Pastor Lawton's Sermon

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August 22, 2010 -

"Family Matters:When Satan’s Arrows Penetrate "

Sermon Outline

Family Matters:  When Satan’s Arrows Penetrate
Matthew 19:1-9(p. 696)

Flaming Arrows

1. Sexual Temptations (1 Cor. 7:4-5)
2. Unforgiveness (Eph. 4:26 – 27)
1. Cannot have healthy relationships with it
2. Only you can decide to forgive
3. The love of money (1 Tim. 6:10)
4. The pursuit and possession can control us
3. Selfish approach toward relationships
1. Manipulation
2. Abuse of authority (1 Peter 3:7)
3. Lack of respect
4. Fear
1. Fear can paralyze and isolate us
2. Fear and worry are enemies of faith
3. Perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18)

More Than Conquerors
    No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  (Romans 8:37)

When the Arrows penetrate

1. We will lose some battles
1. God has not failed us
2. Divorce is a result of this
1. It should be painful
3. Two myths about divorce
1. Everyone who goes through divorce condones it
2. Divorce is the unpardonable sin

Biblical Perspective on Divorce

1. Moses allowed it (Dt. 24:1)
2. God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16)
3. The debate on reasons for divorce
1. Any matter
2. Specific reasons only
1. Marital unfaithfulness
2. Possibly neglect (Ex. 21:10-12)

Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce

1. God’s will and intention (v. 4 – 6)
1. Man and woman in life long marriage
2. Focus on what it takes to stay together
2. Valid and invalid divorce (v. 8 – 9)
1. Moses permitted it
1. Stubbornness
2. Divorce is not mandatory
2. One valid reason Jesus mentions
1. Unfaithfulness
3. A valid divorce makes remarriage valid
3. Paul acknowledges valid and invalid divorce
1. If an unbelieving spouse divorces a believer (1 Cor. 7:15)

Dealing  with Divorce

1. Our relationship with Christ is most important
2. Pray
1. For spouse
1. Remember God does not always change the circumstance
2. For God at work in your life
3. Seek forgiveness and forgive
4. Know you have choices
5. Know there is hope
1. God brings new beginnings
6. As a church
1. Proclaim truth but don’t ignore the pain

Going Deeper

1. Identify the flaming arrows that have done the most damage in your life (it could be one we did not cover). Ask God for forgiveness and deliverance.

1. How can you strengthen your own marriage?

1.  Is there someone you know that needs to be encouraged to strengthen their marriage?  Pray about how to encourage them to do so and follow through with it.

1. Read Matthew 19:4 – 8.  Be honest with yourself, which part do you relate to the most: the focus on marriage in v. 4 – 6, or the hardness of heart in v. 8
2. How can we as a church help build healthy  marriages? 

1. How can we come along side those who have been through a divorce?

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