HoHum:
“The Birdcage.” A 1996 movie where the actors Robin Williams & Nathan Lane play the parts of a homosexual couple, & Gene Hackman plays a conservative politician who messes up their gay lifestyle. Reviewing the movie, Time magazine called it a “warm, humorous, family film.” Now wait a minute, folks. The world’s thinking has become so skewed that it can take this & interpret it as a “warm, humorous, family film.” If we walk in the ways of the world long enough, we get all twisted around & begin to think that sin is normal, & what used to be evil is good, & what used to be good is evil.
WBTU:
Past several weeks been talking a lot about contract marriage vs. covenant marriage. Contract marriage is an agreement between two persons. Covenant marriage is an agreement between two persons and God. Covenant with God makes all the difference.
Many come at marriage from secular, contract mentality. This is bad on many angles but here is one we have not discussed. By saying that marriage is based solely on civil law, this can open the door to a variety of marriages that Scripture is against. Possibility of An amendment of civil law that would make same sex marriage legal, whereas Scripture is opposed to this.
In just a few weeks the Supreme Court will hear arguments on legalizing same sex marriage for the whole nation. In a legal battle in Alabama, the courts have ordered Alabama to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. No matter what the Supreme Court decides, same sex marriage will be a hot topic. Let’s dive into this hot topic of homosexuality.
Thesis: Look at 3 NT Scriptures and then give some advice for those who struggle with this
For instances:
Look at 3 NT Scriptures (start at back and go toward the front)
1. “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine” 1 Timothy 1:8-10, NIV.
Notice that NIV uses the word perverts. Perverts covers much ground. NASB calls this homosexuals and this is more correct interpretation. PC is against the NASB translation
The law’s purpose is to convict the unrighteous. Now the law is good if used properly. The law was given to lead us to Christ, to make us see that we are sinners in need of salvation. The law makes us see that we are utterly sinful (Romans 7:13). “So the law was put in charge (our schoolmaster- KJV) to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24, NIV.
These offenses against the law are listed in summary form here. Paul includes homosexuality in this list coupled with adultery as a violation of God’s law. This indicates that adultery and homosexuality are unacceptable for Christians.
2. “Do you not know that 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 of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NIV.
Paul’s reference to homosexuality here is in a section dealing with a variety of sexual issues confronting the Corinthian church. Right before these verses Paul scolds the Corinthians for public lawsuits against one another (6:1-8), and after these verses Paul talks about Christians who engage in sex with prostitutes (6:12-20).
The two phrases that concern us today are found at the end of vs. 9- male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders. These two Greek words together refer to both the passive and active partners in homosexual intercourse. Both of these terms in the Greek can be combined into one. English Standard Version- men who practice homosexuality (lot less graphic).
3 observations here:
1) Church is told to be intolerant of sexual immorality in Christians including homosexuality.
2) Homosexuality is listed together with many other sins as things that will bar the gate into God’s kingdom. Must acknowledge that this is sin and repent of
3) Paul makes clear that some of the members of the Corinthian church were former homosexuals (vs. 11). You were washed- reference to baptism. You were sanctified- set apart for God and his service. You were justified- No penalty for you. This is hope for any homosexual who is willing to repent of their sin (leaving those sins behind) and respond to the gospel by confession and baptism.
3. “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” Romans 1:26, 27, NIV.
Here Paul is talking about the immorality of humanity and humans rejection of God the Creator (1:18-23). Because of humanity’s godlessness, God gives humanity over “in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is for ever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:24, 25, NIV. In these verses (26, 27) Paul goes into greater detail on precisely what he means by “the degrading of their bodies with one another.” After this Paul goes on to say again that these “shameful lusts” are a result of people’s rejection of God, who consequently gives them “over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:28, NIV. This is followed by a sin list, in which homosexuality is associated with this list of sinful human attitudes and behaviors (vs. 29-31). Paul closes this section by issuing the charge that though these people ““know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:32, NIV. We see here that God’s judgment is against not only practicing homosexuals but also on those who condone such behavior. NT condemns not only those who engage in homosexual behavior but also those who condone such behavior without themselves engaging in it.
In essence Paul goes back to Genesis 1-3 when he talks about natural vs. unnatural. HS is saying that homosexuality is so “contrary to nature” that its participants cannot help but be aware that their actions are incompatible with the Creator’s design for marriage and the family. When comparing homosexual marriage with God’s design for marriage in Genesis 1-3 we find that same sex marriage falls short in several ways:
Homosexuality is at odds with God’s design for marriage- “For this reason a man (masculine) will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife (feminine), and they (the man and the woman) will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24, NIV.
Homosexual marriage violates the roles of males and females. According to Genesis, differences in gender roles are an essential part of the Creator’s design for marriage. God made the woman to be a suitable helper. Two men or two women goes against gender roles.
Homosexual marriage cannot produce children. This goes against God’s first mandate to humanity, ““Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” Genesis 1:28, NIV. Only way for same sex couple to have children is to introduce other people. This goes against the exclusivity of marriage.
The extent of homosexuality’s departure from the biblical model of marriage and the family may be one of the reasons why this sin is so pointed out in Scripture. Homosexuality corrupts God’s design for marriage and the family at every point.
Some advice for all of us as we deal with this issue
Been several studies done to see how many struggle with this in our society: 2, 4 or 8% struggle with same sex attraction. Cannot be 25%. Recently a poll was taken on what percentage the American people thought struggled with this, they thought 25%. Even studies done by GLBT organizations at most is at 8%. Let’s say 10 people here struggle with this, let’s give some advice for those 10 people and their family and friends who struggle with this
1. When someone shares this struggle, thank them for sharing. Treat this information with confidentiality. Take it as a compliment that they feel comfortable enough to share with you.
2. Make it clear to the individual who struggles with same sex attraction that they are not alone. Many Christians struggle with this. Got much information from Christopher Yuan. Before becoming a Christian he was a gay man and HIV positive. Now a dynamic Christian.
3. Our identity is in Christ. We are Christians not homosexuals, or GLBT.
4. Be realistic with those who struggle. “If just prayed enough or had enough faith it would go away.” There are things that I still struggle with today because I am a sinner. Many temptations will not go away until Resurrection Day.
5. Don’t focus so much on society’s gender stereotypes. “Well, just try acting like the Marlboro man or some John Wayne character, that will chase those feelings away.” “Try putting on some makeup and get a new outfit and that will chase those temptations away.”
6. Encourage God honoring same sex friendships. Many unsure how to have same sex friends.
7. Always pray for them and strive to be Jesus to them.
