00.742 --> 00:27:03.111
  • And so i was sitting here thinking this week
  • 00:27:03.111 --> 00:27:04.646
  • As i was preparing this message,
  • 00:27:04.646 --> 00:27:06.147
  • What are some comparable issues today
  • 00:27:06.147 --> 00:27:08.817
  • That the church debates?
  • 00:27:08.817 --> 00:27:10.618
  • Things that the bible doesn't specifically talk about,
  • 00:27:10.618 --> 00:27:13.888
  • But christians tend to have strong feelings
  • 00:27:13.888 --> 00:27:16.024
  • About one way or the other.
  • 00:27:16.024 --> 00:27:18.026
  • [narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:18.026 --> 00:27:19.961
  • For the message, meat market christianity
  • 00:27:19.961 --> 00:27:22.864
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:27:22.864 --> 00:27:24.833
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:27:24.833 --> 00:27:24.833