|
 LOVE
* MARRIAGE * DIVORCE
God's
laws on Marriage
by: Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
 Mark
10:6-9 - "But from the beginning of the
creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall
a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, And
they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but
one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no
man put asunder."
WHAT
GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER IN MARRIAGE
It
is a serious thing to break the commandments of God. The
Bible says: "The carnal mind is enmity against God."
(Romans 8:7) "Friendship with the world is enmity
with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the
world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
St.
Paul warned the Christian Church to clean up their act.
He wrote about sanctification, since they had begun to revert to
their old ways, acting like the Gentiles (heathen) they once were.
They had accepted the Gospel but their lives were still
undisciplined and impure.
The
apostle stated, "It is a shame to even speak of those
things which are done of them in secret." (Ephesians
5:12) He warned: "Because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not
ye therefore partakers with them." (Ephesians 5:6-7)
What
were those things that would cause the wrath of God to come upon
the children of disobedience? "But fornication, and
all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among
you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of
thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (Ephesians
5:3-5)
St.
Paul states emphatically, "Be not ye therefore partakers
with them. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:7,
11)
WHAT
WERE THE SINS THAT ST. PAUL WAS
WARNING THEM ABOUT?
In
his letter to the church of Colosse, he continued admonishing and
warning, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon
the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry. For which things' sake the wrath of God
cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also
walked some time, when ye lived in them".
(Colossians 3:5-7)
The
pagan lived in debauchery and sin, but the clear-cut message
of the New Testament was to straighten up and remove oneself from
this cesspool of carnality. After conversion to Christ's
Gospel, we no longer live as do the heathen, who know not God.
A
good example is the way pagans treat their women - like the mud
under their feet! Only Christianity has lifted women out
of a place of inferiority in this world and given them a place of
dignity and honor among men.
CHRISTIANITY
RESPECTS WIVES & MARRIAGE
St.
Paul makes it plain that Christians must treat their wives
properly. "Husbands love your wives, even as
Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it: That
He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church,
not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should
be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their
wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth
himself." (Ephesians 5:25-28)
Christianity
respects women and makes it plain that a man cannot have more than
one wife! Western civilization has put this principle
into effect by passing a law against polygamy.
Muslim
dominated nations and other pagan countries have no such law.
Women are treated as property and often abused. Many men
have harems of between 4 and 20 wives. I met a lustful old
Muslim man in Kenya who boasted that he had 65 wives. He was
very wealthy, as all his children and grandchildren worked.
He told me that his goal was to acquire many more girls as wives.
The
Mormons endorsed this practice in order to satisfy the lustful
cravings of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other early leaders,
who spent an inordinate amount of time in sexual exploits!
Joseph Smith and his brother Hiram were imprisoned for molesting
girls and young women. They were killed by a band of
outraged men whose daughters and sisters had been deceived by the
false prophet and his brother! Only when the United
States government clamped down on that perverted gang, did other
lust-filled leaders officially desist.
St.
Paul wrote, "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband
of one wife." (1 Timothy 3:3) "Let the
deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and
their own houses well." (1 Timothy 3:12)
If
a man love his wife like himself, and if he has Christian
convictions he will treat his wife with dignity and not discard
her like an empty cigarette package, after she has borne his
children and helped him build his career.
Some
men trade in their wives for a newer model just like they do with
their automobiles - the same is applicable to women to a lesser
degree.
THE
BIBLE IS AGAINST DIVORCE - IN MOST CASES
Jesus
said concerning divorce: "In the beginning it was not so.
God made them (Adam and Eve) male and female."
Notice to homosexuals and lesbians - God made only male and
female! Perversion is man-made and the product of sin and
the devil. God blessed them and it was only because of the
hardness of their hearts, that Moses allowed them to divorce.
That
proves another point which I have also found to be so true:
Broken marriages are often the product of one or two hard hearts!
Hard hearts refuse to communicate or bend toward each other.
Jesus was not in favor of divorce and neither am I.
THERE
ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE OF NO DIVORCE
There
are exceptions to the rule of divorce as Jesus clearly points out
when He said: "But I say unto you, that whosoever shall
put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth
her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is
divorced commiteth adultery." (Matthew 5:32)
Even
in the case of fornication I believe there is sufficient grace in
God to forgive and restore, if there is genuine repentance on the
part of the one who is guilty. The Bible says: "Love
covereth a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)
When
the Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus, they
challenged His theology and His willingness to adhere to the
letter of the law. In His great wisdom, Jesus salvaged the
woman's life and soul. He answered them thusly: "He
that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at
her." (John 8:7)
He
knew they were all sinners and wrote their names in the sand,
fulfilling the ancient prophecy: "O Lord, the hope of Israel,
all that forsake Thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from
Me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the
Lord, the Fountain of Living Water." (Jeremiah 17:13)
Then
Jesus said to the woman, "Neither do I condemn thee, go
and sin no more." (John 8:11) Just because there
has been unfaithfulness in the marriage and problems have arisen
that have broken hearts and brought the marriage to the brink of
disaster and even though confidences have been shattered, that
still does not justify divorce in every case.
 WHY
NOT WORK ON HEALING & RESTORING THE MARRIAGE?
Why
not get God on the scene to solve and salvage as well as
rejuvenate the marriage, rather than be hard hearted and say, "I
have my rights; I want a divorce: my partner is guilty of adultery
and as a Christian I am entitled to a divorce."
Try
a little common sense! What happens after the divorce?
Life isn't going to suddenly be a bed of roses. Much better
to salvage the marriage with God's help and some good
old-fashioned advice from the preacher. Now, don't read me
wrong.
All
marriages are not solvable and unfortunately, some marriages are
better off dissolved for all concerned. Many marriages,
however, that are doomed to fail can be saved if both partners are
willing to give their marriage an honest try with faith in God.
BIBLICALLY,
CAN MARRIAGES BE ANNULLED?
According
to God's Word, are there some cases than can be annulled or
dissolved? Yes, definitely. Are Roman Catholic
annulments given to wealthy people like Senator Edward Kennedy and
others - after they have been married to 20, 30 or 40 years with
numerous children - a FARCE and DISGRACE? Most certainly
these marriages that are annulled after years of marriage and with
children being born are a total farce and complete disgrace.
It
has proven that CORRUPTION and LIES still dominate in that church
body. Why not be honest and call it a DIVORCE? Because
that is exactly what it is. And don't forget what the Bible
teaches about liars. An Annulment it is NOT.
Homosexuals,
lesbians - I have counseled homosexuals who have been
married to beautiful young ladies. We have prayed together
and God has saved and delivered them, and they have received grace
from God to live a normal married life.
In
1982, a man who had been delivered from demons of homosexuality -
by God's power 10 years earlier in our Revival Meetings in Toronto
- was married. He had been bound for 20 years when Jesus
liberated him. Thank God.
There
are the others, however, who do not want deliverance. They
love their perversion and have broken the hearts of perfectly
normal and pure young ladies who trusted them with their love.
In such a case, if the homosexual does not want deliverance, I
recommend a quick divorce because that marriage was not an honest
transaction.
Here
is the statement ministers include in the wedding ceremony:
"If either of you know of any impediment why ye may not be
lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.
For ye be well assured, that if any persons are joined together
otherwise than as God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not
lawful."
Where
a man or woman has been deceived and marries a pervert or an
impotent, senile person, the victim should go immediately to his
or her pastor to receive counseling and guidance. If
deception is involved and no desire for change is evident an
annulment of the marriage should be arranged, or a divorce if
necessary.
As
I see it, there is no need for the innocent person to agonize
through years of torment. From a Scriptural standpoint,
annulment of the marriage or divorce is the way out, with no
restrictions regarding remarriage.
WHAT
ABOUT RE-MARRIAGE?
Where
a good marriage has gone wrong, we must at all costs try to
salvage the marriage! If there was genuine love there in
the beginning, that flame can be re-ignited. There is
therefore hope, because there is a foundation to build upon.
Also, in many cases children are involved. Try to save the
marriage! If you cannot save your marriage, then separation
or divorce may be the only recourse left. In a case like
this, I do not see - according to the Scriptures - where with
party can re-marry.
Some
theologians feel strongly that the innocent party can re-marry,
quoting the words of Jesus, "Except it be for
fornication" as a reference not only to the right to divorce,
but also the right to remarry.
In
the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates states
regarding Matthew 19:3-9: "One remark, however, is necessary
to clearly understand the meaning of the word 'apolelmenen', "her
which is put away", occurring in verse 9 and in Matthew
5:32b.
It
means the innocent dismissed wife of the licentious person
described in Matthew 5:28-30 who, lusting after another woman,
dismisses his own wife in order to marry the other woman.
Such
a thing, dismissing one's wife for any reason other than her
infidelity. Christ definitely forbids; but people were and
are doing it, nevertheless. He expresses His concern about
the dismissed, apolelmenen, wife or husband (Mark 10:12), who is
innocent.
To
clear such a dismissed spouse, the Lord insists that the Old
Testament provision (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) be adhered to, ie., the
guilty party in dismissing an innocent spouse ought to clear her
or him of guilt by giving a bill of divorcement. If the
dismissed spouse was guilty, the punishment was death by stoning
(Deuteronomy 22:21). Thus, there was no reason to give such
a bill of divorcement.
Divorce
papers issued by a judge today should not be equated with this
bill of divorcement. God knows who is innocent and who is
guilty and the individuals concerned know. The LORD in His
pronouncements concerns Himself with the truly innocent and not
with the only who may have been able to secure a legal divorce.
A
legal divorce today does not mean that a person is necessarily
innocent. He or she may or may not be. Only the truly
innocent, according to the Word of God, has the moral, Scriptural
right to remarry. If the guilty dismissing husband gives the
innocent wife a bill of divorcement as prescribed by Deuteronomy
24:1-4, then that wife is cleared of the stigma of being
considered as an adulteress.
If
she is not thus cleared of the stigma of guilt, she herself is
considered by the ignorant public as an adulteress and also
whosoever should marry her. Sexual infidelity is the only
permitted reason for dismissing one's spouse. Both in the
Old Testament and the New Testament, there were those who wanted
to dismiss their innocent wives for reasons other than sexual
infidelity.
It
is to such that reference is made as "the dismissed
wife." It is the wife who has been dismissed
inequitably who was not an adulteress but who, because she was
dismissed without a bill of divorcement, was stigmatized as an
adulteress.
Naturally,
if anyone marries such a woman, he would appear to be an adulterer
also. However, this should not be considered as true
adultery but only the unjust consequence of the first husband's
action in allowing his wife to be considered as an adulteress.
The
word apolelumenen has the meaning of "unjustifiably
dismissed" wife who was not given a bill of divorcement
by her husband to clear her of any guilt.
The
only exception for this is found in Luke 16:18, where the
apolelumenen does not refer to the innocent wife dismissed by her
guilty husband, but the guilty wife who separates herself from her
husband. For a complete exegesis of this passage, see the
editor's book, 'What About Divorce?'
WHAT
IS THE BEST ROUTE TO TAKE IF YOUR MARRIAGE IS IN TROUBLE
No.
1 - DO NOT DIVORCE! Forgive your partner and restore him or
her.
No. 2 - If you must divorce, DO NOT REMARRY! Seek God for
His grace and power to live a holy life and give your time to God
and your children.
There
is one more thing however, in Old Testament times when a woman was
taken in adultery she was immediately taken out and stoned to
death. Men seemed to have been exempt. Certainly, in
such cases there would be no problem with remarriage, for the
innocent party.
In
the same way, some feel that the guilty party is spiritually dead
and the innocent party is then free to remarry.
Remember,
however, the words of St. Paul, "For the woman which hath an
husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth,
but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her
husband, so then if while her husband liveth, she be married to
another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her
husband be dead, she is free from the law, so that she is not
adulteress, though she be married to another man." (Romans
7:2-3)
HELP
FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY MESSED UP THEIR MARRIAGE
You
can't unscramble scrambled eggs, and in many cases you are unable
to rectify wrongs performed in a mix-up of marriages, divorces and
remarriages. Many people hear our programs over the radio or
see me on television and attend our crusades.
Often,
those who answer our altar calls for salvation are from unsaved
homes and have messed up in their lives. Their conversion,
to the Lord Jesus Christ, however, is genuine! These
individuals receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and are
baptized and become burning witnesses for Jesus Christ.
Often, they have been married and divorced and remarried, possibly
2 or 3 times. What do you do in cases like these?
Since
the Holy Spirit has accepted them and Jesus has added them to His
body, the Church, who are we to reject them? We have no
right to turn them away since Jesus has not turned them away!
WE MUST RECEIVE THEM, believing that God has done a work in
their lives as He did in ours.
St.
Paul warns in his letter to the Romans, "For whom He did
foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
His Son, that He might be the firstborn (the first in rank) among
many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He
also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom
He justified, then He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
If
God has called and saved someone, we have not right to criticize
or lay upon them a heavier burden than we could bear or which
Christ would ask them to bear! Notice the words of the
Apostle.
"Who
shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect" It is
God that justified. Who is he that condemneth? It is
Christ that died, year rather, that is risen again, who is even at
the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
(Romans 8:34-35)
IF
GOD HAS JUSTIFIED SOMEONE, I DARE NOT CONDEMN HIM
The
Scripture tells us that God gives the Holy Ghost to those who obey
Him. Often, He fills people with the Holy Ghost whom we
wouldn't, people whom we personally feel are not ready to receive
the Holy Ghost; yet God fills them, before we have a chance to ask
them to rearrange their lives.
We
should allow God to do His business in the way He so desires,
instead of trying to do everything our way. The Bible says:
"We are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the
Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." (Acts
5:32)
LEAVE
THEM IN THE CARE OF JESUS, THE SAVIOUR
If
a marriage is failing, we should try to salvage it! If a man
or woman is divorced and remarried once, twice or whatever, I
believe they should remain in the married state they are presently
in. I do not believe people should force re-marriage between
spouses two or 3 marriages removed. That causes nothing but
confusion, especially where there are children involved.
If
a family receives Christ, regardless of how many times they have
been married, it is my belief that they should remain as they are.
It would be wrong to tear children from their parents in the
present relationship. It is incumbent upon us to teach the
newly converted family to serve God and live for Jesus from now
onward. Some teach that the parents should split up and go
back to their original spouses! In most cases that would be
impossible. And even if it were possible, it would involve
the breakup of one, two or more families, which would cause more
trouble than you are trying to rectify. That would be
harming the "little ones" whom God has given us the
responsibility to protect. (Matthew 18:6)
The
break up of a home is no more right in a case like this than any
other case. We cannot sacrifice the lives of precious
children to the whims of some stubborn, pharisaical, senile old
preacher who sits cloistered behind the stained glass windows of
his church, or in a monastery somewhere. When you get into
the mainstream of life and begin to reach souls, lives and
families for Christ you will see the common sense of the Holy
Scriptures as they are applied to real life situations.
St.
Paul said, "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the
Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I
in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised?
let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in
un-circumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of
God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was
called." (1 Corinthians 7:17-20)
MARRIAGE,
DIVORCE & RE-MARRIAGE
Marriage,
divorce and re-marriage is a most complex subject and I believe we
are given some leeway in counseling people in awkward positions,
since St. Paul uses his own philosophy and expounds his own views
a number of times: "But I speak this by permission, and not
of commandment." (1 Corinthians 7:6) "But to the
rest speak I, not the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:12)
"But she is happier is she also abide, after my judgment: and
I think also that I have the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians
7:40)
On
very important issues however, St. Paul made it clear that he had
a definite commandment from the Lord! "And unto the
married I command, Ye not I, but the Lord." (1
Corinthians 7:10)
Very
definitely, when a Christian is married he cannot do as he
pleases. He has certain responsibilities that he cannot
dodge. "Let not the wife depart from her husband: but
and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to
her husband, and let not the husband put away his wife, (1
Corinthians 7:11) PLEASE
NOTE: Paul says that this is the Lord's command! (verse 10)
SUMMARY
OF MARRIAGE, DIVORCE & RE-MARRIAGE (as I understand it from
the Scriptures)
No.
1 - GOD IS AGAINST
DIVORCE - Divorce is
not God's perfect will. Only one ground for divorce -
adultery or fornication - even then it is better to reconcile,
forgive and forget in order to save the marriage and the home.
No.
2 - IF YOU ARE MARRIED
TO AN UNSAVED PERSON, you must stay with him if that is his wish
- Unless, of course, he is beating you or threatening to
kill you, unfaithful to the extent of bringing social diseases
upon you, disrupting the children's mental health or is a sexual
pervert, extreme alcoholic or suffers from uncontrolled mental
illness. NOTICE: Every case must be judged on its own
merits or lack of merits. Love your partner and lead him or
her to the Lord.
No.
3 - IF YOU LEAVE YOUR
HUSBAND OR WIFE FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN ADULTERY OR FORNICATION
- (I unequivocally add perversion, like sodomy, lesbianism,
homosexuality, bestiality or a fraudulent marriage vow) you are
unable to re-marry.
No.
4 - THE INNOCENT PART
IN A DIVORCE CAN RE-MARRY -
In the Old Testament the innocent party was free to marry, as the
adulteress was stoned to death. In this case the adulteress
or adulterer, not wanting to repent, would be in a backslidden or
sinful state, DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS! God does not hold
you responsible for your partner's sin. The Bible says:
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4,5)
It doesn't say that the wife or husband must pay for the sins of
their spouse or the parents shall be judged for the sins of their
children. God is not unjust, nor does He judge perversely.
No.
5 - IF YOU ARE MARRIED
TO A PERVERT - If you
find yourself married to a pervert, homosexual, lesbian or
sodomite, you are in my opinion, free to divorce and remarry,
unless, they want to be delivered and become a child of God.
This
is also the case if someone is sexually malformed with an
impediment that he or she withheld from their partner before
marriage, thereby nullifying the marriage. (Mental illness
and schizophrenia could also be included in this list, as well as
bigamists, necromancers and other perverts) Anyone who has
been misled or deceived in these areas has a right to ask for
annulment, since the marriage contract was made under false
pretenses.
No.
6 - HASTY MARRIAGES
ARE VERY FOOLISH -
Spending time together with your intended, as well as his or her
family for a longer period of time in conversation, discussion and
fellowship, would solve most of the problems found in the previous
paragraph.
No.
7 - HAVE YOUR PARENTS
& FRIENDS MEET YOUR FIANCÉE
- Also, make sure your pastor gets to know him or her and
takes time for proper counseling before marriage. Marriage
is too important, vital and long range to rush into without doing
a proper check. Even in breeding purebred horses and cattle,
we check out the pedigree. We can do no less, when it
concerns the future of our children and ourselves.
No.
8 - IF YOU ARE
CONTEMPLATING DIVORCE OR RE-MARRIAGE
- You should seriously consider the Scriptures, as well as
the words of warning, admonition and advice in this book.
And consider your testimony for Christ, the state of your
children, as well as your future.
No.
9 - If you are
messed up, divorced, re-married, or living common-law, come to
Christ and let Him work things out for you.
Serve
Christ and teach your family to live for Jesus. If you are
living in a common-law arrangement, you must stop doing it.
If there are no children involved, separate and go back to your
husband or wife if possible. If you are single, let your
partner know that you have decided to serve Jesus and ask them to
the same and that the 'common-law' lifestyle is adulterous and
sinful.
The
Bible says: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed
undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
(Hebrews 13:4)
If
a couple has children together out of wedlock, they should get
counseling and give their hearts to the Lord. It is
important that they get married, attend church and refrain from a
sinful lifestyle and train their children in the ways of God.
You
cannot live your life over again, but you can change and live it
differently from today onward. You cannot pick up spilt milk
or unscramble scrambled eggs, but you can take a stand for Christ
now and bring your family to Sunday school and Church, and leave
the past under the Blood of Jesus! He is loving,
compassionate and merciful in His dealings with us.
The
Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new
creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are
become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17). "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on
Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John
5:24)
Above
all, let us teach our young people that marriage is holy and
for keeps, divorce is a result of the hardness of people's hearts
and re-marriage is certainly not a bed of roses. Get
things straightened out in your spiritual life, my friend, seek
God for guidance and be filled with the Holy Spirit. If you
obey the lusts of the flesh you will die spiritually, but if you
obey the Spirit of God you will live. (Romans 8:13-14)
Remember
that God's Word states, "That which God hath jointed together
let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:6) When you
say, "I will", let it be a sincere, convincing, decisive
answer with a ring of sincerity and truth to it. Let it
truly be "until death do us part!" Amen.
WHAT MUST
I DO TO
BE SAVED?
Jesus
said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Yes,
my dear friend, God is still in the business of setting men and
women free from their sins, sorrows, heartbreaks, fears and
troubles. In this age of frustrations, nervous tensions and
mental collapses, Jesus Christ is still granting peace to the
troubled, joy to the discouraged, strength to the weary and
healing to the sick!
1
- You must admit that you are a sinner
The
Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God”. (Rom. 3:23) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the
iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
2
- You must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
You
MUST believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Jesus died
on the cross, was buried and rose again from the dead.
“That
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal
life. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: buot he that
believeth not is condemned already.” (John 3:15,18) “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on
Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
 3
- You must repent of your sins
The
Bible says, “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.” (Luke 13:3) “Let the wicked forsake his way and the
unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord,
and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will
abundantly pardon”. (Isaiah 55:7)
4
- You must receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour
The
Bible says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16)
“Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open
the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with Me.” (Rev. 3:20) “He that hath the Son hath life: and he
that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)
5
- You must confess Jesus Christ as your Lord
The
Bible says: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation”. (Romans 10:9-10)
“…Whosoever
shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man confess
before the angels of God: But he that denieth Me before men shall
be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8, 9)
HOW
DO I INVITE
JESUS CHRIST INTO MY LIFE?
Pray
to God, a prayer - from your heart.
Tell Him that you
are a sinner and that you need forgiveness. Tell him that
you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins. Tell him that
you are willing to change, to turn away from sin. Ask Jesus
Christ to come into your heart and life and be your personal
Saviour.
"But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
"Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2
Corinthians 5:17)
If
you prayed and ask Jesus Christ into your heart - YOU HAVE NOW
RECEIVED THE GIFT OF SALVATION - YOU HAVE BECOME A CHILD OF GOD.
God Bless You.
-
Powerful AUDIO Bible sermons/messages
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
- click on
message to listen -
BIBLE
SCRIPTURES ON:
marriage,
divorce, re-marriage, adultery, same sex marriage
(King James
Version) Hebrews
9:27 - (kjv)
- Husbands
love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
Himself for it: That He might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word. That He might present it
to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any
such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He
that loveth his wife loveth himself.
(Ephesians 5:25-28) Mark
10:6-9 - (kjv) - But
from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave
to his wife, And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are
no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined
together, let no man put asunder. 1
Timothy 3:3 - (kjv) - A
bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife. 1
Timothy 3:12
- (kjv) - Let
the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and
their own houses well. Ephesians
5:3-5
- (kjv) - But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh
saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,
which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For
this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God. Hebrews
2:14-15
- (kjv) - Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of
flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same;
that through DEATH He might DESTROY him that had the power of
death, that is the DEVIL; And to DELIVER them who through fear of
death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Matthew
5:32 -
(kjv) - But I say unto you,
that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of
fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall
marry her that is divorced commiteth adultery. 1
John 4:4 -
(kjv) - "Greater is He that is in you, that he that is in the
world. 1
Corinthians 7:10 -
(kjv) - "And unto the married I command, Ye not I, but the
Lord. 1
Corinthians 7:11 -
(kjv) - "Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if
she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her
husband, and let not the husband put away his wife, 1
John 5:14-15 -
(kjv) - And
this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us: .. And if we know that
he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions
that we desired of him. Philippians
2:13 -
(kjv) - For
it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure. Romans
8:32 -
(kjv) -
He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely
give us all things?
BIBLE
SCRIPTURES ON:
salvation,
repentance, eternal life, eternity, forgiveness
(King James
Version) John
1:12 - (kjv) - "But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12) 2
Corinthians 5:17 - (kjv) - "Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." Romans
10:10 - (kjv) - "For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation." John
5:24 - (kjv) - Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on
him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Ephesians
5:25-28 - (kjv) - Husbands love your wives, even as
Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it: That
He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church,
not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should
be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their
wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth
himself. John
6:50 - (kjv) - This
is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat
thereof, and not die. Matthew
6:13 - (kjv) - And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen. Isaiah
57:15 - (kjv) - For thus
saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
[is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also
[that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 2
Thessalonians 1:9 - (kjv) -
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; Philippians
1:23 - (kjv) - For
I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be
with Christ; which is far better: Romans
6:23 - (kjv) - For
the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Galatians
6:8 - (kjv) - For he that soweth
to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Jeremiah
10:10 - (kjv) - But the
LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting
king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall
not be able to abide his indignation. Psalms
90:2 - (kjv) - Before
the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the
earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou
[art] God. Psalms
72:17 - (kjv) - His
name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as
the sun: and [men] shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call
him blessed. Psalms
41:13 - (kjv) - Blessed
[be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting.
Amen, and Amen. Matthew
3:12 - Whose
fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff
with unquenchable fire. Matthew
5:3 - Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew
5:8 - Blessed
are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Matthew
5:12 - Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so
persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew
5:20 - For
I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case
enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew
6:20 -
But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matthew
8:11 - And I say unto you, That
many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with
Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew
13:30 - Let both grow together until the harvest: and
in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye
together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them:
but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew
13:43 - Then shall the righteous
shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who
hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew
13:49 - So shall it be at
the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the
wicked from among the just. Matthew
18:10 - Take heed that ye despise
not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, That in heaven
their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
heaven. Matthew
19:21 - Jesus said unto him, If
thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow
me. Matthew
22:30 - For in the resurrection
they neither marry; nor are given in marriage, but are as the
angels of God in heaven. Matthew
25:34 - Then shall the King say
unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world: Matthew
25:46 - And these shall go away
into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Luke
10:20 - Notwithstanding in this
rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather
rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke
12:8 -
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him
shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. Luke
12:32 - Fear not, little flock;
for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke
12:33 - Sell that ye have, and
give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure
in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth,
neither moth corrupteth. Luke
15:6 - And when he cometh home,
he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them,
Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. Luke
15:7 - I say unto you, that
likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,
more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance. Luke
15:10 - Likewise, I say unto you,
there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
that repenteth. Luke
15:32 - It was meet that we
should make merry, and be glad for this thy brother was dead, and
is alive again, and was lost, and is found. Luke
16:22 - And it came to pass, that
the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Luke
20:34 - And Jesus answering said
unto them, The child of this world marry, and are given in
marriage: Luke
20:35 - But they which shall be
accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from
the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Luke
20:36 - Neither can they die any
more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of
God, being the children of the resurrection. Luke
22:29 - And I appoint unto you a
kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; Luke
22:30 - That ye may eat and drink
at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel. Luke
23:43 - And Jesus said unto him,
Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. John
5:28 - Marvel not at this: for
the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall
hear his voice, John
5:28 - And shall come forth; they
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John
10:28 - And I give unto them
eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand. John
12:26 - If any man serve me, let
him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if
any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John
13:26 - Simon Peter said unto
him, Lord, whither goes thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I
go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me
afterwards. John
14:2 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John
14:3 -
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John
17:22 - And the glory which thou
gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are
one. John
17:24 -
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given
me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Acts
7:55 - But he, being full of the
Holy Ghost, look up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Acts
7:56 - And said, Behold, I see
the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand
of God. Romans
5:17 - For if by one man's
offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive
abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in
life by one, Jesus Christ. 2
Corinthians 5:1 - For we know
that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in
the heavens. 2
Corinthians 12:2 - I knew a man
in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot
tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
such an one caught up to the third heaven. 2
Corinthians 2:3 - And I knew such
a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell:
God knoweth;) 2
Corinthians 2:4 - How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is
not lawful for a man to utter. Ephesians
1:18 - The eyes of your
understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints, Colossians
1:5 - For the hope which is laid
up for you in heaven; whereof ye heard before in the word of the
truth of the gospel; Colossians
1:6 - Which is come unto you, as
it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also
in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in
truth. Colossians
1:12 - Giving thanks unto the
Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light. Colossians
3:4 - When Christ, who is our
life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 1
Thessalonians 2:12 - That ye
would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory. 1
Thessalonians 4:17 - Then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever
be with the Lord. 11
Thessalonians 1:7 - And to
you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 11
Thessalonians 2:14 - Whereunto he
called you by our gospel, to the obtaining the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Hebrews
10:34 - For ye had compassion of
me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods,
knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an
enduring substance. Hebrews
11:10 - For he looked for a city
which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews
11:16 - But now they desire a
better country, that is, an heavenly : wherefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a
city. Hebrews
12:22 - But ye are come unto
mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an inmumerable company of angels. Hebrews
12:23 - To the general assembly
and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to
God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews
12:24 - And to Jesus the mediator
of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh
better things than that of Abel. Hebrews
12:28 - Wherefore we receiving a
kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably: with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews
13:14 - For here have we no
continuing city, but we seek one to come. 1
Peter 1:4 - To an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled; and that fadeth not away, reserved
in heaven for you, 2
Peter 1:11 - For so an entrance
shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2
Peter 3:13 - Nevertheless we,
according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness. Revelation
2:7 - He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the paradise of God. Revelation
3:21 - To him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame,
and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation
4:4 - And round about the throne
were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and
twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and they had on
their heads crowns of gold. Revelation
5:9 - And they sung a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals
thereof for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy
blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Revelation
7:9 - After this I beheld, and,
lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations,
and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their
hands. Revelation
7:13 - And one of the elders
answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in
white robes? and whence came they? Revelation
21:4 - And God shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away. OLD
TESTAMENT (King James Version) Job
3:17 - There the wicked cease
from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. Psalms
16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the
path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right
hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms
17:15 - As for me, I will behold
thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake,
with thy likeness. Psalms
23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the
house of the LORD for ever. Psalms
24:3 - Who shall ascend into the
hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place. Psalms
24:7 - Lift up your heads, O ye
gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of
glory shall come in. Psalms
73:24 - Thou shalt guide me with
thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Isaiah
33:17 - Thine eyes shall see the
king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far
off. Isaiah
49:9 - That thou mayest say to
the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew
yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures
shall be in all high places. Isaiah
49:10 - They shall not hunger nor
thirst; neither shall the heat no sun smite them: for he that hath
mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall
he guide them. Daniel
12:3 - And they that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn
many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Malachi
3:17 - And they shall be mine,
saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and
I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
CONTACT
INFORMATION
For further spiritual counsel, prayer or gospel literature, please
contact us!
www.mswm.org www.maxsolbrekken.com
max@maxsolbrekken.com
 Max
Solbrekken World Mission, P.O. Box 44220, RPO Garside, Edmonton,
AB T5V 1N6 (780) 460-8444
The
House of Prayer, New Sarepta, Alberta (780) 941-2372
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