WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.160
 Good morning.

00:00:04.820 --> 00:00:08.839
 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church,

00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:12.120
 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today.

00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:16.879
 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us.

00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:21.960
 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats,

00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.980
 but because we're following Jesus together as one community.

00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:30.240
 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good,

00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:33.700
 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad they can't have it,

00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:39.600
 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word.

00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:43.359
 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark,

00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:48.939
 and you'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection.

00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:53.939
 When we were in the first half, chapters 1 through 8, we were asking these two questions,

00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:56.039
 who is Jesus and how do we respond to Him?

00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:00.640
 Peter gives this definitive answer in the middle of chapter 8 to Jesus' identity,

00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:02.039
 proclaiming that He's the Christ.

00:01:02.619 --> 00:01:06.819
 And from that point on in the Gospel, we're sort of following Jesus to the cross

00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:11.459
 as He explains what it actually means to come after Him.

00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:15.180
 And as we've seen, it involves tremendous joy,

00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:19.299
 but also more suffering than we might choose or like.

00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:23.159
 We're continuing that theme this morning,

00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:28.799
 and we're going to be talking about a very painful topic for many of us,

00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:33.340
 which Jesus is going to come and teach His disciples about divorce.

00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:39.000
 Now, as your pastor, I, of course, think about you all every week,

00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:42.420
 but you've been especially on my mind this week,

00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:46.219
 because as I think of our congregation, this family,

00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:53.000
 I am painfully aware of the fact that divorce is not an abstract concept for us.

00:01:53.679 --> 00:01:57.159
 I know that many of you have experienced divorce personally,

00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:00.920
 and just as many, if not more of you,

00:02:01.099 --> 00:02:05.719
 have walked with a son or a daughter through their divorce.

00:02:06.539 --> 00:02:09.639
 And if you're a parent, you know oftentimes it's more painful

00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:14.520
 to watch something happen to your child than to go through it yourself.

00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:18.500
 You're tempted to wish that you could change places with them

00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:20.420
 so they wouldn't have to suffer.

00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:24.660
 And so it's not just that it's a concrete topic for us,

00:02:24.660 --> 00:02:30.180
 but it's also very painful and haunting no matter the circumstances.

00:02:30.740 --> 00:02:33.200
 And so I imagine for many of you, as we talk about this,

00:02:33.260 --> 00:02:36.060
 there are going to be all sorts of memories that are stirred up for you.

00:02:36.760 --> 00:02:39.760
 And I just want to remind you in the midst of that,

00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:43.680
 that Jesus was your shepherd before you showed up this morning.

00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:47.540
 He's going to be your shepherd when you leave.

00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.140
 And he's also your shepherd right now.

00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:57.020
 And he may not make you comfortable, but he does offer his comfort.

00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:02.680
 And so Jesus is with you in the midst of that.

00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:06.600
 We don't just face the challenge of pain and memories

00:03:06.600 --> 00:03:10.180
 as we talk about this topic together, but there's also some risks.

00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:14.060
 There's some mistakes that we can make as we look at Jesus' teaching.

00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:17.680
 The first mistake is the mistake of assuming

00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:21.719
 that everyone who is divorced has sinned somehow.

00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:24.819
 I had a mentor who shared with me at one point,

00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:28.639
 after his mother and father's divorce, when his mother would attend church,

00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:33.780
 she felt like she was walking in wearing this big scarlet D on her chest,

00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:38.079
 that she was known as the woman who had been divorced.

00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:42.879
 So it's important for us to recognize there are people who have sinned in this

00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:45.900
 and there are people who have been sinned against.

00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:51.640
 And so we need to be extremely careful in making assumptions about other people's stories.

00:03:53.040 --> 00:03:56.700
 The other mistake we can make is for those who look back

00:03:56.700 --> 00:03:58.599
 as they look at Jesus' teaching and they realize,

00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:03.040
 yeah, there are ways that I've really failed in this area.

00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:05.700
 And there's a risk of just wallowing in that shame

00:04:05.700 --> 00:04:07.140
 and not knowing what to do with it.

00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:12.040
 And so it's important to recognize that as we talk about Jesus' word,

00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:14.120
 it includes God's grace to us.

00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:17.959
 That Jesus' forgiveness is real.

00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:24.439
 And so we embrace that forgiveness and we walk in it.

00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:26.519
 That's the essence of the gospel, right?

00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:29.660
 The gospel assumes that we've made mistakes,

00:04:29.840 --> 00:04:31.300
 that we've sinned, that we've failed,

00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:34.840
 and we move forward following Jesus.

00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:38.920
 And so with that being said, I'll remind you as I say sometimes,

00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:40.920
 I'm going to say something, not everything.

00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:45.280
 And this is the beginning of a conversation, not the end of a conversation.

00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:47.900
 And so if there are things that you want to discuss more,

00:04:48.400 --> 00:04:50.340
 I'm happy to meet and do that.

00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:53.140
 With that in mind, let's turn together to God's word.

00:04:53.280 --> 00:04:55.819
 You can turn with me in your Bible.

00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:57.280
 You can turn in your worship guide.

00:04:57.900 --> 00:04:59.360
 You can turn on your phone.

00:04:59.700 --> 00:05:02.819
 No matter where you turn, this is God's word.

00:05:02.819 --> 00:05:07.219
 And God tells us in 30 verse 5 that every word of God proves true.

00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:11.560
 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:14.120
 And so that's why we read now starting at verse 1.

00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:19.399
 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan,

00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:21.280
 and crowds gathered to him again.

00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:24.899
 And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.759
 And Pharisees came up, and in order to test him, asked,

00:05:29.340 --> 00:05:32.379
 Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?

00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:36.480
 He answered them, What did Moses command you?

00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:43.580
 They said, Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.

00:05:44.580 --> 00:05:49.960
 And Jesus said to them, Because of your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.

00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:51.300
 Verse 6,

00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:55.600
 But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

00:05:56.640 --> 00:06:00.540
 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,

00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:03.520
 and the two shall become one flesh.

00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:06.799
 So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:12.279
 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

00:06:13.419 --> 00:06:16.519
 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

00:06:17.299 --> 00:06:18.159
 And he said to them,

00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:23.379
 Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:29.699
 And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.

00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:35.319
 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word.

00:06:37.039 --> 00:06:43.240
 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that you are a good shepherd and our good father.

00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:49.579
 And like a good father, you don't shy away from hard or sensitive or tender topics,

00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:53.879
 but instead you speak to us clearly because you love us.

00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:56.339
 And we ask that you would do that this morning.

00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:02.500
 We confess that your word is always too much for us unless you help us.

00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:06.179
 And we confess that's especially true this morning.

00:07:06.299 --> 00:07:10.519
 And so we ask for that help, that your spirit would be at work here,

00:07:11.039 --> 00:07:12.799
 that you would speak clearly to us,

00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.199
 and that you would comfort and be with us

00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:19.959
 as we face perhaps our own failures,

00:07:20.099 --> 00:07:21.159
 the failures of others,

00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:24.599
 and memories that we would rather forget.

00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:27.080
 We know that your grace is enough.

00:07:28.200 --> 00:07:30.020
 And so we simply ask for these things,

00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:32.200
 knowing that we don't have to earn them or deserve them,

00:07:32.260 --> 00:07:35.660
 but instead we ask for them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:36.360
 Amen.

00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:41.780
 We see at the beginning of this passage,

00:07:42.080 --> 00:07:44.400
 Jesus is on the move again.

00:07:44.960 --> 00:07:47.640
 The last time he changed locations was in chapter 9,

00:07:47.700 --> 00:07:48.879
 when he was in Capernaum.

00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:50.240
 And we're told verse 1 here,

00:07:50.580 --> 00:07:53.960
 he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan.

00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:56.719
 Now, if you're familiar with where the Sea of Galilee is

00:07:56.719 --> 00:07:57.759
 and where Jerusalem is,

00:07:57.799 --> 00:08:01.819
 you'll know at this point that Jesus is taking a journey south.

00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:06.839
 In other words, Jesus is doing what I've already told you about the Gospel of Mark.

00:08:06.919 --> 00:08:08.699
 He's heading towards Jerusalem.

00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:14.919
 Jesus is on his last journey here as he makes his way to the cross.

00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.620
 And as he does this, verse 2,

00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:19.779
 these Pharisees come as we've seen before,

00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:21.019
 and they test him.

00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:25.479
 Now, we talked about in the past that this word test is not a friendly word.

00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:28.139
 They are not coming with genuine questions.

00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:30.159
 They are not seeking understanding.

00:08:30.659 --> 00:08:33.879
 No, instead, they want to trap Jesus.

00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.840
 In fact, there's two ways that they can trap him here.

00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:41.720
 First, they are pulling him into this intramural Jewish debate

00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:44.199
 about Deuteronomy chapter 24.

00:08:44.579 --> 00:08:48.100
 Deuteronomy chapter 24 lays out conditions for divorce,

00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:52.240
 and it says you can divorce if there is anything indecent.

00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:55.639
 Now, there were two camps to translating that phrase.

00:08:55.820 --> 00:09:01.480
 One camp of rabbis believed anything indecent only referred to sexual unfaithfulness.

00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:05.879
 Another camp interpreted it as almost anything.

00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.320
 And so there was a strict camp,

00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:11.440
 and only if there's sexual unfaithfulness,

00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:13.620
 and there was sort of this no-fault divorce camp.

00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:17.799
 So they're pulling Jesus into this debate to try to get him to weigh in.

00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:21.080
 The other way they're potentially trying to trap him

00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:24.519
 is that Jesus is now back in Herod's territory.

00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:27.860
 Remember what Herod did back in chapter 6.

00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.379
 He beheaded John the Baptist for opposing his marriage.

00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:35.620
 And you'll recall that John the Baptist had married Herod,

00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:38.860
 had married Herodias, his brother's wife.

00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.700
 What did she have to do to marry him?

00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.539
 She had to divorce her brother.

00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:47.639
 And so potentially the hope is we will get Jesus on the record against this.

00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.740
 Herod took care of John the Baptist.

00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:52.639
 Herod can take care of Jesus for us.

00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.839
 They have set this up.

00:09:54.959 --> 00:09:59.339
 They're hoping here that Jesus is in a lose-lose situation.

00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:03.719
 As he always does, though, Jesus turns the tables on them.

00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:05.459
 And in verse 3, he says,

00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:08.519
 How about you answer your own question?

00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:12.159
 You tell me what Moses said.

00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:16.399
 In fact, he uses this word, what Moses commanded.

00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:20.799
 He's poking them because they have to admit the next verse

00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:23.059
 that Moses didn't command anything.

00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:28.059
 Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce

00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:30.360
 and send her away.

00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:33.399
 Jesus explains for them,

00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:36.460
 Okay, yeah, that's true that Moses allowed this.

00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.700
 Why did he do it?

00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:38.960
 Verse 5,

00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:42.600
 Because of your hardness of heart.

00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:47.840
 Jesus doesn't take sides in this debate.

00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:48.800
 He just says,

00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:53.919
 Look, what Moses did was not condoning or allowing divorce.

00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:56.939
 He was looking at a troubling situation

00:10:56.939 --> 00:11:03.319
 and choosing what some called the lesser of two evils.

00:11:04.079 --> 00:11:05.799
 And so he doesn't resolve this debate for us.

00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.919
 Is Deuteronomy talking about adultery

00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:10.839
 or is it talking about simply protecting a woman

00:11:10.839 --> 00:11:12.339
 who is in a vulnerable situation,

00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:15.839
 who's being divorced for a frivolous reason?

00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.419
 Either way, Jesus' point is clear.

00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:22.599
 Hardness of heart is not a good thing.

00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:28.120
 Your focus is entirely on the wrong place.

00:11:28.719 --> 00:11:31.559
 You are asking about how and when

00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:33.299
 and whether you can get divorced.

00:11:33.819 --> 00:11:35.759
 And instead, you should be focused

00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:39.000
 on the beauty and glory of marriage.

00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:42.799
 You should be focused not on how you can get out,

00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:45.360
 but how you can stay in.

00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:49.059
 Now, I just want to note for a minute

00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:51.659
 as we think about the Bible's teaching on divorce,

00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:53.879
 this is one of many passages.

00:11:54.579 --> 00:11:57.219
 And as we take all of those passages together,

00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:59.719
 the church is in agreement for the most part

00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:02.439
 that there are three categories of biblical divorce.

00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:05.799
 In other words, divorce that is not against God's law.

00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:08.019
 The first one is clear, adultery.

00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:12.639
 This was at least what Deuteronomy 24 was talking about.

00:12:13.199 --> 00:12:14.579
 Okay, so sexual unfaithfulness

00:12:14.579 --> 00:12:17.019
 is a biblical category of divorce.

00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:20.919
 The apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 7,

00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:23.779
 there's another category, the category of abandonment.

00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:26.659
 He says if one spouse leaves another,

00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:29.600
 the one who is left, the one who is abandoned,

00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.139
 is free to move on.

00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.980
 They're free to get married again.

00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:36.600
 And the third category is the category of abuse.

00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:39.340
 Now, we don't have a specific biblical text

00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:42.259
 that talks about abuse in marriage,

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:44.899
 but biblical scholars have considered abuse

00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:47.200
 to be a form of abandonment.

00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:49.939
 It's a subcategory of abandonment.

00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:51.360
 And so those are three categories

00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.340
 as we think about a biblical divorce.

00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:57.179
 We have adultery, abandonment, and abuse.

00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:59.460
 And this is one of many passages

00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:01.340
 that we pull together and look at

00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.960
 to come to this conclusion.

00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:06.539
 But Jesus here is actually not interested

00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:10.799
 in talking about reasons or pathways for divorce.

00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:12.279
 What he says here is, look,

00:13:12.699 --> 00:13:14.299
 you want to talk about divorce,

00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:16.199
 but we actually need to back up.

00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:20.279
 What I want to talk about is what is marriage.

00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:24.120
 Divorce is not going to make any sense.

00:13:24.219 --> 00:13:25.740
 I cannot answer your question.

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:28.019
 We can't get to the heart of the matter

00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:30.740
 until we get to the foundation of the matter.

00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:34.459
 What is it that we're actually talking about?

00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.979
 And as we'll see, Jesus teaching about divorce

00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:39.120
 only makes sense because of,

00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:42.440
 in light of his teaching on marriage.

00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:44.240
 And so we are also going to back up

00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:46.139
 and stop talking about divorce for a minute

00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.860
 and just talk about marriage

00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:50.460
 because that's what Jesus teaches about here

00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:52.279
 in verses six through nine.

00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:55.480
 First, in verse six,

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:58.620
 it's interesting that Jesus does not start

00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.060
 with the institution of marriage

00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:00.980
 in the book of Genesis.

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:04.379
 He actually backs up and talks about the fact

00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:08.320
 that God has created man, male, and female.

00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:13.060
 Now we might gloss over that in an earlier time period

00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:15.039
 right here in America in 2022.

00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:19.320
 This is a reminder for us that marriage is between

00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:25.000
 and marriage is only between a man and a woman.

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.559
 Amen.

00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:31.480
 And that is not arbitrary, okay?

00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:36.440
 That is not something that God flipped a coin and said,

00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:38.799
 you know, there's no real reason behind this.

00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:41.519
 I'm just going to make a judgment call.

00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:45.639
 No, there is a deep logic that's behind the fact

00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:48.259
 that marriage is between a man and a woman.

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:51.120
 There's this oneness that Jesus is going to talk about

00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.899
 later in the passage.

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:54.200
 He says they become one flesh.

00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:58.759
 That one flesh requires there to be some mission,

00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:00.759
 some purpose, some trajectory

00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:04.740
 beyond and outside of that marriage.

00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:07.540
 Full and true oneness means you're pointing

00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:10.259
 to something beyond yourselves.

00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:14.379
 That's why marriages are public ceremonies, typically.

00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:17.640
 That's why we don't treat them like you would treat

00:15:17.640 --> 00:15:19.440
 signing a loan on a mortgage

00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:22.720
 because they are a public relationship.

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:25.220
 Another way of putting it would be this.

00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:30.139
 Unity and oneness must be about more than pleasure

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.980
 and self-fulfillment.

00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:36.279
 And yes, that's the narrative that our culture tells us

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:39.100
 about any kind of marriage these days,

00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:41.820
 that it is mostly about you.

00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:45.220
 It is only, in other words,

00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:48.660
 a heterosexual union that fully points to something

00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:51.279
 beyond itself and outside of itself.

00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.860
 This is a simple logic.

00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:55.519
 It is rooted not in bigotry,

00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.899
 but in biology.

00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:03.980
 Only heterosexual couples have the potential for children.

00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:07.759
 This does not mean you must have children

00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.839
 for your marriage to point outside of that.

00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:13.500
 It does mean there is something intrinsic

00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:17.360
 to a man and a woman coming together in marriage

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:21.379
 in a sexual union that points to a mission

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:23.139
 and a purpose beyond themselves,

00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:25.720
 whether they are kids or not.

00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:30.420
 Now, I wish I could spend more time on verse six.

00:16:30.780 --> 00:16:32.379
 That is a brief summary.

00:16:32.560 --> 00:16:34.400
 If you look with me on page seven,

00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:38.439
 I've given you a brief summary of chapters one and two

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:40.120
 from this book called What is Marriage?

00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:41.860
 And I have a quote there from it.

00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.279
 If you want to dig into the logic and the argument

00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:49.539
 behind why marriage is only between one man and one woman,

00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:52.139
 that is the resource I would point you to.

00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.740
 And they say this,

00:16:53.740 --> 00:17:12.279
 And then, drawing here, echoing Jesus' statement,

00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:12.960
 we see this,

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.660
 The vision of marriage is about a comprehensive union

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:18.680
 of sexually complementary spouses,

00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:20.079
 that is a man and a woman,

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:24.019
 where a man and a woman unite as a husband and wife

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:26.759
 to then provide children with a mother and a father.

00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.779
 Verse six,

00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.939
 When we're looking to understand marriage,

00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.199
 when we're looking to capture the vision

00:17:33.199 --> 00:17:35.139
 of what God imagined at the beginning,

00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.799
 we begin by understanding

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:39.720
 that it is between a man and a woman.

00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:42.659
 Okay, so I'm going to put a pause there.

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:45.019
 I realize that's the beginning of a conversation,

00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:45.679
 not the end.

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.859
 That might raise more questions

00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:49.220
 than it answers for some of you,

00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:51.680
 and I'm happy to talk more about that.

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.019
 Okay?

00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.120
 We'll move on here, though,

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:56.620
 because after laying that foundation,

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.240
 Jesus then tells us,

00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:00.259
 verses seven and eight,

00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:05.579
 that not only is this rooted in sexual complementarity,

00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:08.980
 it is also what he refers to as one flesh.

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:11.940
 A man shall leave his father and mother

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:13.960
 and hold fast to his wife,

00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:17.039
 and the two shall become one flesh.

00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:19.440
 So they are no longer two,

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.420
 but one flesh.

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:23.159
 You know, if you've been with us for a while,

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:25.599
 that if the Bible wants to underline

00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:27.180
 and highlight something,

00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.519
 it repeats it.

00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:32.440
 When you are married to someone,

00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:37.039
 there is a sense in which two people become one.

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:41.759
 This is certainly much more,

00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.839
 speaking about much more than the sexual union

00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:46.139
 between a husband and a wife.

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:50.099
 It is not speaking about less than that.

00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:50.759
 Okay?

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:53.599
 It is definitely speaking about more

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.920
 than just what happens sexually

00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.099
 between a husband and a wife.

00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:59.299
 It is not speaking about less than that, though.

00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.659
 And so I want to pause here for a minute

00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:02.960
 and talk about what it means

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:06.160
 when a man and a woman come together in sex,

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:09.279
 when a husband and a wife enjoy one another.

00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:13.600
 There is something about the nature

00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:15.620
 and reality of sex

00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:18.500
 that makes two people one.

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:22.039
 And it is more than physical.

00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:25.460
 There is something about the reality

00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.779
 and nature of sex

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:28.460
 that makes two people one.

00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:30.220
 It is more than physical.

00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:32.819
 There is something spiritual going on.

00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.920
 There is something emotional that's happening.

00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.460
 There is something there

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:39.600
 that is greater than the sum of its parts.

00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.480
 And that thing that happens

00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:44.839
 that we don't fully have language for

00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.779
 that's greater than the sum of its parts,

00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:49.180
 it is not just in the moment.

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:53.019
 It is afterwards, too.

00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:56.539
 When a man and a woman sleep together,

00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:59.259
 it changes something fundamental

00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:02.579
 between the two of them moving forward.

00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.180
 In other words,

00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:10.599
 there is no such thing as casual sex.

00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:15.579
 There is no such thing as casual sex.

00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.640
 I invite you to look with me

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.339
 at verse eight of your worship guide,

00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:20.879
 which explains this better than I can.

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.900
 There's this quote

00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:25.799
 that I mentioned to you all a couple years ago

00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:27.659
 from Cameron Diaz

00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:29.960
 is in Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise,

00:20:30.159 --> 00:20:31.759
 and she's playing this woman named Julie,

00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:34.559
 and she's yelling at Tom in the car

00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.259
 as they're driving

00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.899
 because she's so frustrated with him.

00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.579
 By the way,

00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.879
 I do not recommend that movie.

00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:40.259
 If you watch it,

00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.839
 do not come back and complain to me, okay?

00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:44.599
 But she says this,

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.759
 don't you know

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.659
 that when you sleep with someone,

00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.960
 your body makes a promise

00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:52.419
 whether you do or not?

00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:58.060
 There is something about sex

00:20:58.060 --> 00:21:00.779
 that draws two people together

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:02.259
 and makes them one,

00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.600
 then and moving forward.

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.560
 When you have sex with someone,

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:10.500
 you are saying physically

00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:14.920
 what your marriage vows say verbally.

00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:18.220
 You are saying physically

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:20.500
 what your marriage vows say verbally,

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.480
 and you are saying that

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.779
 whether you want to or not.

00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:28.660
 When Cameron Diaz confronts Tom Cruise,

00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.940
 what she's saying is,

00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:32.740
 you have done more than you realize.

00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:36.680
 You don't realize the promises

00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.500
 that you made to me

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.880
 when we slept together.

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.500
 One theologian puts it like this.

00:21:43.560 --> 00:21:44.539
 This is the next quote.

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.360
 The essential moral problem

00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:47.660
 with sex outside of marriage

00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.700
 is that it performs

00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.880
 a life-uniting act

00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:54.019
 without a life-uniting intent,

00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:57.960
 thus violating its intrinsic meaning.

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.180
 There's no better definition

00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.980
 than I can find

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.960
 for what happens

00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.060
 between a man and a woman.

00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.620
 It's that their lives

00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:07.680
 are united then

00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:10.060
 and moving forward.

00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.820
 When you sleep with someone,

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.660
 you are saying,

00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:14.160
 I will never leave you

00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.180
 nor forsake you.

00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.380
 You are saying to them

00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.700
 whether you want to or not,

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.720
 I will be with you

00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.480
 in sickness and in health.

00:22:22.300 --> 00:22:23.440
 You are saying,

00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:25.140
 whether you realize it or not,

00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.160
 I'm committed to you

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.900
 for richer or for poorer.

00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:34.259
 It is a life-uniting act

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:37.180
 with life-uniting power.

00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.580
 You make promises,

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:43.759
 your body makes promises

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.600
 whether you do or not.

00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.820
 Finally, Jesus tells us here

00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:49.740
 in verse nine,

00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:51.680
 what therefore God has joined together,

00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.780
 let not man separate.

00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.480
 In other words,

00:22:54.540 --> 00:22:55.720
 this is not just some sort

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.000
 of private arrangement

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.559
 that you have put together,

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.940
 but that marriage happens

00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.400
 in the presence of God.

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:04.279
 Every time I officiate a wedding,

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:06.180
 there are two sets of vows.

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.460
 The first set of vows,

00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.079
 I say,

00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.480
 you're going to make these vows

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.680
 before God

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.920
 and these witnesses.

00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.720
 Because marriage

00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:17.839
 is a public relationship.

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.420
 And it's after that

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.720
 that they make vows

00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.400
 to each other.

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.660
 Marriage is not a private event.

00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.559
 Marriage is not

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.160
 a private relationship.

00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:32.000
 There is a third party

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.079
 involved in the vows

00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.620
 that happen,

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.779
 the marriages in our church.

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.279
 That party is God.

00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:38.460
 Spouses make promises

00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.319
 to one another.

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:42.400
 They also make promises

00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.339
 to the creator

00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.460
 of the universe.

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:48.299
 That's what marriage is.

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.440
 I want you to think about it

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.539
 in this way.

00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:54.180
 There are some things

00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.440
 that are so powerful

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:57.340
 that they are reserved

00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:59.000
 for very special,

00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.580
 specific situations.

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.700
 One example,

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.259
 there are some weapons

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:06.180
 that you will not use

00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.180
 for home defense.

00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:07.799
 Why?

00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:10.740
 They're too powerful.

00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.940
 The last thing you want

00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.620
 is a bullet

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:15.000
 going through four doors

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.440
 into your neighbor's house.

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.740
 Right?

00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.759
 You're going to end up

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.279
 hitting someone

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.880
 who's innocent.

00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:22.260
 If you're going to use

00:24:22.260 --> 00:24:24.560
 a nuclear bomb,

00:24:24.760 --> 00:24:25.880
 you don't use it

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.980
 unless you really want

00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.060
 to obliterate something.

00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.360
 Right?

00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:30.200
 It's too powerful

00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:32.380
 for anything else.

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:35.920
 Do not use sex

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.180
 unless you want

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.300
 to permanently

00:24:38.300 --> 00:24:40.680
 and exclusively

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:42.880
 join two lives.

00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:47.000
 It is too powerful

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:49.720
 for anything else.

00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.860
 Do not use sex

00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.540
 unless you want

00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.460
 to exclusively

00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.380
 and permanently

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.900
 join two lives.

00:24:57.040 --> 00:24:59.040
 It is too powerful

00:24:59.040 --> 00:25:01.200
 for anything else.

00:25:02.560 --> 00:25:04.000
 This is not because

00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.880
 we hate sex.

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.400
 It's not because

00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.580
 we're afraid of it.

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.780
 It's not because

00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:09.000
 we're old-fashioned.

00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.460
 It's because we recognize

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.800
 its true nature.

00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.899
 We understand

00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.799
 and realize

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.899
 how powerful

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.259
 it actually is.

00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.019
 We recognize

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.480
 God's goodness.

00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:18.980
 God says,

00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.019
 look, let me give you

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:21.899
 this amazing tool.

00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:24.079
 It's going to be better

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.799
 than anything

00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.000
 you've ever experienced

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.440
 before

00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.859
 and it's going

00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.680
 to glue

00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:30.619
 two people together.

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.059
 So, wow,

00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.000
 be careful with it.

00:25:35.159 --> 00:25:36.200
 It's great.

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.980
 It's wonderful.

00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.700
 It's powerful.

00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.379
 Also,

00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.839
 be careful

00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.579
 how you use it.

00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:44.720
 And so,

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.500
 for our young adults,

00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:46.960
 our youth,

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.460
 I want you to

00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.859
 especially hear me.

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.279
 You can believe

00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.899
 in gravity

00:25:51.899 --> 00:25:52.720
 or you cannot

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.639
 believe in gravity.

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.000
 If you jump off

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.399
 a building,

00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:56.839
 you're going to

00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.379
 hurt yourself.

00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.379
 You can believe

00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.579
 what I've just told you

00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.500
 or you cannot

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.200
 believe it.

00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.119
 You can learn

00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.139
 the easy way

00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.059
 or the hard way.

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:09.839
 please learn

00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:11.019
 the easy way.

00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.599
 Either way,

00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.319
 sex without

00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.079
 vows

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.559
 is taking

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.500
 a great risk.

00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.700
 Sex without

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.159
 vows

00:26:22.159 --> 00:26:22.919
 is jumping

00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:24.039
 off a building.

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.519
 Only vows

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.679
 make sex

00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.899
 safe.

00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.639
 Okay?

00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:31.720
 Remember,

00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.480
 John 8,

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:32.919
 44

00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:33.700
 tells us about

00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.079
 the devil.

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.899
 He's a liar

00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.880
 and the father

00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.420
 of lies.

00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.540
 What our culture

00:26:38.540 --> 00:26:39.320
 wants you to believe

00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:39.900
 right now

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.480
 is that sex

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.740
 is not a big deal.

00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.860
 What the Bible

00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.600
 teaches us

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.340
 is that it is

00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:45.960
 an amazing,

00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:46.620
 big,

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.820
 powerful deal.

00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:49.380
 Use it.

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.480
 Be careful

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.340
 where you aim it.

00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:58.179
 Now,

00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.899
 I mentioned before

00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.679
 it's certainly

00:26:59.679 --> 00:27:00.500
 more than sex.

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.099
 It's not less

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.519
 than that,

00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.099
 but it is

00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.799
 more than that.

00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:03.259
 And so,

00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.019
 having discussed

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.959
 that one flesh

00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:05.799
 unity,

00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.439
 it's important

00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.359
 to recognize

00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:08.079
 that it is

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.799
 what one of the

00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.359
 quotes I read

00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.679
 you called

00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.399
 a comprehensive

00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.000
 union.

00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.199
 That when you're

00:27:12.199 --> 00:27:13.179
 married to someone,

00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.379
 the way in which

00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.699
 you become one flesh,

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.039
 yes,

00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:17.059
 it's inseparable

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.859
 from your sexual

00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.419
 relationship

00:27:18.419 --> 00:27:19.919
 and it includes

00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.659
 everything else.

00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.360
 It means that you're

00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.220
 one financially.

00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.740
 It means that you're

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:25.120
 one in where you live.

00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.759
 It means that you're

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.660
 one emotionally.

00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.279
 There is a package

00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:30.060
 deal that goes

00:27:30.060 --> 00:27:30.600
 with marriage.

00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.620
 You are united

00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.320
 to this person

00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:34.460
 in every way.

00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.180
 There's a reason

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.000
 why in our vows

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.900
 we talk about

00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:39.519
 forsaking all others.

00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.080
 And so,

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.900
 it's this background,

00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:43.620
 this meaning,

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.880
 this power to marriage

00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:46.040
 that Jesus has to

00:27:46.040 --> 00:27:47.340
 lay the foundation

00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:47.779
 before,

00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.660
 before he jumps

00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.860
 back into the discussion

00:27:49.860 --> 00:27:50.580
 about divorce.

00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.160
 Look,

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.019
 first thing you need

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.080
 to know about marriage,

00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:55.160
 it takes two people

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.779
 and it makes them

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.779
 as if they're one.

00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.980
 It takes two people

00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.380
 and it makes them

00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.660
 as if they're one.

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.779
 And so,

00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.640
 you're asking the wrong

00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.060
 question.

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.940
 You have the wrong

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.680
 vision here.

00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.700
 Your focus should not

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.840
 be on when you can

00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:09.340
 divorce.

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.440
 Know that marriage

00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.779
 is much greater

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:15.160
 and more powerful

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.640
 than you realize.

00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.120
 Let your focus

00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:19.660
 be on the beauty

00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.540
 of marriage

00:28:20.540 --> 00:28:21.960
 and how you can

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:23.000
 stay together.

00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.880
 You are one person

00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.320
 now.

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.600
 Do not separate.

00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.620
 You're one person.

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.200
 Do not separate.

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.780
 Okay,

00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.540
 it's with all

00:28:35.540 --> 00:28:36.280
 of that background,

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.500
 Jesus lays out

00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.580
 the vision for marriage

00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.300
 that we can jump

00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:40.320
 back in now

00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.980
 and talk about

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.000
 divorce.

00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.599
 Verse 9,

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.420
 he says this,

00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.059
 what therefore

00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.160
 God has joined

00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.700
 together,

00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.420
 let not man

00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.359
 separate.

00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.559
 And then,

00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.180
 he says this

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.019
 interesting thing

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.200
 in verses 11 and 12,

00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.480
 whoever divorces

00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.460
 his wife and marries

00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.319
 another commits

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.480
 adultery against her.

00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.960
 And if she divorces

00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:00.940
 her husband and marries

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.299
 another,

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.920
 she commits adultery.

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.019
 Now,

00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.200
 that,

00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.319
 at first glance,

00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.259
 doesn't really make sense.

00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.680
 How can you commit

00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.720
 adultery when you're

00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:10.200
 not married anymore?

00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:10.980
 Adultery,

00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:11.819
 by definition,

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:13.240
 requires marriage.

00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:15.619
 What Jesus is saying

00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.240
 is this,

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.740
 even if you're

00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:19.619
 separated on paper,

00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:22.919
 you can't just

00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.939
 undo your

00:29:23.939 --> 00:29:24.980
 one flesh union.

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.619
 Even if you're

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:29.000
 separated on paper,

00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.899
 you can't undo

00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:32.419
 this one flesh

00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:33.220
 reality that's

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.939
 happened between

00:29:33.939 --> 00:29:34.639
 the two of you.

00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.539
 Paper

00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:37.279
 can't take a person

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.339
 and cut them in half.

00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:41.119
 Paper can't take

00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.579
 a person

00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.480
 and cut them in half.

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.879
 There is a sense

00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.839
 in which you are

00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:46.259
 still connected together

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.539
 because that oneness

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:49.220
 is so intense

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.419
 and comprehensive.

00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:52.019
 You are not

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.659
 business partners

00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:55.119
 who have parted ways.

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:58.539
 You are one body

00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:00.059
 that has been

00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.019
 ripped in half.

00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.779
 You're not business partners

00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.839
 who have just

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:07.059
 simply parted ways.

00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.779
 When divorce happens,

00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.000
 you are one body

00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.019
 that is ripped

00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.879
 in half.

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.480
 Now,

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.119
 that may sound

00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:16.420
 harsh to say out loud,

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.339
 but the reality is

00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:17.920
 if you

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.799
 have been

00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.279
 divorced,

00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.099
 you know

00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.940
 those words

00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.579
 are perhaps

00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.539
 not strong

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.240
 enough.

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.639
 If you've

00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.660
 experienced divorce,

00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.700
 what I'm telling you

00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.339
 is something

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:29.839
 that you

00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.460
 already

00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:31.279
 know.

00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.619
 You already

00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.440
 know that it's

00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.099
 one of the most

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.799
 traumatic

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.119
 and painful

00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.740
 things

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.440
 that could

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.940
 ever

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.819
 happen to

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.159
 someone.

00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:42.519
 And so,

00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.079
 I'm simply

00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.019
 giving language

00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.240
 for what it is

00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.779
 that you have

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.319
 already

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.579
 experienced.

00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.740
 This simply

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.799
 explains

00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.919
 what we already

00:30:51.919 --> 00:30:52.819
 know from reality,

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.419
 explains why

00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:55.799
 it is so

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.919
 devastating

00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:57.659
 and painful.

00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.980
 Jesus is

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.879
 outlining the logic

00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:01.399
 for us

00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:01.740
 so that it

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.700
 finally makes

00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.359
 sense.

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:03.779
 In other words,

00:31:03.879 --> 00:31:04.419
 this is not,

00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.180
 Jesus' words

00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:05.640
 are not

00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:05.900
 what's

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.259
 painful.

00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.000
 Jesus'

00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.380
 words

00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:07.900
 describe

00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.440
 and help

00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.600
 us

00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:09.320
 understand

00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:10.539
 the pain

00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.259
 of what

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.680
 is going

00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.060
 on.

00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:14.560
 If you've

00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:15.100
 experienced

00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:15.519
 divorce,

00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:15.980
 if you've

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.440
 walked with

00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:16.920
 your child

00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.460
 through divorce,

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:17.799
 if your

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.320
 parents were

00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:18.759
 divorced,

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.720
 you know

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.140
 this is

00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.360
 true.

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.920
 You don't

00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.220
 need me

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.539
 to tell

00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:23.720
 you.

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:25.980
 And so,

00:31:26.060 --> 00:31:26.400
 that helps

00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.400
 us understand

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.560
 Jesus'

00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:29.640
 words here.

00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:29.920
 It helps

00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:30.680
 us understand

00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.980
 God's words

00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.440
 in the book

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:32.980
 of Malachi.

00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:33.860
 It says,

00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.819
 God hates

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.479
 divorce.

00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:36.899
 I had a

00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:37.279
 mentor

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:39.459
 who was

00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:39.859
 divorced

00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.279
 and is

00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.919
 in a mixed

00:31:40.919 --> 00:31:41.559
 marriage now

00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:41.939
 and he told

00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.119
 me,

00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:42.399
 he's a

00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:42.699
 pastor,

00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:42.979
 he said,

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.299
 Matthew,

00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:44.619
 before I

00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.240
 got divorced

00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.019
 and I

00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:46.359
 thought about

00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:46.979
 those words,

00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:47.459
 God hates

00:31:47.459 --> 00:31:47.819
 divorce,

00:31:47.939 --> 00:31:48.259
 I thought

00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.719
 about it

00:31:48.719 --> 00:31:49.740
 in terms

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.159
 of God's

00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:50.459
 holiness

00:31:50.459 --> 00:31:50.839
 and his

00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.179
 law.

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.719
 And that's

00:31:52.719 --> 00:31:53.059
 true,

00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.159
 but now

00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.659
 that I have

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.299
 been divorced,

00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.299
 I know

00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.240
 why God

00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.459
 hates

00:31:57.459 --> 00:31:57.819
 divorce.

00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.679
 He hates

00:31:59.679 --> 00:32:00.000
 it because

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.779
 it's so

00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.680
 devastating.

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.899
 He hates

00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:04.339
 it because

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:04.759
 of the

00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.240
 wreckage

00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.079
 that it

00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:06.480
 causes.

00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.539
 And so,

00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.039
 in the midst

00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.359
 of this,

00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.579
 that's the

00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.079
 glimmer of

00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.720
 God's love.

00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:13.660
 Jesus'

00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.639
 warning here,

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.079
 God's

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.579
 teaching in

00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:16.940
 the Bible

00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.559
 is not

00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:17.980
 out of

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.500
 cruelty

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.440
 or anger,

00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:19.819
 it's not

00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.440
 because God

00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.279
 is mean,

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.259
 it's because

00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.420
 God knows

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.299
 how painful

00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.079
 it is.

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.240
 He wants

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.319
 to spare

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:29.640
 you.

00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.359
 He wants

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:32.099
 to protect

00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.359
 you.

00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.140
 Now,

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.380
 you might

00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:37.779
 be wondering

00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.180
 why we

00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.460
 haven't

00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.420
 talked about

00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.200
 Ephesians 5

00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:40.420
 and the

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:40.700
 fact that

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:40.980
 marriage

00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.519
 pictures the

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:41.880
 gospel.

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.940
 It does.

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.680
 Talk about

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:44.920
 that.

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.240
 The challenge

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.759
 before us

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.140
 this morning

00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:47.539
 is simply

00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.019
 that that's

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.359
 not the

00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:48.819
 thrust of

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.299
 this passage.

00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:49.500
 So,

00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:49.680
 when we

00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:49.900
 get to

00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.559
 Ephesians 5,

00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:50.920
 we'll talk

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.339
 about that.

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.200
 We're in

00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:52.599
 Mark 10,

00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.000
 and Jesus'

00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.759
 argument here

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.339
 in Mark 10

00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:55.960
 is one

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.400
 based on

00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:56.740
 the one

00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.200
 flesh

00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.039
 reality.

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.559
 We're going

00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.339
 to focus

00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.159
 on that

00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:00.480
 together

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.019
 this morning.

00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:01.819
 I'll give

00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.740
 you a few

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.279
 applications

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.799
 as we're

00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.819
 here together.

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.240
 First,

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:06.819
 we need to

00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.240
 know that

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.799
 we live

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.159
 in a

00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:08.680
 society

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.539
 of self

00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.279
 fulfillment

00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:12.079
 and we

00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.759
 follow a

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.440
 savior of

00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:13.799
 self

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.579
 sacrifice.

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.279
 We live

00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.480
 in a

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.059
 society of

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.339
 self

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:18.759
 fulfillment

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:20.159
 and we

00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:20.920
 follow a

00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.639
 savior of

00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.059
 self

00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:23.059
 sacrifice.

00:33:23.159 --> 00:33:23.359
 In other

00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:23.460
 words,

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:23.980
 the vision

00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.359
 that our

00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:24.859
 culture has

00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.240
 for marriage

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.799
 is completely

00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.139
 wrong.

00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:28.140
 self

00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.280
 fulfillment

00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:28.540
 gives us

00:33:28.540 --> 00:33:29.300
 these reasons

00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:30.080
 for divorce

00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:30.540
 that make

00:33:30.540 --> 00:33:31.460
 no sense

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.420
 in light

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:32.759
 of the

00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.100
 one

00:33:33.100 --> 00:33:33.640
 flesh

00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.480
 union.

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:34.840
 Self

00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.220
 fulfillment

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.840
 looks for

00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:36.340
 the first

00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:37.040
 way out

00:33:37.040 --> 00:33:38.140
 when happiness

00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:39.259
 is declining

00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.100
 or when needs

00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:41.040
 aren't being

00:33:41.040 --> 00:33:41.360
 met.

00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:41.840
 Self

00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:42.640
 sacrifice

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.860
 looks for

00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:44.360
 a way to

00:33:44.360 --> 00:33:45.080
 serve and

00:33:45.080 --> 00:33:45.980
 meet the

00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:47.000
 needs of

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.320
 others.

00:33:50.060 --> 00:33:50.460
 Shine

00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:50.680
 Mountain,

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.060
 I want to

00:33:51.060 --> 00:33:51.440
 tell you

00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:52.040
 three things

00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:53.879
 about our

00:33:53.879 --> 00:33:54.740
 marriages here

00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.819
 together this

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.099
 morning.

00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:56.619
 First of

00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.759
 all,

00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.139
 don't go

00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:57.519
 it alone.

00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.399
 Please get

00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:01.019
 help sooner

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.480
 rather than

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.740
 later.

00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:03.940
 If you are

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.500
 struggling in

00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:04.960
 your marriage,

00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:06.019
 please talk

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.940
 to someone.

00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:10.119
 It is not

00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:10.860
 a badge of

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.139
 honor.

00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.079
 It is not

00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:13.659
 something to be

00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:15.400
 proud of that

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:15.779
 you've never

00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.300
 been to marriage

00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:16.679
 counseling.

00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.079
 Okay?

00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.219
 Remember,

00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:19.719
 we've talked

00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.460
 about over and

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:20.940
 over in the

00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.619
 gospel of Mark,

00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.579
 need is the

00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.480
 price of

00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.859
 admission.

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.199
 All of us

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.619
 are broken

00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:26.980
 and need

00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.259
 help.

00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.000
 All of us

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.779
 face

00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.380
 challenges

00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:31.039
 and sin

00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.319
 in our

00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:31.639
 lives.

00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:34.119
 Divorce

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.619
 is one of

00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:35.039
 the hardest

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.400
 things that

00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:36.920
 someone can

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:38.440
 experience in

00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:39.019
 this world.

00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:41.039
 If you don't

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.519
 believe that,

00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:41.859
 you've never

00:34:41.859 --> 00:34:42.380
 been divorced.

00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.339
 Do not

00:34:45.339 --> 00:34:45.659
 go it

00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:45.920
 alone.

00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.119
 Do not

00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:49.099
 walk by

00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.559
 yourself.

00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:51.860
 second,

00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.900
 don't believe

00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.759
 the lies

00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:55.099
 that our

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.820
 culture tells

00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.079
 us.

00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.539
 There's a

00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.619
 genre of

00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.360
 movie and

00:34:59.360 --> 00:34:59.960
 novel right

00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:00.480
 now that's

00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:01.279
 been affectionately

00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:02.139
 or pejoratively

00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:03.440
 titled divorce

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.860
 porn.

00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.420
 The most

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.920
 clear example

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.480
 is Eat,

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:07.699
 Pray,

00:35:07.799 --> 00:35:08.059
 Love,

00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:08.440
 the movie

00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:08.900
 with Julia

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.079
 Ross,

00:35:09.259 --> 00:35:09.920
 which presents

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.679
 divorce as

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.380
 this wonderful,

00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.320
 beautiful thing

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.019
 where if you do

00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.579
 it, you get to

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.420
 go visit Italy

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.279
 and meet a man

00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:15.580
 who's a

00:35:15.580 --> 00:35:15.820
 10.

00:35:19.040 --> 00:35:19.740
 Brothers and

00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.080
 sisters,

00:35:21.040 --> 00:35:22.120
 you're harder

00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:22.640
 to live with

00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:22.880
 than you

00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.380
 realize,

00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:24.840
 and you

00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.080
 ain't a

00:35:25.080 --> 00:35:25.260
 10.

00:35:27.100 --> 00:35:27.400
 Okay?

00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:29.260
 It's a

00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:29.960
 believable

00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.720
 myth.

00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.180
 Do not

00:35:33.180 --> 00:35:33.840
 believe,

00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:34.620
 eat,

00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:34.900
 pray,

00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.300
 love.

00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:36.840
 That is

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.540
 not the

00:35:37.540 --> 00:35:38.920
 reality of

00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.380
 divorce.

00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.100
 Okay?

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:42.860
 Finally,

00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.500
 be careful

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.519
 who you

00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:44.760
 marry.

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.340
 Hormones

00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:49.579
 in the

00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.179
 Holy Spirit

00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.739
 are both

00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.039
 real.

00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:52.519
 They are

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:52.820
 not the

00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:53.019
 same.

00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.579
 Marriage

00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:58.019
 is a

00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.380
 very,

00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:58.900
 very

00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.599
 serious

00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.460
 commitment.

00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.440
 Can't get

00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:01.679
 out of

00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:01.920
 marriage

00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.260
 lightly?

00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:03.579
 Don't go

00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.059
 into marriage

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.360
 lightly.

00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:06.239
 It takes

00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:07.980
 time for

00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.559
 someone's

00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:09.280
 character to

00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:10.119
 reveal itself.

00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.199
 It takes

00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:15.119
 time for

00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:15.500
 you to

00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:15.859
 finally

00:36:15.859 --> 00:36:16.379
 understand,

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:16.679
 oh,

00:36:16.759 --> 00:36:17.239
 he has a

00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:17.819
 real problem

00:36:17.819 --> 00:36:18.299
 with anger.

00:36:19.339 --> 00:36:20.019
 That doesn't

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.460
 show up on

00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:20.779
 the first

00:36:20.779 --> 00:36:21.000
 date.

00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:21.259
 Okay?

00:36:21.319 --> 00:36:21.759
 Trust me.

00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:23.419
 It takes

00:36:23.419 --> 00:36:24.039
 time to

00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:24.279
 realize,

00:36:24.379 --> 00:36:24.460
 oh,

00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:24.960
 this person's

00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.319
 emotionally

00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:25.799
 unstable.

00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:26.259
 Okay?

00:36:27.419 --> 00:36:28.179
 That may

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.599
 not show

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:28.859
 up in

00:36:28.859 --> 00:36:29.299
 month one.

00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.019
 Be

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.859
 careful

00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:33.439
 who you

00:36:33.439 --> 00:36:33.779
 marry.

00:36:35.279 --> 00:36:35.619
 People

00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:36.339
 can hide

00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:37.099
 things for

00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:37.739
 a time.

00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:38.719
 They

00:36:38.719 --> 00:36:40.099
 cannot hide

00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.439
 them

00:36:40.439 --> 00:36:41.219
 forever.

00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:41.339
 forever.

00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.239
 Take

00:36:44.239 --> 00:36:45.199
 time.

00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:46.419
 Know.

00:36:47.299 --> 00:36:48.139
 Know who

00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.319
 you're

00:36:48.319 --> 00:36:48.679
 marrying.

00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:49.899
 Okay?

00:36:50.459 --> 00:36:51.719
 Know what

00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:52.079
 you're getting

00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:52.399
 into.

00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.859
 Don't go

00:36:54.859 --> 00:36:55.219
 it alone.

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.539
 Don't believe

00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:57.219
 divorce porn.

00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.480
 Be careful

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:58.739
 who you

00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:58.939
 marry.

00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.739
 What does

00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.199
 this all

00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.839
 have to do

00:37:02.839 --> 00:37:03.099
 with the

00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:03.419
 gospel?

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.039
 Well,

00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.459
 part of what

00:37:05.459 --> 00:37:05.939
 the gospel

00:37:05.939 --> 00:37:07.000
 tells us is

00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.500
 that God is

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:07.899
 coming to

00:37:07.899 --> 00:37:08.639
 restore this

00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.019
 world.

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.880
 And so

00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.280
 when Jesus

00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.239
 presents us

00:37:11.239 --> 00:37:11.820
 this great

00:37:11.820 --> 00:37:13.500
 vision of

00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:13.920
 what marriage

00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:14.340
 is meant to

00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:14.559
 be,

00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:14.820
 saying,

00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.000
 look,

00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.400
 let's get

00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:15.860
 back to

00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.239
 the way

00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:16.579
 God

00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.159
 intended it.

00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:18.300
 Let's

00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:18.840
 not try to

00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.460
 focus on

00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:19.659
 these

00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:20.139
 exceptions.

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.280
 Let's

00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:21.780
 go back

00:37:21.780 --> 00:37:22.679
 to

00:37:22.679 --> 00:37:23.920
 restoring

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.440
 this

00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:24.820
 world.

00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:28.259
 Marriage

00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:30.019
 is not

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.320
 easy.

00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.340
 It

00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:32.539
 actually

00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:32.960
 turns out

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.119
 it's

00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.320
 really

00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:33.960
 hard for

00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.300
 men and

00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:34.619
 women to

00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:34.860
 try to

00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.179
 figure out

00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:35.360
 how to

00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:35.659
 get along

00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:35.820
 with

00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:35.980
 each

00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.139
 other.

00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:38.960
 Jesus'

00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:39.719
 commitment

00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:40.940
 empowers

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.299
 our

00:37:41.299 --> 00:37:41.679
 commitment.

00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:43.719
 Jesus'

00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:44.299
 commitment

00:37:44.299 --> 00:37:44.900
 empowers

00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.199
 our

00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.480
 commitment.

00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:46.199
 We look

00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:47.000
 to Jesus'

00:37:47.279 --> 00:37:47.839
 model and

00:37:47.839 --> 00:37:48.539
 love for

00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:50.059
 us so

00:37:50.059 --> 00:37:50.259
 that we

00:37:50.259 --> 00:37:50.579
 can give

00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:50.960
 that love

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.400
 to others.

00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:52.079
 I'm

00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:52.460
 stealing

00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.420
 this from

00:37:53.420 --> 00:37:53.679
 another

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.039
 pastor,

00:37:54.139 --> 00:37:54.299
 but he

00:37:54.299 --> 00:37:54.759
 says marriage

00:37:54.759 --> 00:37:55.159
 is two

00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:55.599
 ticks and

00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.059
 no dog.

00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:00.019
 You have

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.480
 to find the

00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:00.980
 source of

00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.519
 your love

00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:01.960
 somewhere

00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:02.819
 outside of

00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:03.319
 your marriage.

00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:03.639
 That

00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.960
 source is

00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:05.460
 God's

00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:05.900
 love

00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:06.559
 for

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:06.820
 you.

00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:09.960
 Finally,

00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:10.220
 it's

00:38:10.220 --> 00:38:10.480
 Jesus'

00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:10.980
 death

00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.360
 that

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.760
 covers

00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:12.480
 our

00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:12.880
 failures.

00:38:14.200 --> 00:38:14.700
 In

00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:14.920
 Matthew

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.260
 chapter

00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:15.760
 one,

00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.559
 we find

00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:16.700
 that

00:38:16.700 --> 00:38:16.940
 about

00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:17.539
 Jesus'

00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:18.280
 genealogy,

00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:18.800
 all the

00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:19.139
 people

00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:19.820
 who've

00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:19.980
 come

00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:20.280
 before

00:38:20.280 --> 00:38:20.480
 him

00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:20.639
 that

00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:20.840
 lead

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:20.980
 to

00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.240
 Jesus'

00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:21.639
 birth.

00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:21.820
 And

00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:22.079
 you know

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:22.320
 what?

00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:23.880
 Jesus

00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:24.440
 comes

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:24.880
 from a

00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:25.200
 long

00:38:25.200 --> 00:38:25.639
 line

00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:26.559
 of

00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:26.940
 people

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.160
 who

00:38:27.160 --> 00:38:27.500
 messed

00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:27.720
 up

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.079
 marriage.

00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:30.460
 Jesus

00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:30.840
 comes

00:38:30.840 --> 00:38:31.059
 from

00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.420
 Jacob

00:38:31.420 --> 00:38:32.460
 who

00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:32.680
 was

00:38:32.680 --> 00:38:32.820
 a

00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.380
 polygamist.

00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:35.400
 Jesus

00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:35.740
 comes

00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:35.980
 from

00:38:35.980 --> 00:38:36.519
 Tamar

00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.160
 who

00:38:37.160 --> 00:38:37.760
 pretended

00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:38.260
 to be

00:38:38.260 --> 00:38:38.420
 a

00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:39.019
 prostitute.

00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:41.000
 Jesus

00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.340
 comes

00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:41.579
 from

00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:42.039
 David,

00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:42.480
 King

00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:42.820
 David,

00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.000
 who

00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.320
 committed

00:38:43.320 --> 00:38:43.880
 adultery.

00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:46.320
 Jesus

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:46.660
 came

00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:46.900
 from

00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:47.380
 Solomon

00:38:47.380 --> 00:38:47.900
 whose

00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.200
 many

00:38:48.200 --> 00:38:48.740
 wives

00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.539
 led

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:49.860
 him

00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:50.460
 astray.

00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:52.480
 Which

00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.019
 reminds

00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.519
 us of

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:53.880
 this.

00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:56.099
 Your

00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:56.559
 hope

00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:56.920
 this

00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:57.320
 morning

00:38:57.320 --> 00:38:57.880
 as you

00:38:57.880 --> 00:38:58.300
 leave

00:38:58.300 --> 00:38:59.059
 is not

00:38:59.059 --> 00:38:59.380
 that your

00:38:59.380 --> 00:38:59.720
 marriage

00:38:59.720 --> 00:39:00.039
 would be

00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:00.460
 perfect.

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:02.380
 your

00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:02.960
 hope

00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:03.500
 this

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:03.800
 morning

00:39:03.800 --> 00:39:04.220
 as you

00:39:04.220 --> 00:39:04.659
 leave

00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:05.760
 is not

00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:06.500
 that your

00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:07.139
 past

00:39:07.139 --> 00:39:07.720
 has no

00:39:07.720 --> 00:39:08.179
 mistakes

00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:08.360
 and

00:39:08.360 --> 00:39:08.860
 failures

00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:09.360
 in it.

00:39:10.760 --> 00:39:11.559
 Your

00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:12.139
 hope

00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:12.699
 this

00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.159
 morning

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:13.860
 is

00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:14.240
 Jesus.

00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:17.179
 Jesus

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:17.800
 is the

00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:18.340
 one who

00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.220
 lays out

00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:19.460
 the

00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:19.900
 standard

00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:20.179
 for

00:39:20.179 --> 00:39:20.599
 marriage.

00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.199
 He's

00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:22.340
 the

00:39:22.340 --> 00:39:22.619
 one

00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:22.900
 whose

00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.420
 lineage

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:24.639
 includes

00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.440
 many

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.000
 people

00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.340
 who

00:39:26.340 --> 00:39:26.840
 messed

00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:27.159
 up

00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:27.400
 their

00:39:27.400 --> 00:39:27.860
 marriages.

00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.400
 Jesus

00:39:29.400 --> 00:39:30.039
 is the

00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.480
 one

00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:30.860
 who

00:39:30.860 --> 00:39:31.559
 dies

00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:31.840
 to

00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.240
 cover

00:39:32.240 --> 00:39:32.619
 the

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.180
 sins

00:39:33.180 --> 00:39:33.820
 of

00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:34.000
 our

00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.460
 failures

00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.019
 and

00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:35.160
 our

00:39:35.160 --> 00:39:35.579
 mistakes.

00:39:36.720 --> 00:39:37.380
 As

00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:37.800
 long

00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:38.019
 as

00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:38.180
 you

00:39:38.180 --> 00:39:38.340
 are

00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:38.639
 breathing

00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:38.840
 and

00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:39.220
 alive

00:39:39.220 --> 00:39:39.420
 in

00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:39.639
 this

00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:40.000
 world

00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:40.240
 your

00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:40.840
 story

00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:41.559
 is

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:41.900
 not

00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:42.559
 over.

00:39:44.160 --> 00:39:44.800
 Jesus

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.280
 is

00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:45.619
 with

00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:45.920
 you

00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:46.559
 and

00:39:46.559 --> 00:39:46.860
 for

00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:47.099
 you.

00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:48.639
 And

00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:48.720
 so

00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:48.920
 that's

00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.039
 our

00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.260
 hope

00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:49.400
 that

00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:49.539
 we're

00:39:49.539 --> 00:39:49.619
 going

00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:49.740
 to

00:39:49.740 --> 00:39:49.980
 sing

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.380
 together

00:39:50.380 --> 00:39:50.579
 on

00:39:50.579 --> 00:39:50.880
 page

00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:51.260
 eight.

00:39:51.940 --> 00:39:52.139
 Jesus

00:39:52.139 --> 00:39:52.579
 is

00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:52.760
 a

00:39:52.760 --> 00:39:53.099
 friend

00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:53.480
 for

00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:53.920
 sinners.

00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.139
 We're

00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:55.380
 told

00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.579
 the

00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:55.780
 first

00:39:55.780 --> 00:39:56.000
 verse

00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.260
 Jesus

00:39:56.260 --> 00:39:56.660
 makes

00:39:56.660 --> 00:39:56.940
 us

00:39:56.940 --> 00:39:57.460
 whole.

00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:59.139
 Jesus

00:39:59.139 --> 00:39:59.360
 is

00:39:59.360 --> 00:39:59.500
 our

00:39:59.500 --> 00:39:59.820
 comfort.

00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:00.760
 He

00:40:00.760 --> 00:40:01.179
 helps

00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:01.820
 our

00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:02.220
 soul.

00:40:03.260 --> 00:40:03.440
 And

00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:03.559
 no

00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:03.800
 matter

00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:04.059
 what

00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:04.220
 our

00:40:04.220 --> 00:40:04.579
 story

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.039
 includes

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:05.220
 we

00:40:05.220 --> 00:40:05.500
 know

00:40:05.500 --> 00:40:05.720
 that

00:40:05.720 --> 00:40:05.920
 we

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.079
 are

00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:06.420
 his

00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:07.599
 and

00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:07.720
 he

00:40:07.720 --> 00:40:07.860
 is

00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.119
 ours.

00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.440
 So

00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:09.559
 we're

00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:09.699
 going to

00:40:09.699 --> 00:40:09.900
 sing

00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:10.119
 that.

00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:10.519
 Let's

00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:10.659
 pray

00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:10.980
 together

00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:11.380
 first.

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.519
 Our

00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:13.760
 Father

00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:13.960
 in

00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:14.159
 heaven

00:40:14.159 --> 00:40:14.539
 we

00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:15.579
 praise

00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:15.780
 you

00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:15.940
 and

00:40:15.940 --> 00:40:16.179
 thank

00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:16.380
 you

00:40:16.380 --> 00:40:16.679
 for

00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:16.980
 your

00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:17.400
 word

00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.800
 even

00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:19.000
 when

00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:19.199
 it's

00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:19.579
 hard

00:40:19.579 --> 00:40:20.440
 and

00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:20.900
 challenging.

00:40:21.539 --> 00:40:22.019
 I

00:40:22.019 --> 00:40:22.159
 do

00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:22.500
 ask

00:40:22.500 --> 00:40:22.860
 for

00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:23.079
 your

00:40:23.079 --> 00:40:23.480
 comfort

00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.079
 for

00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:24.300
 your

00:40:24.300 --> 00:40:24.619
 sons

00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:24.820
 and

00:40:24.820 --> 00:40:25.099
 daughters

00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:25.519
 here

00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:25.980
 this

00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.380
 morning.

00:40:27.759 --> 00:40:28.440
 As no

00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:28.719
 doubt

00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:29.780
 painful

00:40:29.780 --> 00:40:30.739
 memories

00:40:30.739 --> 00:40:30.940
 and

00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.539
 experiences

00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:32.000
 have been

00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:32.519
 stirred up

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:32.800
 I ask

00:40:32.800 --> 00:40:33.039
 that you

00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.239
 would

00:40:33.239 --> 00:40:33.619
 remind

00:40:33.619 --> 00:40:33.900
 them

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.739
 that you

00:40:34.739 --> 00:40:35.079
 are

00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:35.380
 their

00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:35.579
 good

00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:35.960
 shepherd

00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:37.420
 that

00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:37.619
 you're

00:40:37.619 --> 00:40:37.860
 with

00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:38.099
 them

00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:39.440
 that

00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:39.900
 others

00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.079
 may

00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:40.179
 have

00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:40.380
 left

00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:40.539
 them

00:40:40.539 --> 00:40:40.659
 or

00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:41.059
 forsaken

00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:41.320
 them

00:40:41.320 --> 00:40:41.500
 but

00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:41.759
 you

00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:42.199
 don't

00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:42.340
 and

00:40:42.340 --> 00:40:42.480
 you

00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:42.800
 won't

00:40:42.800 --> 00:40:44.159
 and

00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:44.300
 that

00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:44.460
 your

00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:44.880
 grace

00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:45.300
 and

00:40:45.300 --> 00:40:45.480
 your

00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:45.900
 forgiveness

00:40:45.900 --> 00:40:46.800
 are

00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:47.099
 real

00:40:47.099 --> 00:40:48.440
 that

00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:48.599
 our

00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:48.880
 hope

00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:49.139
 is

00:40:49.139 --> 00:40:49.460
 not

00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.320
 that

00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:50.440
 we

00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:50.559
 would

00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:50.699
 have

00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:51.039
 perfect

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:51.400
 marriages

00:40:51.400 --> 00:40:51.639
 but

00:40:51.639 --> 00:40:51.820
 our

00:40:51.820 --> 00:40:52.119
 hope

00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:52.719
 is

00:40:52.719 --> 00:40:52.860
 in

00:40:52.860 --> 00:40:53.139
 you.

00:40:53.139 --> 00:41:00.799
 I invite

00:41:00.799 --> 00:41:01.039
 you to

00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:01.299
 stand

00:41:01.299 --> 00:41:01.579
 for our

00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:01.859
 closing

00:41:01.859 --> 00:41:02.159
 hymn.