Pastor Delbert Enns www.EasTview.org
Divorce is painful. The pain never stops. God did not intend for the pain to go on and on. Lawyers don't help couples to reconcile.
Where should couples go?
The Bible portrays a beautiful covenant. What does it take to make it last?
Selfless Love. Jesus shows us what that means. He died for his church.
Intolerable Cruelty movie. George Clooney did a good job. He spoke from the heart. Vulnerable in love. Good no fear no shame. Cynicism destroys us. Council fear or trust? Make the leap of love. Don't ever go back.
Love is a verb.
Is there a way to talk about divorce? Matthew 5:31-32 adultery.
There are moments when we have to make critical decisions.
Deuteronomy 24:1 If a man and a woman have been married less than one year, he must not be sent off to war or sent away to do forced labor. He must be allowed to stay home for a year and be happy with his wife.
Deuteronomy 24:5 CEVDCUS06
There were several rabbi interpretations of this teaching. In Jesus's day any excuse was grounds for divorce. It was acceptable to have girlfriends.
For 500 years the Romans had no divorce until the they conquered Greece and adapted their promiscuous lifestyle.
What prospective guides you. Jesus wanted the biblical joys of marriage. He made a regrettable concession. Not as intended.
3rd concession: But I tell you not to divorce your wife unless she has committed some terrible sexual sin. If you divorce her, you will cause her to be unfaithful, just as any man who marries her is guilty of taking another man's wife.
Matthew 5:32
The disciples didn't get it. Jesus said marriage is beautiful.
Know yourself first. God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him! God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!
Matthew 5:8-9
Don't tolerate abuse. Forgiveness is for all. Grace is extended to all.
Leo and Cynthia video. Got divorced. Became co-dependant. Got married. She withdrew. Divorced. Lonely. Sad. Went to church recovery group. Went to ask Leo for forgiveness. He started attending an apologetics class. Accepted Christ and got remarried. With Christ at the centre.