AS JESUS JOURNEYED TOWARD JERUSALEM THE PHARISEES SOUGHT TO TRAP HIM INTO ARGUMENT

• And as we journey toward heaven- Satan tries to make our life unpleasant- same way -divorce
• The sacred institution of marriage is the foundation of God's plan for mankind- civilization
• But many can apply James 4:1-4 to marriage as well as to every other part of life-

But if you will apply God's loving guidance to your life- marriage will be a touch of heaven

THE TEMPTATION  MATT 19:3, or MARK 10: 1-4  OPPORTUNITY TURNED TO PROBLEM

They sought to tempt Jesus, and this has tempted men, and frustrated preachers ever since

THE QUESTION OF THE PHARISEES, v.3  THEY THOUGHT IT COULD NOT BE ANSWERED BY JESUS

• "Is it lawful" - their very question showed they did not want to know what was right- but lawful
• Many people want their own way- and hope they can stretch the law to tuck it around their selfishness
• Moses' law- Deut 24:1 read it carefully - does it give a gate through which to drive demons?

THEY WANTED TO TEMPT EVEN THE LIMITS OF THIS LAW - Matt 19:2- "FOR ANY REASON?"  INVENT SOME?

• The School of Hillel- took this in broadest sense- a bad dinner, dirty hands, fairer woman!
• School of Shumai- took this to mean MORAL uncleanness- divorce only for adultery - deliberate?
• The Jews had such a scandal- Gentiles were not near so bad- like US and Russia today!

PASTORS AND BIBLE TEACHERS STILL FIND THIS QUITE A TRAP TODAY, TEMPTING TO IGNORE IT TO SAVE THEIR SCALP

• Like Jews then- we go limit of law- and change law- polygamy on installment plan - 1/3-1/2 divorce
• Many policies in churches- most up to preachers- can't win, everyone is an exception - my funerals don't fail.
• Many pastors today refuse remarriage- I try to please God- sure makes men mad- am lied to and about

There is no easy solution- we are not called to the letter of law- I Cor 7:15 but to peace

THE WORD OF THE LORD  - Matt 19:4-9- Mark 10:5-9 - PROBLEM TURNED TO OPPORTUNITY

The Lord of Life has something better than letter of law- a way of joy, happiness, rejoicing

JESUS HAD AN ANSWER TO THE PHARISEES - Matt 19:4 - AND HE HAS AN ANSWER TO YOU IF YOU SEEK IT!

• Here is an appeal, not to the letter of the law, but to spirit of creation- Gen 1:27
• God had a purpose in creating man and woman, Satan would do anything to thwart that purpose
• God's purpose was the fullness of marriage- it is man that broke the perfection of creation

IN GOD'S CREATION MARRIAGE WAS A SACRED THING, GIVEN TO COMPLETE MAN'S JOY  Matt 19:5-6

• Another quotation from God's purpose- Gen 2:24, the formation of a new family unit-
• It is not good that man should be alone- Gen 2:18, the fullness of life as a family- joyfulness
• But Satan would corrupt- you must withstand many temptations to live Godly, it only takes one sin to miss it

WHY THEN DIVORCE?  MOSES GAVE THE COMMANDMENT BECAUSE OF THE HARDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS! v.7,8

• Men were deserting families- Moses used law as a chain- and gave them too much slack in it
• Today in the spirit of the age- some Christians take all liberty possible- license?
• But Jesus said- v.9 unless marriage already broken by unfaithfulness- paper of divorce=unfaithfulness

In other words - no paper can make moral an immoral act!  Be right to begin with and not worry

THE WORD TO THE DISCIPLES - MARK 10:10 ALONE!  MATT 19:10-12 MORE

There are hard problems- cannot be solved publicly, private discussion best - come and try it

THE PRIVATE QUESTIONING OF THE DISCIPLES BROUGHT OUT SOME FURTHER PROBLEMS

• And I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to counsel before whole world knows problem
• Their question was - If you can't get a divorce- then don't marry?  Or, if one failed, won't two?
• The Jet Set- Playboy crowd says "Why marry? Have fun and freedom!"  TV propaganda - American style

JESUS DID NOT SAY THAT A MAN COULD NOT GET MARRIED, NOR SHOULD NOT GET MARRIED

• God's general plan is for the formation of families- couples being helpmates, marriage
• But there are problems at every stage - puppy love, courtship, honeymoon, baby, school, alone, retired!
• There are also joys in every stage if God's law of love is followed- heaven in the home, or hell.

BUT JESUS TOLD OF THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT NEED MARRIAGE; NOT ALL CAN UNDERSTAND - 11,12

• Some grab a quick way to escape parents- or loneliness, and find lifelong regrets - missed one
• But some are incapable, or indisposed to marriage- by birth, action of others, or self
• But lest any should think Jesus against marriage- note next passage- blessing children!

The Lord can be a real blessing to you also, if you will follow His loving will for life

THE BIG QUESTION IS "WHAT DO YOU WANT IN LIFE?"  LAW TO RESTRAIN, OR LOVE TO HOLD CLOSE?

• If you want God's blessing in your life, it will take a lifetime of doing, but real joy!
• If you choose god's will for your life- the sacrifice of self will be worth it all!
• If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, these laws still apply for happiness, but why not have Jesus and the happiness of obedience to love both!