September 14, 2025
God’s Design for Marriage
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 10:1–12
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. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.
And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

1. The Heart Behind the Law

The heart of the problem is the hardness of the heart.

2. God’s Design from the Beginning

Marriage is a covenant designed by God to reflect His faithful, unbreakable love.

3. The Weight of Covenant Breaking

God’s vision for marriage isn’t just about romance—it’s about reflecting His enduring covenant love.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I commit to reflect God’s covenant love to the world.
• I choose to work for reconciliation in broken relationships.

Deep Dive

1. How does our culture’s view of marriage contrast with Jesus’ words in Mark 10?
2. According to Malachi 2:13–16, why does God take marriage seriously?
3. How can the church support those who are struggling in their marriage or healing from divorce?
4. How does the gospel provide hope for every person, regardless of their relationship status?

Springboards

1. Read Mark 10:13-16. Why do you think the disciples tried to prevent the children from coming to Jesus?
2. What does it practically mean to receive the kingdom like a child?
3. Read Luke 9:48. How does that verse challenge our view of status and greatness?