Good evening. Tonight we are going to finish our series of Hot Topics. So far, we have looked at capital punishment, drinking, women’s role in the church, and tonight we finish up by taking a look at homosexuality.
To begin, how do you feel about homosexuality?
What have you heard others say about homosexuality?
Well, before we get started, allow me to begin with a word of prayer. Let’s pray!
To begin, listen to what one minister had to say about a time that he had to deal with a tough question regarding homosexuality. He writes, “A number of years ago, I had a man from the community call and ask if he could visit me. I said “sure,” and he came by. After talking for a while the heart-broken dad came to the reason he was there. He said, “My son is a homosexual. I am sickened by what he does, but I love my son. What do I do?”
Now, if someone were to ask you that question, how would you respond?
Well, the minister goes on to say, “Now, I pray that is a question you never have to ask, but it is a question we must be prepared to answer. In the past few years we have seen the Canadian government legalize homosexual marriage and at the same time make it a crime to call homosexuality a sin. In even more recent days the Supreme Court of Massachusetts has given homosexuals the legal right to marry in that state.”
Now, a person would think, that if the country is divided on the issue, at least the Christian Church would be able to agree, but that is not the case. In the recent past, the Episcopal church has elected a homosexual bishop, part of the Methodist church has allowed a homosexual woman to remain in the ministry, and some churches and pastors are performing homosexual unions. The question before us today though is not, “What do other people, or other churches, or even other Christians think about homosexuality?” The Question before us today is, “What does God think about homosexuality?”
That should be our aim, to figure out what God has to say about homosexuality, and then adopt that as our belief as well. So, let me ask you that question. What does God think about homosexuality?
Let’s look first, at God’s plan for marriage. What do you know about God’s plan for marriage?
Well, in Genesis 2:18-24 it says, “1”
So, marriage involves a man and a woman. First notice, that God created man and woman to be together. Man was alone and God made a helpmate for him. Man, even in Paradise, even with God there, was lonely, was lacking, and needed companionship. So God, in His infinite wisdom created a woman to be man’s companion.
Secondly, marriage completes a couple. In verse 24 we are told that the 2, though separate and distinct, unite as a couple. Somehow, mysteriously, through marriage and union, the 2 become one.
Thirdly, marriage is the place for sex. Genesis 4:1 says that Adam had relations with his wife. It was God’s intention from the very beginning for there to be sex. In Proverbs 5:18-19 it says, “2”
After reading this passage, we understand that God intended for one man and one woman to be together, to stay together, to have passion for one another for life. One man, one woman, in love and together for life.
God does not condone sex outside of marriage, and God does not smile on adultery or sex after marriage with someone other than your spouse. He specifically forbids it. Marriage is between a man and a woman, it completes a couple, and all sex is to be within that marriage relationship. If that is the case, then what does God think of homosexuality?
Next, let’s understand that homosexuality is a sin, period. In Romans 1:26-27, 32 it says, “3”
There are 9 scriptures in the Bible that specifically refer to homosexuality. Each of the passages say, without reluctance, that God hates homosexuality, that it is a sin, and that it is punishable by God. God hates homosexuality just as He hates all other sin.
Next, we need to understand that homosexuality is a choice. Do you believe that, or do you think that it is just wired into some people?
Well, there are those who say that God made them homosexual, that it’s not their fault, and that there is nothing they can do about it. Do you think God would do that?
Several years ago, Dr. Dean Haymer a geneticist from the University of Hawaii claimed to have found a homosexual Gene that predisposed people to homosexuality. I imagine most of you have heard that. What he failed to say is that he is a homosexual activist and his study was not scientifically valid. Later an independent group of scientists reviewed his study. After spending a year trying to confirm his conclusions they determined that no such gene existed. Since that time Dr. Haymer has admitted that it was a lie. When asked about this he and others in the movement have said, “It doesn’t matter now. People already believe it and it has made life easier for homosexuals.”
Well guess what, homosexuality is not hard-wired into people, it is a choice, it is a sin, and it is a sin that people can be delivered from.
In I Corinthians 6:9-11 it says, “4"
Just as each of us where sinners, we confessed our sins and asked God to forgive us, homosexuals need to do the same. We cannot choose to continue to be adulterers and expect to be saved. We cannot continue to be murderers, and expect to be saved. We cannot continue to lie and steal and expect to be saved. Neither can a person continue to live as an unrepentant homosexual and expect to be saved.
Finally, let’s look at what a Christian response to homosexuality should be. Since God intended marriage to exist between a man and a woman, since homosexuality is a sin, and since God hates sin, how should we, as Christians respond to homosexuality?
First, we are to love homosexuals. The Bible says in II Peter 3:9 that, “The Lord is …, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
We need to love, pray for, and witness to homosexuals, remembering that Christ died for them, just as He died for us.
Secondly, we need to call sin what it is. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…” We cannot smile at, or condone homosexuality, any more than we smile at or condone theft, rape, or murder.
There are those who will call us homophobes or bigots. It’s funny. They don’t call those who stand against child abuse, rape, or murder bigots, do they?
We must learn to stand our ground remembering Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:34, “Think not that I have come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
A few years ago, a coalition of homosexual rights groups, Planned Parenthood, and other groups filed a complaint with the IRS against the Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church in Helen, Montana for passing a petition in church, supporting a constitutional ban on gay marriages.
There will be people upset, there will be people calling us narrow-minded, and other names, but Jesus said they treated Him the same way. So we need to call sin what it is and stand our ground in our Biblical beliefs.
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, when we come to the hot topic of homosexuality, and really any sin, there are 3 things that we need to keep in mind.
- We must love the sinner, Christ does.
- We must hate the sin, God does.
- We must take a stand.
Let’s Pray! |
