March 20, 2022

Divorce and Remarriage

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Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
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Introduction

We started this Chapter a fortnight ago – looking at singleness and marital intimacy

There are advantages of being single – examples
Marital intimacy is a safeguard to immorality – there are other reasons
Marriage is about giving not getting

Looking now at v10-16

This is not all the Bible teaches
Remember that Paul is answering questions – examples
v10-11 is about Christian marriage and then switches in v12 to mixed marriage

Overview:

Christian Marriage
Mixed Marriage

God has placed us in the state we find ourselves – no situation is unredeemable

Christian Marriage

This is a great blessing

Prov 18:22, 31:10

Paul wants to address a marriage that goes wrong

He says what Jesus says
God established the marriage unit – it is the binding of two people to each other by God
True of all – a Creation Ordinance

The words of Jesus – He speaks of the sanctity of marriage

It should not be entered lightly
It mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church
God will give us grace to overcome by the Holy Spirit

The Christian Marriage

Malachi 2:16
Matt 5 & 19 – because of the hardness of men’s hearts – divorce was permitted

There is real pain in divorce

People do not always stay together
There is the hope of reconciliation and remain in an unmarried state

Both are expected to obey this – there is equality

Paul is not speaking of every scenario – examples

People can be saved from very raw/rough backgrounds
Paul is not dealing with the exceptions but giving the rule

Mixed Marriage

v10 – different interpretations

Not just Paul giving his own view
Rather this is an area on which Christ has not taught
v17 – He gives teaching that is binding on the Churches
14:37
These commandments are binding – they are from God

Do not divorce an unbeliever if they are willing to live with you – v12

What witness would that be?

1 Pet 3:1 – the husband can be won over
Said to both husband and wife – v13

Encouragingly, there is a Godly influence upon your spouse and children – v14

There is a blessing to them because of your faith in the Lord
Not speaking about child baptism – but children are blessed if they have believing parents

Example of Timothy

What about where there is an intolerable strain on the relationship? – v15

There comes a time when they might go
Not just the bondage of an oppressive relationship but the bondage of desertion
Where a marriage is dissolved – it is over and there is freedom to remarry
God has called us to peace

Three concessions: adultery, desertion and death (Romans)

Closing Remarks

God wants people to be together
We are to work hard and pray that our marriages are God honouring
No situation is unredeemable – God gives grace
Paul is burdened that Christians live God honouring lives
v16 – the most important thing is that you are saved