Homosexuality And The Church

“Homosexuality And The Church”

INTRODUCTION: The issue of “Homosexuality And The Church” has been on the front page of newspapers this past week … and on every newscast. Rev. Gene Robinson has just been elected as the first openly gay Episcopalian Bishop of New Hampshire. This has brought the issue of homosexuality to the forefront.

This issue has brought much debate in recent years. Both the United Methodist church, and the Presbyterian church are debating the issue of the ordination of homosexual pastors. The Vatican has issued a statement calling opposition to gay marriages … yet there has been a scandal in the Catholic church regarding homosexual activities between priests and boys in the Catholic church. In June, the Southern Baptist Convention approved a resolution opposing same-sex marriages.

This is an issue that the church has to take a stand on … a Biblical stand.

o Several states are considering the sanction of homosexual marriages.

o Gay couples are granted the privileges of married partners when it comes to insurance coverage.

o There are laws prohibiting the discrimination of homosexuals.

o The military has a “Don’t ask … don’t tell” policy.

o Christians are being labeled as “homophobics”, and criticized for their opposition to homosexuality, as being uncaring, unloving, judgmental, and hateful.

o Gay-Rights parades are being promoted on city streets.

o There is a “Gay Day” at Disney World.

o It is politically incorrect to be against homosexuality, and doing so can jeopardize a political career.

o The Boy Scouts of America were criticized, and lost funding, because they refused to accept an openly gay Scoutmaster.

o Television programs are rampant with gay issues … several new programs have emerged with openly gay characters, gay makeovers, etc. They are being portrayed as NORMAL.

o The American Psychological Association has threatened to revoke the license of any psychologist or psychiatrist who counsels a homosexual to change his lifestyle.

Homosexuality used to be a clear-cut issue that every Christian agreed on … homosexuality is a sin. NOW, it has become an issue that is dividing the church.

Homosexuality was once believed to be a form of mental illness. NOW, it is believed that those who oppose homosexuality are mentally ill … homophobia!

Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Let’s take a look at what the BIBLE has to say about this subject … and how GOD views homosexuality.

I. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY

Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” God had a reason for creating us “male and female”. When we get away from God’s created purpose for the sexuality of His creation, and pervert His intention, it becomes a SIN. God has blessed the male/female bond.

Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

1 Cor. 7:3-4 – “Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. [4] The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”

It wasn’t long before mankind began to pervert God’s plan. In Genesis Chapter 19 we find that homosexuality was rampant in Sodom (13:13), and Sodom was destroyed because of their wickedness.

After Israel entered the Promised Land, some men in the tribe of Benjamin wanted to rape a man who was visiting their town (Judges 19:22-23). Because the tribe of Benjamin defended the homosexuals, the other tribes went to war against them, and their 26,000 soldiers were slain until only 600 remained.

When evil King Rehoboam ruled Judah, the Bible says - 1 Kings 14:24 – “And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.” When Godly King Asa ruled, the Bible says - 1 Kings 15:11-12 – “And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. [12] And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.”

Because God is a HOLY God, He instituted into His law some very plain statements regarding the sin of homosexuality.

o Leviticus 18:22 – “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

o Leviticus 20:13 – “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”