Matthew 19
THE THIRD PREDICTION OF HIS DEATH
17 While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the way, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19 They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.”
 
Mark 10
THE THIRD PREDICTION OF HIS DEATH
32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were astonished, but those who followed him were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them the things that would happen to him. 33 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 and they will mock him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him, and he will rise after three days.”
 
Luke 18
THE THIRD PREDICTION OF HIS DEATH
31 Then he took the Twelve aside and told them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

• Psalm 22 & Isaiah 53

32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked, insulted, spit on; 33 and after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.”

• This is not the first time Jesus said this to his disciples.
• Matthew 16 – Peter’s great confession
• Matthew 17 – Mt. Hermon – Transfiguration
• He just told his disciples they would reign over the 12 tribes at the end times.

34 They understood none of these things. The meaning of the saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. [1]
 
Matthew 20
SUFFERING AND SERVICE
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something. 21 “What do you want?” he asked her.
“Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.”

• Insecurity
• “Make my sons more important than the other 10 disciples.”
• “Give my sons special treatment.”
• This is like saying, “Let my 150 lb boys be the right guard and left guard on the football team and let them start.”
• Does she really know what she is asking for?
• Allow them to earn their way
• Allow them room to fail

22 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking.

• Mom just tried to position her boys into a situation she wasn’t even sure about.

Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
“We are able,” they said to him.

• They said, “Yes” because their mom put them in that situation.
• We’ll do whatever it is… even though they didn’t know.
• They have no idea what “the cup” is.
• James was the first martyred disciple (Acts)
• John was the last disciple.

23 He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

• I can’t promise where they will sit on the throne with Me but I can guarantee they will be killed!

24 When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”[2]

• Jesus came to serve.

 
Mark 10
SUFFERING AND SERVICE
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask you.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them.
37 They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”
38 Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We are able,” they told him.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 40 But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”[3]
 
Matthew 20
TWO BLIND MEN HEALED
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.

• The Jericho Joshua defeated in the Old Testament.

30 There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd demanded that they keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33 “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him. [4]
Mark 10
A BLIND MAN HEALED
46 They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

• The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be a descendent of David

48 Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!”

• Desperate people do not permit the crowd from keeping them from Jesus.

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you.” 50 He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
 - He did not want to trip over his own cloak or blanket.
51 Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.”

• Rabbai was his personal expression of his faith.

52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road. [5]
 
Luke 18:35-43
A BLIND MAN RECEIVES HIS SIGHT
35 As he approached Jericho,
 - The Jericho Herod the Great built 1.5 miles away.
a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. 37 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.
38 So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”
42 “Receive your sight.” Jesus told him. “Your faith has saved you.” 43 Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. [6]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 18:31–34). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 20:17–28). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 10:32–45). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 20:29–34). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 10:46–52). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 18:35–43). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

​

Genesis 5:3 - When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

Romans 5:20 -  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Romans 6:6 - ​knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - ​He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Ephesians 3:12 - ​in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

1 Timothy 4:12 - ​Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Acts 17:11 - ​Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

2 Timothy 2:2 - ​The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Romans 8:1 - ​Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 
 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Matthew 19
BLESSING THE CHILDREN
13 Then children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After placing his hands on them, he went on from there. [1]
 
Mark 10
BLESSING THE CHILDREN
13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.[2]
 
Luke 18
BLESSING THE CHILDREN
15 People were bringing infants to him so he might touch them,

• Good touch (blessing) vs bad touch
• Baby dedication at Pinheads

but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

• Kids and candy on Sundays
• Visit newborns at the hospital

17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [3]

• Let them have salvation
• Romans considered children low on the status poll
• Come humbly and with faith.
• Jesus loves the children and will take care of them (age of accountability issue)

 
Luke 18
THE RICH YOUNG RULER
18 A ruler (Mark: ran up to Him and knelt before Him) asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

• Sanhedrin member
• Wealth guaranteed salvation
• This man did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.

• “Good teacher” – not “Good Messiah”
• The rabbis were called “Master” (Teacher), but it was most unusual for a rabbi to be called “good.”
• The Jews reserved the word good for God. [4]
• Was this man implying that Jesus was God?
• Did you really just say that?

20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.”

• These were the ten commandments that related man to man… not man to God.
• When Jesus quoted from the second table of the Law, He did not quote the last commandment, “Thou shalt not covet” (Ex. 20:17).
• Jesus knew the young man’s heart, so instead of preaching to him about covetousness, He asked him to do something that a covetous person would not do.[5]

21 “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said.

• Jesus had to have smiled.

22 When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

• Jesus was asking the rich young ruler to change his theology.
• Keep this in context.
• This is not instruction for believers to get rid of all material things.
• From a Gentile perspective: You can make this Scripture passage real legalism.
• Nobody is saved by giving all his wealth to the poor, but nobody can be saved who will not repent of his sins and turn away from them.
• This young man was possessed by the love of money and he would not let go.[6]
• 1 Choice – Adam & Eve
• 10 Commandments
• 613 Laws
• Sermon on the Mount

23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich.

• The rich young ruler may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet of Jesus and went away in worse condition than when he came.
• And yet he had so much in his favor!
• He was moral and religious, earnest and sincere, and probably would have qualified for membership in the average church.
• Yet he refused to follow Jesus Christ and instead went his own way in great sorrow.[7]

 
Matthew 19
THE RICH YOUNG RULER
16 Just then someone came up and asked him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” he said to him. “There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he asked him.
Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.
20 “I have kept all these,” the young man told him. “What do I still lack?”
21 “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.
 
Matthew 19
POSSESSIONS AND THE KINGDOM
23 Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

• Jesus’ disciples were raised under pharisaic Judaism.
• They were taught that wealth was necessary for salvation.
• Abraham, David & Solomon?

 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter responded to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?”

• Jesus is about to be crucified and Peter is concerned about what he is going to get.

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• No specific appointments made at this time.

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first (Pharisees) will be last, and the last first (Children).
 
THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD WORKERS
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on one denarius, he sent them into his vineyard for the day. 3 When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. 5 About noon and about three, he went out again and did the same thing. 6 Then about five he went and found others standing around and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?’
7 “‘Because no one hired us,’ they said to him.
“‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he told them. 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’
9 “When those who were hired about five came, they each received one denarius. 10 So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each. 11 When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: 12 ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day’s work and the burning heat.’
13 “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? 14 Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first last.”[8]

• “That’s not fair.”
• Do you really want fair?

 
Mark 10
THE RICH YOUNG RULER
17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”
20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”
21 Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.[9]
 
Luke 18
POSSESSIONS AND THE KINGDOM
24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?”
27 He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed you.”
29 So he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.” [10]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 19:13–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 10:13–16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 18:15–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 250). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 250). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 250). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 249). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 19:16–20:16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 10:17–22). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 18:18–30). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• We concluded last week at Luke 17 with Jesus answering a question about end times and His Second Coming.

• He continues this thought through the beginning of Luke 18 with a couple of parables.
• Jesus specifically is teaching about prayer because it will become important for the Jews.
  
  

Luke 18
THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW
1 Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. 3 And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? 8 I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

• This parable is in reference to the Second Coming of Jesus and saving the remnant of Jews that is left and being pursued by the Antichrist at the end of the Tribulation.

 
THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’
13 “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

• Repentance + Faith = Salvation

14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”[1]

• God is more concerned about the condition of your heart rather than what you are doing.

 
The subject of divorce:

• You are not going to find all your answers in the next 20-30 minutes.
• We will not cover all the Scriptures on divorce
• If you are considering divorce… seek wise counsel
• Don’t look for people to affirm what you want to do.

 
THE QUESTION OF DIVORCE
Matthew 19
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he departed from Galilee and went to the region of Judea across the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees approached him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?”

• Deuteronomy 24:1 - “If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, he may write her a divorce certificate, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.” [2]
• Mishna (Page 321) Gittin 9.10

The School of Shammai say: A man may not divorce his wife unless he has found unchastity in her, for it is written, Because he hath found in her indecency in anything.
And the School of Hillel say: [He may divorce her] even if she spoiled a dish for him, for it is written, Because he hath found in her indecency in anything.
4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female,” 5 and he also said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

• Instead of going back to Deuteronomy, Jesus went back to Genesis.
• What God did when He established the first marriage teaches us positively what He had in mind for a man and a woman.
• If we build a marriage after God’s ideal pattern, we will not have to worry about divorce laws.[3]
• It is between man and woman…
• Not man and his job…
• Not woman and her children…
• I choose to journey with my wife the rest of my days here on this earth.
• We reproduced children so they could do the same.
• For the last 24 years and 25 days, we have prepared our marriage for this very day.
• We are one flesh!

  
7 “Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away?”
8 He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. 9 I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”

• Jeremiah 3:6-10 – 6 In the days of King Josiah the Lord asked me, “Have you seen what unfaithful Israel has done? She has ascended every high hill and gone under every green tree to prostitute herself there. 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all these things, she will return to me.’ But she didn’t return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 I observed that it was because unfaithful Israel had committed adultery that I had sent her away and had given her a certificate of divorce. Nevertheless, her treacherous sister Judah was not afraid but also went and prostituted herself. 9 Indifferent to her prostitution, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. 10 Yet in spite of all this, her treacherous sister Judah didn’t return to me with all her heart—only in pretense.”

This is the Lord’s declaration. [4]

• The Jews will return to the Lord at His Second Coming.

 

• Malachai 2:10-16
  10     “Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?

11     “Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
12     “As for the man who does this, may the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the Lord of hosts.

1.     “This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.

14     “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
15     “But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.
16     “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”[5]

• Why does God hate divorce?
• What is divorce?
• The act of divorce is not a legal document.
• The act of divorce is everything that leads up to separation of one flesh.
• Singleness – Everything is done for yourself.
• Dating/Courtship – You learn to do things to gratify one that you choose to love.
• Marriage – You become one flesh and it is about gratifying each other’s needs.
• Sexual intimacy is that wedding gift that physically says, “we are one flesh.”
• The act of divorce begins when you start acting as a separated flesh.
• In other words, you go back to doing things that gratifies yourself rather than your spouse.
• As for the sexual intimacy… some of you just stop… because you don’t want to… you don’t take into account your spouse’s needs.
• Others will go back to self-gratification through porn (guys like pictures, girls like words so the will read romantic novels that cause them to create a relationship with their spouse in their brain that they can never attain).
• Some will find self-gratification in another person.
• The self-gratification of intimacy is just one aspect of the act of divorce.
• There is the lack of communication as one flesh.
• There is the issue of money and possessions that come into play.
• There is in-laws and family that interfere with you being one flesh.

And it all leads down a selfish road of doing everything for yourself.
 
10 His disciples said to him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it’s better not to marry.”

• You can assume that the disciples grew up under the discipleship of the School of Hillel.

11 He responded, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept it should accept it.” [6]

• Jesus speaks about the life of celibacy.

 
THE QUESTION OF DIVORCE
Mark 10
1 He set out from there and went to the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Then crowds converged on him again, and as was his custom he taught them again.
2 Some Pharisees came to test him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3 He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?”
4 They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.”
5 But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. 6 But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother 8 and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
10 When they were in the house again, the disciples questioned him about this matter. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 Also, if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” [7]

• With this statement, Jesus just changed the Jewish law by saying the wife could divorce the husband.

Romans 8:1 - 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.[8]

• I believe you have two choices:

1) Walk by your flesh (selfish)
2) Walk by the Spirit (live your life by another source)

• No one goes into marriage wanting divorce.
• Sometimes we walk in a season of flesh.
• Maybe, you just need some counsel in how to walk by the Spirit.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 18:1–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 24:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 68). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Je 3:6–10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mal 2:10–16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 19:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 10:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 8:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.