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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ |
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| 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32) |
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| EXPOSITION: |
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 Jewish men had a cavalier approach to divorce. Initially it was simply by word of mouth but was codified by Moses into a Certificate of Divorce upon the acquiring of a written language. This had the effect of removing divorce from a simple act of passion in the heat of the moment to a more measured legal document. However, divorce could be had for any reason.
Jesus changed this radically, both in these verses and in later teachings.
Matthew 19:7-9
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 Obviously, in the modern Western world this command is being ignored both in the world itself and in the church.
My wife Kathy and I have been married 45 years. This would once have been regarded as normal but now is considered exceptional. We have had our ups and downs. As our friends would say, Kathy is an exceptionally forgiving woman! Joking aside, our marriage, any marriage, needs to be worked at in order for it to remain healthy. Taking each other for granted surely is the start of the downward spiral.
Of course, we have to be real and face the fact that in our society there are many who are separated and divorced. The church has faced or ignored this dilemma concerning remarriage and reacted in various ways. It is obvious that Jesus wasn't in favour of it, as recorded in Matthew 19:9 above, and in other places throughout the New Testament.
However I do also know the power of God's mercy, not as a license to do wrong but rather, as with the woman at the well, to enable recovery from a wrong situation.
James 2:12-13
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| Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; |
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| 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. |
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| 37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37) |
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| EXPOSITION: |
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 The Jews were generally reluctant to use the name of God in vain. In fact they venerated it so much that they would not even write it in full. However, they swore on other things and made oaths. In this exposition of the third commandment, Jesus called on us all not to swear upon anything, but simply to say 'yes' or 'no'.
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| TESTIMONY: |
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 In our modern world, we do not generally make a habit of swearing on things as much as the Jews did, but swearing, using God's name (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) is endemic in our Western society.
Sadly, the use of other 'bad language' also, commonly known as swearing, is becoming more and more common amongst Christians also.
Personally, perhaps because I was brought up in a home where this was unacceptable, it probably became ingrained in me early in life and so has not been a problem personally for me.
It is however, one of the first areas that can slip if we are not careful, as is illustrated by the language many Christians are using today.
Interestingly, not using foul language is one obvious sign of difference in believers to people of the world. When we let our yes and no stand for and by themselves without being embellished with expletives, it stands out to others who don't.
The main area where oaths are required today is in the legal system. Whether or not to swear upon the Bible is an individual matter of choice. Personally I do not have a problem with this.
I do have a problem though with societies or organisations that require one to swear an oath in order to join. I simply would not join.
When one thinks about the things we so easily and naturally do in life, the wisdom of Jesus in this matter is clear to see. May we take it on board in our lives.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> SERMON ON THE MOUNT continues... |
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 ..... with 'an eye for an eye' and 'loving our enemies'.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 This is real practical stuff that Jesus is teaching here. And we need to take note - and apply- what He is saying, to our lives.
JESUS: BACKGROUND
Historical Overview
The Zealots
The Zealots or Canaaneans were also a political group. They were revolutionaries, frequently revolting, their restlessness resulted in the loss of 200,000 lives from the beginning of the century up to the actual outbreak of war in 66 AD.
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
140. Adversity proves true love.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
If Only I'd Thought of it: http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php
Laughing at Ourselves: http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php
A look at some of lifes curious questions: http://www.wwj.org.nz/why.php
Everything you ever wanted to know about....: http://www.wwj.org.nz/exex.php
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