Brokenness And Suffering: Lifelong Covenant
Pastor Andrew continues the sermon series titled “Brokenness and Suffering”. In this series, Andrew focuses on how Jesus suffered for us. He then addresses an aspect of human sexuality, and the suffering and brokenness that comes with sexual immorality. See the notes below for more.
Sermon begins at about 25 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Jesus suffered by being betrayed by those closest to him (Judas, Peter, the other disciples).
In Matthew 19:4-6 we Jesus referencing Genesis 1 & 2 and reinforcing that marriage was two persons becoming 'one flesh' which is biblically understood as a lifelong covenant.
Biblical Ideal for Human Sexuality: Lifelong Covenant
Challenge #1: Divorce
“Divorcing a spouse in a legal way just because you’re not happy in your marriage or because you want to marry someone else is following a law but failing to love.” (Bill Gaultiere paraphrase of Matthew 5:32 in Jesus Greatest Teaching)
Jesus discourages a focus on rationale for divorce and encourages God's ideal of marriage being a lifelong covenant.
Biblically being 'in love' is not the requirement for being married, rather the covenant relationship is a place to learn to love.
God hates divorce, but he does not hate divorced people. He hates the pain divorce causes (not just for the two going through divorce but maybe especially for the children involved).
Hard heartedness in marriage can lead to the broken heartedness of divorce.
Jesus' words should not be used to trap people into staying married especially in the case of abuse or sexual unfaithfulness (or when one person is living as if divorced).
Sometimes divorce is the best option forward and we should walk compassionately with those who are divorced.
Challenge #2: Cohabitation
After hearing how seriously Jesus took divorce the disciples responded, "It is better not to marry" (Matthew 19:10).
After experiencing so much divorce many in our generation also says "It is better not to marry". But unlike the disciples they are still seeking the "one flesh" experience of living together and/or sleeping together just without (or before) making the lifelong covenant.
Often people think of living together as a natural step to take before marriage. However:
Those who cohabitate before marriage are less likely to marry.
Those who cohabitate before marriage and do get married are more likely to get divorced.
Those who cohabitate before marriage often develop long term trust issues.
Reasons for living together: Financial, Convenience, Not ready for marriage yet, Trouble finding a venue for wedding
We are encouraged to prioritize trusting Jesus' direction of joining together as one flesh through the covenant of marriage over the conveniences or false securities of cohabitating first.
Conclusion:
Jesus' response to continue calling us "friend" even as we betray him with choosing our own way over his way. (Matthew 26:10)
Our response is to have a conversation with Jesus about areas in life in which we feel stuck or ashamed asking him to help us see things the way he does.
Scripture References:
Matthew 19:4-6 Genesis 1 & 2 Matthew 5:32 Matthew 19:10 Matthew 26:10
