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Lesson 1 : Introductory Matters

Lesson 1 : Introductory Matters. Having a Biblical understanding of this subject (MDR) is of critical importance! It is not a trivial matter! First of all, it is a matter of eternal significance! This matter has a national significance! This matter has a church significance!

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Lesson 1 : Introductory Matters

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  1. Lesson 1: Introductory Matters

  2. Having a Biblical understanding of this subject (MDR) is of critical importance! It is not a trivial matter! • First of all, it is a matter of eternal significance! • This matter has a national significance! • This matter has a church significance! • This matter has a Biblical significance!

  3. Studying and teaching this subject (MDR) is a very sensitive matter! • This subject reaches out and touches everyone – personally, emotionally & with family. • Self-justification and justification of loved ones, at any cost, often takes precedence. • When there are children involved, the matter is complicated exponentially. • The highly controversial nature of this subject has divided congregations and families. • Discerning and abiding by God’s law is often set aside for one’s personal preferences.

  4. Studying MDR must be entered w/ the proper attitude! • …a proper attitude toward marriage itself. • …a proper attitude toward God Himself! • Our love for God must exceed our love for anyone else. • Our submission to God must override our submission to anyone else. • Our attitude of love and submission should lead us to true repentance from sin. • Our respect for God will not allow us to improperly invoke His love and mercy as justification for sinful actions.

  5. Studying MDR must be entered w/ the proper attitude! • …a proper attitude toward marriage itself. • …a proper attitude toward God Himself! • …a proper attitude toward God’s Word! • …respects the perfection of God’s revelation. • …objectively seeks the truth without preconceived ideas. • …recognizes that the Bible is knowable and understandable. • …desires to obey truth regardless of cost or where it leads. • …accepts that some consequences to sin are unalterable. • …a proper attitude toward one another! • …possesses and demonstrates agape love for all. • …is gracious and forgiving but not compromising.

  6. Studying MDR must be entered w/ the proper authority! • When it comes to MDR, which standard shall we use? • Proper Authority Option #1: Fickle Emotions • …when something doesn’t seem fair or right. • …when something doesn’t make sense. • Our emotions are not qualified to be the authority! • Our emotions do not determine or change Biblical teaching!

  7. Studying MDR must be entered w/ the proper authority! • When it comes to MDR, which standard shall we use? • Proper Authority Option #1: Fickle Emotions • Proper Authority Option #2: Family Situations • Some seek to justify family, creating a “new standard.” • Our families do not determine or change Biblical teaching! • Proper Authority Option #3: Fellow Brethren • Find a preacher who agrees…or argue more brethren agree • Our brethren do not determine or change Biblical teaching!

  8. Studying MDR must be entered w/ the proper authority! • When it comes to MDR, which standard shall we use? • Proper Authority Option #1: Fickle Emotions • Proper Authority Option #2: Family Situations • Proper Authority Option #3: Fellow Brethren • Proper Authority Option #4: Flawless Word of God • The Word of God is the only standard that is objective, Divine and pleasing to God. • The Word of God is the sole authority for all religious matters (Mt. 28:18; Col. 3:17). • The Word of God is the final authority that will judge us (John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10).

  9. Studying MDR must be entered w/ the proper analysis! • Proper analysis requires: • “Handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). • Love for truth and desire to know it • Humility and an open mind • A willingness to apply what is learned • Studying the content of each passage • Studying the context of each passage • Gathering all the relevant Scriptural evidence • Handling the evidence correctly • Refusing to add to or take away from what is revealed • Staying within the truth, observing it carefully and completely • After proper analysis, hold only to that which is true

  10. Keys to remember when studying MDR • Marriage is sacred (Heb. 13:4). • As marriage was created by God, He alone has the right to regulate it (Gen. 2:24; Mt. 19:6). • God’s Word is our only standard; it must be taught, respected and obeyed (Matt. 7:21). • The Bible’s teaching about MDR is not complicated, cloaked or contradictory. • Actually, the Bible’s teaching about MDR is straightforward, simple and systematic. • Do what it says and you’ll have no problems. • There are numerous and varying positions on MDR

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