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Introduction:
We cannot open our newspapers today without reading a story
about homosexuality. We may read about judges allowing civil
marriages for homosexual couples. We may read about active
homosexuals being appointed as bishops in certain denominations or
active homosexuals being tried by a denomination’s judicial
system. Of course, the biggest fear among the “Christian
community” today is that homosexual marriage will become legal.
The biggest shock among the “Christian community” is that some
people in the “Christian community” think legalizing
homosexual marriage would be good. For those among us who are
convinced that the Bible claims same gender sexual activity is
sinful, we are amazed that Bible believers can hold a different
position. Because of our amazement, we often end up in heated
shouting matches, lobbing Bible verse grenades but making no
headway. The reason we make no headway is because this issue is
not fought and won based on particular verses. In fact, the battle
has already been fought and won with people on both sides long
before they ever read the specific verses that say anything about
homosexuality. We need to wage the battle where it needs to be
waged. We want to consider what is causing people who claim to
believe the Bible to accept homosexuality. After dealing with
those issues, we will take a look at what the Bible actually says
about homosexuality. However, before we address either of those
issues, I want to calm your fears regarding our present political
climate. Discussion: I.
The two most important points to remember about our present
civil and political controversy. A.
First, we live in a democracy. Because we live in a
democracy, we are allowed to have our personal political opinions
regarding every issue. We are allowed to believe that certain
activities ought to be illegal or legal. We are allowed to form
our opinions from whatever basis we may choose and no one is
allowed to take that from us. At the same time, those around us
are also allowed their views. In the end, we will vote on these
matters or vote for candidates who will affect which way these
matters may go civilly. While we or others may protest the
outcomes, while we may try to overturn them, in the end our
society will speak and the laws will be set and there is extremely
little we can do about it except cast our own votes if we choose. B.
Second, in John
18:36, Jesus claimed that His kingdom was not of this
world. Brethren, I am proud to be an American. I am convinced that
this is the greatest physical nation that has ever existed on the
face of the earth. I love my country. But, Jesus did not die to
make Americans. He died to make Christians, forgiven people. No
matter what path our society takes, our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians
3:20). While I certainly support the efforts of every
individual who wants to make sure that Washington supports the
Bible description of marriage, we need to remember that God did
not give us the Bible in order to take it to Washington. He gave
us the Bible in order to hide it in our hearts and to help hide it
in the hearts of the individuals around us (Psalm
119:11). C.
With these two points in mind, we remember that Paul did
not have the luxury of living in a democracy. Nor did he have the
luxury of even trying to remotely argue that he lived in an empire
founded on biblical principles. But the Gospel was still having
success—even the enemies of the cross could see this (Acts
17:6). Further, we look at our own society and can notice
how many sins are legal—adultery, abortion, covetousness
(lottery), outbursts of wrath, drinking alcohol and drunkenness,
on and on the list goes. But the Gospel continues to save
individuals out of these sins, causing them to repent no matter
what our government says. This is what we must focus on. Bringing
sinners to repentance, no matter what our society says is legal.
In fact, we need to recognize that souls will not be saved by
making a sin illegal. They will only be saved by bringing them to
repentance. That is our job. II.
What is causing the modern “religious” controversy? A.
As I mentioned earlier, the real controversy regarding the
Bible and homosexuality is not fought and won with the passages
that say anything about homosexuality. We have to discuss more
fundamental issues first and then what the Bible says becomes
abundantly clear. We have to clear up three very important
misunderstandings first. B.
People do not understand the Bible. 1.
Clearly, in one sermon I cannot possibly cover every aspect
of how we got the Bible, why we can trust the Bible and how to use
the Bible. However, I can point out some basic issues that are
misunderstood that affect our discussion of homosexuality. 2.
First, we need to understand that the Bible, while penned
by men, was actually authored by God Himself (II
Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, when we read the Bible we
cannot discount what is said based on the limitations that the men
may have had. Paul may have been ignorant of a great many things,
but the Holy Spirit who moved Paul to write was not and is not (cf.
I
Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:3-4). 3.
Secondly, we need to understand that what was written is
not subject to our own personal opinions. Again, according to II
Peter 1:20-21, the writers were not writing their personal
opinions and therefore we are not simply allowed our personal
opinions. Rather, we must work to understand the scriptures and
handle them accurately, otherwise we will face destruction (II
Peter 3:16). 4.
Thirdly, we need to understand that the scripture is all we
need to determine what we ought to teach about this issue and any
other. II
Timothy 3:16-17 says the scripture will make us perfect,
thoroughly furnished for every good work. If it equips us to
commit homosexuality, fine. But if not, we cannot turn to other
sources to legitimize it. Do not misunderstand me, as I know some
will. Certainly, we must use logic, reason and common sense as we
look to the Bible. Certainly, we must keep the scripture in
context and even in its cultural context. However, we are not
allowed to take the sociological and psychological studies of men
and use them to change the Bible message. We must recognize that
real science and the real teaching of the Bible will always
coincide. C.
People do not understand sin. 1.
What is sin? According to I
John 3:4, sin is lawlessness. Whenever I violate God’s
law, I have sinned. But we must dig deeper. What causes us to sin?
According to James
1:13-15, sin begins with my personal desires. 2.
What is the great spiritual battle for every Christian? The
flesh vs. the spirit. Romans
8:1-12 describes this battle. Galatians
5:16-26 also demonstrates this. We are to crucify our
flesh, along with its desires to do what God wants us to do, no
matter what our flesh wants. 3.
Why does all of this matter regarding the debate on
homosexuality? Because the great defense of homosexuality among
the “Christian community” is that homosexuals are born that
way. They have a great desire that they cannot help because it is
genetically wired in their flesh or because they did not develop
properly in the womb. First, that has not been proven, no matter
what you have heard. Second, even if it is proven, how does that
make homosexuality different from every sin? Every sin we commit,
we do so because we have a desire in our bodies. Our flesh wages
war against our spirit. One of them must win out. We must sow to
the spirit and live by the spirit, putting to death our fleshly
desires. Those who want to commit homosexuality want to make it
sound like we are asking them to do something we do not ask anyone
else to do. That simply is not the case. We are asking them to do
the same thing we ask the ones who are naturally drawn to alcohol,
to fornication, to lying, to outbursts of anger, etc. We are
asking them to sacrifice their fleshly desires in order to submit
to the Spirit. Remember what Paul further said in Galatians
6:7-8. We will reap what we sow. If we sow to the flesh,
as the homosexual wants to do, we will of the flesh reap
destruction. However, if we sow to the spirit, we will reap
eternal life. D.
People do not understand the issue. 1.
If you begin to talk to people about why they support
homosexuality, you will quickly find that a lot of people simply
do not understand what the issue is. 2.
Some will say that God loves everyone, therefore we ought
to love everyone. But that is not the issue. I could not agree
with any statement more than this one. But this is not the issue.
Certainly God loves everyone. Romans
5:8 demonstrates that God loves sinners and sent His Son
to die for us. The issue is not does God love homosexuals, the
issue is does God claim homosexuality is a sin for which we need
the blood of Christ to forgive us. 3.
Some will say that we are not allowed to hate anyone.
Therefore, we should not hate homosexuals. I agree with this
statement too. But again, that is not the issue. Today the
proponents of homosexuality present a false dilemma. They act as
though we must either accept homosexuality as godly or we are
tyrannical, homophobic bigots and hatemongers. That is just not
the case. We must not hate, but love all mankind. The issue once
again is not about hate, but about teaching. Should we, because we
love them, teach homosexuals the Gospel of Christ and exhort them
to repent. 4.
Some will say that we should not judge others. God is the
judge. They will even appeal to scripture for this (Matthew
7:1). However, this is not the issue. Clearly, neither you
nor I will ever be the judge. We will not declare the sentence of
eternal damnation or eternal life to anyone. But every one of us
must make judgments about what we are going to teach is right or
wrong. John
7:24 says we must make righteous judgments. Further, are
not the people who claim we should accept homosexuality as lawful
making a judgment when they judge homosexuality as acceptable? Why
are they allowed judgment but I am not. 5.
Some will say that we are not allowed to tell people who
they can love. That is not the issue. You can love anyone you
choose. In fact, biblically you must love everyone (Luke
10:27-37). The issue is about who you can participate in
sexual activity with. 6.
Some will say that we are not allowed to tell people who
they can marry. People ought to be able to marry anyone they wish.
But that is not the issue. Because, in fact, everyone already
believes that we are allowed to tell people who they can and
can’t marry. What if the man wanted to marry two sisters? Can we
tell him, “No”? What if he wanted to marry your 12 year old
daughter? Can we tell him, “No”? What if he wanted to marry
his pet monkey? Can we tell him, “No”? The issue is not about
telling people who they can marry, we already do that. Our
government does that and will always do it. And we all believe it
ought to be done. The issue is just about homosexuality, should it
be sanctioned? 7.
What is the issue? The issue is about God’s plan for
sexual fulfillment. Is it lawful to fulfill sexual desires with
someone of the same gender? Once we determine what God’s word
says about that, everything else falls into place. III.
God’s plan for sexual fulfillment. A.
God’s plan for sexual fulfillment is spelled out with
abundant clarity in Hebrews
13:4. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed
undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” God
has provided for sexual fulfillment within the confines of
marriage. Everything else, whether between people of the same
gender or different genders, is immoral and will be judged by God.
B.
The Bible also defines marriage very clearly. In I
Corinthians 7:1-9, Paul demonstrated that the sexual
desire is a natural one. He explained in vs.
26 that because of the present distress, it would be good
to overcome the sexual desires and remain unmarried. That is,
because of the great persecutions these Christians were facing, it
would be good not to be married. However, not everyone would have
that gift (vs.
7). Therefore, in order to avoid sexual immorality and
burning with passion, Paul said that each man should have his own
wife and each woman should have her own husband. Interestingly, in
the Bible, the word for wife is the word for woman. The word for
husband is the word for man. The Bible views marriage as a union
between a man and a woman. C.
This is it. This is what God allows and sanctions. One man
marrying one woman. One woman marrying one man. Further, this
marriage is to be for life. According to Matthew
19:3-9, the Pharisees asked if they were allowed to
divorce their wives for any reason and Jesus said, that what God
had joined together, man was not allowed to separate. D.
Please note something very carefully in Matthew
19:10-12. Those who support homosexuality today say that
the teaching I am giving you is not fair. It is too hard for them.
They will say, “Edwin, it is not fair. If you have sexual
desire, you can marry a woman whom you want to marry. But for us,
you are saying we have to do something we do not really want to do
or we have to remain celibate.” I want you to notice what the
disciples said and how Jesus responded. They said, “Master, this
is not fair. You mean we have to stay married to one woman for
life. That is just not worth it. It would be better not to get
married.” Do you see what they are saying? They are saying they
do not like the sound of God’s marriage laws. Jesus responded,
“Not everyone can accept this teaching. Those who cannot, better
remain celibate.” He makes this comment in very strong language
saying that people who do not like the kingdom law on marriage
need to become eunuchs. I believe He was using that
accommodatively to highlight what a difficult choice that would be
to make. If Jesus would say that to men who did not want to have
sex with the same woman for the rest of their life, how much more
would He say it to men who did not want to have sex with women at
all? E.
Finally, the New Testament does very explicitly condemn
homosexuality. 1.
Romans
1:22-27
is very clear. Paul, demonstrating that Gentiles as a class of
people were condemned as sinners, pointed out that Gentiles turned
from worshipping the Creator to worshipping creatures. Because of
this, God gave them up to uncleanness. He allowed them to go to
the outer limits of sin, following the lusts of their heart and
dishonoring their bodies among themselves. As an example of how
far God let the Gentiles go, He said that the Gentile women and
men gave up the natural use of each other’s bodies and did what
was unnatural. Men committed what was shameful with men. Women
committed what was shameful with women. Modern religious
proponents of homosexuality will tell us that Paul could not have
been talking about homosexuality as we know it. Paul did not know
that some people were just born homosexual. All Paul knew was
people born heterosexual committing these acts. All Paul knew was
temple prostitution that involved homosexuality. All Paul knew was
abusive homosexuality. Paul did not know that some men and women
might actually love someone of the same gender and that they might
actually want to have a committed relationship. I am glad these
modern scholars are here to tell us what Paul knew and did not
know. I wonder how many conversations they had with Paul to find
out what he knew and did not know. After all, just reading what is
written it certainly sounds like a blanket condemnation of same
gender sexual activity. After all, Paul did not include any
caveats for love and commitment. He did not claim he was only
talking about temple prostitution or abusive homosexuality. He
just said, men with men and women with women is unnatural and
shameful. 2.
I
Corinthians 6:9-10
and I Timothy 1:8-11
says that abusers of themselves with mankind or those who defile
themselves with mankind (KJV) (sodomites—NKJV) will not inherit
the kingdom of heaven. Modern proponents of homosexuality will
throw a smokescreen regarding the translations that use
“homosexual” where the KJV uses “effeminate.” That may or
may not be a bad translation, but we are not considering that term
anyway. Then they will start arguing about the use of the term
“sodomite” and whether or not that is a good translation based
on the story of Sodom. However, whether the etymology the word
“sodomite” is sound or not, the term translated “sodomite”
clearly refers to male same gender sexual activity. The word is
“arsenokoites,” which is a compound of the Greek words “arrhen,”
meaning “male” and “koite” meaning “couch, by extension
cohabitation.” Our modern word “coitus” which means
“sex” comes from this Greek word. This is talking about men
participating in sexual activities with men. Once again, some will
try to say that this word specifically referred to homosexual
temple prostitution. However, that is simply not true. There is
nothing in the context of either passage that warrants this
conclusion. Further, there is nothing regarding the historical use
of this word that warrants this conclusion. While the word may
have been used to describe homosexuality in pagan temple worship,
it is a broad term that simply means men having sex with men. The
only support for the view that this term only referred to pagan
temple prostitution is wishful thinking on behalf of those who
want to live their way instead of God’s. Those who do so will
not inherit the kingdom of God. Conclusion: Brethren, we are not allowed to hate homosexuals. We are not allowed to discriminate against them by withholding the gospel message from them. In fact, we must love them, taking the gospel message to them just as someone brought the gospel message to us when we were sinners. We can have the comfort of knowing that the gospel can save sinners from every sin as I Corinthians 6:9-11. We must get the gospel out to every sinner. If you have submitted to this temptation, you are not less of a person than anyone here, no matter what some well-meaning but ignorant Christians might say. But you are a sinner, just like me and everyone else. You need the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Won’t you repent and be converted today (Acts 3:19).
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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