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Presented, February 22, 2004 am

THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITY

Truly, we are living in troubling times. While we have seen morality decline in our society over the past few decades, these past few weeks have been particularly devastating to Christianity. One of the most disturbing things that I can recall in all my life is what is going on right now in the homosexuality community leading to so-called “gay marriage”. Brethren, what we are seeing is serious and calls for us to stand up and take action or face consequences that will affect the way we live, our children and grandchildren as well as the church.

We know that politics has no place in the pulpit and some may perceive this as political, but it is NOT. This is a matter of morality and standing up for God and what is right. As you study the Bible you quickly learn that Christians are in the world though we are not of the world. We also learn we cannot ignore evil around us and be pleasing to God if we don’t do what we are able to do.

I. The Issue at hand

A. Recent events of concern

For decades there has movement to make homosexuality a more acceptable lifestyle.
In the late 80’s and 90’s AIDS entered the picture. It was (and continues to be) predominant in the homosexual community, as well as through promiscuous lifestyles, illegal drug use, etc. The homosexual community used this serious disease to promote sympathy for their cause. We have learned how we can eradicate this disease, but godless people are not willing to accept the changes in behavior and lifestyle that it would demand. AIDS, continues to be a serious problem even today.
Last year, on November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Court declared that same-sex couples could marry according to their state law.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ordered the state legislature to draft law that allows same-sex marriage. They stated that allowing civil-unions was not enough and that only full marriage rights for gay couples would conform to the state’s constitution.}
Gay couples began going flying to Mass. to be married.
On February 12, just a little over a week ago, the city of San Francisco, following the directions of the mayor and county assessor, in defiance of state law, started issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Since then more than 3000 “couples” have received the licenses with liberal courts in our state refusing to uphold the constitution and laws that we passed just 4 years ago.
Since then, the mayor of Chicago has come out saying that he was in favor of “gay marriage” while other places including New Mexico have annulled so-called “gay marriages” in that state. Thankfully, many top ranking officials including our governor and the president of the United States have spoken out denouncing the practices that are taking place now.

One might ask, “What does this have to do with the gospel of Christ?” In this lesson we want to notice how this conduct is ungodly and sinful, as well as notice the potential impact it can have on us as Christians. Paul warned Timothy, that a time would come when brethren would not endure sound doctrine and be turned aside to fables (2 Timothy 4:3). His preaching was to avoid that from happening. Heed also his warning in 3:1-5 where we are told perilous times will come. John warned the church at Smyrna that they were headed for tough times because of the ungodly (Revelation 2:10). Truly, in times of moral crisis, we need to be warned. I believe this is one of those times.

B. What’s the big deal with homosexual marriages? What are the potential consequences if we sit back and do nothing? Here are some that I have gleaned from various sources as well as through personal observations:

It is another step toward DEMANDING acceptance of their perverted lifestyle. They want “gay marriage” because they think it will legitimize their actions which they know are questionable to the majority. In March of 2000, the voters of California passed proposition 22 which defined marriage as being restricted to between 1 man and 1 woman by more than 61% and that in a state that is known for its progressiveness.
But homosexuals are not satisfied to follow the law which grants them very liberal rights compared to what they had just a few years ago. So they are taking action to DEMAND that we accept them.
While they might not admit it there is a pattern associated with immoral behavior
1. Either you admit that your behavior is immoral and unhealthy or seek justification.
2. That justification comes in the form of finding others who will agree with you
3. OR blaming your condition on someone else
4. OR forcing others to accept your conduct through legal (or illegal) action, convincing the majority that what you are doing is not so bad and redefining terms and ideas. Usually this latter course takes place over an extended period of time. AND this is what gay marriage is really all about – DEMANDING that you accept them.
Prepare for churches in the coming years to begin being persecuted by the government for upholding the conservative, moral standards of the Bible – churches will lose their tax-exempt status, they will be sued and lose their properties, etc. Members will be harassed, etc.
In the schools, prepare for the books and teachers that will attempt to refine marriage according to current culture, teaching tolerance of their different lifestyle.
Another step of the humanist agenda will have been accomplished – and they are not done (if God allows it to continue)
Morality in our nation will continue to decline (if it can decline anymore than it already has). This is just another step in the downward moral spiral that this nation is in. What’s next? Bestiality, incest, polygamy, etc.? Some say that is ridiculous. They are already arguing that the constitution doesn’t forbid unique relationships. If you were asked 20 years ago, if gays would be allowed to marry, what would you have said?
Consider the legal implications with adoption, etc.
We have also seen their disregard for the laws of the land. If they show disdain for laws with physical consequences, what will they teach about moral law and the laws of God.

II. The Sin of Homosexuality

A. The Old Law condemned homosexual behavior giving us an idea of how He feels about this conduct.

Leviticus 18:22. Consider the context which lists numerous sins including adultery, human sacrifice, homosexuality as well as bestiality. Homosexuality is called an abomination which means “a disgusting thing” (BDB) or an abhorrence.
Deuteronomy 22:5 mentions cross dressing, a practice prevalent in the homosexual community.
Leviticus 20:13 – homosexuality was a capital crime in which both persons were to be put to death
In this chapter there are several things that carried the death penalty including the idolatrous sacrificing of one’s children (vs. 2), one who curses his father and mother (vs. 9), the adulterer (vs. 10-12), he who lies with an animal (vs. 15-16), etc.
WHY did such things carry the death penalty? Because of the consequences of such conduct – they undermine the morality of a society causing it to become more debased.

B. Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 19 records the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In Genesis 18, Abraham was warned of what awaited the cities because as verse 20 says, “their sin is very grave”. While Abraham attempted to “bargain” with God, he wasn’t able to find even 10 worthy citizens in the city to spare it. What was their sin?
Genesis 19:1-3 records two angels entering the city and then Lot’s house
In vs. 4-5 we are told the men of the city want Lot to bring out the men “that we may know them” (carnally is added giving a proper understanding of the word). Lot refused to turn them over and offered his virgin daughters (vs. 8) who had not “known a man” (from same word as vs. 5) They refuse. The rest of the story is history.
That this sin was homosexuality is seen in the New Testament where Sodom and Gomorrah are described as having given themselves over to sexual immorality and having gone after “strange flesh” (Jude 7)
2 Peter 2:6-8 also mentions these cities, describing their punishment as being fitting also for false teachers. Notice concerning these cities, that they were destroyed, “making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly…” In vs. 7 we read that Lot was oppressed by their “filthy conduct of the wicked”. The filthiness of the homosexual lifestyle is borne out in statistics including STD’s, parasites, hepatitis, their multiple partners, etc.
Putting all the facts together we can clearly see that the sin of these cities was homosexuality.

C. Romans 1:24-28 – Beginning in vs. 18 we read of the revelation of the wrath of God against sinful man. Notice the description in this text of both the male and female versions of homosexuality. Truly this passage cannot be misunderstood without help.

D. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – The unrighteous will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.

In these verses, two words are used to describe BOTH partners in a homosexual relationship.
The word “homosexuals” (effeminate) a word that literally means, “soft to the touch”. It describes the “female” role in the homosexual relationship.
The word, “sodomites” (abusers with themselves with mankind) is a word that describes the one acting as a male in this relationship. Thayer defines this word as, “one who lies with a male as with a female.”
Thus, BOTH partners in a homosexual relationship stand condemned before God unless they repent.

Truly, we can see that homosexuality is a sin that will condemn many souls to hell unless they repent and turn to God. The time has come for us to stand up for what believe and say that enough is enough. We cannot continue to bury our heads in indifference and think that we are without fault. There are things that we can do. What are you willing to do to defend God in our society? Are you willing to let your light shine in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation?
Tonight, we want to examine some of the arguments that are made to justify both “gay marriage” and homosexuality in general.

Presented, February 22, 2004 pm

THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2

Answering Arguments

This morning, we noticed the sin of homosexuality by examining various passages that condemn this behavior as well as concerns we face as Christians as the gay movement continues to gain momentum. Tonight, I want to take a look at some of the arguments used to defend homosexuality and their response to some of the passages mentioned.

I. As to “Gay Marriage”

A. What is marriage? It is defined by Webster as, “the act of marrying or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.”
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 1913

B. Dictionary.com gives the traditional definition as, “The legal union of man and woman as husband and wife” But they also give a definition, “A union between two persons having the customary but usually not the legal force of marriage: a same-sex marriage” showing that impact is already being made.

C. God defines marriage - Genesis 2:21-24. God caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam and took a rib from his side and created woman. Vs. 22 says He brought her to the man and Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Jesus made reference to this in Matthew 19:4-6 while answering the Pharisees’ inquiry about divorce under the law of Moses. Notice that in the beginning, God made them “male and female” (cf. Genesis 1:27) and said, “for this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Clearly Jesus understood that God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman. It has been that way throughout history.

D. Homosexuality seeks to redefine marriage

II. Do Homosexuals Have a Choice?

A. In the past few decades we have heard that homosexuality is hereditary. Homosexuals claim that they have a genetic disposition toward homosexuality so they are what they are intended to be.
In July 1993, Science magazine released an article in which they claimed to have found a genetic cause for homosexuality. They identified a gene that provided a behavioral trait that leaned toward that behavior. It was reported extensively, but upon further examination, the finding was called into question causing its author to revise his research as being non-conclusive and only that in some families it contributes to the tendency toward homosexuality (www.family.org; esp. http://family.org/fofmag/pp/a0024032.cfm). Furthermore, science is currently unable to establish that behavior traits can conclusively proven to be genetic.

B. The truth is there is no real evidence that homosexuality is hereditary. I will readily admit that there are genetic tendencies in some that lean toward homosexuality, but that does not necessarily mean that they have to be pursued or that they are right. There are tendencies toward alcoholism, pedophilia, anger, gambling, violence, etc. and other things that are sinful. But that does not make them acceptable behavior. If truth be known, we ALL have tendencies toward something that we should not do. The challenge of life is controlling our behavior according to God’s standard. That applies to Homosexuality as well.

C. Furthermore, research has shown the greater influence on becoming homosexual to be the environment in which one is raised. In other words, what one is taught and observes has the greatest influence.
Is there any wonder why God placed such awesome responsibility on parents in the raising of their children? (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4).
It often begins with a melancholy disposition (which does not always lead to homosexuality, nor is it always present) plus teaching in the name of tolerance and observation of it as acceptable behavior (on television and in the movies). In time one has a homosexual experience while satisfying ones curiosities. If pleasant, this leads to more experiences and experiments which eventually leads to homosexuality.

D. The point is that environment has greatest influence on what one will become. If the behavior is shameful, they then seek to justify it.

III. Redefining God’s Word

A. First, they redefine how we interpret scripture. In a radio debate between Jeff Asher, a gospel preacher and Robert Williams, an ordained homosexual priest in the Episcopal Church (in 1989), on January 20, 1990 – Williams readily claimed that the way we interpret scripture is different. He pointed out that their approach involved a three part approach to interpretation that includes scripture, reason and tradition. With that in mind they can readily say that certain things don’t apply today because we are living in different times. If truth be known, they put more emphasis on what they WANT to believe than what the Bible actually says. With a preconceived concept, all they have to do is find some reasonable explanation that explains away the need to follow a command today and they can eliminate it. Among the things they do is to call into question what is inspired and what is not inspired.

While we certainly do need reason to determine the intended meaning of a passage, numerous passages warn us to respect the word of God in its entirely – 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Galatians 1:6-9; Matthew 15:7-9, etc. If you are willing to cut and paste, you can prove anything by the Bible and that is what the homosexual movement does. Consider their arguments dealing with the passages we mentioned this morning.

B. Concerning, Sodom and Gomorrah they say that the sin of the city was inhospitality and violence.

1. In the above mentioned debate, Williams contended that the word “know” in vs. 5 has the connotation of getting acquainted with someone. The problem with Sodom was their violent distrust of foreigners.

2. Answer: The word “know” is used in 12 passages with sexual connotations including Genesis 4:1, 17, 25 where Adam “knew” his wife and she bore a son, etc.
In the context of Genesis 19:8 – Lot offers his two daughters who had never “known a man”. Does this mean they had never been acquainted or hospitable toward men? It doesn’t make sense.

3. Also notice Jude 7 which says that the cities had given themselves over to “sexual immorality” and gone after “strange flesh”
The homosexual argument to this is the two men were angels which is what qualified as “strange flesh”. BUT, if they say that, it disqualifies their inhospitality argument. Furthermore, there is no indication they knew they were angels according to the text of Genesis 19.

4. Notice also Judges 19:22 where the city of Gibeah wanted to “know” a prophet who was resting in their city. There is no angel in this text, yet it is the same sin. Gibeah was destroyed by an indignant Israel because of this sin.

C. Concerning the Old Law –

They state that the sin was either specific homosexual acts or acts involving idolatry.
But Leviticus 18:22 leads from idolatrous acts (vs. 21) to acts of fornication (22-23)
Furthermore, the context of Leviticus 20:13 (which mentions the death penalty) is all about adultery and not idolatry (10-16)

D. Romans 1 only refers to certain acts of homosexuality – namely associated with false religion, etc.

Also some say that it only refers to heterosexuals who act in a way “against nature”. They say for those born with the disposition toward homosexuality it is natural and thus not wrong.
First of all as you examine the text of Romans 1 you find that idolatry caused God to give them over to vile passions (vs. 25-26). The vile passions were not acts of idolatry in this context.
Notice also that vs. 26-27 speak of that which is “against nature”. They exchanged the “natural use of the body.” Notice also vs. 27, men leaving the “natural use of the woman”. This argues against both
Their conduct is also describes as “shameful”
Similar arguments are made concerning 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 which they say has reference to idolatry. The point being while it is some type of sexual sin, it is not the one they are guilty of. But the context does not sustain that.

E. Add to this, they seek to say that the Bible is full of homosexual couples including:

David and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:26) where David’s love for Jonathan surpassed that of women. David had many wives and loved women. His love for Jonathan was a different kind of love – a kindred spirit.
Ruth and Naomi in (Ruth 1:9, 14, 16-17) – the context of the book indicates a loyalty she had to her mother-in-law. It has nothing to do with a sexual relationship. READ THE REST OF THE BOOK – she eventually is married to Boaz.
Even Jesus and John – John 21:20 –“the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Note the word for “loved” in that context is from the Greek, agape, which has nothing to do with sexual desires either in the English OR the original Greek language.
Such examples show the extreme to which they will go to justify their perversions. The context of these examples do NOT justify their arguments in the least bit. The use of such examples is a testament as to how weak their arguments really are.

Truly, we can see that homosexuality is sinful conduct and that their answers and arguments show their desperation to justify what God’s word does not justify. They twist the scriptures to their own destruction.

IV. How Should We Treat The Homosexual?

A. “Homophobia” (the hatred of homosexuals) as it is called, is NOT a godly reaction to the one in this sin or any other sin for that matter. While we ought to abhor the sin, we should NOT abhor the person. Instead, we ought to grieve realizing that they have a soul that will spend eternity in hell if they do not repent.

B. Because of their danger of being lost, we ought to reach out to them and let them know that God loves them too.

a. God sent Jesus to die for them too – John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8, etc.

b. We need to love them – Matthew 22:39, 5:43-44, even when they despise and hate us. Note what love acts like in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

c. We need to set a proper example – Matthew 5:13-16. We do not now and NEVER will endorse violence or hateful treatment of ANYONE! When we are treated as evil, we overcome that evil with good – Romans 12:21

C. Also, let them know that they can overcome their sins just anyone else can overcome sin if they really want to.
Notice 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. After describing those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, which includes homosexuals (the female role) and sodomites (the male role) Paul says, “And such were some of you…” There are examples of homosexuals who have changed their lifestyles and married with godly, healthy families.
Change may not be easy – it never is, regardless of what sin you are trying to overcome, but we have to live pure lives if we hope to go to heaven when this life is over – and it is NOT our standard, but God’s standard that counts.

Truly, we can see that homosexuality, just like any other sin, needs to be repented of if one hopes to live in heaven when this life is over. If this is something you have a problem with, please carefully consider ALL of God’s word and submit to His will. Think about it.
For more information on the subject of homosexuality consider http://bible.ca/eo/hom.htm for a series of lessons on this subject.