JESUS HIT HEAD ON AGAINST THE PHARISEES REGARDING THE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE & DEADLINESS OF ADULT

1. Some Christians today hide like an ostrich & are unhappy when preacher speaks of sin-Hell
2. Sexual love can be pure, beautiful, the most sacred relationship of two who God has drawn together
3. But lust brings sin, and leads to Death & Hell! The violation of the marriage trust is the most serious sin mentioned in the Bible greatest damage to person & nation!

I.- JESUS WARNED OF LUST AND HELL! Matt 5:27-3

Penicillin, the Pill, and a playboy culture has tried to ignore God's law- but misery has companions

A.- JESUS REMINDED THEM THAT THE LAW DEMANDS "THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY" v. 27

1. I have had long arguments regarding differences in Adultery, Fornication, Incest, Perversion, Self-Eroticism
2. The Pharisee playboy worked out a code- outward control- inward lust; still in Arab lands -
3. Any deviation from God's Holy pattern cheats you out of real love,- & brings fire to your bosom

B.-THE SAME LAW OF OLD SAID "THOU SHALT NOT COVET...THY NEIGHBOR'S WIFE." IF THEY WOULD LISTEN

1. The Jews wanted to toy with lustful thoughts- so forgot 10th command- & tasted forbidden fruit
2. Prov 6:24-32 was in OT then! Note v.27! A fire is easily started- not so easily stopped!
3. To aid your Memory- some would fly a proverbial 727 into Hell itself! Hard to land when on fire.

C.- JESUS SPOKE PLAINLY "WHOSOEVER LOOKETH ON A WOMAN TO LUST"... "SHOULD BE CAST INTO HELL" v28,9

1. Matt 15:19-"Out of heart- Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication"- James 1:14-6 "Lust-Sin-Death"
2. It is no fun to tease a tiger!  Be wise! control your thoughts- Movies, Books, & avoid chance
3. Turn this Drive into something worthwhile!-Use energy in Creative work!  For the Lord

If you stumble-you get burnt!- Too many rushed marriages; Illus- spinal cord severed -paralyzed

II. JESUS WARNED OF DIVORCE AND ADULTERY Matt 5:31,32

The #1 cause of Juvenile problems- Dope, Sex, Crime, etc.- is caused by parents failure in marriage

A.- THE SOPHISTICATED PHARISEE HAD LEARNED HOW TO HAVE POLYGAMY WITHOUT LEGAL ENTANGLEMENTS

1. As modern playboys avoid penalty for their sin they skipped along the brink of hell
2. Divorce has been rich man's disease- but not now- welfare, Legal aid, No Fault divorce, no law
3. God's law is ignored- but the suffering grows & nation groans - You can't break God's law

B.- WHAT JESUS WAS TRYING TO SAY WAS THAT LEGAL TRICKS DO NOT SEVER GOD'S MARRIAGE CONTRACT

1. All Jesus said- v.32- & men twist & read in many strange things! Divorce does not solve problem!
2. We have legal ways of ending contracts- Bankruptcy!  Some contracts are stupid- but Bankruptcy?
3. No easy way out causes many problems -To the couple, the kids, Society, to 4th generation!

C.- DIVORCE AND ADULTERY WAS, AND IS, A SERIOUS SIN - AS THE FAMILY FALLS MANY GET HURT!

1. 25 yrs counselling- I've seen tears, foolish fun, repented of- but damage cannot be undone
2. Personal defeat eats on mind; Costs- 50% in prison from divorced homes; Welfare-$192Mi-
3. Occasionally there may be a reason for bankruptcy, divorce- or Killing!- but not often!

Bachelor's Beat Mag on masthead "Help stamp out divorce" -Don't get married!" -Phew!

III.- THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE Matt 19:3-11

Last spring in Dallas- college Professor's conference to bury marriage-Read Dij- Feb 73 P.111

A.- WHY MARRIAGE?  BECAUSE IT IS GOD'S HOLY PLAN FOR MANKIND'S HAPPINESS & JOY! v.4-6

1. The Futurists (Future Shock, Greening) toy with innovations - commune, open marriage-
2. God's pattern- a Man & Woman- leave parents, unite as one, bear & raise children - blessing
3. God's pattern will not be broken- the nation that tries soon dies! & God raises another!

B.- WHY DIVORCE?  IS IT LEGAL?  DOES IT SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS?  DOES IT WORK? Matt 19:7-9

1. Figures lie- 2/3 marriages -Divorce?- yes but no! 75% still work
2. Occasionally a divorce is legally needed- Cf. I Cor 7- but still cripples!  Hurts all of life
3. Early marriages make early divorce- be careful! Listen to pastor!- Make sure you like your love

C.- BETTER NOT TO MARRY THAN 2 Matt 19:11,12;  BETTER TO MARRY THAN TO BURN I Cor 7:9

1. In private Jesus explained to His disciples- Marriage not for all- dangerous chance?- Take care!
2. But Paul later reminded-some are so built- need marriage!  But keep control! Listen to Pastor
3. Much written to help- even Read Dij- Nov 72 P105-"Mothproof your marriage" 1. Everyone needs to be #1 with somebody; 2. Everyone needs help; 3. Everyone needs to help! -Communicate

SALVATION AND GOD'S FORGIVENESS CAN HELP, BUT NOTHING CAN ERASE SEXUAL SINS, NOR DIVORCE! til Heaven

1. Make sure you do it right 1st time- marry the right person- trust Pastor, Parents- mature judgment
2. Make it work by working at marriage!- NOTHING more important -again -ask for help & use it!
3. Keep yourself in a Church family setting - failure here can make you take God's 2nd best!