SERMON 9: “THE LAW AND DIVORCE”

Sermon Application Questions

1. According to Deuteronomy 24:1-4, on what grounds was divorce permitted (hint- it was not adultery) and who did this protect?
2. The Pharisees had such a low view of the marriage covenant that they twisted what was permitted by Moses because of the hardness of man’s heart and turned it into a command.
3. When Jesus corrects their faulty understanding of the marriage covenant, where does He turn for support? (Genesis 2:20-25)
4. After the fall, what was the only thing that brought about the end of the marriage covenant?  “Until ______ do us part.” (Romans 7:1-4)
5. Under the Old Covenant, if one was caught in adultery what was the punishment which brought about the end of the marriage union? (Deuteronomy 22:22-24)
6. As a merciful provision under the New Covenant, Jesus abrogated the death penalty for the adulterer and allowed for the innocent party to issue a decree of divorce against the guilty party thereby signifying death to the marriage. If under the Old Covenant, death ended the marriage covenant allowing the surviving spouse to remarry. Under the New Covenant, does this principle of remarriage hold true for the innocent party who issues a decree of divorce to their unfaithful spouse? Why or why not?
7. Is divorce for the wrong reasons the “unpardonable sin?”
8. If someone was divorced for sexual immorality and then remarries, are we to consider their marriage as valid?
9. Some have argued that if someone divorces on grounds other than sexual immorality and remarries they are now living in perpetual adultery.  Why does such logic not only go contrary to the scripture but goes against the grace of God? (Romans 5:1-2; 5:11; 5:20; 6:15; 8:1)
10. Discuss how cherishing the gospel in marriage heightens the marriage covenant. Also, using Ephesians 5:22-32 discuss why the husband and the wife must fulfill their God-ordained roles in marriage in order to enjoy marriage to the fullest.
11. Meditate on the refrain from the hymn, Grace Greater than Our Sin:

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin