19. Marriage and Divorce

"What God has joined together, let no one separate."

Matthew 19:6

"It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Matthew 5:31-32

"For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."

Matthew 22:30

The Pharisees on Divorce — Matthew 19:3-12 | Mark 10:2-12

What does Jesus's refusal to negotiate the covenant tell you about how He sees it?

20. The Church

Jesus used the word ekklesia twice in four Gospels. He established the gathering, the keys, the discipline process, the ordinances — then handed it to the Spirit. What the Spirit has been building since is the answer to what Jesus intended.

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."

Matthew 16:18

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector."

Matthew 18:17

"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven."

Matthew 18:18

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Matthew 18:20

Church Discipline — Matthew 18:15-20

The Great Commission — Matthew 28:18-20

Two ekklesia references in four Gospels — what did He intend to build, and what has the Spirit been building since?

"Now this is eternal life — that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent."

John 17:3

Soli Deo Gloria