MDR: What Does God Say? Hebrews 13:4 I. Introduction. A. Outside of one's relationship to God, the union of a man and woman in marriage would stand at the top of the list. 1. An intimacy that cannot be obtained in any other relationship. 2. It can also be one of the most miserable relationships. 3. What exists is up to those who are married to each other. B. Marriage has not always been the result of a loving companionship. 1. In Old Testament, mates were chosen on the basis of: a. Kinship(Jacob went to Paddan-aram). Discuss. b. Circumstances: Joseph in Egypt. 2. Love was something that often grew out of the relationship. C. The attitude of God: Hebrews 13:4. II. Body. A. The origin of marriage. 1. Adam and Eve: Genesis 2:18-25. 2. Note: One man + one woman=marriage. 3. The Lord did not create a harem for Adam. 4. Under the Law, multiple marriages were tolerated. 5. By the time of Christ, that practice seems to have disappeared. 6. When God brought Eve to Adam, their union was for life!(Imagine living with one woman for several hundred years.) a. How easily some tire of one wife. b. We have polygamy in our country: one at a time, but accumulates! 7. Hence: the first family: Genesis 5:1-3. 8. Marriage is a God-ordained relationship designed by God for all of mankind. 9. The command in the New Testament: Ephesians 5:31. B. Jesus informed the Jews of God's will: Matthew 19:4-6a. 1. Note: Not male + male, but--male + female. 2. Note: Not female + female, but--male + female. 3. Jesus taught that marriage is a lifetime relationship. 4. The question to the Lord: Matthew 19:7. a. Christ's answer: Matthew 19:8. b. God intended for this sacred(created by him) relationship to be respected and honored by mankind. c. God hated "putting away" under Moses: Malachi 2:16. 5. One does not have to marry: Matthew 19:12. a. But...if one does...must follow the Lord's regulations. b. Young people--be careful whom you choose. (1 Is the person a Christian? (2 One must live with that person all of one's life(or the mates life). (3 Parents, guide your children by God's standard. C. The question to Jesus: Matthew 19:3. 1. His answer: Matthew 19:6b. 2. Jesus explanation for putting away a mate: Matthew 19:9. a. Accept what the Lord teaches--do not try to avoid the truth. b. Some say: That pertains to those under Moses. (1 Jesus had told what Moses allowed; now he tells them the will of Christ. (2 In every age of mankind, the Lord intended one man for one woman. (3 What Jesus taught is not what the Law of Moses allowed. D. "Putting away" is rampant in our society. 1. Last several years, society conditioned to accept. 2. The denominations(and some churches of Christ) adapt to current trends. 3. Even some churches identified as "conservative" ignore or deny what Jesus taught. a. Be aware that some individual brethren may not speak out--but hold a position contrary to what Jesus said. b. Jesus did reveal New Testament truth while on earth. (1 Spoke of "kingdom of heaven"(church). (2 Even the process of withdrawal: Matthew 18:15-20. 4. Take heed to Mark's account: Mark 10:2-12. 5. Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:31-32. III. Conclusion. A. Divorce is the result of sin and may involve one in sin in a remarriage. 1. Only the innocent have the right of remarriage. 2. No innocent person should marry one who has no right to marry. B. Take heed: Ephesians 5:31, 33.-jy