by Roby Ellis
[Scripture Reading: Mark 10:7-9]
Introduction
A. In the world that Jesus lived in, signs of division were everywhere, even in the temple itself.
B. As people who still live in a world full of division, we can testify that division is more often detrimental than beneficial.
Discussion
I. When God joins things together, man should not divide them.
A. God joins body and spirit (Genesis 2:7; James 2:26).
B. God has joined faith and works in His plan of salvation (James 2:14-26).
C. God has also joined baptism and salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
D. God is the One Who joins husband and wife (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6).
II. We must do everything we can to keep our homes together.
A. We need to remember that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:11-16).
B. We need to understand that separation is not a solution (1 Peter 3:1; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
C. We need to pursue peace and harmony in our homes (1 Peter 3:1-7).
Conclusion
A. The church will only be as strong as its families.
B. If the home was so important to God that He would use it to model the church (Ephesians 5), it ought to be important to us.