WEBVTT

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 Good morning.

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 There is almost no unhappiness so poignant as the unhappiness of an unhappy marriage,

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 and almost no tragedy so great as the disintegration of what God meant for love and fulfillment

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 into a non-relationship of bitterness, discord, and despair.

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 So writes commentator John Stott as he begins his commentary on our passage this morning.

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 Today we will be looking at something, a topic that for some will be difficult, painful, and personal.

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 Jesus' view on divorce and marriage.

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 And it is a weighty one.

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 It is one filled with many, even conflicting, emotions.

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 And I, as your pastor, stand here with not a little fear and trepidation in preaching about this.

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 My hope in prayer is that I will bring clarity and compassion to this topic.

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 My hope is that we might not merely have an academic discussion, nor merely an emotional response,

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 but that the glory of the kingdom of God might shine through this passage to us this morning

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 and might bring healing and hope into your lives.

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 We are continuing in our sermon series in the Sermon on the Mount this morning.

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 It is page 760 in your pew Bible.

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 We are looking at Matthew chapter 5, verses 31 to 32.

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 And as you turn there so we can look at it together, just let me remind you,

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 the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is painting a picture of the kingdom that He is proclaiming

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 that He is going to bring and that it is at hand.

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 The kingdom that He is, our Savior King, will be establishing through His life and death and resurrection.

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 And the immediate context of this verse is in a series of applications after verses 17 through 20,

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 where Jesus said, I am the fulfillment of the law and the prophets,

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 and now I want you to obey Me as I instruct you about how to live in this kingdom driven by the gospel.

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 Verse 20 there says, you must have a righteousness that is greater than the Pharisees.

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 You must have a distinctively Christian view of these topics.

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 And so with this, let's ask God's help as we look at God's Word this morning.

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 Lord, there are some whose heart rates just jumped, whose blood pressure rose because of what we're talking about this morning,

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 because these things are deep and meaningful.

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 Lord, I pray that Your comfort and Your peace and Your truth would be with us.

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 Lord, help us together to sit under the teaching of Your Word.

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 Let it refine us.

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 Lord, perhaps this morning You will bring conviction of sin.

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 Perhaps this morning You will bring a healing balm and comfort.

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 Certainly, Lord, this morning may we be reminded of hope

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 and of Your great love with which You have loved us.

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 Lord, I ask for Your help this morning

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 that I might speak the words that You want me to speak

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 and that together we might see the truth of Your Word.

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 We pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 So Matthew, chapter 5, starting in verse 31.

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 It was also said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.

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 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality,

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 makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

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 My friends, as we look at this passage this morning, it's fairly straightforward.

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 Jesus calls us to uphold a distinctively kingdom view of marriage and divorce.

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 What does that look like?

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 Well, let's look at it together.

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 I think we're going to look at it in three stages.

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 Here's your outline if you're an outline person.

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 We're going to look at the context, both cultural and biblical, of this passage.

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 Secondly, we're going to look at the content of Jesus' call, the prohibition and the exception.

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 And then we're going to look at the gospel glory that comes in the call of Jesus.

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 So first, the context of Jesus' call to us, cultural and biblical.

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 Verse 31, it was also said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.

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 Jesus is referring to and quoting what the Pharisees would have based their view on divorce and remarriage on

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 in Deuteronomy 24, verse 1, where it says,

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 if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her,

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 and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of the house,

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 and it goes on.

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 It's a longer passage.

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 We're not going to look at all of the details,

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 but what you want to see clearly is that there was established in the Old Testament

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 a basis of divorce for, quote-unquote, some indecency,

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 and we will just explore that in just a minute.

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 This divorce required the husband to give the wife who he was divorcing a certificate

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 that would authenticate this so that it was known that she was not merely abandoning the marriage,

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 but that she was free then from the constraints and free to remarry

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 because in the ancient Near East, a woman without a husband and a home

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 was in a very perilous and vulnerable state,

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 and so there was a protection that came from this.

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 It also served, if you read through Deuteronomy 24 carefully,

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 it served as a warning that when he relinquished claim on this marriage by divorcing her,

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 there was no going back.

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 This was a permanent action.

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 You can read through Deuteronomy 24 more if you want to see it,

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 but this was the biblical basis upon which the first century Pharisees understood marriage and divorce.

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 Now, in the first century, there were two schools of Pharisees.

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 There were the followers of Rabbi Hillel and the followers of Rabbi Shammai,

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 and both of them saw marriage as a covenant with promises to provide food and clothing,

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 love and fidelity, that is, faithfulness in sexual activity to the marriage covenant,

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 and they saw that if there was a violation of these things,

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 there was some grounds for divorce, for they would break that covenant agreement.

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 Both saw that remarriage was possible when a divorce was given.

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 So this was a common first century understanding.

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 Now, there was a major disagreement between these two schools,

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 for the Hillel school thought that some matters of indecency

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 actually meant any matters or indecency.

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 And so, if a wife burned the toast, or if the husband saw a woman that he found more attractive than his wife,

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 he could divorce her because clearly that was grounds.

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 There was something there that he found unacceptable.

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 The Shammai, on the other hand, had a much more narrow view of understanding

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 that this was on the grounds of moral unfaithfulness or infidelity

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 in the way that we typically think of it with sexual activity some way outside of marriage.

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 In fact, they were strong enough that they said,

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 if you commit this, then the husband must divorce the wife on that grounds

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 because of the broken covenant agreement.

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 Now, here's the third interesting historical piece that comes together.

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 In the first century, over 90% of divorces were granted by rabbis in the school of Hillel.

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 90% over 90%.

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 That meant that everybody went to the easy lenient judges if they wanted to get a divorce.

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 Right?

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 And the Shammai school said,

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 well, we don't judge whether the legitimacy of the divorce is there or not,

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 so they're all legitimate.

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 So, remarriage, for anybody, divorce, for any reason,

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 functionally, was the first century culture in which Jesus is speaking.

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 The Jewish context in the first century was a for-any-cause divorce culture.

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 Friends, it's not hard to see that we are not so different in our culture today.

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 The no-fault divorce is firmly planted in American culture and law at this point

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 without the misogyny of the first century where the husband was initiating it

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 and the wife was the victim of it.

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 But we've given more freedom, so anybody can do that.

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 I'm not sure that's progress.

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 It's an interesting question.

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 Our culture today often views marriage as contractual, not covenantal.

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 We see it as a 50-50.

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 You do your part, I'll do my part, and hopefully that'll get to something worthwhile.

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 It is a mutual benefit as long as it continues to be mutually beneficial.

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 And as soon as it's not, we abandon it.

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 It's a shockingly self-centered view of marriage.

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 It's shocking to think about marriage as something that is for my happiness,

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 and if I'm not happy, I will leave it.

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 To lay it bare, we end up using marriage for self-fulfillment.

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 This is not God's view, as we will see in a minute.

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 And even when we are married, we find ourselves saying,

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 I think I've grown apart.

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 We're going in different directions.

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 I've developed new interests.

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 And this gives us, it seems, grounds to abandon the divorce.

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 So Jesus speaks not only into a first-century context of for any reason,

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 but in the 21st-century context of no-fault divorce.

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 Jesus, however, is not merely speaking into that cultural context.

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 He is also speaking with the weight of a biblical narrative about marriage

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 that we need to understand for us to get these two verses clearly.

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 Turning to Matthew 19, because if you want to turn there,

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 we're going to spend a few minutes there,

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 because in Matthew 19, Jesus ends with a discussion with the Pharisees,

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 with almost the exact same words he says here.

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 But he has a much longer conversation with them,

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 because the Pharisees come in an attempt to trap him and say,

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 can you get divorced for any cause?

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 And they're trying to provoke him so that one of the two schools

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 will be angry with Jesus for how he responds.

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 And Jesus responds by saying,

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 if you're asking about the grounds of divorce,

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 you're in fact asking the wrong question.

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 When they ask him this question about,

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 for what reason can we divorce someone,

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 Jesus says,

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 do you remember where it began?

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 Do you remember what God established in creation?

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 Go back to the beginning of what God intended.

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 And so he goes back to Genesis,

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 and he says,

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 let us make man in our image,

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 male and female he made them,

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 and let them be fruitful and multiply.

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 And then he goes on in chapter 2,

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 where he retells the story of creation

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 in a way that brings man and women together

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 to be partners in a marriage.

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 When Adam wakes up and sees Eve,

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 and he says,

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 this now is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.

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 And says,

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 therefore a man shall leave his father and mother

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 and join to his wife,

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 and they shall become one.

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 And in this picture in the Old Testament,

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 there's this mysterious but real union

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 of two lives becoming in God's eyes,

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 and in fact a oneness of body, mind, spirit, and life

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 shared together that is meant to be

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 permanent and exclusive.

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 The language of leaving and cleaving in Genesis 2

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 is covenantal language

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 of this wholehearted agreement

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 and commitment to the other party.

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 This is the basis of the traditional church vows

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 that maybe many of us know,

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 to have and to hold from this day forward

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 for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

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 in sickness and in health,

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 to love and to cherish until death do us part,

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 forsaking all others.

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 This is the marriage covenant.

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 This is the vows.

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 And this is a good creation pattern

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 that Jesus points us to.

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 And he says,

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 this is a goodness that's made

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 not just for the church,

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 like baptism or communion,

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 but for the whole world.

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 And fascinatingly,

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 there are sociological studies out there

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 that say it's true.

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 Marriage really is good.

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 As broken and as difficult as it is,

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 it is actually better where there is marriage

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 than where there is not.

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 So Jesus says,

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 from the beginning,

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 there was a goodness

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 that you need to be considering

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 before you start talking about divorce.

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 And so in verses 8 and 9 of Matthew 19,

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 he says,

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 because of the hardness of heart,

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 Moses allowed you to divorce your wives.

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 But from the beginning,

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 it was not so.

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 Because we know that in the original creation,

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 this marriage was a beautiful thing.

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 But then as sin entered the world,

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 sin entered marriage

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 and made it hard

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 and made it difficult.

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 And you can read through the Old Testament,

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 and there is case after case after case

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 of marriages

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 that violate the covenant,

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 that don't show the beauty of it.

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 Over and over again,

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 you see consequences of broken marriages

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 where they weren't always permanent and exclusive.

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 Jesus says,

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 why then does the New Testament give this?

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 Because of sin.

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 Because hardness of heart does enter in.

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 And there are times when divorce may need

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 to be accommodated or allowed.

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 Remember, though,

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 that divorce was never commanded

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 in the Old Testament,

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 in contradiction to the Shammai school

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 that said that you must.

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 But it was always an accommodation

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 where rather than provision,

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 companionship, union, fidelity,

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 there was abandonment, brokenness.

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 So in this,

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 in responding in Matthew 19

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 to the question of the Pharisees,

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 Jesus upholds a beautiful picture of marriage

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 and says,

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 this is where we need to start

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 as we're talking about these things.

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 So friends,

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 the first thing I want to say

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 to us this morning

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 as we're talking about this passage is,

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 how can we grow

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 in our faithfulness to marriage?

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 How can we hold fast

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 to our spouse?

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 And listen,

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 it's not easy.

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 Every married person here

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 will tell you

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 there's lots of wonderful things

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 about marriage,

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 but it is hard work

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 when two sinners

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 live on top of each other

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 every day,

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 all day.

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 When they entwine their lives

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 irrevocably

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 in the covenant of marriage,

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 you're stuck.

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 And it's hard.

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 And you realize

00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.759
 how sinful you are

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:50.779
 and how selfish you are

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:53.480
 and how unkind you can be

00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:56.600
 and how easily you imagine

00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.380
 that there might be

00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.420
 something else out there

00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.279
 that might be better,

00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:01.120
 that the grass might be greener

00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:02.400
 on some other side.

00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:09.019
 There is great blessing

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.640
 and great opportunity

00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.480
 for growth

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.620
 in marriage,

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:15.259
 but it's worth fighting for.

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.800
 If you are married,

00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:21.519
 fight for your marriage.

00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:24.500
 Be defensive in it.

00:18:24.800 --> 00:18:26.420
 Guard your heart

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:29.200
 and guard your marriage.

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.799
 Don't give in

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.700
 to the temptation

00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.539
 to wander

00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:34.200
 with your eyes

00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.559
 or with your imagination

00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:37.600
 or with your actions.

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.539
 When you are tempted

00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.759
 to long for another,

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.819
 when you see someone else

00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.620
 starting to fill those spaces

00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.980
 in your heart

00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:47.500
 that your spouse needs to fit,

00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:49.140
 you need to flee.

00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.740
 You need to run away

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.519
 like Joseph

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.500
 running from Potiphar's wife

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:53.759
 saying,

00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.380
 how could I sin against God

00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.240
 in this way?

00:18:56.240 --> 00:19:00.579
 In your relationships,

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.759
 make sure that you put

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.079
 your spouse first

00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.279
 before others.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.460
 If you're married today,

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.319
 I want to ask you,

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.420
 how are you investing

00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:13.200
 in your marriage?

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.480
 How are you making time

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.480
 and heart space?

00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:19.220
 How are you creating

00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.019
 the opportunities

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:21.720
 to share joys

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:23.660
 and sorrows together?

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:25.779
 How are you seeking

00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.040
 to lay down your life

00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:28.880
 to serve the other?

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.680
 To love and to cherish

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.620
 till death do us part.

00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:37.080
 And listen,

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.880
 if you're here

00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.880
 and you're single,

00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:43.940
 what is your call

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.640
 in this?

00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.800
 First,

00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.360
 it's to see

00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.600
 the original goodness

00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:49.320
 of marriage.

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.200
 I know in our church

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.860
 some of you

00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:52.980
 are 20-somethings

00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.860
 who've not been married

00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:55.019
 and maybe you're

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.500
 looking around

00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:55.880
 and wondering,

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.019
 do I even want that?

00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.400
 Because it seems

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.079
 pretty broken.

00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.620
 It seems really hard.

00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.480
 Right?

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.180
 Some of you

00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:05.579
 are later in life.

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.200
 I know some of you

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.279
 have been divorced.

00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.519
 Some of you

00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.319
 are widows

00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.000
 and widowers.

00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.180
 Some of you

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.539
 have never been married.

00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.640
 First and foremost,

00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.559
 uphold,

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.319
 uphold

00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:21.660
 the ideal of marriage

00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:23.440
 that God has called

00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.320
 us to value

00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:25.080
 as a church.

00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:27.360
 Think about how

00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.320
 you can encourage

00:20:28.320 --> 00:20:29.300
 your married friends

00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:30.440
 to stay married

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.560
 and to love

00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:32.460
 and to serve them

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:32.960
 in the ways

00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.700
 that you have.

00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.180
 But also,

00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:38.019
 take advantage now.

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.000
 Maybe God will call you

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.000
 to marriage in the future.

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.560
 Prepare for that now.

00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:45.640
 Learn the hard work

00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.700
 of relationships.

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.180
 Learn how to resolve

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.740
 conflict with your roommates,

00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.400
 with your coworkers,

00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.920
 with your bosses.

00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:56.779
 Learn how to serve others

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.440
 selflessly.

00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:01.360
 Not selfishly.

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:06.940
 Develop the basic skills

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.320
 that God will want

00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.700
 to call you into

00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.779
 if God calls you

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.539
 into marriage.

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.900
 And know,

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.740
 and we'll come back

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.480
 to this at the end,

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.839
 know that at the end

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.539
 of the day,

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.319
 friends,

00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.480
 being married

00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.420
 or being single,

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.599
 these are not

00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.860
 the pinnacles of life.

00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.259
 They are contexts

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.880
 in which God

00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.700
 has called you

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.680
 to live out

00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.660
 your calling

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:31.099
 to follow Christ

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:33.360
 and to let Him

00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:34.339
 be the lover

00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.120
 of your soul

00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:36.440
 and the bridegroom

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.220
 who loves you

00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.539
 with an everlasting love

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.539
 and for you

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.200
 to respond to Him

00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.880
 with love

00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:44.120
 and devotion

00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.240
 and fidelity.

00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:49.120
 So marriage,

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:51.240
 it's a good thing.

00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.900
 It's what God

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.700
 has given us.

00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.339
 And Jesus brings

00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.440
 this whole vision.

00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:57.099
 He's assuming it

00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.220
 as He's teaching

00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.519
 these verses

00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:01.039
 in 31 and 32.

00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.460
 So here we go.

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.360
 Let's look now.

00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.400
 Having looked

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.140
 at the context,

00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.500
 let's look at the content

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.440
 of Jesus' call.

00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:13.259
 This is in verse 32.

00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:13.960
 This is following

00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.839
 the pattern that Jesus

00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.819
 has been doing

00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.460
 in this section.

00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.439
 You have heard it said,

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.599
 but I say to you.

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.659
 Jesus is taking it further.

00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.679
 He's saying this is now

00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:24.000
 the kingdom imprint

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:26.059
 on how to handle

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.960
 these issues.

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.759
 And He says,

00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.740
 but I say to you

00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.379
 that everyone

00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.659
 who divorces his wife

00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:31.619
 except on the ground

00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.740
 of sexual immorality

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:34.460
 makes her commit adultery

00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.319
 and whoever marries

00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.200
 a divorced woman

00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.460
 commits adultery.

00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:39.659
 There are two parts

00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.439
 of what Jesus

00:22:40.439 --> 00:22:41.419
 is saying here

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.480
 and I want them

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.740
 both to carry

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.120
 the appropriate weight.

00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.640
 There is a strong

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.519
 prohibition

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.759
 and then there is

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:50.039
 an exception clause.

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:52.000
 The strong prohibition

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.560
 is this.

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.640
 If you take out

00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.740
 the exception clause,

00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.840
 if you ever were

00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.740
 a grammar nerd,

00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.060
 this is a subordinate clause.

00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.860
 So you just remove

00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.820
 the subordinate clause

00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:02.640
 and here's the main clause

00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.320
 of the sentence.

00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:05.320
 Don't commit adultery.

00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.279
 Do not divorce

00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.259
 because you are

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.200
 committing adultery.

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.100
 Now that's a very stark

00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:11.160
 way of saying it

00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:13.059
 but that's what Jesus is,

00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:16.019
 that is the main phrase here.

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.580
 Don't divorce

00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:19.299
 because it's a violation

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:21.380
 of this vision of marriage

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.700
 that God has given us.

00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.840
 Interestingly,

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.819
 when you look at Luke

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.900
 and when you look at Mark

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:29.660
 in Mark 10 verses 11 and 12

00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:32.180
 and in Luke 16, 18,

00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:34.360
 they both summarize it

00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.519
 just by saying this.

00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.700
 If you divorce,

00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:39.000
 you commit adultery.

00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:41.920
 Now, the assumption in this

00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:44.000
 is that everyone remarried

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.900
 in the first century.

00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:46.340
 That men couldn't live

00:23:46.340 --> 00:23:46.960
 without a wife

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.840
 in the first century

00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:49.759
 and that women were vulnerable

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.700
 and unprotected

00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.940
 and so they needed to remarry

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.980
 in order to be a part

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.519
 of a household

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.539
 to be provided for.

00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.860
 That was a cultural assumption

00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.920
 that Jesus is making.

00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:01.019
 So he equates divorce

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.440
 with adultery

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:04.500
 because there's a remarriage

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:06.220
 assumed in that.

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:10.259
 Jesus is saying,

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.880
 because marriage

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.480
 is permanent

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.279
 and exclusive,

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.480
 when you divorce

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.240
 and remarry,

00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.620
 you are committing adultery.

00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.640
 Maybe it's helpful

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.740
 to think about it this way.

00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:26.140
 Sometimes we think about

00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:28.759
 divorce as

00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.759
 we want to change

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.420
 our context.

00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.080
 It's kind of like

00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:31.700
 we want to change

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.440
 our clothes

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.100
 or we want to move

00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.840
 to a new house

00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.779
 or get a new job.

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.879
 We want to change

00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.399
 the context

00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:37.200
 in which we're living

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.779
 our daily lives.

00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.879
 Tim Keller says,

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.700
 divorce is better thought of

00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.940
 as an amputation

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.799
 because God has brought

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:47.500
 two to become one

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:50.299
 and if you are divorcing,

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.539
 you are breaking,

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.899
 you are rending

00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:54.039
 this oneness

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:57.960
 like you'd have to cut off

00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.960
 limbs

00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:01.119
 to do so.

00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:04.219
 It is,

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.839
 as the old phrase says,

00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.579
 tearing asunder

00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:09.359
 what God has joined

00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.119
 together.

00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:15.379
 We need to let this sink in

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:19.579
 because our culture

00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.679
 just doesn't think about it

00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.099
 this way.

00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:23.119
 There is so much divorce

00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:25.199
 that we've become

00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:27.819
 numb to the severity

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.299
 that Jesus puts

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:31.259
 on what divorce is.

00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.739
 Divorce violates

00:25:35.739 --> 00:25:37.259
 the original design

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.039
 of marriage

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:41.119
 and broadly

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.359
 it should not be so.

00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:48.299
 Having let that sink in,

00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:50.019
 Jesus then says,

00:25:50.719 --> 00:25:51.959
 except for

00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:55.059
 there is a provision,

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.880
 there's an understanding

00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:59.100
 that there are

00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.440
 some places

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.840
 except for

00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.980
 in a context

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.579
 of sexual immorality,

00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:08.259
 there is then

00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:11.840
 a place for divorce.

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.880
 Why would that be?

00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.579
 Well, what is

00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.539
 sexual immorality?

00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.920
 Some of your versions

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.720
 may read

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.720
 that it's

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.920
 marital unfaithfulness.

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.680
 It's a very poor

00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:23.000
 translation of the word.

00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.980
 The word that's used

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.680
 there is a much

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.580
 broader word.

00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.660
 It's broadly

00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.960
 sexual immorality

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.740
 of all sorts of kinds.

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.140
 In other parts

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.640
 of the Bible

00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.420
 it would include

00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:32.940
 things like

00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.860
 homosexuality

00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:35.060
 and bestiality

00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:37.019
 and incest

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.420
 and all sorts

00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:38.820
 of things.

00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.000
 So, let's just,

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.860
 let's assume

00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.420
 it's a broad term

00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.680
 here, right?

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:45.000
 Any sexual activity

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.060
 outside of the

00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:47.080
 healthy and proper

00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:48.620
 boundaries of husband

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.419
 and wife.

00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:50.839
 And the logic

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.679
 behind this

00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:52.679
 seems to be

00:26:52.679 --> 00:26:53.479
 that where

00:26:53.479 --> 00:26:54.699
 sexual unfaithfulness

00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:55.259
 has been,

00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.059
 the covenant

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.239
 has been fundamentally

00:26:57.239 --> 00:26:58.299
 broken by that

00:26:58.299 --> 00:27:00.059
 violation.

00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:02.299
 And because of that

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.839
 it says divorce

00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.319
 could be allowed

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:07.019
 in those contexts.

00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.419
 And we need to

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.219
 understand that

00:27:10.219 --> 00:27:10.559
 it's,

00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.959
 that as we look

00:27:11.959 --> 00:27:12.519
 broader,

00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:14.459
 as we pan out

00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:15.059
 a little bit

00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:16.179
 from just this verse,

00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.320
 we see that

00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:17.779
 in fact

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.420
 there's another

00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.620
 place in Scripture

00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:22.240
 in 1 Corinthians 7

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.860
 that suggests

00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.460
 that Jesus

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.580
 isn't making

00:27:25.580 --> 00:27:27.740
 a comprehensive

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.740
 statement on

00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:30.660
 all the grounds

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.820
 by which divorce

00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.380
 may happen.

00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.440
 But he's giving

00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:35.120
 one very important

00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.460
 one.

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.360
 Remember the

00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:37.180
 rabbi said

00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:38.400
 food,

00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:39.220
 clothing,

00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.400
 companionship,

00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.440
 fidelity.

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.460
 And he was

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.140
 dealing with

00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.920
 the fidelity

00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.039
 one as he

00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.720
 was addressing

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.900
 this in this

00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.420
 context.

00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.700
 But what we do

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.720
 see is that

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.900
 in 1 Corinthians

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:53.200
 7, 15

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.380
 Paul addresses

00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.220
 an abandonment

00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.259
 of companionship.

00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.340
 This is where

00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:58.920
 in the context

00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.759
 of 1 Corinthians

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.840
 believing,

00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.860
 people who have

00:28:01.860 --> 00:28:02.580
 come to faith

00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.160
 in Christ

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.720
 who are now

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.779
 married to someone

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.720
 who's not a

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.160
 believer,

00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.519
 the believer

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.120
 is thinking

00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.680
 wait,

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.299
 am I unequally

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:10.620
 yoked?

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.419
 Am I married

00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:11.819
 to someone

00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.319
 who doesn't

00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:12.759
 share my

00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.359
 faith commitment?

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.039
 And if that's

00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.299
 true,

00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:14.759
 should I

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.539
 abandon the

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.519
 marriage so

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.919
 that I can

00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:17.339
 go marry

00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:17.859
 someone who

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.379
 shares my

00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:18.979
 faith commitment

00:28:18.979 --> 00:28:19.359
 now?

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.219
 And Paul says

00:28:20.219 --> 00:28:20.539
 no,

00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.539
 you're married

00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.919
 to this

00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.219
 person,

00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.079
 stay married

00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.500
 to them

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:23.919
 and love

00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:24.259
 them.

00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.500
 But then he

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.899
 goes on

00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:26.359
 and he says

00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:28.559
 but if

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.779
 your unbelieving

00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.659
 spouse says

00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.439
 you know what,

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.399
 I'm done

00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:32.939
 with this,

00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.099
 you're not

00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.419
 the same

00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:34.839
 person I

00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.079
 married,

00:28:35.199 --> 00:28:36.039
 I am not

00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.619
 here anymore,

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.579
 and that

00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.439
 person says

00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:39.779
 I'm gone,

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.819
 then you

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.200
 as a

00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.799
 believer,

00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.460
 that marriage

00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.099
 covenant has

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.720
 been broken

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.379
 by that

00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.299
 abandonment.

00:28:47.399 --> 00:28:47.960
 And so you

00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.339
 are then

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.920
 free,

00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.399
 and I

00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:50.839
 believe that

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.440
 freedom is

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.200
 freedom to

00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.139
 remarry in a

00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:53.960
 similar way

00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:55.220
 because the

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.019
 covenant has

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.639
 been broken

00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.519
 in that way.

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.599
 Okay?

00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.319
 So this is

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.440
 how we

00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.259
 understand

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.559
 divorce and

00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.299
 remarriage

00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.859
 at

00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.299
 trinity,

00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.619
 or divorce.

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.419
 I want to

00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:10.259
 speak briefly

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.159
 to remarriage,

00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.579
 and I'll

00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.139
 talk a little

00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:13.480
 bit more

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.059
 about this

00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.200
 in application

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.899
 in just a

00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.079
 minute,

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.460
 but recognize

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:19.419
 that divorcing

00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:21.139
 in the spirit

00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:21.659
 of the age

00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.119
 today,

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.960
 divorcing for

00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.619
 any cause

00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.279
 whatsoever,

00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.759
 puts you

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.819
 exactly in the

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.500
 crosshairs of

00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.000
 what Jesus

00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.579
 is saying.

00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.019
 If you

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.859
 divorce and

00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.220
 then you

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.839
 remarry,

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.899
 and that

00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.579
 divorce has

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.180
 not been

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.639
 legitimate,

00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:36.460
 you are

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.020
 violating

00:29:37.020 --> 00:29:37.980
 your original

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.480
 covenant

00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:41.020
 by marrying

00:29:41.020 --> 00:29:41.780
 someone else.

00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.340
 Now,

00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:43.740
 we'll talk

00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.140
 about how

00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.480
 to deal

00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.820
 with that

00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.060
 in a

00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.240
 minute,

00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.640
 but that's

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.120
 what Jesus

00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.840
 is saying,

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.700
 and he

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.200
 challenges

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:51.720
 us how

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.180
 we think

00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.660
 about it.

00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.160
 So what

00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:54.600
 then,

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.759
 how then

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.140
 do we

00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.740
 respond?

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.020
 First,

00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.600
 it means

00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:02.880
 we should

00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.460
 have hearts

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.539
 to stay

00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.559
 faithful to

00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.120
 our marriage,

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.100
 not to

00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:07.700
 ask how

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.039
 can I

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.620
 get out,

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.819
 but how

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.200
 could I

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.019
 invest and

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.360
 build?

00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.100
 Not for

00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:14.620
 what reason

00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:14.980
 can I

00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.319
 divorce,

00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.120
 but how

00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:17.559
 can we

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.019
 stay

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.680
 together?

00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.120
 Some

00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.860
 people ask,

00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.819
 if a box

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.220
 can be

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.600
 checked,

00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:26.920
 he committed

00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.519
 adultery,

00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:28.940
 she was

00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.600
 unfaithful,

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.880
 does that

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.160
 mean I

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.460
 can just

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:31.759
 go ahead

00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.379
 with divorce?

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.059
 And I

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.980
 think as

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.339
 we look

00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:35.660
 at this,

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.319
 Jesus would

00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.079
 recommend a

00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.379
 different

00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:37.859
 pattern,

00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:38.900
 a different

00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.539
 approach,

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.740
 because he

00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.119
 would say

00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:41.579
 first,

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.279
 wait your

00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.859
 marriage

00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:44.579
 through the

00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.019
 eyes of

00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.500
 redemption

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:47.440
 and seek

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.700
 for

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.460
 reconciliation

00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.460
 first.

00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.980
 Now listen

00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.440
 carefully,

00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.259
 I do not

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.720
 mean a

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:52.980
 cheap

00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.500
 papering

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:53.920
 over,

00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:54.759
 I do

00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.319
 not mean

00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:55.940
 a quick

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:57.079
 just forgive

00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.359
 me,

00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:57.919
 we'll

00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.299
 get back

00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:58.939
 to normal,

00:30:59.199 --> 00:31:00.339
 no problems.

00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.159
 The work

00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:03.000
 of repair

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.379
 in times

00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.059
 of betrayal

00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:06.319
 and unfaithfulness

00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.960
 is massive

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.799
 and huge,

00:31:08.919 --> 00:31:09.159
 and the

00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:09.579
 rebuilding

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.339
 of trust

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.419
 will be

00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:13.539
 a year

00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.199
 long or

00:31:14.199 --> 00:31:14.779
 life

00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.879
 long project,

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:18.099
 but it's

00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.639
 worth it.

00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:21.419
 Explore

00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:21.659
 it,

00:31:22.199 --> 00:31:22.539
 seek

00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:22.839
 it,

00:31:25.179 --> 00:31:25.480
 pursue

00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.880
 it,

00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.460
 and in

00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.819
 the midst

00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.160
 of it,

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.920
 be careful

00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.380
 with your

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.099
 own heart

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.819
 that you

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.500
 don't allow

00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.000
 bitterness

00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.039
 and contempt

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:35.759
 to be the

00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.279
 fruit of

00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.900
 the hurt.

00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.240
 There is

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.860
 appropriate

00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.420
 grieving,

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.019
 there is

00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.740
 appropriate

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.700
 setting of

00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.460
 boundaries and

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.519
 even consequences,

00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:46.240
 but seek

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.140
 to rebuild

00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.140
 the marriage

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.000
 first.

00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.380
 And in

00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:50.740
 that,

00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.680
 my second

00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.759
 advice is

00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.120
 to be

00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.860
 patient,

00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:56.000
 not rash,

00:31:56.439 --> 00:31:56.859
 and to

00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.539
 give the

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.459
 Lord time

00:31:58.459 --> 00:31:59.139
 to work.

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.619
 Now again,

00:32:00.719 --> 00:32:01.119
 here's a

00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.879
 major caveat,

00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.059
 not to

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.759
 stay in an

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.099
 abusive

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.819
 situation

00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.299
 where you

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:05.579
 are in

00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:05.919
 danger.

00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.279
 If you

00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.579
 are in

00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.079
 a dangerous

00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.839
 situation,

00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.059
 it is

00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.579
 right for

00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:11.859
 you to

00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.159
 remove

00:32:12.159 --> 00:32:12.519
 yourself

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.000
 from that

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.740
 and to

00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:13.959
 seek

00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.539
 appropriate

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.000
 help

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.639
 from the

00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.000
 church,

00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:16.639
 from the

00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.159
 police,

00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:17.839
 from

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.459
 counselors,

00:32:18.719 --> 00:32:19.000
 wherever

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.479
 it is

00:32:19.479 --> 00:32:19.819
 needed.

00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.839
 Reconciliation

00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.779
 can only

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.899
 happen in

00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.599
 the context

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.240
 of physical

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.759
 safety,

00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:27.639
 and that

00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.099
 would be a

00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:29.059
 prerequisite of

00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.799
 any pursuit.

00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:33.199
 But friends,

00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:33.819
 give it

00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.459
 time.

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.179
 Wait on

00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:36.759
 the Lord.

00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.019
 Wait on

00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.619
 the Lord to

00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.119
 work in

00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.939
 your heart

00:32:39.939 --> 00:32:40.899
 to process

00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:41.759
 the hurt

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.199
 if you're

00:32:42.199 --> 00:32:42.759
 the betrayed

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.319
 spouse.

00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.500
 Wait on

00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.099
 the Lord to

00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:47.159
 work in

00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:48.179
 the heart

00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:48.459
 of the

00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:48.899
 offending

00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:49.599
 spouse for

00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.099
 them to

00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.740
 see the

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.159
 depth of

00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.720
 their sin

00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.680
 so that

00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:52.880
 their

00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.340
 repentance

00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:53.860
 will be

00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.700
 real and

00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.279
 deep and

00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:55.680
 genuine.

00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:58.960
 Separation

00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.680
 might be

00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.920
 an appropriate

00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:03.160
 step, but

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.060
 for a season

00:33:04.060 --> 00:33:04.820
 and with a

00:33:04.820 --> 00:33:05.980
 purpose, not

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.019
 as an off-ramp,

00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:07.860
 but as a

00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.460
 purpose of

00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.080
 saying we

00:33:09.080 --> 00:33:09.860
 need space

00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.380
 to do our

00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.100
 own work so

00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.580
 that we can

00:33:11.580 --> 00:33:12.200
 try to come

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.820
 back together

00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.560
 and reconcile.

00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.779
 Know that it

00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.200
 can take

00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:19.580
 time for

00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:19.980
 this to

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.340
 happen.

00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:24.120
 Thirdly, do

00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:24.540
 this in

00:33:24.540 --> 00:33:25.080
 community.

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.720
 Friends, it

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.620
 is so hard

00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.779
 in the midst

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.240
 of these

00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.200
 things because

00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.620
 shame rises

00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.140
 up on

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.700
 every side.

00:33:34.820 --> 00:33:35.640
 The betrayer

00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.320
 feels shame

00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:36.700
 and they just

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.240
 want to hide

00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.500
 and they

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:37.860
 don't want to

00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:38.340
 tell anybody

00:33:38.340 --> 00:33:38.779
 that they've

00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.180
 done this

00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.640
 thing that

00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:41.140
 is so

00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.320
 hurtful to

00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:42.980
 their spouse.

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.240
 The betrayed

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.160
 spouse often

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.920
 feels guilty.

00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.460
 What did I

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.720
 do?

00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:47.440
 Did I deserve

00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:47.779
 this?

00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:48.980
 How could I

00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:49.279
 have done

00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:49.640
 better?

00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:51.460
 And isolation

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.140
 is our

00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:53.120
 response so

00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:53.720
 often to

00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.400
 these things.

00:33:55.080 --> 00:33:56.060
 Friends, fight

00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:56.920
 that response.

00:33:58.020 --> 00:33:58.620
 Take it to

00:33:58.620 --> 00:33:59.259
 your friends.

00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.620
 Bring it to

00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.200
 the elders

00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:02.060
 and to the

00:34:02.060 --> 00:34:03.060
 older members

00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:03.680
 of our church

00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:04.140
 so that we

00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.780
 can walk

00:34:04.780 --> 00:34:05.220
 with you

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.060
 through this.

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.500
 Find friends

00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.000
 who won't

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:11.019
 merely be

00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:12.039
 your cheerleaders

00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.780
 and say you

00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.539
 were wronged,

00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:14.180
 but who will

00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:15.119
 speak grace

00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.920
 and truth

00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.480
 to you,

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.700
 who will help

00:34:17.700 --> 00:34:18.440
 you see your

00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.099
 own hearts.

00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.420
 And friends,

00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:25.260
 then, if

00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:26.659
 having involved

00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:27.179
 others,

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.200
 pursued

00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:29.000
 reconciliation

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:31.139
 with patience,

00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:33.780
 when it is

00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.500
 clear that

00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:34.980
 the other

00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.840
 person has a

00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.360
 hard heart

00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:36.760
 and is

00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.400
 unwilling,

00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.900
 unable

00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:42.079
 to take

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.599
 the steps

00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.619
 to rebuild,

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.400
 then there

00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:46.300
 is an

00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.740
 exception.

00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.779
 then there

00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.199
 is a

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.759
 place to

00:34:48.759 --> 00:34:50.519
 say this

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.099
 marriage has

00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:51.659
 been broken

00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.739
 and this

00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:54.299
 person who

00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:54.719
 I'm married

00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:56.000
 to has

00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.759
 hardened their

00:34:56.759 --> 00:34:57.319
 heart to

00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:58.179
 not rebuild

00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.459
 it.

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.439
 This is

00:35:01.439 --> 00:35:01.899
 where there

00:35:01.899 --> 00:35:02.879
 is freedom

00:35:02.879 --> 00:35:04.519
 and it is a

00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.159
 real freedom.

00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:08.079
 There is a

00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:08.739
 real sense

00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.679
 of this

00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:10.279
 marriage is

00:35:10.279 --> 00:35:12.679
 done in

00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.500
 these contexts.

00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:16.800
 but friends,

00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.320
 let me say

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:17.619
 this,

00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.360
 even when we

00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:18.639
 get to

00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:19.260
 that point,

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.599
 no marriage

00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.139
 should end

00:35:21.139 --> 00:35:21.659
 in divorce

00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:22.559
 without broken

00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.320
 heartedness

00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:24.280
 in the heart

00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:24.519
 of a

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:24.860
 Christian.

00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.659
 Even if

00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:27.139
 you feel

00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:27.940
 relief from

00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.679
 abuse or

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.739
 serial infidelity

00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:30.579
 or emotional

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.179
 hurt and

00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:31.500
 pain,

00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.139
 even when

00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.579
 it is the

00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:34.119
 appropriate

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:36.179
 step within

00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:36.860
 the scriptural

00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:37.500
 boundaries,

00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.940
 if you have

00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.820
 not grieved,

00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:41.659
 you're not

00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.840
 ready to

00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.360
 divorce.

00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:47.680
 There should

00:35:47.680 --> 00:35:48.519
 be brokenness

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.420
 and mourning

00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.820
 for what

00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.539
 God designed

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.300
 to be good,

00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:54.400
 even when

00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:56.019
 it is allowed

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.640
 and it is

00:35:57.640 --> 00:35:58.140
 an appropriate

00:35:58.140 --> 00:35:58.700
 step.

00:36:02.120 --> 00:36:02.840
 Now,

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.059
 there are

00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.980
 many situations

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:07.600
 that I

00:36:07.600 --> 00:36:08.220
 can't address

00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:09.059
 specifically.

00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:09.940
 What constitutes

00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.880
 sexual immorality

00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.640
 or abandonment?

00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.240
 What about

00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.780
 pornography?

00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.320
 What about

00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:14.200
 emotional abuse?

00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:14.820
 What about

00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:15.360
 failure to

00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:15.780
 provide?

00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.300
 What about

00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:17.700
 a spouse

00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:18.100
 who says

00:36:18.100 --> 00:36:18.500
 one thing

00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:18.960
 but does

00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.480
 the other?

00:36:20.660 --> 00:36:21.059
 Friends,

00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.220
 this is where

00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:24.500
 time and

00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.079
 discernment

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.820
 and community

00:36:25.820 --> 00:36:27.360
 are all part

00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:27.820
 of God's

00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.940
 design to

00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.519
 help you

00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.220
 walk through

00:36:30.220 --> 00:36:30.840
 what that

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.480
 looks like.

00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:31.539
 thing.

00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.400
 I do want

00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:33.800
 to address

00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.400
 one other

00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.000
 situation

00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.539
 that some

00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:35.820
 of you

00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.159
 may be

00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.500
 thinking

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:36.940
 about

00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.400
 or

00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:37.699
 maybe

00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.119
 in

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:39.320
 and

00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:39.500
 that

00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:39.639
 is

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:40.039
 you may be

00:36:40.039 --> 00:36:40.400
 sitting here

00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:40.820
 this morning

00:36:40.820 --> 00:36:41.139
 and you

00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:41.500
 have

00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.059
 divorced

00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.360
 and as you

00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:43.800
 look back

00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.120
 on it

00:36:44.120 --> 00:36:44.620
 you think

00:36:44.620 --> 00:36:46.320
 I didn't

00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.800
 divorce

00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:47.940
 under these

00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:48.840
 conditions.

00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:49.660
 I didn't

00:36:49.660 --> 00:36:50.320
 divorce in

00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:50.860
 the spirit

00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:51.660
 that God

00:36:51.660 --> 00:36:52.780
 would have

00:36:52.780 --> 00:36:53.300
 wanted me

00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:53.600
 to.

00:36:54.060 --> 00:36:54.580
 What do I

00:36:54.580 --> 00:36:55.100
 do now?

00:36:56.140 --> 00:36:56.700
 Maybe you're

00:36:56.700 --> 00:36:57.400
 married again,

00:36:57.660 --> 00:36:58.140
 maybe you're

00:36:58.140 --> 00:36:58.460
 not.

00:36:59.060 --> 00:36:59.740
 Here are a few

00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:01.080
 thoughts for you

00:37:01.080 --> 00:37:02.000
 who are

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.500
 divorced

00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:04.160
 and are

00:37:04.160 --> 00:37:04.740
 recognizing

00:37:04.740 --> 00:37:05.380
 that it's

00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:06.519
 not God's

00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:06.820
 plan.

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.260
 It wasn't

00:37:08.260 --> 00:37:08.760
 part of

00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:09.940
 what God

00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:10.420
 would want.

00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.440
 First,

00:37:11.720 --> 00:37:12.380
 recognize that

00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:12.740
 you can

00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:13.180
 repent.

00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:14.880
 Repent

00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:15.220
 of the

00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:15.740
 divorce.

00:37:17.220 --> 00:37:17.820
 Recognize

00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:18.480
 that it

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:18.980
 was done

00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:19.540
 in sin

00:37:19.540 --> 00:37:20.660
 if it

00:37:20.660 --> 00:37:21.000
 was.

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.480
 There is

00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:23.920
 forgiveness

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.600
 for you.

00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:29.880
 Grant

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.300
 Osborne

00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:30.660
 in another

00:37:30.660 --> 00:37:31.120
 commentary

00:37:31.120 --> 00:37:31.660
 says,

00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:32.800
 the present

00:37:32.800 --> 00:37:33.300
 tense

00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:33.720
 commit

00:37:33.720 --> 00:37:34.340
 adultery

00:37:34.340 --> 00:37:35.580
 in no way

00:37:35.580 --> 00:37:36.200
 means that

00:37:36.200 --> 00:37:36.620
 a couple

00:37:36.620 --> 00:37:37.100
 will live

00:37:37.100 --> 00:37:38.180
 in perpetual

00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:39.099
 adultery.

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.279
 It is not

00:37:40.279 --> 00:37:41.419
 the unpardonable

00:37:41.419 --> 00:37:41.839
 sin.

00:37:42.839 --> 00:37:43.359
 It means

00:37:43.359 --> 00:37:43.659
 that the

00:37:43.659 --> 00:37:44.579
 present act

00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.539
 and consummation

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.219
 of remarriage

00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:46.960
 is adulterous.

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:47.980
 The couple

00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.619
 should admit

00:37:48.619 --> 00:37:49.179
 that and

00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:49.719
 then begin

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.440
 to live

00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.299
 by God's

00:37:51.299 --> 00:37:51.639
 standards.

00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:52.960
 So this

00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:53.259
 is a

00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:53.759
 recognition.

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.259
 If you

00:37:54.259 --> 00:37:55.079
 have remarried,

00:37:55.639 --> 00:37:57.239
 then you

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.679
 should stay

00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:57.980
 in that

00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.379
 marriage.

00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:58.819
 And that

00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.099
 is the

00:37:59.099 --> 00:37:59.359
 marriage

00:37:59.359 --> 00:37:59.779
 that God

00:37:59.779 --> 00:38:00.279
 has called

00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:00.799
 you to

00:38:00.799 --> 00:38:01.440
 in a

00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.139
 redemptive

00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:02.559
 way,

00:38:02.899 --> 00:38:03.500
 live out

00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.059
 the calling

00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:04.460
 that He's

00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:04.980
 called you

00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:05.279
 to,

00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.319
 to uphold

00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:07.019
 the beautiful

00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.659
 picture of

00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.019
 marriage

00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.360
 that we

00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:08.900
 talked about

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.320
 earlier.

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.960
 So if you're

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.380
 remarried,

00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.259
 stay there.

00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.219
 If you're

00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:15.039
 not remarried

00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:16.300
 and your

00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:16.780
 spouse,

00:38:17.099 --> 00:38:17.860
 your ex-spouse

00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.460
 is not

00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:19.039
 remarried,

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.679
 consider

00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:21.539
 reconciliation

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:23.179
 if it would

00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:23.820
 be possible.

00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:24.840
 It may or

00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:25.400
 may not be.

00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:26.460
 And it may

00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:27.099
 be that in

00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:28.380
 even exploring

00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:28.840
 that you

00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:29.360
 realize

00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:31.179
 wherever we

00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:31.900
 were then,

00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:32.460
 where we

00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:33.079
 are now,

00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:35.380
 is irreconcilable.

00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:36.099
 That is

00:38:36.099 --> 00:38:36.539
 possible.

00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:37.219
 You can't

00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:37.940
 control that.

00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:39.779
 But at

00:38:39.779 --> 00:38:40.619
 least consider

00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:41.019
 it.

00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.420
 Friends,

00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:47.340
 I say all

00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:47.900
 these things

00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.639
 with fear

00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:49.380
 and trembling

00:38:49.380 --> 00:38:51.519
 because I

00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.039
 know some

00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:52.519
 of you have

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.059
 walked this

00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:55.599
 road already.

00:38:57.659 --> 00:38:58.480
 And what I

00:38:58.480 --> 00:38:59.380
 want you to

00:38:59.380 --> 00:38:59.960
 know is

00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:03.420
 that Jesus

00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.280
 sees you

00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:04.920
 where you

00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:05.200
 are.

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.820
 Some of you

00:39:06.820 --> 00:39:07.220
 have been

00:39:07.220 --> 00:39:07.559
 deeply

00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.019
 betrayed

00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:09.380
 and hurt.

00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:11.119
 Some of you

00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:12.340
 have perpetrated

00:39:12.340 --> 00:39:13.599
 harm

00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:15.860
 on others

00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.539
 and have

00:39:16.539 --> 00:39:17.320
 been unfaithful.

00:39:19.099 --> 00:39:19.880
 And some

00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:20.440
 of you are

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.019
 in marriages

00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:21.559
 now,

00:39:22.380 --> 00:39:23.539
 but you're

00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:23.940
 at a place

00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.320
 where you're

00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:24.680
 wondering,

00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:25.960
 how can I

00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.340
 get out?

00:39:26.340 --> 00:39:32.059
 the gospel

00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:33.320
 is our

00:39:33.320 --> 00:39:33.940
 only hope.

00:39:36.240 --> 00:39:37.140
 You see,

00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:38.220
 the gospel

00:39:38.220 --> 00:39:39.019
 of glory

00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:39.400
 and the

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.000
 call of

00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:40.300
 Jesus,

00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.000
 this is our

00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.640
 third point,

00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:43.059
 is that

00:39:43.059 --> 00:39:43.780
 God

00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:45.860
 has called

00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:46.460
 us to a

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:46.980
 marriage

00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:48.200
 that is

00:39:48.200 --> 00:39:49.180
 even greater

00:39:49.180 --> 00:39:49.960
 than the

00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:50.280
 marriage

00:39:50.280 --> 00:39:50.880
 between a

00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:51.260
 man and

00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:51.579
 a woman.

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:55.940
 God,

00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:56.239
 in the

00:39:56.239 --> 00:39:56.679
 Old Testament,

00:39:56.840 --> 00:39:57.420
 God uses

00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:58.400
 marriage language

00:39:58.400 --> 00:39:59.119
 to describe

00:39:59.119 --> 00:39:59.920
 the relationship

00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.900
 between him

00:40:00.900 --> 00:40:01.279
 and his

00:40:01.279 --> 00:40:01.719
 people.

00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:03.460
 God is a

00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:03.860
 loving,

00:40:04.319 --> 00:40:05.139
 faithful husband

00:40:05.139 --> 00:40:06.659
 who pursues

00:40:06.659 --> 00:40:07.380
 his people.

00:40:08.659 --> 00:40:09.019
 And do you

00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:09.340
 know what

00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:10.119
 Israel is?

00:40:10.360 --> 00:40:11.739
 An unfaithful

00:40:11.739 --> 00:40:13.039
 bride who

00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:13.960
 abandons the

00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:14.599
 covenant to

00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.539
 go after other

00:40:15.539 --> 00:40:15.920
 lovers,

00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:17.159
 who worships

00:40:17.159 --> 00:40:18.000
 other gods

00:40:18.000 --> 00:40:18.779
 and serves

00:40:18.779 --> 00:40:19.699
 other masters,

00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:20.779
 who

00:40:20.780 --> 00:40:22.360
 devotes

00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:22.920
 themselves

00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:24.800
 to others

00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:26.180
 rather than

00:40:26.180 --> 00:40:26.820
 God himself.

00:40:28.680 --> 00:40:29.560
 This is what

00:40:29.560 --> 00:40:30.480
 was read

00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:32.180
 earlier by

00:40:32.180 --> 00:40:32.600
 Carolyn,

00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:33.940
 Jeremiah 2.2.

00:40:34.140 --> 00:40:34.640
 Go and

00:40:34.640 --> 00:40:35.320
 proclaim in

00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:35.760
 the hearing

00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:36.420
 of Jerusalem.

00:40:37.220 --> 00:40:37.680
 Thus says

00:40:37.680 --> 00:40:38.120
 the Lord,

00:40:38.220 --> 00:40:38.660
 I remember

00:40:38.660 --> 00:40:39.220
 the devotion

00:40:39.220 --> 00:40:39.600
 of your

00:40:39.600 --> 00:40:39.980
 youth,

00:40:40.060 --> 00:40:40.519
 your love

00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:40.800
 as a

00:40:40.800 --> 00:40:41.200
 bride,

00:40:42.200 --> 00:40:42.600
 how you

00:40:42.600 --> 00:40:43.080
 followed me

00:40:43.080 --> 00:40:43.280
 in the

00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:43.620
 wilderness

00:40:43.620 --> 00:40:44.060
 in a

00:40:44.060 --> 00:40:44.560
 land not

00:40:44.560 --> 00:40:44.960
 sown.

00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:47.320
 Jeremiah

00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:47.920
 goes on

00:40:47.920 --> 00:40:48.640
 in chapter

00:40:48.640 --> 00:40:49.040
 3,

00:40:49.160 --> 00:40:49.780
 verse 20,

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.180
 and he

00:40:50.179 --> 00:40:51.079
 indicts

00:40:51.079 --> 00:40:51.859
 Israel.

00:40:52.199 --> 00:40:52.519
 Surely

00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:52.980
 as a

00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:53.519
 treacherous

00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.559
 wife leaves

00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.139
 her husband,

00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.079
 so you

00:40:56.079 --> 00:40:56.399
 have been

00:40:56.399 --> 00:40:56.940
 treacherous

00:40:56.940 --> 00:40:57.519
 to me,

00:40:57.639 --> 00:40:58.119
 O house

00:40:58.119 --> 00:40:58.759
 of Israel,

00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:00.199
 declares

00:41:00.199 --> 00:41:00.859
 the Lord.

00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:02.219
 In fact,

00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:03.639
 the abandonment

00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:04.299
 of the

00:41:04.299 --> 00:41:04.619
 covenant

00:41:04.619 --> 00:41:05.339
 relationship

00:41:05.339 --> 00:41:05.960
 was so

00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:07.000
 deep that

00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:07.799
 God brought

00:41:07.799 --> 00:41:08.379
 the judgment

00:41:08.379 --> 00:41:09.319
 of exile

00:41:09.319 --> 00:41:10.579
 upon Israel,

00:41:10.799 --> 00:41:11.539
 and he

00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.219
 uses in

00:41:12.219 --> 00:41:13.440
 Jeremiah 3.8

00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:15.059
 divorce language.

00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:16.859
 She,

00:41:17.119 --> 00:41:17.399
 and this

00:41:17.399 --> 00:41:17.859
 is referring

00:41:17.860 --> 00:41:18.500
 to Judah,

00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:19.280
 this is

00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:19.640
 technical,

00:41:19.780 --> 00:41:20.200
 the southern

00:41:20.200 --> 00:41:20.559
 kingdom

00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:21.240
 watching the

00:41:21.240 --> 00:41:21.480
 northern

00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:21.780
 kingdom.

00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.180
 The northern

00:41:22.180 --> 00:41:22.620
 kingdom had

00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:23.120
 already been

00:41:23.120 --> 00:41:23.740
 judged for

00:41:23.740 --> 00:41:24.579
 its unfaithfulness.

00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:25.500
 The southern

00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:25.960
 kingdom is

00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.220
 wondering,

00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:26.680
 what do we

00:41:26.680 --> 00:41:27.019
 do?

00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:27.940
 And Jeremiah

00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:28.320
 says,

00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:29.099
 she saw

00:41:29.099 --> 00:41:29.500
 that for

00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:29.980
 all the

00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:30.720
 adulteries

00:41:30.720 --> 00:41:31.099
 of that

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:31.920
 faithless

00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.180
 one,

00:41:32.300 --> 00:41:32.660
 Israel,

00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:33.039
 I had

00:41:33.039 --> 00:41:33.579
 sent her

00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.059
 away with

00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:34.559
 a decree

00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.360
 of divorce.

00:41:36.200 --> 00:41:36.660
 Yet her

00:41:36.660 --> 00:41:37.280
 treacherous

00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:38.599
 sister,

00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:38.960
 Judah,

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.460
 did not

00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:39.820
 fear,

00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:40.640
 but she

00:41:40.640 --> 00:41:41.640
 too went

00:41:41.640 --> 00:41:43.000
 and played

00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:43.900
 the whore.

00:41:43.900 --> 00:41:46.320
 Old

00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:46.619
 Testament

00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:47.019
 language

00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:47.639
 is so

00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:50.960
 poignant,

00:41:51.180 --> 00:41:51.579
 isn't it?

00:41:54.220 --> 00:41:55.340
 But along

00:41:55.340 --> 00:41:56.099
 with this

00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:56.800
 thread of

00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:57.539
 unfaithfulness,

00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:58.760
 we see

00:41:58.760 --> 00:42:00.180
 unfaithfulness

00:42:00.180 --> 00:42:00.840
 by God's

00:42:00.840 --> 00:42:01.180
 people,

00:42:01.320 --> 00:42:01.960
 we see

00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:03.139
 the thread

00:42:03.139 --> 00:42:03.720
 of God's

00:42:03.720 --> 00:42:04.539
 redemptive

00:42:04.539 --> 00:42:05.180
 faithfulness

00:42:05.180 --> 00:42:05.660
 for his

00:42:05.660 --> 00:42:06.019
 people.

00:42:07.860 --> 00:42:08.920
 In grace,

00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:09.860
 he pursues

00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:10.579
 us in

00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:11.720
 our unfaithfulness

00:42:11.719 --> 00:42:12.659
 and promises

00:42:12.659 --> 00:42:13.419
 a restored

00:42:13.419 --> 00:42:14.119
 relationship.

00:42:15.019 --> 00:42:15.459
 So in

00:42:15.459 --> 00:42:16.799
 Isaiah 62

00:42:16.799 --> 00:42:17.759
 verses 3

00:42:17.759 --> 00:42:18.339
 through 5,

00:42:18.559 --> 00:42:19.500
 looking ahead

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:20.159
 past the

00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:20.699
 exile,

00:42:21.419 --> 00:42:21.799
 God is

00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:22.079
 saying,

00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:22.679
 there will

00:42:22.679 --> 00:42:23.199
 be a day

00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:23.519
 that is

00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:24.059
 coming when

00:42:24.059 --> 00:42:24.379
 I will

00:42:24.379 --> 00:42:25.299
 restore my

00:42:25.299 --> 00:42:25.839
 relationship

00:42:25.839 --> 00:42:26.279
 with my

00:42:26.279 --> 00:42:26.639
 people.

00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:27.399
 He says,

00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:27.799
 you shall

00:42:27.799 --> 00:42:28.519
 be a crown

00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:29.039
 of beauty

00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:29.599
 in the hands

00:42:29.599 --> 00:42:29.899
 of the

00:42:29.899 --> 00:42:30.179
 Lord,

00:42:30.519 --> 00:42:30.839
 and a

00:42:30.839 --> 00:42:31.579
 royal diadem

00:42:31.579 --> 00:42:31.959
 in the

00:42:31.959 --> 00:42:32.319
 hand of

00:42:32.319 --> 00:42:32.859
 your God.

00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:33.539
 You shall

00:42:33.539 --> 00:42:34.359
 no more

00:42:34.359 --> 00:42:35.099
 be termed

00:42:35.099 --> 00:42:35.779
 forsaken,

00:42:36.199 --> 00:42:36.519
 and your

00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:37.159
 land shall

00:42:37.159 --> 00:42:37.719
 no more

00:42:37.719 --> 00:42:38.439
 be termed

00:42:38.439 --> 00:42:38.899
 desolate,

00:42:39.359 --> 00:42:39.779
 but you

00:42:39.779 --> 00:42:40.219
 shall be

00:42:40.219 --> 00:42:40.639
 called

00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:41.219
 my

00:42:41.219 --> 00:42:41.819
 delight

00:42:41.819 --> 00:42:42.319
 is in

00:42:42.319 --> 00:42:42.539
 her,

00:42:42.939 --> 00:42:43.339
 and your

00:42:43.339 --> 00:42:44.119
 land shall

00:42:44.119 --> 00:42:44.639
 be called

00:42:44.639 --> 00:42:45.419
 married.

00:42:45.879 --> 00:42:46.359
 For the

00:42:46.359 --> 00:42:47.239
 Lord delights

00:42:47.239 --> 00:42:47.879
 in you,

00:42:47.959 --> 00:42:48.399
 and your

00:42:48.399 --> 00:42:49.259
 land shall

00:42:49.259 --> 00:42:49.879
 be married,

00:42:50.259 --> 00:42:50.819
 for as a

00:42:50.819 --> 00:42:51.339
 young man

00:42:51.339 --> 00:42:51.959
 marries a

00:42:51.959 --> 00:42:52.500
 young woman,

00:42:53.079 --> 00:42:53.879
 so shall

00:42:53.879 --> 00:42:54.519
 your sons

00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:55.219
 marry you,

00:42:55.259 --> 00:42:55.899
 and as the

00:42:55.899 --> 00:42:56.519
 bridegroom

00:42:56.519 --> 00:42:57.500
 rejoices over

00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:58.119
 the bride,

00:42:58.579 --> 00:42:59.159
 so shall

00:42:59.159 --> 00:42:59.939
 your God

00:42:59.939 --> 00:43:01.559
 rejoice over

00:43:01.559 --> 00:43:02.339
 you.

00:43:04.480 --> 00:43:05.339
 And friends,

00:43:05.439 --> 00:43:05.659
 if you

00:43:05.659 --> 00:43:06.099
 haven't,

00:43:06.819 --> 00:43:07.079
 if you

00:43:07.079 --> 00:43:07.480
 weren't here

00:43:07.480 --> 00:43:07.799
 when we

00:43:07.799 --> 00:43:08.279
 preached through

00:43:08.279 --> 00:43:08.839
 Hosea a

00:43:08.839 --> 00:43:09.319
 couple years

00:43:09.319 --> 00:43:09.679
 ago,

00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:10.419
 if you

00:43:10.419 --> 00:43:10.879
 haven't read

00:43:10.880 --> 00:43:11.160
 the book

00:43:11.160 --> 00:43:11.660
 of Hosea,

00:43:11.740 --> 00:43:12.079
 it is

00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:13.260
 all about

00:43:13.260 --> 00:43:14.240
 this picture.

00:43:14.860 --> 00:43:15.180
 So in

00:43:15.180 --> 00:43:16.160
 Hosea 2,

00:43:17.740 --> 00:43:18.160
 the Lord

00:43:18.160 --> 00:43:18.920
 says this,

00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:19.480
 in that

00:43:19.480 --> 00:43:19.800
 day,

00:43:19.900 --> 00:43:20.420
 declares the

00:43:20.420 --> 00:43:20.640
 Lord,

00:43:20.740 --> 00:43:21.000
 you will

00:43:21.000 --> 00:43:21.400
 call me

00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:21.780
 husband,

00:43:21.960 --> 00:43:22.300
 and no

00:43:22.300 --> 00:43:23.000
 longer will

00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.400
 you call

00:43:23.400 --> 00:43:23.960
 me my

00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:24.400
 Baal,

00:43:24.920 --> 00:43:25.240
 for I

00:43:25.240 --> 00:43:25.800
 will remove

00:43:25.800 --> 00:43:26.220
 the name

00:43:26.220 --> 00:43:26.519
 of the

00:43:26.519 --> 00:43:26.880
 Baals,

00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:27.440
 Baals were

00:43:27.440 --> 00:43:27.940
 Old Testament

00:43:27.940 --> 00:43:29.019
 gods other

00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:29.880
 than the

00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:30.400
 God of the

00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:30.700
 Bible,

00:43:31.180 --> 00:43:31.519
 I will

00:43:31.519 --> 00:43:32.059
 remove the

00:43:32.059 --> 00:43:32.440
 names of

00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:32.820
 the Baals

00:43:32.820 --> 00:43:33.140
 from her

00:43:33.140 --> 00:43:33.400
 mouth,

00:43:33.500 --> 00:43:33.780
 and they

00:43:33.780 --> 00:43:34.059
 shall be

00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:34.599
 remembered

00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:36.140
 by name

00:43:36.140 --> 00:43:36.680
 no more,

00:43:36.820 --> 00:43:37.240
 and I

00:43:37.240 --> 00:43:38.079
 will betroth

00:43:38.079 --> 00:43:38.700
 you to

00:43:38.700 --> 00:43:39.619
 me forever,

00:43:39.619 --> 00:43:40.559
 I will

00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:41.579
 betroth you

00:43:41.579 --> 00:43:42.199
 to me

00:43:42.199 --> 00:43:43.000
 in righteousness

00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:43.699
 and in

00:43:43.699 --> 00:43:44.279
 justice,

00:43:44.839 --> 00:43:45.759
 in steadfast

00:43:45.759 --> 00:43:46.500
 love and

00:43:46.500 --> 00:43:46.940
 mercy,

00:43:47.339 --> 00:43:47.819
 I will

00:43:47.819 --> 00:43:48.619
 betroth you

00:43:48.619 --> 00:43:49.179
 to me

00:43:49.179 --> 00:43:50.099
 in faithfulness,

00:43:50.239 --> 00:43:50.739
 and you

00:43:50.739 --> 00:43:51.960
 shall know

00:43:51.960 --> 00:43:52.719
 the Lord.

00:43:54.339 --> 00:43:54.980
 And friends,

00:43:55.039 --> 00:43:55.839
 as we trace

00:43:55.839 --> 00:43:56.559
 this theme

00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:57.099
 in the Old

00:43:57.099 --> 00:43:57.480
 Testament

00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.619
 through the

00:43:58.619 --> 00:43:59.199
 coming of

00:43:59.199 --> 00:43:59.559
 Jesus,

00:44:00.559 --> 00:44:00.739
 and His

00:44:00.739 --> 00:44:01.219
 life,

00:44:01.339 --> 00:44:01.539
 and His

00:44:01.539 --> 00:44:01.920
 death,

00:44:01.960 --> 00:44:02.259
 and His

00:44:02.259 --> 00:44:02.880
 resurrection,

00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:03.339
 and we

00:44:03.339 --> 00:44:04.539
 see how

00:44:04.539 --> 00:44:05.420
 great a

00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:06.619
 love with

00:44:06.619 --> 00:44:07.299
 which God

00:44:07.299 --> 00:44:07.859
 has loved

00:44:07.859 --> 00:44:08.319
 us in

00:44:08.319 --> 00:44:08.699
 this.

00:44:09.279 --> 00:44:09.900
 And Jesus,

00:44:10.119 --> 00:44:10.599
 the risen

00:44:10.599 --> 00:44:10.980
 one,

00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:11.739
 is not only

00:44:11.739 --> 00:44:12.719
 called the

00:44:12.719 --> 00:44:13.079
 Savior,

00:44:13.500 --> 00:44:13.859
 and the

00:44:13.859 --> 00:44:14.299
 King,

00:44:14.440 --> 00:44:14.739
 and the

00:44:14.739 --> 00:44:15.159
 Lamb of

00:44:15.159 --> 00:44:15.500
 God who

00:44:15.500 --> 00:44:16.000
 takes away

00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:16.400
 the sin

00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:16.659
 of the

00:44:16.659 --> 00:44:16.900
 world,

00:44:17.259 --> 00:44:17.719
 but He

00:44:17.719 --> 00:44:18.440
 is also

00:44:18.440 --> 00:44:20.759
 the Lamb

00:44:20.759 --> 00:44:21.460
 who invites

00:44:21.460 --> 00:44:22.319
 us to

00:44:22.319 --> 00:44:22.900
 the wedding

00:44:22.900 --> 00:44:23.559
 feast,

00:44:23.859 --> 00:44:24.539
 where we

00:44:24.539 --> 00:44:24.960
 will be

00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:25.659
 His bride,

00:44:25.739 --> 00:44:26.179
 and He

00:44:26.179 --> 00:44:26.599
 will be

00:44:26.599 --> 00:44:26.819
 our

00:44:26.819 --> 00:44:27.380
 bridegroom.

00:44:28.400 --> 00:44:28.839
 And so

00:44:28.839 --> 00:44:29.380
 we see

00:44:29.380 --> 00:44:30.039
 in Revelation

00:44:30.039 --> 00:44:30.859
 19,

00:44:31.799 --> 00:44:32.639
 John saying,

00:44:32.779 --> 00:44:33.019
 then I

00:44:33.019 --> 00:44:33.500
 heard what

00:44:33.500 --> 00:44:34.119
 seemed to be

00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:34.579
 the voice

00:44:34.579 --> 00:44:34.840
 of a

00:44:34.840 --> 00:44:35.079
 great

00:44:35.079 --> 00:44:35.579
 multitude

00:44:35.579 --> 00:44:36.159
 like a

00:44:36.159 --> 00:44:36.579
 roar of

00:44:36.579 --> 00:44:36.900
 many

00:44:36.900 --> 00:44:37.360
 waters,

00:44:37.799 --> 00:44:38.059
 and the

00:44:38.059 --> 00:44:38.559
 sound of

00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:38.900
 many

00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:39.299
 mighty

00:44:39.299 --> 00:44:39.659
 peals

00:44:39.659 --> 00:44:39.840
 of

00:44:39.840 --> 00:44:40.119
 thunder

00:44:40.119 --> 00:44:40.799
 crying out,

00:44:41.199 --> 00:44:41.619
 Hallelujah,

00:44:42.440 --> 00:44:42.799
 for the

00:44:42.799 --> 00:44:43.360
 Lord our

00:44:43.360 --> 00:44:44.000
 God,

00:44:44.199 --> 00:44:44.860
 the Almighty

00:44:44.860 --> 00:44:45.679
 reigns.

00:44:45.900 --> 00:44:46.279
 Let us

00:44:46.279 --> 00:44:47.019
 rejoice and

00:44:47.019 --> 00:44:47.719
 exult and

00:44:47.719 --> 00:44:48.340
 give Him

00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.000
 the glory,

00:44:49.519 --> 00:44:49.799
 for the

00:44:49.799 --> 00:44:50.440
 marriage of

00:44:50.440 --> 00:44:51.019
 the Lamb

00:44:51.019 --> 00:44:51.759
 has come,

00:44:51.819 --> 00:44:52.239
 and His

00:44:52.239 --> 00:44:53.619
 bride has

00:44:53.619 --> 00:44:54.440
 made herself

00:44:54.440 --> 00:44:54.860
 ready.

00:44:55.239 --> 00:44:55.639
 It was

00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:56.539
 granted her

00:44:56.539 --> 00:44:57.239
 to clothe

00:44:57.239 --> 00:44:57.980
 herself with

00:44:57.980 --> 00:44:58.719
 fine linen,

00:44:58.860 --> 00:44:59.259
 bright and

00:44:59.259 --> 00:44:59.500
 pure,

00:44:59.840 --> 00:45:00.159
 and the

00:45:00.159 --> 00:45:00.840
 fine linen

00:45:00.840 --> 00:45:01.739
 is the

00:45:01.739 --> 00:45:02.460
 righteous deeds

00:45:02.460 --> 00:45:02.840
 of the

00:45:02.840 --> 00:45:03.159
 saints.

00:45:03.239 --> 00:45:03.460
 And the

00:45:03.460 --> 00:45:04.119
 angel said

00:45:04.119 --> 00:45:04.559
 to me,

00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:05.639
 write this,

00:45:05.860 --> 00:45:06.539
 blessed are

00:45:06.539 --> 00:45:07.039
 those who

00:45:07.039 --> 00:45:07.539
 are invited

00:45:07.539 --> 00:45:08.340
 to the

00:45:08.340 --> 00:45:08.679
 marriage

00:45:08.679 --> 00:45:09.199
 supper of

00:45:09.199 --> 00:45:09.679
 the Lamb.

00:45:10.039 --> 00:45:10.380
 And He

00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:10.940
 said to me,

00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:11.460
 these are

00:45:11.460 --> 00:45:11.980
 the true

00:45:11.980 --> 00:45:12.619
 words of

00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:13.000
 God.

00:45:14.579 --> 00:45:15.179
 Friends,

00:45:15.259 --> 00:45:15.539
 do you

00:45:15.539 --> 00:45:16.259
 see that

00:45:16.259 --> 00:45:16.819
 this is

00:45:16.819 --> 00:45:17.199
 the good

00:45:17.199 --> 00:45:17.599
 news of

00:45:17.599 --> 00:45:18.119
 the gospel

00:45:18.119 --> 00:45:19.000
 in

00:45:19.000 --> 00:45:19.500
 marriage?

00:45:20.219 --> 00:45:20.759
 That

00:45:20.759 --> 00:45:21.659
 Jesus has

00:45:21.659 --> 00:45:22.299
 come to

00:45:22.299 --> 00:45:23.519
 us to

00:45:23.519 --> 00:45:24.360
 win us

00:45:24.360 --> 00:45:25.079
 out of

00:45:25.079 --> 00:45:25.799
 our sin

00:45:25.799 --> 00:45:26.559
 and our

00:45:26.559 --> 00:45:27.480
 unfaithfulness

00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:28.340
 and our

00:45:28.340 --> 00:45:29.159
 infidelity,

00:45:29.159 --> 00:45:30.239
 out of the

00:45:30.239 --> 00:45:31.119
 stain and

00:45:31.119 --> 00:45:31.920
 the brokenness

00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:32.519
 of our

00:45:32.519 --> 00:45:33.239
 lives,

00:45:33.239 --> 00:45:34.239
 God's

00:45:34.239 --> 00:45:35.039
 to make

00:45:35.039 --> 00:45:35.199
 us to

00:45:35.199 --> 00:45:35.319
 make us

00:45:35.319 --> 00:45:36.000
 His

00:45:36.000 --> 00:45:36.919
 perfect

00:45:36.919 --> 00:45:37.539
 bride.

00:45:39.299 --> 00:45:39.979
 If we

00:45:39.979 --> 00:45:40.479
 came to

00:45:40.479 --> 00:45:40.759
 Him,

00:45:40.979 --> 00:45:41.479
 we would

00:45:41.479 --> 00:45:42.259
 all be

00:45:42.259 --> 00:45:43.079
 the

00:45:43.079 --> 00:45:43.879
 adulterous,

00:45:44.139 --> 00:45:44.599
 wayward

00:45:44.599 --> 00:45:45.459
 spouse,

00:45:46.259 --> 00:45:46.979
 because our

00:45:46.979 --> 00:45:48.199
 faithfulness

00:45:48.199 --> 00:45:49.319
 is never

00:45:49.319 --> 00:45:50.619
 pure and

00:45:50.619 --> 00:45:50.939
 perfect,

00:45:51.079 --> 00:45:51.559
 because our

00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:52.259
 unfaithfulness,

00:45:52.759 --> 00:45:53.539
 our hearts

00:45:53.539 --> 00:45:54.199
 are prone

00:45:54.199 --> 00:45:54.979
 to wander.

00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:56.939
 But Jesus

00:45:56.939 --> 00:45:57.679
 comes and

00:45:57.679 --> 00:45:58.099
 He takes

00:45:58.099 --> 00:45:59.079
 hold of us

00:45:59.079 --> 00:46:00.099
 by His

00:46:00.099 --> 00:46:00.940
 love and

00:46:00.940 --> 00:46:01.440
 by His

00:46:01.440 --> 00:46:01.900
 Spirit.

00:46:02.159 --> 00:46:02.920
 He convicts

00:46:02.920 --> 00:46:03.219
 us of

00:46:03.219 --> 00:46:03.980
 sin and

00:46:03.980 --> 00:46:04.519
 brings us

00:46:04.519 --> 00:46:05.239
 to repentance

00:46:05.239 --> 00:46:06.539
 and faith

00:46:06.539 --> 00:46:07.000
 and by

00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:08.019
 union with

00:46:08.019 --> 00:46:08.480
 Him,

00:46:09.579 --> 00:46:10.099
 we are

00:46:10.099 --> 00:46:10.920
 now His

00:46:10.920 --> 00:46:11.539
 bride.

00:46:13.139 --> 00:46:13.940
 And how

00:46:13.940 --> 00:46:15.380
 blessed are

00:46:15.380 --> 00:46:16.039
 we who are

00:46:16.039 --> 00:46:17.259
 invited to

00:46:17.259 --> 00:46:17.779
 the marriage

00:46:17.779 --> 00:46:18.500
 supper of

00:46:18.500 --> 00:46:19.019
 the Lamb.

00:46:21.119 --> 00:46:22.039
 This is the

00:46:22.039 --> 00:46:22.539
 good news of

00:46:22.539 --> 00:46:23.039
 the gospel.

00:46:24.239 --> 00:46:25.059
 And this is

00:46:25.059 --> 00:46:25.699
 the power

00:46:25.699 --> 00:46:26.779
 for us

00:46:26.779 --> 00:46:28.419
 to respond

00:46:28.419 --> 00:46:29.000
 to Jesus'

00:46:29.299 --> 00:46:30.099
 call today.

00:46:32.379 --> 00:46:32.939
 Friends,

00:46:33.019 --> 00:46:33.339
 if you've

00:46:33.339 --> 00:46:34.019
 been convicted

00:46:34.019 --> 00:46:34.659
 that you've

00:46:34.659 --> 00:46:35.379
 not following,

00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:36.579
 that you have

00:46:36.579 --> 00:46:37.179
 not followed

00:46:37.179 --> 00:46:37.819
 or are not

00:46:37.819 --> 00:46:38.839
 following Jesus,

00:46:40.299 --> 00:46:40.980
 repent of

00:46:40.980 --> 00:46:41.559
 your sin

00:46:41.559 --> 00:46:43.339
 and receive

00:46:43.339 --> 00:46:44.299
 His forgiveness.

00:46:44.919 --> 00:46:45.559
 Know that

00:46:45.559 --> 00:46:46.179
 this is not

00:46:46.179 --> 00:46:47.039
 unforgivable,

00:46:47.239 --> 00:46:47.779
 that Jesus

00:46:47.779 --> 00:46:48.639
 by His life

00:46:48.639 --> 00:46:48.980
 and death

00:46:48.980 --> 00:46:49.579
 and resurrection

00:46:49.579 --> 00:46:50.659
 will cleanse

00:46:50.659 --> 00:46:51.019
 you from

00:46:51.019 --> 00:46:52.000
 all your sin

00:46:52.000 --> 00:46:53.639
 and free

00:46:53.639 --> 00:46:54.000
 you from

00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:55.059
 unrighteousness

00:46:55.059 --> 00:46:55.820
 so that you

00:46:55.820 --> 00:46:56.279
 can live

00:46:56.279 --> 00:46:57.019
 a new life.

00:46:58.619 --> 00:46:59.099
 Friends,

00:46:59.159 --> 00:46:59.679
 if you are

00:46:59.679 --> 00:47:00.480
 in a hard

00:47:00.480 --> 00:47:01.059
 marriage

00:47:01.059 --> 00:47:02.360
 and you

00:47:02.360 --> 00:47:02.779
 look at

00:47:02.779 --> 00:47:03.259
 your spouse

00:47:03.259 --> 00:47:03.619
 and you

00:47:03.619 --> 00:47:03.880
 think,

00:47:04.059 --> 00:47:04.480
 I don't

00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:04.880
 know if

00:47:04.880 --> 00:47:05.179
 I can

00:47:05.179 --> 00:47:05.779
 keep doing

00:47:05.779 --> 00:47:06.139
 this,

00:47:06.799 --> 00:47:07.539
 look at

00:47:07.539 --> 00:47:08.119
 your Savior

00:47:08.119 --> 00:47:11.000
 and know

00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:11.440
 how much

00:47:11.440 --> 00:47:11.719
 He has

00:47:11.719 --> 00:47:12.440
 loved you

00:47:12.440 --> 00:47:20.340
 and love

00:47:20.340 --> 00:47:20.940
 one another,

00:47:21.820 --> 00:47:22.599
 not even

00:47:22.599 --> 00:47:23.059
 for their

00:47:23.059 --> 00:47:23.400
 sake,

00:47:23.400 --> 00:47:24.480
 but for

00:47:24.480 --> 00:47:24.780
 Jesus'

00:47:25.039 --> 00:47:25.300
 sake.

00:47:28.300 --> 00:47:29.059
 Where

00:47:29.059 --> 00:47:29.340
 there's

00:47:29.340 --> 00:47:29.539
 been

00:47:29.539 --> 00:47:30.220
 betrayal,

00:47:31.660 --> 00:47:34.960
 let God's

00:47:34.960 --> 00:47:35.420
 forgiveness

00:47:35.420 --> 00:47:36.220
 of you

00:47:36.220 --> 00:47:37.360
 be the

00:47:37.360 --> 00:47:37.700
 starting

00:47:37.700 --> 00:47:38.200
 point.

00:47:41.440 --> 00:47:41.720
 And

00:47:41.720 --> 00:47:42.119
 friends,

00:47:42.240 --> 00:47:43.039
 where there

00:47:43.039 --> 00:47:43.760
 has been

00:47:43.760 --> 00:47:44.480
 or is

00:47:44.480 --> 00:47:45.340
 hard-heartedness

00:47:45.340 --> 00:47:46.320
 and abandonment,

00:47:46.960 --> 00:47:48.480
 when it

00:47:48.480 --> 00:47:49.400
 really is

00:47:49.400 --> 00:47:49.860
 done,

00:47:49.860 --> 00:47:51.900
 grieve

00:47:51.900 --> 00:47:52.740
 with Jesus

00:47:52.740 --> 00:47:53.760
 the breakdown.

00:47:54.920 --> 00:47:55.800
 Let Him

00:47:55.800 --> 00:47:57.140
 be the

00:47:57.140 --> 00:47:57.640
 one who

00:47:57.640 --> 00:47:58.220
 is gentle

00:47:58.220 --> 00:47:59.039
 and lowly,

00:47:59.500 --> 00:48:01.360
 who invites

00:48:01.360 --> 00:48:02.099
 you to

00:48:02.099 --> 00:48:03.740
 give Him

00:48:03.740 --> 00:48:04.420
 your burdens.

00:48:05.420 --> 00:48:06.380
 Let Him

00:48:06.380 --> 00:48:06.760
 be your

00:48:06.760 --> 00:48:07.559
 comfort and

00:48:07.559 --> 00:48:08.160
 your rock

00:48:08.160 --> 00:48:10.240
 and the

00:48:10.240 --> 00:48:10.700
 lover of

00:48:10.700 --> 00:48:11.240
 your soul

00:48:11.240 --> 00:48:12.840
 better than

00:48:12.840 --> 00:48:13.120
 any.

00:48:13.119 --> 00:48:17.579
 and for

00:48:17.579 --> 00:48:18.380
 all of us

00:48:18.380 --> 00:48:19.599
 this morning,

00:48:19.759 --> 00:48:20.119
 let us

00:48:20.119 --> 00:48:21.719
 marvel at

00:48:21.719 --> 00:48:22.359
 the love

00:48:22.359 --> 00:48:22.960
 that God

00:48:22.960 --> 00:48:23.420
 has shown

00:48:23.420 --> 00:48:23.759
 us.

00:48:25.239 --> 00:48:25.759
 Let us

00:48:25.759 --> 00:48:26.480
 pursue Him

00:48:26.480 --> 00:48:27.579
 and His

00:48:27.579 --> 00:48:27.859
 kingdom.

00:48:28.940 --> 00:48:29.539
 Let's pray.

00:48:31.739 --> 00:48:32.299
 Lord,

00:48:32.400 --> 00:48:36.579
 we feel

00:48:36.579 --> 00:48:36.980
 the weight

00:48:36.980 --> 00:48:37.299
 of these

00:48:37.299 --> 00:48:37.719
 words,

00:48:38.920 --> 00:48:40.559
 Spirit,

00:48:40.559 --> 00:48:41.000
 and so

00:48:41.000 --> 00:48:41.559
 often,

00:48:42.940 --> 00:48:43.539
 Lord,

00:48:43.639 --> 00:48:44.019
 those of

00:48:44.019 --> 00:48:44.360
 us with

00:48:44.360 --> 00:48:44.659
 tender

00:48:44.659 --> 00:48:45.279
 consciences

00:48:45.279 --> 00:48:45.920
 are overly

00:48:45.920 --> 00:48:46.480
 burdened,

00:48:46.500 --> 00:48:46.840
 and those

00:48:46.840 --> 00:48:47.179
 of us

00:48:47.179 --> 00:48:47.699
 with hardened

00:48:47.699 --> 00:48:48.340
 consciences

00:48:48.340 --> 00:48:49.739
 are untouched

00:48:49.739 --> 00:48:50.480
 by Your

00:48:50.480 --> 00:48:50.799
 Word.

00:48:52.219 --> 00:48:52.460
 Lord,

00:48:52.500 --> 00:48:52.880
 I pray

00:48:52.880 --> 00:48:53.559
 today that

00:48:53.559 --> 00:48:53.940
 by Your

00:48:53.940 --> 00:48:54.259
 Spirit,

00:48:54.360 --> 00:48:54.639
 You would

00:48:54.639 --> 00:48:55.219
 sort out

00:48:55.219 --> 00:48:55.559
 in our

00:48:55.559 --> 00:48:55.940
 hearts,

00:48:56.420 --> 00:48:56.799
 that You

00:48:56.799 --> 00:48:57.420
 would convict

00:48:57.420 --> 00:48:57.779
 us of

00:48:57.779 --> 00:48:59.059
 sin and

00:48:59.059 --> 00:49:00.099
 of unrighteousness.

00:49:01.460 --> 00:49:01.940
 Lord,

00:49:02.000 --> 00:49:02.579
 I pray that

00:49:02.579 --> 00:49:03.259
 You would

00:49:03.259 --> 00:49:04.659
 also comfort

00:49:04.659 --> 00:49:09.059
 and help

00:49:09.059 --> 00:49:11.579
 those who

00:49:11.579 --> 00:49:12.179
 feel great

00:49:12.179 --> 00:49:12.860
 burdens of

00:49:12.860 --> 00:49:13.199
 hurt,

00:49:13.980 --> 00:49:14.400
 shame

00:49:14.400 --> 00:49:14.880
 today.

00:49:16.900 --> 00:49:17.460
 Oh,

00:49:17.539 --> 00:49:17.719
 Lord,

00:49:17.799 --> 00:49:18.159
 do this

00:49:18.159 --> 00:49:18.500
 work,

00:49:18.739 --> 00:49:19.299
 we pray,

00:49:21.320 --> 00:49:21.559
 Lord,

00:49:21.619 --> 00:49:21.860
 so that

00:49:21.860 --> 00:49:22.239
 we might

00:49:22.239 --> 00:49:22.659
 know

00:49:22.659 --> 00:49:25.119
 the amazing

00:49:25.119 --> 00:49:26.599
 gospel of

00:49:26.599 --> 00:49:27.000
 grace,

00:49:28.500 --> 00:49:28.840
 that You

00:49:28.840 --> 00:49:29.219
 have not

00:49:29.219 --> 00:49:29.659
 loved us

00:49:29.659 --> 00:49:30.259
 because we've

00:49:30.259 --> 00:49:30.900
 deserved it,

00:49:32.119 --> 00:49:35.299
 but You

00:49:35.299 --> 00:49:35.719
 have loved

00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:36.159
 us well.

00:49:36.159 --> 00:49:38.739
 and in

00:49:38.739 --> 00:49:39.019
 Jesus,

00:49:39.219 --> 00:49:39.539
 You have

00:49:39.539 --> 00:49:40.079
 saved us

00:49:40.079 --> 00:49:40.500
 from our

00:49:40.500 --> 00:49:40.899
 sin and

00:49:40.899 --> 00:49:41.339
 made us

00:49:41.339 --> 00:49:41.799
 Your own.

00:49:42.599 --> 00:49:43.219
 What great

00:49:43.219 --> 00:49:43.699
 joy that

00:49:43.699 --> 00:49:43.960
 is.

00:49:45.079 --> 00:49:45.639
 Be with

00:49:45.639 --> 00:49:46.099
 us now,

00:49:47.099 --> 00:49:47.759
 in Jesus'

00:49:48.019 --> 00:49:48.179
 name,

00:49:48.299 --> 00:49:48.539
 amen.

00:49:49.940 --> 00:49:50.420
 Friends,

00:49:50.539 --> 00:49:50.940
 we're going

00:49:50.940 --> 00:49:51.819
 to end

00:49:51.819 --> 00:49:52.480
 our service

00:49:52.480 --> 00:49:54.019
 with going

00:49:54.019 --> 00:49:54.319
 to the

00:49:54.319 --> 00:49:54.679
 Lord's

00:49:54.679 --> 00:49:55.159
 Supper as

00:49:55.159 --> 00:49:55.539
 the worship

00:49:55.539 --> 00:49:56.159
 team comes

00:49:56.159 --> 00:49:56.399
 up.

00:49:57.359 --> 00:49:57.980
 There are

00:49:57.980 --> 00:49:58.379
 lots of

00:49:58.379 --> 00:49:58.960
 different ways

00:49:58.960 --> 00:49:59.339
 we could

00:49:59.339 --> 00:49:59.940
 talk about

00:49:59.940 --> 00:50:00.500
 what we

00:50:00.500 --> 00:50:00.960
 do when

00:50:00.960 --> 00:50:01.319
 we come

00:50:01.319 --> 00:50:01.679
 to the

00:50:01.679 --> 00:50:02.000
 table.

00:50:03.159 --> 00:50:03.799
 One of

00:50:03.799 --> 00:50:04.179
 the ways

00:50:04.179 --> 00:50:04.659
 that I think

00:50:04.659 --> 00:50:05.039
 we can

00:50:05.039 --> 00:50:05.519
 frame it

00:50:05.519 --> 00:50:06.039
 is this.

00:50:06.960 --> 00:50:07.619
 This is

00:50:07.619 --> 00:50:08.159
 the marriage

00:50:08.159 --> 00:50:08.719
 supper of

00:50:08.719 --> 00:50:09.179
 the Lamb,

00:50:09.559 --> 00:50:10.239
 where we

00:50:10.239 --> 00:50:10.659
 get to

00:50:10.659 --> 00:50:11.199
 come and

00:50:11.199 --> 00:50:13.279
 partake of

00:50:13.279 --> 00:50:13.859
 the cup and

00:50:13.859 --> 00:50:14.500
 of the juice

00:50:14.500 --> 00:50:15.359
 to remember

00:50:15.359 --> 00:50:16.619
 His great

00:50:16.619 --> 00:50:17.739
 love for

00:50:17.739 --> 00:50:18.299
 us.

00:50:18.899 --> 00:50:19.500
 It is a

00:50:19.500 --> 00:50:20.980
 celebration of

00:50:20.980 --> 00:50:21.940
 our salvation

00:50:21.940 --> 00:50:23.379
 that He has

00:50:23.379 --> 00:50:23.960
 worked for

00:50:23.960 --> 00:50:25.019
 us and the

00:50:25.019 --> 00:50:25.879
 love that He

00:50:25.879 --> 00:50:27.539
 shows us in

00:50:27.539 --> 00:50:28.099
 Christ.

00:50:29.199 --> 00:50:29.839
 And if you

00:50:29.839 --> 00:50:30.399
 this morning

00:50:30.399 --> 00:50:30.980
 are here and

00:50:30.980 --> 00:50:31.759
 you have placed

00:50:31.759 --> 00:50:32.639
 your faith in

00:50:32.639 --> 00:50:33.059
 Christ,

00:50:33.920 --> 00:50:35.039
 then let this

00:50:35.039 --> 00:50:35.879
 be a time for

00:50:35.880 --> 00:50:36.640
 you to come

00:50:36.640 --> 00:50:38.079
 and remember

00:50:38.079 --> 00:50:39.039
 and rejoice

00:50:39.039 --> 00:50:40.660
 in His love

00:50:40.660 --> 00:50:41.280
 for you.

00:50:41.280 --> 00:50:42.260
 If God has

00:50:42.260 --> 00:50:43.079
 convicted you of

00:50:43.079 --> 00:50:43.940
 sin this morning,

00:50:44.300 --> 00:50:45.380
 come and take

00:50:45.380 --> 00:50:48.400
 so that you

00:50:48.400 --> 00:50:49.059
 might know

00:50:49.059 --> 00:50:49.860
 His forgiveness.

00:50:51.019 --> 00:50:52.099
 If you find

00:50:52.099 --> 00:50:52.599
 your heart

00:50:52.599 --> 00:50:53.119
 hardened,

00:50:53.800 --> 00:50:54.820
 let Him break

00:50:54.820 --> 00:50:55.360
 your heart

00:50:55.360 --> 00:50:56.559
 again by

00:50:56.559 --> 00:50:57.579
 remembering the

00:50:57.579 --> 00:50:58.559
 degree, the

00:50:58.559 --> 00:50:59.360
 sacrifice that

00:50:59.360 --> 00:51:00.440
 Jesus made for

00:51:00.440 --> 00:51:01.539
 you with His

00:51:01.539 --> 00:51:02.760
 very own body,

00:51:02.760 --> 00:51:03.720
 His very own

00:51:03.720 --> 00:51:05.200
 blood shed for

00:51:05.200 --> 00:51:06.420
 you, bearing

00:51:06.420 --> 00:51:07.120
 the punishment

00:51:07.120 --> 00:51:08.400
 for your sin.

00:51:10.040 --> 00:51:10.960
 If you're here

00:51:10.960 --> 00:51:12.120
 this morning and

00:51:12.120 --> 00:51:13.200
 you haven't placed

00:51:13.200 --> 00:51:13.880
 your faith in

00:51:13.880 --> 00:51:14.960
 Christ, we would

00:51:14.960 --> 00:51:15.700
 ask, let the

00:51:15.700 --> 00:51:16.620
 elements pass by.

00:51:16.740 --> 00:51:17.840
 Don't take of it

00:51:17.840 --> 00:51:18.760
 because it is an

00:51:18.760 --> 00:51:19.620
 expression of faith,

00:51:19.720 --> 00:51:21.340
 but rather consider

00:51:21.340 --> 00:51:22.920
 the message of

00:51:22.920 --> 00:51:25.700
 Jesus' love for

00:51:25.700 --> 00:51:26.620
 people like you

00:51:26.620 --> 00:51:27.080
 and me.

00:51:28.420 --> 00:51:29.140
 And know Jesus'

00:51:29.139 --> 00:51:30.179
 invitation to

00:51:30.179 --> 00:51:31.579
 come to Him

00:51:31.579 --> 00:51:32.900
 and by faith

00:51:32.900 --> 00:51:33.759
 receive His

00:51:33.759 --> 00:51:35.379
 gift of salvation

00:51:35.379 --> 00:51:36.460
 this morning.

00:51:37.619 --> 00:51:38.239
 Friends, we're

00:51:38.239 --> 00:51:38.759
 going to spend a

00:51:38.759 --> 00:51:39.519
 few minutes just

00:51:39.519 --> 00:51:40.699
 in reflection.

00:51:41.500 --> 00:51:42.519
 The worship team

00:51:42.519 --> 00:51:43.299
 is going to play

00:51:43.299 --> 00:51:44.440
 from There is a

00:51:44.440 --> 00:51:45.099
 Fountain Filled

00:51:45.099 --> 00:51:45.719
 with Blood,

00:51:46.359 --> 00:51:47.319
 just for us to

00:51:47.319 --> 00:51:48.259
 have a few minutes

00:51:48.259 --> 00:51:49.559
 of quiet before

00:51:49.559 --> 00:51:50.539
 we take together.

00:51:50.739 --> 00:51:51.559
 If you have not

00:51:51.559 --> 00:51:52.920
 gotten the

00:51:52.920 --> 00:51:54.879
 elements, if you

00:51:54.879 --> 00:51:55.460
 haven't gotten one

00:51:55.460 --> 00:51:57.139
 of these, there

00:51:57.139 --> 00:51:58.079
 are ushers on the

00:51:58.079 --> 00:51:58.859
 side who can get

00:51:58.860 --> 00:51:59.440
 this as well.

00:51:59.559 --> 00:52:00.680
 So let's meditate

00:52:00.680 --> 00:52:02.120
 as we prepare our

00:52:02.120 --> 00:52:03.280
 hearts for communion.

00:52:03.280 --> 00:52:03.380
 Thank you.

00:52:28.860 --> 00:52:29.960
 for watching.

00:52:30.059 --> 00:52:40.920
 Thank you.

00:52:40.920 --> 00:53:09.920
 ¶¶

00:53:10.920 --> 00:53:39.920
 ¶¶

00:53:40.920 --> 00:53:45.920
 ¶¶

00:53:45.920 --> 00:53:47.920
 ¶¶

00:53:47.920 --> 00:53:49.920
 ¶¶

00:53:49.920 --> 00:53:50.920
 ¶¶

00:53:50.920 --> 00:53:55.920
 ¶¶

00:53:55.920 --> 00:54:04.740
 Washed all my sins away, away, washed all my sins away.

00:54:05.920 --> 00:54:11.740
 Beneath that cleansing flood, He washed all our sins away.

00:54:11.739 --> 00:54:17.079
 This is what the Apostle Paul wrote.

00:54:17.079 --> 00:54:18.079
 ¶¶

00:54:18.079 --> 00:54:19.079
 ¶¶

00:54:19.079 --> 00:54:20.079
 ¶¶

00:54:20.079 --> 00:54:22.079
 ¶¶

00:54:22.079 --> 00:54:24.079
 ¶¶

00:54:24.079 --> 00:54:25.079
 ¶¶

00:54:25.079 --> 00:54:27.079
 ¶¶

00:54:27.079 --> 00:54:29.079
 ¶¶

00:54:29.079 --> 00:54:31.079
 ¶¶

00:54:31.079 --> 00:54:32.079
 ¶¶

00:54:32.079 --> 00:54:34.079
 ¶¶

00:54:34.079 --> 00:54:37.079
 ¶¶

00:54:37.079 --> 00:54:38.079
 ¶¶

00:54:38.079 --> 00:54:39.079
 ¶¶

00:54:39.079 --> 00:54:40.079
 ¶¶

00:54:40.079 --> 00:54:47.079
 ¶¶

00:54:47.079 --> 00:54:48.079
 ¶¶

00:54:48.079 --> 00:54:50.079
 ¶¶

00:54:50.079 --> 00:54:51.079
 ¶¶

00:54:51.079 --> 00:54:53.079
 ¶¶

00:54:53.079 --> 00:54:55.079
 ¶¶

00:54:55.079 --> 00:54:58.639
 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.

00:54:59.000 --> 00:55:01.440
 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

00:55:02.319 --> 00:55:05.400
 you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

00:55:06.539 --> 00:55:08.179
 Let's take a cup together.

00:55:13.619 --> 00:55:17.920
 Oh, Lord, what great love that you have shown us

00:55:17.920 --> 00:55:21.139
 that while we were still sinners, you died for us.

00:55:21.139 --> 00:55:25.799
 And, Lord, thank you now that because of the new covenant in your blood,

00:55:27.000 --> 00:55:29.239
 Lord, there is nothing that can separate us,

00:55:29.900 --> 00:55:34.440
 life or death or anything else.

00:55:36.480 --> 00:55:39.359
 Oh, Lord, what great love you have loved us with.

00:55:41.920 --> 00:55:43.900
 Pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.