Mark 10:1-12

TITLE: The Marriage Rule TEXT: Mark 10:1-12 PROPOSITION: We look for the loophole before we know the rule. QUESTION: What? KEY WORD: Rules SCRIPTURE READING: INTRODUCTION:

1. Marriage and Divorce are difficult issues because:

2. Prevalence - 1 out of 2 marriages end in divorce

3. Emotional issues involved - family, children, grandparents

4. Eternal issue - sin and consequences, heaven or hell

5. Moral issues - fornication, adultery, broken promises

6. Biblical issues - Many are looking for the loophole.

What did Moses allow? (3-5)

1. Study Deuteronomy 24:1-22 :

2. Two schools of thought

1. Unclean = fornication

2. Found no favor in her = anything I don't like

What was the original plan of God? (6-9)

1. Beginning - male and female (6)

2. Leave = cut ties of dependence

3. Cleave = glue (Greek - mucilage)

4. God is involved - tri-lateral contract

5. No man can void a contract with God

Private study with apostles (10-12)

1. The Rule (11)

1. Put away wife and marry another = adultery against her

2. Put away husband and marry another = adultery against him

2. Waiting Game

1. One says, “Why don't you just divorce me?”

2. Then justifies self - “I did not divorce, he did.”

3. After divorce many just try to “out wait” the other to remarry

4. Wedding vow - Is to maintain the marriage - to the best of your ability.

5. Keep your promise.

Conclusion:

1. We made a contract with God and a spouse to be faithful to that contract until death.

2. It does not expire, can't renegotiate, not a 3 year lease with option to renew