So what now?
This week has been a sad week for those who put their faith in God. The Supreme court passed as Law that same sex couples are now allowed to marry. Face book has once again lit up with propaganda on both sides of this issue. Some has been well thought out insightful comments others have been just down right mean spirited and hateful.
The bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin. “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” (Romans 1:26–27 NAS95) The bible also teaches that they will not enter into heaven, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,” (1 Corinthians 6:9 NAS95) I am not the one who says this nor am I the one who will judge them. God is the ultimate judge and only he can pronounce judgment. Just like in our very own legal system. It does not matter what I say but what the judge says.
So how should this ruling actually affect Christians? Well it should desperately sadden us that this act has been legitimized by our country. It should not affect the way we see those who are involved in the same sex marriage. It should inspire us to be more courageous in speaking out for God.
Body
I There is a children's song most of all of us know, Jesus Loves the Little Children. Lets all sing this.
A Have you ever considered that every human being that has lived in the past, that will live in the future, or that is living right now is in fact a child of God.
1 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””
(Genesis 1:26 NAS95)
2 The prodigal son, “And He said, “A man had two sons.“The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.” (Luke 15:11–12 NAS95) Did the younger son cease to be the father’s son?
B Parents love their children without limits.
1 I remember hearing a song many years back by George Strait, A love without end. Part of the lyrics said, “a daddy don’t just love their children every now and then, its a love without end amen.”
a child this song is not biblically correct the sentiment is spot on.
b When your child does wrong yes you get angry but not really because your mad, it is because you love them so much. “For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:12 NAS95)
2 As a parent I know what we actually feel when a child is disobedient. Buried under all the other emotions is perhaps the strongest one, sadness.
1 We want what is best for our child, just like God wants what is best for all his children.
2 Now take the sadness you would feel if one of your children were disobedient to you and multiply it by trillions and trillions. How sad God must be.
II The second way it should affect us is by not changing the way we treat those involved in this.
A We are not their judge!
1 Allow me a soap box for a second, I despise how people twist ““Do not judge so that you will not be judged.“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”(Matthew 7:1–2 NAS95) It is talking about passing sentencing on someone.
2 We must judge many things in regards to what is true and right. We judge in the way of forming opinions every day about nearly everything. Sometimes in a splitt second such as to try to stop at a light that just turned yellow.
B This can be found in Matt. 22:39 But I am reading from Leviticus. “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18 NAS95)
1 Take account of all the people that Jesus touched, which ones became followers?
2 Love is one of the most powerful forces on this planet. It can bring about great and wonderful change.
III My third point is that this should inspire us to be more courageous.
A Seven people who could not be silenced changed the definition of marriage in the United States. 321,170,713 live in america there is on birth every 8 seconds one death every 13 seconds, one international migrant every 32 seconds for a net gain of one person every 13 seconds according to the Census bureau. son in the time we have been in church this morning there are approximately 553 more people in this country and 7 people changed the definition of marriage.
B 12 people inspired an entirely new way of thinking religiously that has lasted nearly 2,000 years. One created the new form of religion. Maybe not the best way to put it.
1 so many times we think it takes great masses to make a change.
2 These 20 people should inspire us and give us courage.
conclusion
While being transported to Rome Paul knowing what was to come concerning his life and also the impending shipwreck said this, ““Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.” (Acts 27:25 NAS95)
I feel the same way as Paul did I know that all things will work out just as the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the bible to write, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” (Romans 10:9 NAS95).
Realizing that belief demands us to take action in faith starting with baptism and ending with a lifetime faithfully following Gods words.
