Tri-Annual Singing!
June 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: MDR
Subject: Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
How Analogies Work
In Romans 7:4, Paul wrote, “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another – to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”
Paul’s point was that the law of Moses was superceded by faith in Christ. The new law of faith began at the death of Jesus, a new covenant, ratified by His blood. With this the Hebrew writer agreed, say that Jesus “is the Mediator of a new covenant, by means of death” (9:15). “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator” (16).
Paul used the analogy of marriage to establish the point. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. If a woman marries another man when her husband is alive, she is guilty of adultery. “But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband” (7:2). The way analogies work is they illustrate or lend credence to a truth. This is possible only if the analogy itself is true. It would make no sense otherwise.
What does that teach us? Marriage is a lifetime commitment! The phrase “till death do us part” has great import in the mind of God. The question is, does it to us as well? The institution is not well respected in our time. But the Christian should know marriage is for life!
Simple Truths re: Marriage & Divorce
In Mark 10, verses 1-12, we find the account of Jesus answering questions from a group of Pharisees. The teaching of Jesus here reveals some simple truths about the importance God places upon the marriage relationship.
The question of the Pharisees was: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (2). The question was not asked out of a legitimate desire to learn the truth, it was a means of “testing Him” (2). Jesus’ initial response was to ask them what Moses wrote. He did this not to settle the matter of their question, but to point out that the reason for Moses’ response in regulating but allowing some divorce was because of “the hardness of your heart” (5). This has been and still is the big problem that leads to the prolific use of divorcement by men. Continue reading “Simple Truths re: Marriage & Divorce”
Sermon: Lust, Marriage and Divorce
A lesson discussing an aspect of the radical teaching Jesus taught in His sermon on the mount. This section covers Matthew 5:27-32.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Destabilizing Marriage
Our American culture has in the last several decades destabilized the institution of marriage, changing the morals of our nation, and causing great destruction. The Bible calls for the protection and respect for the permanency of Marriage, God’s first institution.
Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger
JR Bronger from Blue Springs, MO preached a wonderful series of gospel sermons for the West Side congregation, May 1-6, 2021:
Saturday PM: The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)
- A discussion of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. A religious terrorist who became a wonderful example of the saving power of God’s grace.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 1st Service: Evangelizing the World
- In the first century, Christians were able to spread the gospel throughout the known world, despite opposition and challenges. If we have the same mindset today, we can be just as successful!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday Class: Successful Marriages
- Foundational teaching on the subject of marriage. Principles which, if followed, will guarantee strong marriages existing in accord with God’s desire.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians
- The world hated Jesus Christ because of His mission and righteousness. He promised that the world would hate his followers as well. In our day such hate is prominent.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race
- A runner himself, brother Bronger uses the Hebrew writer’s imagery in Hebrews 12:1-2 to establish a few important truths regarding the race the Christian runs.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns
- A powerful lesson on rebellion and redemption, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Young people need to hear this message!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Wednesday PM: Do You Want to be Made Well?
- If you really wish for spiritual healing, you must stop thinking of yourself as a victim, stop blaming others for your failings, free yourself from fear and recognize the difference between wanting relief, and wanting a cure.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Thursday PM: Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
- There were three responsible parties in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God Himself with His demands. The wicked court magicians. And most prominently, Pharaoh himself.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sermon: Looking at Parallels
The Holy Spirit uses comparisons, like comparing the lifetime committment of marriage to the Jews relationship with the law (Romans 7), and Jesus relationhip to the church to establish truths in the husband/wife relationship. The Hebrew writer does the same in Hebrews 9, teaching an important lesson about Christ’s sacrifice.
Is It Lawful?
In Mark 10, the Pharisees came to Jesus for the purpose of testing Him. Their motivations were impure, but they asked a question of him that is especially important to us today. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (10:2). Matthew records the question in this way, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” (19:3).
The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?
A question I often ask in Bible class, “What is the ‘therefore’ there for?” When you see the word in the Bible, it typically serves to connect a truth with a proper response. In effect, “This is so, therefore do that.”
Such events in scripture help to flesh out the proper response of a child of God to circumstances, scenarios, provocations and blessings. Let me give you a few examples from scripture.
Continue reading “The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?”
Sermon: God Hates Divorce / God Loves the Home
A two part lesson. Part one: God Hates Divorce (preached in the morning). Part two: God Loves the Home (preached in the evening. Note: Only the last 14 minutes of the evening lesson were recorded).
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Audio 1 (God Hates Divorce)
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Audio 2 (God Loves the Home)
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon (1 – God Hates Divorce)
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon (2 – God Loves the Home)
Sermon: The Death of John the Baptist
John the Baptist’s death teaches us lessons about superstition, marriage and divorce, the importance of virtue, the dangers of seduction and the persecution of God’s people.
Sermon: The Controversy Over Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
Lesson 5 of 5 in Lectureship Series: Controversy Among the People of God.
Speaker: Josh Cox
This lesson examines God’s law on Marriage (One man, one woman, for a lifetime), and notes the problems that come from man’s emotionalism and willfulness.
Sermon: Who Wants to Know What God Thinks About Divorce?
Some people don’t care what God thinks. Others are curious, looking for a loophole, and some accept what God says, no matter the cost of discipleship.
Sermon: Marriage and Divorce
An examination of the Lord’s teaching on the subject of Marriage and Divorce.
Sermon: Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
The sermon is in two parts. Part 1 reviews the concept of patternism in scripture. Part 2 shows the need for common sense in interpreting scripture.Sermon: Retaining God’s Standard of Marriage
Fall 2014 Meeting
Speaker: Bryan Gary of Dumas, TX
In 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul wrote Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (NASB).
This eighth in a series of 9 lessons emphasizes what the Bible teaches about Marriage, and examines some of the perversions of men on that aspect of God’s will.
