Matthew 19:3-19

Illustration of Matthew 19:4-6 NLT -- Jesus answered, "Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, 'he made people male and female.' And God said, 'So a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.' So the two people are not two, but one. God joined those two people together. So no person should separate them."

Illustration of Matthew 19:13-15 NLT -- Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that Jesus could put his hands on them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people that are like these children." After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there.

Illustration of Matthew 19:7-9 NLT -- The Pharisees asked, "So why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce?" Jesus answered, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God's teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning. I tell you that any person that divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of the sin of adultery. The only reason for a person to divorce and marry again is if his first wife had sexual relations with another man."

Illustration of Matthew 19:10-12 NLT -- The followers said to Jesus, "If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, then it is better not to marry." Jesus answered, "Not every person can accept this truth {about marriage}. But God has made some people able to accept it. There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to make children. Other men were made that way later in life by other people. And other men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. But the person that can {marry} should accept this teaching {about marriage}."

Illustration of Matthew 19:17-20 NLT -- Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have life forever, obey the commands." The man asked, "Which commands?" Jesus answered, "'You must not murder anyone, you must not do the sin of adultery, you must not steal anything, you must not tell lies about other people, you must honor (respect) your father and mother,' and 'you must love other people the same as you love yourself.' " The young man said, "I have obeyed all these things. What else do I need?"

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 19:14 -- Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Illustration of Matthew 19:14 -- Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Illustration of Matthew 19:16 NLT -- A man came to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to have life forever?"

Illustration of Matthew 19:3 NLT -- Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make Jesus say something wrong. They asked Jesus, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?"