Marriage, Divorce, and God' Grace
In this heartfelt sermon, Kerry tackles one of the most difficult and sensitive topics in Scripture: marriage and divorce. Drawing from Luke 16:14-18, Matthew 19, and other key passages, he shares four essential principles shaped by decades of pastoral ministry and personal experience.
Four Key Principles:
- God hates divorce, but God does not hate people
- God's covenant of marriage is holy (leaving, cleaving, and weaving)
- God permits divorce in our fallen world
- God wipes away all our sins through repentance
Kerry explores the tension between God's perfect will and His permissive will, examining the debate between the conservative scholar Shammai and the more lenient Hillel in ancient Jewish tradition. He addresses the Greek words for adultery (moikeia and pornea) and their implications, while sharing powerful stories from his seminary training and years of counseling couples through devastating circumstances.
This message offers both truth and compassion—upholding the biblical view of marriage as a sacred covenant while extending grace to those who have experienced the tragedy of divorce. Whether you're married, divorced, or walking alongside someone going through this difficult journey, this sermon provides biblical wisdom and pastoral care.
"When a man divorces his wife or the wife divorces their husband, the very altar of the temple sheds tears." - Talmudic tractate on divorce