New Testament - Matthew 19:1-15 - (Question of Divorce)
Channel: Calvary Chapel Windward
Date: 2016-06-12

New Testament - Matthew 19:1-15 - (Question of Divorce) - CC Windward - Pastor Tim

New Testament - Matthew 19:1-15 - (Question of Divorce) - Calvary Chapel Windward - OAHU, HAWAII - Pastor Tim Newman - From Local Olelo / Oceanic / Time Warner Cable show "A View from Calvary" - Episode # 151: - Original Air Date: 2009 A.D.

PASTOR TIM's NOTES:

Matthew 19:1-15
“The Question of Divorce”
1. Jesus is tested by the Pharisees for the PURPOSE of entrapping him.
Vs. 1-3
1a. The Pharisees seek to entrap Jesus because he has now traveled to Judea.
Jesus leaves the Galilee area for the last time.
1b. The Pharisees seek to entrap Jesus by asking a question about divorce.
The Pharisee’s ask if it is lawful to divorce for any and every reason.
Many Jews considered divorce a virtue almost on a par with marriage itself.
Deut 24:1-4
What did Moses mean by something indecent in her?
It is the interpretation of this phrase that divided the two schools of Rabbi
Hallel and Rabbi Shammai, famous first-century Jewish scholars.
Remember that the Law of Moses demanded the death penalty for those who
committed adultery (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22).
2. Jesus gives us God’s original PRINCIPLES for marriage.
Vs. 4-6
2a. The original principles are found in the creation account.
Why does Jesus take them all the way back to Genesis?
If we build a marriage after God’s ideal pattern, we will not have to worry about
divorce laws.
2b. The original principles are in the first wedding performed by God.
God established marriage and therefore only God can control its character and laws.
 There are DIFFERENCES between men and women.
 There is a DEPARTURE from the parents.
 There is a DECISION to be committed for life.
 There is a DEPENDENCY of each spouse upon the other.
“and the two will become one flesh”
3. Jesus gives only one PROVISION for divorce.
Vs. 7-9
3a. Jesus is questioned about Moses provision for divorce.
They say, Moses commanded divorce.
Jesus says that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of their hearts.
3b. Jesus gives only one provision for divorce.
He states that the only provision for divorce is marital unfaithfulness.
Jesus did not teach that the offended mate had to get a divorce. No, he said it is
permitted.
Why was there divorce in Moses’ day?
It was because of hardness of heart.
Was it because of adultery and sexual sin?
No, it was because of hardness of heart.
Heb 3:7-8
What does it mean to harden your heart?
It means you stop listening to God’s voice.
Heb 3:13-14
4. Jesus statement about the PERMANECE of marriage is hard for the disciples to accept.
Vs. 10-12
4a. If marriage is permanent then the disciples think it would be better to be single.
4b. If marriage is permanent then it is important to understand what it means to be single.
The word eunuch simply means single.
1) People who cannot accept this teaching about marriage should stay single.
2) Some people from birth should not be married.
 Some people should not get married because of physical or emotional
problems from birth.
 Others would say that from birth means; they have the gift of singleness.
3) Some have been made that way by men.
This was done in the ancient world.
4) Some are single by commitment.
Some, like the Apostle Paul, stay single that they might better serve the Lord (1
Cor. 7:7).
5. Jesus always has time for PARENTS who want prayer.
Vs. 13-15
5a. The disciples rebuked the Parents who brought their children to Jesus.
5b. Jesus welcomed the Parents and their children.