Wake up Iowa, Same Sex Marriage is Wrong
Scripture: Hebrews 13:4 & 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Date: 11 October 2009
Purpose: I believe we are in the situation that we are in because we have been quiet for far too long. We have not applied biblical principles towards the same sex issue. We have not sounded a clear call and it is time we do.
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanders nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
I’m going to ask you to help me-----
First by praying for wisdom as I choose my words. I don’t want this in any way to be a soapbox opportunity just to fire up emotions over a sensitive issue.
This is not an opportunity for us to condemn and ridicule or make ourselves feel better or superior by degrading others. I really want us to know God’s heart in this issue and then see what our responsibilities are as God’s people.
Secondly---let’s ask God to open our minds---and to show us areas that might need to be changed in our thinking and our actions. “Let us Pray”
Illustration: This past week I had a sleep study done. I found out the reason I have been waking myself and Stacy up each and every night, I have sleep apnea. You see, I wake up throughout the night because I stop breathing. It is my body’s way of saying, “Wake up, something is wrong”!
Iowa, something is wrong and we too need to wake up. God is calling each of us to realize that there is a problem and we need to wake up!
We are going to talk about homosexuality and same sex marriage. I believe this is a crucial area we are facing as Iowans and as a nation. And it has an effect on the church.
Illustration: There was a sexual revolution after the 1960’s and these days, we’re in the midst of another. Time Magazine has called it the “Homosexual Revolution.” They say this revolution is changing the way we see our most basic institutions: church, schools, military, marriage, even culture itself.
As a result of this revolution, everywhere one looks there are signs of gay acceptability.
¬ In the 1970’s you had one homosexual character on TV, we now have several dozen.
¬ Many pop stars and many athletes are coming out of the closet.
¬ Even Disneyland - that icon of conventional Family Life - annually welcomes 20,000 gay men and women to Gay Day.
¬ In our public policy there is increasing validation of homosexuality as a perfectly acceptable alternative model for sexuality and family life.¬ And of course in April of 2009 the Iowa Supreme Court opened the way for legally marrying gays in the state of Iowa.
Let me share with you some myths about homosexuality.
I. Myth #1---People are born homosexuals.
A. I’ve heard well meaning people say this in defense of this lifestyle. How many of you have heard that there is a gay gene that has been found? (response) How many of us, accepted it and thought maybe it’s true?
Illustration: In 1993 Dr. Hamer studied 40 pair of non-identical gay brothers and claimed that 33 had inherited the same x-linked genetic markers indicating a genetic cause for homosexuality.
Without confirmation----the media latched on to this story and exaggerated his findings to say there had been found a positive gay gene.
Hamer’s study was quickly proved misleading---and not even scientific in how it was handled. Within a year it had been proven that no such gene existed. Since that time Dr. Hamer has admitted it was not true---when asked about this he and others in the movement have said, “It doesn’t matter now, people already believe it and it’s made life easier for homosexuals.”
1. We need to wake up Iowans and tell them people are not born homosexual---it’s a myth.
II. Myth #2 Jesus did not speak against homosexuality.
A. It is true. Jesus never said a word against homosexuality. But he also never said a word against rape, incest, spouse abuse, or child abuse---but our intelligence understands these are wrong. And other places in scripture enforce that understanding.
1. We need to wake up Iowa to something called COMMON SENSE.
2. It should be very obvious that man and woman were created to fit together. Without going into much detail, just think of the parts each have and realize what God had made them for. Some things just fit while others simply do not. God’s idea of marriage is for man and woman and that is common sense.
III. Myth #3- It’s not about religion---it’s about Freedom.
A. This is the cry of the homosexual movement now. To separate this from morality and make it a civil rights issue. They desire to be classified as a minority---as a group that has been victimized. The language continues to change. From “Sexual preference” which indicates a choice to alternative lifestyle which gave way to sexual orientation----which has given way now to sexual identity. The goal in this is to completely remove any responsibility or indication of choice by the person for this lifestyle.
1. As Christians we must be aware of the lies-----and stand for the truth. No longer can we cower in the shadows and allow this sinful world to corrupt that which we KNOW is wrong and unjust. It is time we take a stand; it is time we stand up for the Word of God! We must share the truth and stop the myths.
2. It is time we wake up Iowa, Wake up to the Truth and take action.
IV. TRUTH #1. The Bible speaks clearly about homosexuality.
A. In the Old Testament it is called Sodomy. In the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 it is clear. “Do you not know the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom f God.”
1. IT is clear-----God would not condemn people for something they could not help. –
- Homosexuality----like all the other sins listed-----is a SIN.
2. Let’s not sugar coat it as the world desires us to. We need to expose it for what it is. Once again we need to stand on the Word of God.
Illustration: Making same sex marriage legal is much like if we decided to pass a law that it is now okay and legal to kill someone if they make you mad. Or to make it legal rape to occur.
3. What? --- Hey, a sin is a sin, wrong is wrong. I am sick and tired of a wishy washy society trying to change wrong into right!!!
4. It is time for us to ban together and Wake this state up to what is wrong and to what is right.
V. Truth #2- We are in a war----and losing.
Illustration: News article posted, August 24, 2009 “Homosexual Clergy approved by ELCA church” Sexual active homosexuals in committed relationships can serve as clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The controversial resolution was passed Friday by a vote of 55.3 percent in favor of the measure.
The vote took place over the weekend at the Minneapolis Convention Center. A group of pastors, several of them lesbians dissolved into tears after the vote was revealed.
“I feel a tremendous amount of joy and a tremendous amount of pain,” confessed the Rev. Jenny Mason to the Associated Press. Mason is a St. Paul cleric who said she was ejected from the official list of ELCA “rostered” clergy in 2001 for having a same-sex lover. “This means our church can move forward and practice this welcome toward gays.”
“It’s a huge victory.” Said Jeremy Posadas, 26. A voting church member from Decatur, GA. “The gospel of inclusion has won and we’re going to keep winning.”
- With 4.8 million members, the ELCA, HEADQUARTED IN Chicago, is the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.
1. The ELCA was once a strong denomination that stood on God’s Holy truth but I firmly believe that over time this once Holy body of believers has allowed society to water down the word of God. It began with the acceptance of female clergy and has brought us to a gay acceptance of clergy. Where does it end? At what point will someone stand up and say ENOUGH?
2. We have slept for too long----and the battle has overtaken us and the war is on.
3. 20 years ago Psychiatrists recognized and categorized homosexuality as a form of mental illness. Recently, that has changed completely and now they say that homosexuality is normal and those who oppose it are mentally ill and they define homophobia as an “irrational fear and hatred of homosexuals” and in our culture, anyone who verbalizes anything negative about homosexuality is homophobic or mentally ill.
Illustration: Citizens in Canada are already being persecuted for criticizing homosexuality. Christians in that nation are already facing this threat because the Canadian Parliament passed a bill that provides special rights of protection for homosexuals. As a result, speech against homosexuals is now criminalized in Canada.
Pastor Stephen Boission and Dr, Chris Kemling are both being persecuted in Canada for publicly criticizing homosexuality. Both are being persecuted because Canadian “hate crime” legislation now includes “sexual orientation” protections.
- The persecution of pastors, therapists , and others will be inevitable if the United states passes the same bill here.
4. If we do not take a stand I would not be surprised if one day I too will be persecuted against preaching God’s truth. I stand here before you this morning and I tell you that this is something that I will NOT cower down to nor will I keep quiet and fear a corrupt society. I will keep preaching His Holy truth to the end. I will keep on pushing and pushing until we wake up.
VI. Truth #3-----God loves Homosexuals.
A. Not their homosexuality----but we have to remember that every person caught up in homosexuality is a face, a name, a son, a daughter, a family member, a friend.
1. Just as we have friends caught up in other sin------just as God wants everyone to repent and be his children. God loves those who are in the homosexual lifestyle----and wants to free them from it.
2. Too often our response as the church has been a refusal to reach out and love these people. We have set this sin in a different category as other sins------and God does not do that.
3. Christians can be very judgmental, especially to people who disagree with their beliefs. Experience the internal monologue of a Christian who is finally admitting how judgmental he's become toward homosexuals.
VIDEO: “A Love Issue”
B. So---what is our response as God’s People to be?
1. Hold on to the truth.
2. The current homosexual agenda is to force acceptance without repentance. Even though in scripture, this is listed as sin----they would not see repentance as a part of the process.
3. There are churches today where you can remain homosexual and call yourself a Christ Follower. There is no such thing. If we follow that line of reasoning then we would have churches for every sin. Adulterers go here, liars go here, greedy go here----. The reality should be that every church needs to address all the sins that each of us wrestle with in our lives. The key is that the sin must be acknowledged and repented of Not accepted because the world says it is okay.
4. The church must never waver on the truth. We must not be swayed by our culture of false tolerance to okay behavior that God says is not okay. Isa 5:20 says “woe to those who call evil good and good evil.”
5. The truth is that God loves imperfect people and wants to meet the needs that they are trying to fill in this lifestyle. He wants to give them peace, and joy, and love and meaning. But they cannot be Christ followers and continue in that sin.
C. We must see people through God’s Eyes.
1. Many of us in this room have had the problem of homosexuality hit our families. The picture changes when we know someone wrestling with this choice.
2. We begin to soften---or at least we should. Because as much pain as it causes us---it causes God more. He sees each and every person in the homosexual community as one of his children that needs to be brought home. One who is looking for the right answers in the wrong places. Usually one who has been hurt in some great way.
Illustration: Dr. Joseph Nicolosi in “A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality”, wrote, “In 15 years of speaking with hundreds of homosexual men, I have never met one who said he had a loving, respectful relationship with his father”.
I have talked to homosexuals who had a desire to walk away from this sin, only to find themselves outcast and bashed by the church. With no place to go they would invariably find themselves back in the gay community who would at least show them some compassion.
3. We have to provide a place for people to experience God’s love. God never asks us to change, and then come to him. He doesn’t say that those who run a perfect race get the prize.
4. He says if we will follow Him-----he will transform us. His spirit in us will make the difference. If we will run the race and finish---we get the prize.
5. But the church has not done a good job wrapping our arms around those who are coming, seeking relief from this empty lifestyle that has promise so much and delivered so little. It means looking at our attitudes-----adjusting our language. Seeing their sin as God sees us. Extending grace as God has extended it to us.
6. For far too long we have thrown stones----instead of inviting people to join us on the journey of walking with Jesus. We have said “change your ways—and we will accept you. While Jesus says, follow me, and you cannot help but change. Transformation is an unavoidable by product of walking with Jesus.
Conclusion: One of the great culture cancers---of every society that has risen and fallen has been homosexuality. This lifestyle has been a strong determining factor in every culture that has disappeared in time----and the only answer---is God. The church. God’s people showing a love that is not found anywhere else. God’s love.
Illustration: C.S.Lewis said, “We’re all either helping people toward God or away from him”
God wants to take poor, lost, searching, people and save them. And it might be homosexuality, or hatred, or gossip, or greed, or pride, or lying, or stealing---name your struggle. It’s all sin-----and God is calling to us all.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:8 If the trumpet does not sound a clear call – who will get ready for battle?
I believe we are in the situation that we are in because we have been quiet for far too long. We have not applied biblical principles towards this issue. We have not sounded a clear call and it is time we do. Iowa, it is time we wake up!
