Hazelwood Baptist Church

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.--2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.--3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.--4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, Look at us.--5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.--6 But Peter said, I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!--7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.--8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.--9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,--10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. We Give What We Have God Recycles Our Pain Accept the Mission to Witness

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.--2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.--3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.--4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.--5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.--6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.--7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.--8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.--9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices--10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.--11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.--12 Put on then, as Gods chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,--13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.--14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.--15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.--16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.--17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The resurrection is the foundation of change What in your life are you not going to accept? Choose change today Our raised life is a resurrected life

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?--22 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.--23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.--24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.--25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.--26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.--27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.--28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, Pay what you owe.--29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you.--30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.--31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.--32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.--33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?--34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.--35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. The Scale of Gods Grace (vv 21-27) The Poison of Unforgiveness (vv 28-30) The Choice through Truth (vv 31-35) REVEAL your hurtRELEASE the offenderREPLACE with God's peace

32 A MASKIL OF DAVID.--1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.--2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.--3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.--4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah--5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah--6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.--7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah--8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.--9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.--10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.--11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Honesty brings healing. Hiding hurts us. Forgiveness frees and teaches us. Stop hiding, and start healing!

6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?--2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?--3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?--4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.--5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.--6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.--7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.--8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.--9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.--10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.--11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Something had to die Someone came back You can live differently starting today

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?--2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.--3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.--4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.--5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.--6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turnedevery oneto his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.--7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.--8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?--9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.--10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.--11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.--12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. The best parts of Jesus are repulsive to us.And He still came to take away your guilt, shame and grief.He assumes your punishment so you wouldnt have to.He does this because He receives sweet joy in forgiving you.

other supporting Scripture...

Exodus 32 & John 6

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Remember who you really work for! God sees what others dont see! Authority must look like Jesus! Honor the household of God!

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Wives Respect The Church Submits (22-24) Husbands Love Jesus Loves (25-30) Your Marriage Picture of the Gospel (31-33) What does your marriage reveal about what you believe? Your marriagecanreveal the gospel!

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you. 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Shine By Walking as Children of Light Walking as Children of Light Means Character Conforms to Identity Shine By Walking Wisely in Our Dark World Walking Wisely Means Discernment and Direction Shine By Living a Spirit-filled Life Living a Spirit-filled Life Means Less of Me, More of Him

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them. Christ defines love. (1-2) Sin distorts love. (3-4) The Kingdom clarifies love. (5) Truth protects love. (6-7)

(ESV) 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ch 5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Sermon Points Lying - Speaking God's Truth Anger - Trusting God's Justice Stealing - Extending Gods Generosity Speaking- Offering Gods Encouragement Grieving - Honoring Gods Presence Forgiving - Giving Gods Grace

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Definition: Character is a settled pattern of life shaped by what you believe and love! Christians no longer have darkened minds! Christians learn a new way of life in Christ! Join a Missional Community Christians are being renewed into a new creation!

Ephesians 4:1-10 (ESV) 1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spiritjust as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christs gift.8Therefore it says, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,and he gave gifts to men. 9(In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18And Jesus came and said to them,All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:16-20

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood--6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. How God Would Come Why God Would Come Who God Would Be When He Comes

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who diedmore than that, who was raisedwho is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus, the Gift that picked us Jesus, the Gift for our greater good Jesus, the Gift that stands the test of time Jesus, the Perfect Gift

2 1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us. 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill. 7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potters vessel. 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. We want to be our own king God installs His own King God's Son is our King Come worship the King!

14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,15from whom every familyin heaven and on earth is named,16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faiththat you, being rooted and grounded in love,18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. -Ephesians 3:14-21

1For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of Gods grace that was given to me for you,3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.6This mystery isthat the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of Gods grace, which was given me by the working of his power.8To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages inGod, who created all things,10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.13So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:1-13

19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God bythe Spirit. -Ephesians 2:19-22

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Creative Peacemaking Destructive Peacemaking Powerful Peacemaking

11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:11-13

1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4ButGod, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christby grace you have been saved6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10, ESV

15For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your loveftoward all the saints,16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,14who is the guaranteeof our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,to the praise of his glory. -Ephesians 1:11-14

7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight9making knownto us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. -Ephesians 1:7-10

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love5he predestined usfor adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. -Ephesians 1:3-6

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithfulain Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. -Ephesians 1:1-2

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.--2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?--3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.--4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.--5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;--6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.--7 Then I said, Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book. --8 When he said above, You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings (these are offered according to the law),--9 then he added, Behold, I have come to do your will. He does away with the first in order to establish the second.--10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.--11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.--12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,--13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.--14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Question: Can we make God happy? Sacrifices show sin's horror and our rescuer's greatness The Possibility: God Can Really Be Pleased The Answer: Make God Happy by Trusting His Son

Titus 2:1-8 1But as for you, teach what accords with sounddoctrine.2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.3Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.7Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,8and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

"16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;19that is, in Christ God was reconcilingcthe world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." -1 Corinthians 5:16-21, ESV

1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2:1-11

John 15:1-11 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love.11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Mark 15:40-16:8 40There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. 42And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.[a] And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46And Joseph[b] bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. 16When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3And they were saying to one another, Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb? 4And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled backit was very large. 5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6And he said to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. 8And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate 1And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.2And Pilate asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? And he answered him,You have said so.3And the chief priests accused him of many things.4And Pilate again asked him, Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.5But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified 6Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.7And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.8And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.9And he answered them, saying, Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?10For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.12And Pilate again said to them, Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?13And they cried out again, Crucify him.14And Pilate said to them, Why? What evil has he done? But they shouted all the more, Crucify him.15So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourgedaJesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Jesus Is Mocked 16And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governors headquarters),band they called together the whole battalion.17And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.18And they began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!19And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.20And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. The Crucifixion 21And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.22And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).23And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.24And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.25And it was the third hourwhen they crucified him.26And the inscription of the charge against him read, The King of the Jews.27And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.29And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,30save yourself, and come down from the cross!31So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself.32Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe. Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. The Death of Jesus 33And when the sixth hourhad come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?which means,My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?35And some of the bystanders hearing it said, Behold, he is calling Elijah.36And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.37And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.38And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.39And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way hebreathed his last, he said, Truly this man was the Soniof God! The King condemned in your place The King mocked by the world The King foresaken by sinners The King who opens the way How did the sermon and passage affect my view of God? How did the sermon and passage affect my view of myself? How is God inviting me to change? Where is God inviting me to go? What is God inviting me to do?

Mark 14:43-65 43And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.45And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, Rabbi! And he kissed him.46And they laid hands on him and seized him.47But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servantof the high priest and cut off his ear.48And Jesus said to them,Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?49Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.50And they all left him and fled. A Young Man Flees 51And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him,52but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. Jesus Before the Council 53And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.54And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.55Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.56For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.57And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.59Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.60And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?61But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?62And Jesus said,I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.63And the high priest tore his garments and said, What further witnesses do we need?64You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned him as deserving death.65And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, Prophesy! And the guards received him with blows.

Mark 14:26-42;66-72 32And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray. 33And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34And he said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch. 35And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. 37And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 39And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41And he came the third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand. 66And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus. 68But he denied it, saying, I neither know nor understand what you mean. And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, This man is one of them. 70But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean. 71But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not know this man of whom you speak. 72And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:1-11 1It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,2for they said, Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people. Jesus Anointed at Bethany 3And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.4There were some who said to themselves indignantly, Why was the ointment wasted like that?5For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denariiand given to the poor. And they scolded her.6But Jesus said,Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.8She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.9And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. Judas to Betray Jesus 10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.11And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 1And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!2And Jesus said to him,Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. Signs of the End of the Age 3And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,4Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?5And Jesus began to say to them,See that no one leads you astray.6Many will come in my name, saying, I am he! and they will lead many astray.7And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.11And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.12And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.13And you will be hated by all for my names sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. The Abomination of Desolation 14But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.15Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,16and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.17And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!18Pray that it may not happen in winter.19For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.20And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.21And then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or Look, there he is! do not believe it.22For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.23But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. The Coming of the Son of Man 24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,25and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.26And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. The Lesson of the Fig Tree 28From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.30Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No One Knows That Day or Hour 32But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.33Be on guard, keep awake.For you do not know when the time will come.34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servantsin charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.35Therefore stay awakefor you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,or in the morning36lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.37And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.

Text: Mark 12:35-44Main Idea: Spiritually Consistent ServiceThe Diet of the Spiritually Inconsistent (12:35-40)Sacrifice is the fruit of spiritual consistency (12:41-44) 35And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet. 37David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son? And the great throng heard him gladly. 38And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,40who devour widows houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. 41And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43And he called his disciples to him and said to them, Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.

Mark 12:28-34 28And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, Which commandment is the most important of all?29Jesus answered,The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.32And the scribe said to him, You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love ones neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him,You are not far from the kingdom of God.And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

The Parable of the Tenants 1And he began to speak to them in parables.A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country.2When the season came, he sent a servantto the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.3And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.4Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully.5And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed.6He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, They will respect my son.7But those tenants said to one another, This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.8And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard.9What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.10Have you not read this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;11this was the Lords doing,and it is marvelous in our eyes? 12And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Isaiah 41:1-10 1Coastlands, listen to Me in silence,And let the peoples gain new strength;Let them come forward, then let them speak;Let us come together for judgment. 2Who has aroused one from the eastWhom He calls in righteousness to His feet?He delivers up nations before himAnd subdues kings.He makes them like dust with his sword,As the wind-driven chaff with his bow. 3He pursues them, passing on in safety,By a way he had not been traversing with his feet. 4Who has performed and accomplishedit,Calling forth the generations from the beginning?I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He. 5The coastlands have seen and are afraid;The ends of the earth tremble;They have drawn near and have come. 6Each one helps his neighborAnd says to his brother, Be strong! 7So the craftsman encourages the smelter,Andhe who smoothsmetalwith the hammerencourageshim who beats the anvil,Saying of the soldering, It is good;And he fastens it with nails,So thatit will not totter. 8But you, Israel, My servant,Jacob whom I have chosen,Descendant of Abraham My friend, 9You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,And called from its remotest partsAnd said to you, You are My servant,I have chosen you and not rejected you. 10Do not fear, for I am with you;Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time 32And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,33saying,See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.34And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise. The Request of James and John 35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.36And he said to them,What do you want me to do for you?37And they said to him, Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.38Jesus said to them,You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?39And they said to him, We are able. And Jesus said to them,The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.41And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.42And Jesus called them to him and said to them,You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,44and whoever would be first among you must be slaveof all.45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus 46And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!48And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me!49And Jesus stopped and said,Call him.And they called the blind man, saying to him, Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.50And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51And Jesus said to him,What do you want me to do for you?And the blind man said to him, Rabbi, let me recover my sight.52And Jesus said to him,Go your way; your faith has made you well.And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

17As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?18And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.19You know the commandments, DO NOT MURDER,DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.20And he said to Him, Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.21Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.22But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. 23And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!24The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.26They were even more astonished and said to Him, Then who can be saved?27Looking at them, Jesus said, With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. 28Peter began to say to Him, Behold, we have left everything and followed You.29Jesus said, Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospels sake,30but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.31But manywho arefirst will be last, and the last, first. -Mark 10:17-31

1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? 3 He answered them, What did Moses command you? 4 They said, Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away. 5 And Jesus said to them, Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. 7 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. Reality of Divorce Reasons for Divorce Resistant to Divorce Result of Divorce