Grace Community Bible Church Sermons

Pastor Rob Davis: Matt. 19:7-12

In Matthew 19:1-12 we find Jesus leaving Galilee and heading for Jerusalem (v. 1) accompanied by large crowds, many of whom He healed (v. 2), and teaching about God’s plan for marriage as He responds to 2 trick questions from the Pharisees.

1. Question #1: A trick question intended to test.
   1. Pharisees: Is divorce lawful for any reason whatsoever (v.3)?
   2. Jesus: No, because:
      1. Marriage is grounded in God’s creation (v. 4a).
      2. Marriage is between 1 man & 1 woman (v. 4b).
      3. Marriage is permanent (v. 5a).
      4. Marriage is intimately unifying (v. 5b).
      5. Marriage is authored by God (v. 6).
2. Question #2: A trick question intended to trap.
   1. Pharisees: Why did Moses command divorce (v. 7).
   2. Jesus: Moses permitted it because of your sin, but this was never God’s intent (v. 8).
      1. Anyone who divorces after the marriage has been consummated commits adultery if they marry another (v. 9a, c).
      2. If there has been unfaithfulness prior to the marriage being consummated (during the betrothal period) then one does not commit adultery if they marry another (v. 9b).
   3. The disciples: Then it is better not to marry at all (v. 10)!
      1. Not all people are called to be unmarried (v. 11a).
      2. Some, however, are called to be unmarried and they should accept this gift (vv. 11b-12).

Pastor Rob Davis: Matt. 19:1-12

In Matthew 19:1-12 we find Jesus leaving Galilee and heading for Jerusalem (v. 1) accompanied by large crowds, many of whom He healed (v. 2), and teaching about God’s plan for marriage as He responds to 2 trick questions from the Pharisees.

1. Question #1: A trick question intended to test.
   1. Pharisees: Is divorce lawful for any reason whatsoever (v.3)?
   2. Jesus: No, because:
      1. Marriage is grounded in God’s creation (v. 4a).
      2. Marriage is between 1 man & 1 woman (v. 4b).
      3. Marriage is permanent (v. 5a).
      4. Marriage is intimately unifying (v. 5b).
      5. Marriage is authored by God (v. 6).
2. Question #2: A trick question intended to trap.
   1. Pharisees: Why did Moses command divorce (v. 7).
   2. Jesus: Moses permitted it because of your sin, but this was never God’s intent (v. 8).
      1. Anyone who divorces after the marriage has been consummated commits adultery if they marry another (v. 9a, c).
      2. If there has been unfaithfulness prior to the marriage being consummated (during the betrothal period) then one does not commit adultery if they marry another (v. 9b).
   3. The disciples: Then it is better not to marry at all (v. 10)!
      1. Not all people are called to be unmarried (v. 11a).
      2. Some, however, are called to be unmarried and they should accept this gift (vv. 11b-12).

Pastor Rob Davis: Hag. 2:20-23

In Haggai’s 5th and final oracle (2:20-23) God encourages Zerubbabel (and all of God’s people throughout time!) to faithful service by revealing two aspects of His own character.

1. I am omnipotent.
   1. The mightiest of judges (vv. 20, 21).
   2. The mightiest of warriors (v. 22).
2. I am faithful (v. 23).

Sorry, I had posted last week’s sermon here instead of the new one.

Pastor Rob Davis: Hag. 2:10-19

In Haggai’s fourth oracle (2:10-19) he teaches the covenant community how to move from curses to blessings by asking them to look in three directions.

1. Look to the present: Assess your situation accurately (according to Scripture).
   1. Realize that there is no secondary transmission of holiness (vv. 10-12).
   2. Realize that there is secondary transmission of defilement (v. 13).
   3. Realize that your disobedience makes you defiled and this defilement transfers to both your work and your offerings making them unacceptable to God (v. 14).
2. Look to the past: Remember and learn from your past disobedience.
   1. I cursed the work of your hands (vv. 15-17a),
   2. But you did not return to me (v. 17b).
3. Look to the future: Trust me to bless you!
   1. Today: Everything looks the same (vv. 18-19a).
   2. Tomorrow: I will bless you (v. 19b)!

Pastor Rob Davis: Hag. 2:1-9

In Haggai’s 3rd oracle (2:1-9) God gives His covenant people 5 reasons to be encouraged.

1. Be encouraged because I know you are discouraged (vv. 1-3).
2. Be encouraged because I am with you.
   1. So take courage (v. 4a, b, c)
   2. So work (v. 4d)
3. Be encouraged because I am faithful (v. 5).
4. Be encouraged because I am sovereign.
   1. A sovereign Who will judge (v. 6)
   2. A sovereign Who will provide (vv. 7-8)
5. Be encouraged because the future glory of My house will be greater than the past glory (v. 9).