Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
[Only God has the authority to dictate the definition and terms of marriage. Those willing to submit to
His definition and terms can be assured that when they marry God indeed ‘joins’ them as husband and
wife. For those so joined...]
II. ONLY GOD CAN PUT ASUNDER
A. MAN MAY TRY, BUT GOD MUST APPROVE...
1. Many Pharisees thought a certificate permitted any divorce without guilt
a. Their interpretation of the Law was amiss - Mt 5:31
b. They focused on the mention of a decree - Deu 24:1-4; cf. Mt 19:7
c. They failed to note the affect of the woman’s remarriage: why the first husband could
not take his wife back even after the second husband died - Deu 24:4
d. The woman’s second marriage ‘defiled’ her, just as adultery is called a defilement
- cf. Jer 3:1; Lev 18:20; Num 5:13-14
1) “The second marriage of a woman who had been divorced is designated by Moses
a defilement of the woman...a moral defilement, i.e., blemishing, desecration of the
sexual communion which was sanctified by marriage, IN THE SAME SENSE IN
WHICH ADULTERY IS CALLED A DEFILEMENT in Lev 18:20 and Num 5:
13,14...” - Keil & Delitzsch
2) “Thus the second marriage of a divorced woman was placed implicit upon a par
with adultery, and some approach was made towards the teaching of Christ
concerning marriage (Mt 5:32)...” - ibid.
3) “If the second marriage of a divorced woman was a moral defilement, of course the
wife could not marry the first again even after the death of her second husband...
because the defilement of the wife would be thereby repeated, and even increased,
as the moral defilement which the divorced wife acquired through the second
marriage was not removed by a divorce from the second husband, nor yet by his
death.” - ibid.
e. For such reasons God hated divorce in OT times - Mal 2:16
1) It is a treacherous act, covering one’s garment with violence
2) Like polygamy, God tolerated it; but it was hurtful to women
2. God permitted the Jews to so mistreat their wives, but no more
a. It was allowed temporarily due to the hardness of their hearts - Mt 19:8
b. But now Jesus requires a higher standard of righteousness - Mt 5:20
c. He holds those who divorce without proper cause guilty of causing adultery - Mt 5:32
3. Note well: government may issue divorce papers, but God may still consider one married!
a. Giving your spouse papers doesn’t free them to remarry without guilt - Mt 5:32a
b. Marrying someone with divorce papers can still result in adultery! - Mt 5:32b
B. WHAT GOD APPROVES, MAN MUST HEED...
1. God approves two reasons for ending a marriage
a. The death of one’s spouse - 1 Co 7:39
b. The fornication of one’s spouse - Mt 5:32; 19:9
c. What about separation? What about abandonment?
1) Separation must be by consent, and only for a short while - 1 Co 7:5,10-11
2) Abandonment by an unbeliever only frees one from marital obligations; there is no
indication one is thereby free to remarry - 1 Co 7:12-16
2. Reject God's Word, and face grave consequences
a. God will judge fornicators and adulterers - He 13:4
Topical Sermons 372