“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.”
o Deut. 23:17 – “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.”
God’s hatred of the sin of homosexuality hasn’t changed. We find that the New Testament also condemns this sin.
o Romans 1:26-27 – “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, [27] 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.”
o 1 Tim. 1:9-11 – “Realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers [10] and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, [11] according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”
o 1 Cor. 6:9 – “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,”
o Jude 1:7 – “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”
II. CONSEQUENCES
God has designed marriage as being 1 man, 1 woman, in a single, long-term relationship. Homosexual relationships are NOT viewed as a MARRIAGE in the gay community.
Homosexuality brings with it a HIGH PRICE.
Reports show that:
o 74% of male homosexuals had more than 100 partners in a lifetime.
o 41% of male homosexuals had more than 500 partners in a lifetime.
o 28% of male homosexuals had more than 1000 partners in a lifetime.
Only 8% of homosexual men, and 7% of lesbian women ever had a relationship that lasted more than 3 years.
A 1989 report in San Francisco showed that:
o 89% of homosexuals had used marijuana (25% of straight population)
o 50% had used cocaine (6% of straight population)
o 50% had used LSD (3% of straight population)
Other reports show that:
o 30% are problem drinkers (10% of straight population)
o 40% experience depression (3% of straight population)
o 35% consider suicide (11% straight population)
o 18% attempt suicide (3% straight population)
o 80% have a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
o 30% are HIV infected.
o 10% have AIDS.
AND … they want society to treat homosexuality as an ACCEPTED alternative lifestyle!
III. QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
The Gay community offers several statements:
1.- “We are born this way … we have no choice. God made us this way … God don’t make no junk. Why would anyone choose a lifestyle that is so controversial. We can’t help it.”
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THAT?
A “gay gene” has never been found. Homosexuality is a CHOICE. TRUE, some people have more gay tendencies than others … more of an inclination to turn to a gay lifestyle. BUT … it’s their CHOICE. Children of alcoholics and child/wife abusers are more likely to become alcoholics and child/wife abusers themselves. BUT, it’s their choice. You aren’t born that way. Environment, society, culture and values play a big part in a person turning to a homosexual lifestyle. BUT, it doesn’t MAKE them a homosexual. It’s their choice.
2.- “Christians are violating Scripture when they judge the homosexual - Matthew 7:1
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Where is your Christian love & compassion?”
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THAT?
When I evaluate the lifestyle of the homosexual, I am not JUDGING anyone … God has already done that. All I can do is repeat what God has already said in His judgment of homosexuality. I don’t HAVE to judge anyone … I leave that up to God, and He has made it clear in His Word what He thinks.
IV. HOPE FOR THE HOMOSEXUAL
The gay community says that they can’t change … they are what they are.
o 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – all turn – “and such WERE some of you”.
o 2 Cor. 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
o Romans 12:1-2 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
o Ephesians 4:22-24 – “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, [23] and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, [24] and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
QUESTION: Can a person be a homosexual and be a Christian?
I’ve read lots of different opinions on this. Most said that you can’t be homosexual and be a Christian. I agree … but offer a little different perspective..
Look at the sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Can a person be an ALCOHOLIC and be a Christian? Can a person be a Christian and STEAL? Can a person be a Christian and commit ADULTERY? I think we would all say “yes” to these. BUT, many people will say that you can’t be a Christian and commit a homosexual act.
What about the homosexual who is genuinely converted … and has given up the homosexual lifestyle … BUT … when tempted, commits the sin again. Some will say he was never saved. BUT … what about the alcoholic who has been genuinely converted … and falls off the wagon? OR … the Christian who commits adultery when tempted? Can they be a Christian and commit these sins … or do we say that they were never saved?
Let me clarify this. I have a hard time with a person who says that they are a “Christian homosexual” … just like I would have a hard time with a person who says they are a “Christian alcoholic”, or “Christian thief”, or “Christian adulterer”. I can’t accept the term “Christian homosexual”.
When you become a “new creature”, and “old things are passed away”, it doesn’t mean that some of the old sins won’t tempt you, and you won’t occasionally commit them. You don’t HAVE to, but you also won’t be PERFECT until you are in Glory. This doesn’t mean that it is ACCEPTABLE to commit these sins, but it also doesn’t mean that just because a person hasn’t had complete victory over every sin in their life, that they aren’t saved.
Being saved doesn’t necessarily mean that a previous sin will immediately cease … will never be repeated … that they will have immediate victory over their sin. A converted homosexual may well struggle with this sin in his life.
BUT, a true Christian will not continue to practice a lifestyle of homosexuality. A true Christian will not deliberately and continuously violate what they know to be a commandment of God …and practice a sin that they know God hates and forbids … a sin that brings shame to His name. A true Christian will repent of their sin and seek to honor God … and NOT flaunt a sinful lifestyle. This is what the “Christian homosexuals” are doing … flaunting a sinful lifestyle.
THIS IS MY STATEMENT: The homosexual who refuses to repent, and openly lives in this sin, and refuses to accept their lifestyle as a sin against Holy God, is not saved … just like the thief, alcoholic, or adulterer who refuses to repent and lives habitually in their sin … flaunting their sin in an open lifestyle for all to see.
o 1 John 3:8-10 – “The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. [9] No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. [10] By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.”
V. OUR RESPONSIBILITY
We can judge, condemn, ostracize, and reject all homosexuals. We can label them as degenerates, perverted, and despicable.
BUT, let’s be careful to separate the sinner from their sin. Their SIN is all of these things. God HATES their SIN … so should we. Jesus never tolerated their sin … neither should we.
BUT… Jesus loves the sinner … and so should we. When we show them hate, we can’t reach them with the only thing that can help them … the love of Jesus. Mark 2:17 - “And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Those who practice homosexuality are free to enter the Kingdom of God like any other sinner … repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. We need to be available to offer them the power of Jesus to transform their lives, and set them free from their sin. We cannot condone their sin … but we can commend them to Jesus.
OUTLINE FOR HANDOUT:
“Homosexuality And The Church”
INTRODUCTION: With the ordination of an openly gay homosexual Episcopalian Bishop, this issue has been brought to the forefront in the church – Isaiah 5:20
I. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY
- God’s plan for human sexuality – Genesis 1:27, 2:24, 1 Corinthians 7:3-4
- Mankind perverted God’s plan – Genesis 19 (13:13), Judges 19:22-23, 1 Kings 14:24, 15:11-12
What does God think about homosexuality?
- Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Deuteronomy 23:17
What does the New Testament say?
- Romans 1:26-27, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Jude 1:7
II. CONSEQUENCES
- Homosexuality brings with it a high price.
- They want society to treat homosexuality as an ACCEPTED alternative lifestyle.
III. QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
1.- “God made me this way … I can’t help it.”
2.- “Christians violate Matthew 7:1 by judging us, and not loving us.”
IV. HOPE FOR THE HOMOSEXUAL
- They CAN change - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – “and such WERE some of you.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-24
Can a person be a homosexual and be a Christian?
Can a person be a Christian and still commit a homosexual act?
What about the alcoholic, or the adulterer?
- Just because a person hasn’t had a complete, immediate victory over their sin, doesn’t mean that they aren’t saved … the converted homosexual may still struggle with this sin.
- A true Christian will not habitually practice sin – 1 John 3:8-10
- The homosexual who refuses to repent, and openly lives in this sin, and refuses to accept their lifestyle as a sin against Holy God, and flaunts their sin in an open lifestyle for all to see … is not saved.
V. OUR RESPONSIBILITY
- We need to separate the sin from the sinner … while hating their sin, we need to love the sinner.
- Mark 2:17 – Only the power of Jesus can set them free from their sin, and transform their lives.
PRISCILLA BAPTIST CHURCH – Ray Scott, Pastor
