Over the course of the last eight weeks we’ve covered a lot about marriage and family relationships. Strong families make strong churches… and it’s all a part of being well rooted in Christ. We’ve looked at these things from the ideal — which is the standard God wants us to aim for. It’s been challenging. But there are those in our family here where things haven’t worked out as planned with their marriage and family. What about them? With a divorce rate hovering around 50%, there are few of us in the church who will not experience it personally through family; a friend; or co-worker. Life doesn’t always work out as law prescribes. Therefore our Lord has made provision.
I. Run to Jesus for Healing
A. John 4:7: A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her,…
We don’t know the whole story. 4.18: For you’ve had
, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true. What does Jesus tell this divorced woman? He offers hope.
a) 4:10: If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you
water. He offers himself. B And so we run to Him as He runs to us….
Psalm 34:17–18: The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those
in spirit.’ Psalm 145:18: The Lord is
all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity.
II. Turn Away from any Hardness in Your Heart
A. The child of God, instead of harboring bitterness, offers forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:31–32: Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in
. The child of God, instead of devising plans of vengeance, brokers for peace.
a) Romans 12:18: If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
with everyone.
- The son or daughter of God, instead of falling prey to pride, humbly seeks God for help.
a) James 4:7: Therefore,
to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
III. Don’t Be Overwhelmed by the Obstacles
A. We must remember our position. You are a son or daughter of God. He equips you with:
- A sound mind so that we can look at our problems.
a) 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and
.
- Power so that you can overcome.
a. Ephesians 3:20: Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—
- Love so that we can respond in the way He does.
a) Romans 5:5: …God’s love has been
out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit… B. What matters is your faithfulness to Him now. Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
IV. Receive God’s New Plan for Your Life
A. Life may not have turned out as planned. God is not finished with the divorced person.
- Proverbs 3:5–6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths
. B. Our Lord can use the hardest things in life – even divorce – to show people who He is.
C. 2 Corinthians 1:4: who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
V. As We Close…
A. Sin breaks down everything it touches.
B. We are all one in Christ … and that includes every member here.