Seminar. What God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce

Seminar

What God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent DivorceWhat God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce

““ So then, they are So then, they are no longer two but no longer two but

one flesh. one flesh. Therefore what Therefore what God has joined God has joined

together, let not together, let not man separate.” man separate.” Matthew 19:6Matthew 19:6


Marriage is a “great mystery”. (Eph 5:32)

Marriage is a “great mystery”. (Eph 5:32)We come to the altar as two, and we leave as one!

We come to the altar as two, and we leave as one!


Today, divorce has become an epidemic!50% of American marriages end in divorce!65% of second marriages suffer the same fate!

Today, divorce has become an epidemic!50% of American marriages end in divorce!65% of second marriages suffer the same fate!




Christ’s Exception:Christ’s Exception:“ And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Matthew 19:9

“ And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Matthew 19:9


““ Truly, these Truly, these times of times of

ignorance God ignorance God overlooked, but overlooked, but now commands now commands

all men all men everywhere to everywhere to repent.” Acts repent.” Acts

17:3017:30




Marriage Experiment says:“I’ll try it out, and I hope it works.”Marriage Commitment says:“I’m making a commitment for life, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work!”

Marriage Experiment says:“I’ll try it out, and I hope it works.”Marriage Commitment says:“I’m making a commitment for life, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work!”


“ “My heart is My heart is fixed, O God, fixed, O God, my heart is my heart is

fixed.” Psalm fixed.” Psalm 57:757:7



“ Awake, o north wind, and come, o

south! Blow upon my garden, That its

spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.”

Song of Solomon 4:16

“ Awake, o north wind, and come, o

south! Blow upon my garden, That its

spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.”

Song of Solomon 4:16


A garden takes a constant A garden takes a constant care: care: thought, time and effort. So thought, time and effort. So does a marriage!does a marriage!

A garden takes a constant A garden takes a constant care: care: thought, time and effort. So thought, time and effort. So does a marriage!does a marriage!



Husband says, “How beautiful you are my

darling! Oh how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves, your hair is like

a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. All beautiful you

are my, my darling, there is no flaw in you.”

Song of Solomon 4:1,7, NIV

Husband says, “How beautiful you are my

darling! Oh how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves, your hair is like

a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. All beautiful you

are my, my darling, there is no flaw in you.”

Song of Solomon 4:1,7, NIV

Words of love:Words of love:What God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent DivorceWhat God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce

Wife says, “My beloved is white and ruddy, chief

among ten thousand. His mouth is most sweet, yes,

he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and

this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!”Song of Solomon 5:10,16

Wife says, “My beloved is white and ruddy, chief

among ten thousand. His mouth is most sweet, yes,

he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and

this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!”Song of Solomon 5:10,16

Words of love:Words of love:What God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent DivorceWhat God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce

In addition to words of love, we need the acts of love: a kiss, a card, a gift, a flower –not only on birthday and anniversaries, but on any day of the year!

In addition to words of love, we need the acts of love: a kiss, a card, a gift, a flower –not only on birthday and anniversaries, but on any day of the year!



1

Pro

ble

m1

Pro

ble

m

2Feelings

2Feelings

3

Wants3

Wants

4“I

”

Stat

emen

ts4“I

”

Stat

emen

ts

5In

terp

reti

ng

5In

terp

reti

ng

6

Empat

hizin

g6

Empat

hizin

g

7Mirroring

7Mirroring

8“You”

Statements

8“You”

Statements9

Bargaining9

Bargaining

Col. 4:6Col. 4:6

James 1:19James 1:19What God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent DivorceWhat God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce


“We then who are strong ought to bear

with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please

Himself.” Romans 15:1-3

“We then who are strong ought to bear

with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please

Himself.” Romans 15:1-3


The root of every The root of every marital problem ismarital problem is ““self firstself first””James 4: 1, 2James 4: 1, 2

The solution to each The solution to each conflict isconflict is ““spouse spouse firstfirst””

The root of every The root of every marital problem ismarital problem is ““self firstself first””James 4: 1, 2James 4: 1, 2

The solution to each The solution to each conflict isconflict is ““spouse spouse firstfirst””




“ “I say to you that I say to you that if two of you agree if two of you agree on earth concerning on earth concerning anything that they anything that they ask, it will be done ask, it will be done

for them by My for them by My Father in heaven.” Father in heaven.”

Matthew 18:19Matthew 18:19



““ Jesus looked at Jesus looked at them and said to them and said to them, ‘With men them, ‘With men

this is impossible, this is impossible, but with God all but with God all

things are things are possible.’” possible.’”

Matthew 19:26Matthew 19:26



On the sixth day of creation, Adam and Eve were joined together.

On the sixth day of creation, Adam and Eve were joined together.

In Eden, another union

was consummated

!

In Eden, another union

was consummated

!

On the seventh day, Christ and His Sabbath were also united together.

On the seventh day, Christ and His Sabbath were also united together. In God’s plan, Christ and His Sabbath are united forever.

In God’s plan, Christ and His Sabbath are united forever.



It is sometimes said that Christ and the Sabbath are united in the Old Testament, but divorced in the New! Let us stop at three places where, it is believed a divorce took place.

It is sometimes said that Christ and the Sabbath are united in the Old Testament, but divorced in the New! Let us stop at three places where, it is believed a divorce took place.



When Christ was Crucified, was the weekly Sabbath crucified with Him?

When Christ was Crucified, was the weekly Sabbath crucified with Him?

The CrossThe CrossWhat God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent DivorceWhat God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce


“ “Having wiped out Having wiped out the handwriting of the handwriting of

requirements that was requirements that was against us, which was against us, which was contrary to us. And He contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the has taken it out of the way, having nailed it way, having nailed it

to the cross.to the cross.


So let no one judge So let no one judge you in food or in you in food or in

drink, or regarding a drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon festival or a new moon

or sabbaths, which or sabbaths, which are a shadow of are a shadow of

things to come, but things to come, but the substance is of the substance is of Christ.” Colossians Christ.” Colossians

2:14-172:14-17

Before the Savior came in human form, His shadow was the sanctuary and its services.

Before the Savior came in human form, His shadow was the sanctuary and its services.

Christ’s “Shadow”Christ’s

“Shadow”


This This ceremonial ceremonial system had system had seven annual seven annual holy days like holy days like Passover, Passover, Pentecost andPentecost andthe Day of the Day of Atonement. Atonement. They occurred They occurred once a year once a year and were and were called called Sabbaths.Sabbaths.


“Also the tenth day of this seventh month

shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall

be a holy convocation for you; you shall

afflict your souls, and offer an offering

made by fire to the LORD.

“Also the tenth day of this seventh month

shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall

be a holy convocation for you; you shall

afflict your souls, and offer an offering

made by fire to the LORD.


“It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest,

and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth

day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall

celebrate your Sabbath ” Leviticus 23:27,32

“It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest,

and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth

day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall

celebrate your Sabbath ” Leviticus 23:27,32


When Jesus died, When Jesus died, this whole system this whole system with its animal with its animal sacrifices and its sacrifices and its annual Sabbaths annual Sabbaths came to an end.came to an end.

When Jesus died, When Jesus died, this whole system this whole system with its animal with its animal sacrifices and its sacrifices and its annual Sabbaths annual Sabbaths came to an end.came to an end.


“The veil of the temple was torn in

two.” Matthew 27:50,51

“The veil of the temple was torn in

two.” Matthew 27:50,51

“It is finished!” John

19:30

“It is finished!” John

19:30


No moreNo moreCandlestick, for Christ is Light of the world! Altar, for Calvary was the altar!

Candlestick, for Christ is Light of the world! Altar, for Calvary was the altar!


Priest, for Jesus is our High Priest!Lamb, for Christ is the Lamb of God!Passover, for Christ is our Passover!

Priest, for Jesus is our High Priest!Lamb, for Christ is the Lamb of God!Passover, for Christ is our Passover!


So, at Calvary, there wasNo Divorce!

So, at Calvary, there wasNo Divorce! The Savior and His Sabbath are still married!

The Savior and His Sabbath are still married!

And what God has joined Together …

And what God has joined Together …




There are only eight verses of the New

Testament that mention the “first day of the week.”

Five of them (Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:2, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1 & John 20:1) give us

the Resurrection story, but tell of no meeting. Let us examine the other three.

There are only eight verses of the New

Testament that mention the “first day of the week.”

Five of them (Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:2, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1 & John 20:1) give us

the Resurrection story, but tell of no meeting. Let us examine the other three.


“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors

were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus

came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be

with you.” John 20:19

Why were the disciples assembled?

“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors

were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus

came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be

with you.” John 20:19

Why were the disciples assembled?


“ “On the first day of On the first day of the week let each one the week let each one of you lay something of you lay something aside, storing up as aside, storing up as

he may prosper, that he may prosper, that there be no there be no

collections when I collections when I come.” come.” 11Corinthians Corinthians

16:1,216:1,2Was this a meeting?Was this a meeting?


“ “Now on the first Now on the first day of the week, day of the week,

when the disciples when the disciples came together to came together to break bread, Paul, break bread, Paul, ready to depart the ready to depart the next day, spoke to next day, spoke to

them and continued them and continued his message until his message until

midnight.” Acts 20:7midnight.” Acts 20:7


The early Church was “breaking bread” any day, anywhere. (Acts 2:46)This was a Saturday night farewell meeting. On Sunday, Paul continued his journey.

The early Church was “breaking bread” any day, anywhere. (Acts 2:46)This was a Saturday night farewell meeting. On Sunday, Paul continued his journey.


The sanctity of Sunday is not found in Scripture!

The sanctity of Sunday is not found in Scripture! Emperor Emperor

Constantine Constantine issued the issued the first Sunday first Sunday law on March law on March 7, 321, AD7, 321, AD

Emperor Emperor Constantine Constantine issued the issued the first Sunday first Sunday law on March law on March 7, 321, AD7, 321, AD


When the mighty Roman Empire lost its

power, the Church took that power!

But instead of making wrongs right, the

Church called wrong “right”!

She legalized Sunday worship!

When the mighty Roman Empire lost its

power, the Church took that power!

But instead of making wrongs right, the

Church called wrong “right”!

She legalized Sunday worship!


““ Question: Have you Question: Have you any other way of any other way of proving that the proving that the

Church has power to Church has power to institute festivals of institute festivals of

precept?precept?

““ Question: Have you Question: Have you any other way of any other way of proving that the proving that the

Church has power to Church has power to institute festivals of institute festivals of

precept?precept?

The church’s statement

The church’s statement


““ Answer: Had she not such Answer: Had she not such power, power,

she could not have done that she could not have done that in in

which all modern religionists which all modern religionists agree agree

with her; she could not have with her; she could not have substituted the observance substituted the observance

of of Sunday, the first day of the Sunday, the first day of the

week, week, for the observance of for the observance of

Saturday, the Saturday, the seventh day, a change for seventh day, a change for

which which there is no Scriptural there is no Scriptural

authority.”authority.”Rev. Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Rev. Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal

Catechism, p.174.Catechism, p.174.

““ Answer: Had she not such Answer: Had she not such power, power,

she could not have done that she could not have done that in in

which all modern religionists which all modern religionists agree agree

with her; she could not have with her; she could not have substituted the observance substituted the observance

of of Sunday, the first day of the Sunday, the first day of the

week, week, for the observance of for the observance of

Saturday, the Saturday, the seventh day, a change for seventh day, a change for

which which there is no Scriptural there is no Scriptural

authority.”authority.”Rev. Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Rev. Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal

Catechism, p.174.Catechism, p.174.


So, after Christ’s resurrection, there was no divorce!The Savior and His Sabbath are still married!And what God has joined together…

So, after Christ’s resurrection, there was no divorce!The Savior and His Sabbath are still married!And what God has joined together…



““ For by grace you For by grace you have been saved have been saved through faith, and through faith, and that not of that not of yourselves; yourselves; it is the gift of it is the gift of God”God”Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8

““ For by grace you For by grace you have been saved have been saved through faith, and through faith, and that not of that not of yourselves; yourselves; it is the gift of it is the gift of God”God”Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8


“Do we then make void the law through

faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” Romans

3:31

“Do we then make void the law through

faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” Romans

3:31




““I will put My I will put My laws in their laws in their

mind and write mind and write them on their them on their

hearts.hearts.”” Hebrews Hebrews 8:108:10

““I will put My I will put My laws in their laws in their

mind and write mind and write them on their them on their

hearts.hearts.”” Hebrews Hebrews 8:108:10


Because God has Because God has written His law in written His law in my heart and I my heart and I obey…obey…

Because God has Because God has written His law in written His law in my heart and I my heart and I obey…obey…

No moreNo moreNo moreNo more

I obey the Law of I obey the Law of Jesus because I'm Jesus because I'm saved by the saved by the Grace of JesusGrace of Jesus

I obey the Law of I obey the Law of Jesus because I'm Jesus because I'm saved by the saved by the Grace of JesusGrace of Jesus


StealingStealingLyingLyingDisobedienceDisobedienceAlcoholAlcoholAdulteryAdulteryBowing to idolsBowing to idolsFetingFetingSwearingSwearingSabbath-Sabbath-breakingbreaking

When I’m When I’m saved by the saved by the grace of Jesus. grace of Jesus. I keep the I keep the Sabbath of Sabbath of Jesus.Jesus.

When I’m When I’m saved by the saved by the grace of Jesus. grace of Jesus. I keep the I keep the Sabbath of Sabbath of Jesus.Jesus.


When God recreates this earth, there will still be No Divorce! The Savior and His

Sabbath will be united forever!

When God recreates this earth, there will still be No Divorce! The Savior and His

Sabbath will be united forever!


“‘For as the new heavens and the new earth which I

will make shall remain before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘so

shall your descendants and

your name remain.

“‘For as the new heavens and the new earth which I

will make shall remain before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘so

shall your descendants and

your name remain.


And it shall come to pass that from one

new moon to another, and from

one Sabbath to another, all flesh

shall come to worship before Me,’

says the LORD.” Isaiah 66:22,23

And it shall come to pass that from one

new moon to another, and from

one Sabbath to another, all flesh

shall come to worship before Me,’

says the LORD.” Isaiah 66:22,23


That will be That will be God’s Happy God’s Happy

Family Family eternally!eternally!

That will be That will be God’s Happy God’s Happy

Family Family eternally!eternally!




Together Forever!Together Forever!Sabbath and Savior!Sabbath and Savior!

Sabbath Sabbath Commitment!Commitment!

Together Forever!Together Forever!Sabbath and Savior!Sabbath and Savior!

Sabbath Sabbath Commitment!Commitment!


Documents

Seminar. What God Has Joined Together! Six Steps to Prevent Divorce