Here's the link to the companion piece to today's sermon, which will also be Monday's B-side: https://calvarychapelbaltimore.subspla.sh/njrj98p

Notes for today's sermon follow...

Mark 10:1-12

Divorce is a difficult, weighty subject.

Jesus was teaching in Judea. People were divorcing a lot! Divorce was permissible if the covenant was broken.

- Exodus 21:10-11... It's allowed in extreme cases of complete abandonment.

- Deuteronomy 24... If the husband finds indecency (sexual sin) in his wife, he can divorce her.

Jesus says sexual sin breaks the marriage covenant and can be grounds for divorce.

The context of Jesus's teaching here...

The liberal rabbis had interpreted indecency loosely; you could divorce your spouse for any reason. Like "no fault divorce" today.

Mark 10:1... Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem to die. Here he's made it to Judea. Same place Satan tested him in the wilderness.

V2... The Pharisees tested him... They wanted to trap him in a debate. In Mark 6:17, John the Baptist was seized and beheaded because of divorce... They're trying to trap Jesus in the same way!

V3-5... He turns them to Moses' commands... and explains it's only because of their hardness of heart that divorce is being permitted.

V6-9... Jesus turns it around and talks about how marriage was meant to last a lifetime! It can only be terminated by betrayal, unfaithfulness to the marriage vows.

Sexual sins have an immense weight to them.

Sexual sin doesn't mean you are required to divorce your spouse, but it is permissible. If there can be reconciliation, you should pursue it! God can restore. Forgiveness is possible, though restoration of trust can be long and difficult.

V10... We're back inside a house after talking with the crowd and the Pharisees (as often in the gospels), and Jesus answers the apostles' questions. If you've illegitimately divorced then remarried, you've committed adultery against your first spouse. Additional questions about this will be answered in the pre-recorded B-Side.

Is there any sin too big for the cleansing power of the blood of Christ? No! If you are repentant, God forgives. There will still be consequences... But forgiveness is yours.

--- That's today's text ---

In Mark so far... If you want to be great, be a servant, make yourself like "the least of these"... Don't stumble other believers... And now, be a faithful disciple by being a faithful spouse!

1. Jesus is asked about divorce, but he switches his emphasis to the meaning of marriage. He wants us to be a shining example to the world! Ephesians 5:22... the line of submission: marriage is to be a picture of the relationship between God and mankind!

...If you're a believer, that's what your marriage should be about: a living billboard of the gospel. Wives, model the respect we should have for God; husbands, model the love God has for his people! Jesus came to save his bride. Model his eternal faithfulness!

2. How should our marriages be? In chapter 9, Jesus calls out the disciples for fighting about who's the greatest. We're to keep this in mind in marriage, too. Give your service to your spouse in love, because you're doing it unto the Lord! That's greatness. Give your life, lovingly unto the Lord, for your spouse.

Ephesians 5 describes what our marriages need to be healthy.

Husbands, work at loving your wives... they need it! Wives, work at respecting your husbands... they need it!

Your first mission field is your home, your family. And your spouse is a higher property than your children! This creates a firm foundation for the kids.

Love your spouse in your finances, in your work. Don't withhold anything from them... they are your first mission field! They are first in line for your affection, your attention!

3. To follow Christ, we must love and respect our spouse. We must be a good example to all, of the love of Christ for his church. It glorifies him, and makes the marriage better for all involved!

God designed men and women differently, to play different roles and have different functions.

4. Pharisees want to talk about divorce... Jesus wants to talk about marriage!

As we close...

If you're married, you're so blessed; you have your own person! It's a privilege to grow old together. A great place to start in your mission field is with your spouse. Are you showing people the Gospel with your marriage?

Yes, share the gospel with whoever will listen, but start by ministering to your spouse! Christians are to be living epistles, read by men... Similarly, marriage is designed to be a living Gospel!

Are you loving your wife, submitting to your husband, to the glory of God? He is faithful to bear fruit.