Marriage/Divorce (2/2)

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Incarnation — God in human flesh

Justification — God on the cross and out of the grave

Sanctification — Being made holy, like God

“The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit (with God life), is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was.”

- Oswald Chambers

Don’t murder becomes, why be angry and call someone a fool.

Don’t commit adultery becomes why do you lust

Matthew 5:31–32

You have heard the law that says, “A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.” But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

Shammai — the law is only referencing marital unfaithfulness.

Hillel — the law is referencing anything the husband deems as indecent.

The definition of Biblical marriage is one man (ish--Masculine Hebrew Noun) being joined (literally glued) to one woman (ishaw--Feminine Hebrew Noun) by God (Spirit) into a permanent union (echad/oneness—same word as integrity, integer, wholeness).

Matthew 19:7

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

A hard heart is the biggest threat to any marriage.

A hard heart is the biggest threat to the “with God” life.

What would need to change in my heart to give this marriage (future) the greatest chance of experiencing what God originally defined as “very good?”

Vision: What is your vision for your marriage?

Intent: Have you come to a line in the sand?

Strategy: What will you do differently?

Perichoretic Relationship --"mutual indwelling”

Marriage—“mutual indwelling”

Develop a vision — What will my spouse look like with Christ more fully realized in them?

Allow God to change the heart — I cannot change my spouse. God can.

Enter the battle for each other’s soul — when the smoke clears, my spouse will still be standing, fighting on my behalf.

Communication

• Fully known and fully loved
  
• Everything we say makes a deposit or a withdrawal
  
• Perception is someone’s reality.
  

Children

• The best gift we can give our children is a healthy marriage.
  
• Trust is a two-way street
  

Spiritual

• Together, we set the spiritual temperature in the home. 
  
• Together, we mutually submit to one another.
  

Money

• We honor God with OUR money.
  
• We have one bank account and together we make a financial plan and work toward that goal.
  

Conflict

• No name calling.
  
• You can’t unsay anything.
  
• Security and Respect.
  

Key: Have a plan.