WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT
Part 2: Homosexuality
A number of years ago, I had a man from the community call and ask if he could visit me. I said “sure,” and he came by. After talking for a while the heart-broken dad came to the reason he was there. He said, “My son is a homosexual. I am sickened by what he does, but I love my son. What do I do?”
I pray that is a question you never have to ask, but it is a question we must be prepared to answer. In the past few years we have seen the Canadian government legalize homosexual marriage and at the same time make it a crime to call homosexuality a sin. Our Supreme Court has decriminalized sodomy, and in even more recent days the Supreme Court of Massachusetts has given homosexuals the legal right to marry in that state.
One would think, that if the country is divided on the issue, at least the Christian Church would be able to agree, but such is not the case. In recent days the Episcopal church has elected a homosexual bishop, part of the Methodist church has allowed a homosexual woman to remain in the ministry, and some churches and pastors are performing homosexual unions. The question before us today though is not, “What do other people, or other churches, or even other Christians think about homosexuality?” The Question before us today is, “What does God think about homosexuality?”. Let’s look first, this morning, at God’s plan for marriage.
I. GOD’S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE
- Read Genesis 2:18-24
1. Marriage involves a Man and a Woman
First notice, that God created man and woman to be together. Man was alone and God made a helpmeet for him. Man, even in Paradise, even with God there, was lonely, was lacking, needed companionship. So God, in His infinite wisdom created a woman to be man’s companion.
2. Marriage cements a Couple – In verse 24 we are told that the 2, though separate and distinct, unites a couple. Somehow, mysteriously, through marriage and union, the 2 become one.
3. Marriage is the place for Sex –
- Genesis 4:1 Verse 1 of this passage says Adam had relations with his wife. It was God’s intention from the very beginning for there to be sex, and if you read
Proverbs 5:18-19 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. We understand that God intended for one man and one woman to be together, to stay together, to have passion for one another for life. One man, one woman, in love and together for life.
God does not condone fornication (sex outside of marriage), and God does not smile on adultery (sex after marriage with someone other than your spouse). He specifically forbids it. Marriage is between a man and a woman, it cements a couple, and all sex is to within that marriage relationship. If that is the case, then what does God think of homosexuality? What does God think about homosexuality?
II. HOMOSEXUALITY IS SIN
- Romans 1:26-27, 32.
There are nine scriptures in the Bible that specifically refer to homosexuality. Each of the passages say, without reservation or qualification, that God hates homosexuality, that it is a sin, and that it is punishable by God. God hates homosexuality just as He hates all other sin.
III. HOMOSEXUALITY IS A CHOICE
There are those who say that God made them homosexual, that it’s not their fault, and that there is nothing they can do about it.
Several years ago, Dr. Dean Haymer a geneticist from the University of Hawaii claimed to have found a Homosexual Gene that predisposed people to Homosexuality. I imagine most of you have heard that. What he failed to say is that he is a homosexual activist and his study was not scientifically valid. Later an independent group of scientists reviewed his study. After spending a year trying to confirm his conclusions they determined that no such gene existed. Since that time Dr. Haymer has admitted that it was a lie. When asked about this he and others in the movement have said "It doesn’t matter now. People already believe it and it has made life easier for homosexuals.”
My friends, homosexuality is not hard-wired into people, it is a choice, it is a sin, and it is a sin people can be delivered from.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Just as each of us were sinners, we confessed our sins and asked God to forgive us, homosexuals need to do the same. We cannot choose to continue to be adulterers and expect to be saved, we cannot continue to be murderers, and expect to be saved, we cannot continue to lie and steal and expect to be saved, neither can a person continue to live as a unrepentant homosexual and expect to be saved.
V. A CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE
Since God intended marriage to exist between a man and a woman, since homosexuality is a sin and since God hates sin, how should we respond?
1. Love Homosexuals – The Bible says:
> 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is …, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We need love, pray for and witness to homosexuals, remembering that Christ died for them, just as He died for us.
2. Call Sin what it is –
> Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…” We cannot smile at, or condone homosexuality, any more than we smile at or condone theft, rape, or murder.
There are those who will call us homophobes or bigots. It’s funny. They don’t call those who stand against child abuse, rape or murder bigots. We must stand our ground remembering Jesus Himself said in,
> Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
This past week, a coalition of homosexual rights groups, Planned Parenthood, and other groups filed a complaint with the IRS against a Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church in Helen, Montana for passing a petition in church, supporting a constitutional ban on gay marriages.
There will be people upset, there will be people calling us narrow-minded, hate-mongers, and other names, but Jesus said they treated Him the same way.
We must love the sinner, Christ does. We must hate the sin, God does, and we must take a stand.
3. Repent of our silence –
Oh my friend, for too long we have allowed the twisted minority to shape policy in this country while we have remained silent. When conversation has arisen accepting homosexuality and condoning other sins in our nation, including creed, gluttony, lust, and envy, we have remained silent, afraid of what people might say. Jesus said,
> Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. You and I need to repent of our silence. We need to pray and ask for God’s forgiveness and His working in our country. But that repentance requires action as well. The Bible says,
> James 4:17 He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is a sin.” So not only must we repent of our silence, but we must also take a stand.
4. Take a Stand –
- Ezekiel 33:6-7 Let our voice be heard.
CONCLUSION
> Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
