God’s Design for Relationships and the Way to the Kingdom

Pastor Jon Verwey

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law…”

“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. —Mark 10:1–16 (NIV)

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” v. 2b

What did Moses command you?… v. 3

It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law… v. 5

“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Mark 10:6–9 NIV

God’s design cannot be rewritten by what we think is right or what we want to happen.

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” — Mark 10:10–12 NIV

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant… Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. — Mark 10:14–15 NIV

God’s design cannot be rewritten by what we think is right or what we want — it must be received in humble faith.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. — Hebrews 3:7–8, 12 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.— Proverbs 3:5–7 NLT

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Mark 10:17-31 New Living Translation
The Rich Man
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”


What It This Scripture Really Saying?

✅ Simple Summary:
This passage teaches that following Jesus requires wholehearted trust in God rather than in wealth, possessions, or status. True life in God’s Kingdom comes through surrender, generosity, and faith.



Here is How I Have Lived With The Themes In This Scripture

1. It’s About Trust
Who do you trust for:
Your future
Your identity
Your security

2. Selflessness vs Self-Centeredness
Kingdom living means:
Giving
Forgiving
Serving others


3. How We Handle Money Reveals Our Heart
Money tests:
Trust
Control
Faith

Healthy actions that I use to remind/help me to trust and release control:
Bless others (tip generously, help people)
Give
Avoid debt
Plan and budget
Save wisely (no get rich quick schemes)


4. Kingdom Living Expands Your Life
Living for God moves us from:
Self-focused life vs Kingdom-sized life


5. Gratitude and Stewardship
Appreciate what you’ve been given and use it to bless others.

Pastor Jon Verwey

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.

[44]

45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

[46]

47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

48 where “ ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

49 Everyone will be salted with fire.

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” — Mark 9:42–50 NIV

Does what I am doing move me toward Jesus or away from Him?

Does what I am doing make me more like Jesus or less?

Everyone will be salted with fire. v. 49

Being “salted with fire” happens when we offer ourselves to Jesus by submitting to Him and His ways. Then the trials of life become a fire that strengthens, purifies, and preserves us instead of destroying us.

…let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. — Galatians 5:16 NLT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. — Galatians 5:22–23 NLT

Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other. v. 50b

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…— Hebrews 10:25 NLT

“The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? v. 50a

Don’t manage sin—fight it, so that we can be a purified people who bring the life-giving presence of Jesus to the world.