What Should the Christian's Response Be to Homosexuality?.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to Village Church. If this is your first time here this morning, I want to thank you so much for being here. [0:06] I’m grateful to see each and every one of you this morning as we begin a new series. [0:11] We’re going to have a little bit of a different format this morning. [0:13] And one of the things that we’re going to be doing that we don’t normally do is we’re going to have Q&A after the sermon is over. [0:20] Now, there should be a phone number up on the screen right now. [0:25] If during the sermon you have questions that arise in your mind, you won’t offend me if you take your phone out and text a question to that number.

[0:37] That’s what we want you to do today. [0:40] If there’s something that I address and it piques your curiosity and I’m not clear enough, please send a text to that number. [0:47] Don’t wait until after we’re done because that’s just going to make Nate’s life miserable. [0:53] Let’s space it out. [0:54] And as you have the question, even if I answer it at the end of the sermon and I didn’t get to it yet, that’s fine. [1:00] Nate knows what I’m talking about today.

[1:02] So just text those questions into the number on the screen. [1:05] That number is going to stay up there through the entire sermon time this morning as we begin cow tipping. [1:11] And what we’re doing over the next seven weeks is months ago, we asked Village Church to send in anonymous questions that they would love to hear answers to. [1:20] And this morning we’re starting with really what was about the most popular question that we had. [1:26] And it was phrased in many different ways. [1:29] So so I tried to pack that into one question, which today is is what should the Christian’s response be to homosexuality?

[1:37] Now, this is something that in our culture has been really a hot topic for the past few months, even a few years with political agendas, [1:47] with kind of lack of knowledge on some people’s part as to how to deal with this. [1:52] That it is kind of could become more aware to a society than it even was ten years ago. [1:58] When I was younger, I didn’t have half the knowledge about certain sexual things that kids have nowadays. [2:04] Also do want to give you guys a warning. [2:05] This is going to be a little bit of a PG 13 sermon.

[2:08] Going to speak freely, but not too freely about certain issues. [2:12] That’s why it’s not R rated. [2:13] But so so bear with me. [2:16] Hopefully you got the message on Facebook that we put yesterday about that as well. [2:21] But I’m going to try to answer this in a biblical way. [2:25] I in no way am attempting today to give you an exhaustive dealing with this issue or any issue over the next few weeks.

[2:34] Thousands of pages and volumes of books have been written about each of the subjects that we’re going to cover over the next seven weeks. [2:42] And I in no way think I can cover all the ground in 30 to 35, I pray, minutes. [2:49] What I do attempt and what I do hope to do is to give you a clear answer as to what the scriptures have to say about this issue. [2:59] And what that means is, is that here at Village Church, we believe the Bible to be the authoritative word of God. [3:08] So the presupposition that that I’m bringing into this is how do I answer this question as someone that believes the Bible is true? [3:17] And more than that, someone that believes the Bible has authority over me as it is a collection of what God spoke through men, had them right under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for us to live our lives under.

[3:33] So that is the basis for which I’m going to come into this morning as well as the following weeks. [3:41] Now what complicates that in our culture is that that is not necessarily how we view life as people living in 2013. [3:50] We tend to believe that we have self-authorization over what we believe as a people. [3:57] What guides most of us in our culture is, is whatever makes me happiest is of my utmost concern. [4:05] And whatever makes me happiest is what I need to do. [4:09] And the reality of that is going to be very important over the next few weeks, not just today.

[4:14] Because what we’re dealing with today is really about authority. [4:19] And who has the authority to define things. [4:22] And really the excuse or reason that we give for much of what we do and much of how we guide other people to do things in their lives is, well, whatever makes you happiest. [4:35] And my goal over the next seven weeks is to tell you that that is, I’ll just be as blunt as I can, that’s a horrible way to go through life. [4:43] Number one, it’s going to take you a lot of directions God never intended you to go. [4:46] And number two, it’s going to cause you pain in the end.

[4:49] And ultimately it will cause other people pain. [4:52] Now, when we deal with the issue of homosexuality, what I want us to understand is that that tends to disintegrate, especially in our politically charged culture, into an us versus them conversation. [5:07] And I hope that over the next few moments I will be able to show you number one, that is not how I view this issue. [5:14] And number two, that is not how you should deal with this issue. [5:17] And the reason for that is a biblical reason. [5:20] And the reason that oftentimes it disintegrates into that is that any time this issue comes up with the Christian response, someone on the side of, I believe homosexuality is valid, I believe it’s good, I believe it’s what makes me happy,

[5:36] I believe it is something that should be culturally accepted, they go to Leviticus 18.22. [5:41] And on the side of, I believe homosexuality is a sin, I believe it is destructive, I believe it is not a good choice, I believe it’s against what God has to say, we go to Leviticus 18.22. [5:52] And the problem with that is that ultimately someone’s going to bring up the reality that, well, in Leviticus, even in that same chapter, there are other rules that we do not follow. [6:02] Like you shouldn’t wear polycotton blends. [6:06] All right, I shouldn’t shave my sideburns and I should just let them grow out really long. [6:11] And so I’m not going to go through this sermon advocating a Levitical view of life because in Leviticus we do have certain standards that God has for his people that I don’t follow.

[6:24] And I hope today to answer why I don’t follow some of them, but I do follow others of them. [6:28] And I’m not just being selective for my own sake, but rather I’m being Biblical. [6:34] All right? [6:35] What I want to do today is really go to the New Testament and show that this is not an Old Testament law that is to be seen as archaic and old, but rather the New Testament does speak to the issue of homosexuality. [6:50] But the first thing that I want us to see is the reason that this is not an us versus them issue is because this is a we issue. [6:57] This is an all of us issue.

[6:59] And the reason for that is point number one is that the reality that sin exists shows that we are all broken people.

[7:09] And I’ll go further, that we are sexually broken people.

[7:15] Heterosexuality is just as broken in this world as homosexuality. [7:22] We cannot see this as heterosexuality versus homosexuality because even heterosexuals struggle with the reality of being broken sexually and sinful. [7:32] And here’s what the New Testament has to say about it. [7:34] Turn your Bibles to Romans chapter one. [7:36] In Romans chapter one the apostle Paul begins to unpack certain issues. [7:40] The entire book of Romans is 16 chapters of Paul summarizing the whole of the Christian message of why Jesus is the only way to salvation.

[7:54] And in Romans chapter one beginning in verse 18 Paul says this. [7:58] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. [8:06] For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. [8:11] For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world. [8:19] And the things that have been made. [8:21] So they are without excuse.

[8:23] For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking. [8:29] And their foolish hearts were darkened. [8:31] Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. [8:41] Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves. [8:50] Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. [8:59] Amen.

[8:59] And I want to stop there before we go further. [9:02] And I want to unpack what he is talking about there, especially in verse 24, when he says, God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts to impurity.

[9:12] What this has turned into in our lives is a redefinition of all things, especially authority by which we base what we believe is right and wrong on. [9:22] And here is what I mean. [9:23] In Paul’s summation, and that is what he is doing, he is summing up all of history from the point where Adam and Eve sinned against God up until that point where he is and beyond. [9:35] He is summing up one conclusive piece of evidence that is shared among every single one of us no matter what we define ourselves as sexually. [9:45] And that is the reality that you are a sinner who at one time or through your life have exchanged the worship of God for the worship of the things of this world. [9:58] What that means is, is that we as a people tend to exchange and from birth do seek fulfillment, seek desires, seek passions, and seek satisfaction in things that are not God.

[10:13] And in that he says, we have a problem in which we worship things of this world more than we worship God, and we were not created for that. [10:27] We were created distinctly for the worship of God alone. [10:31] And that when you seek to be fulfilled in something other than him, that is sinful, that is wrong. [10:41] And the effects of that are greater than just saying I have done wrong, but rather the effects of that in this text is that God actually gives you over to what you want and what you think that you need in your life. [10:57] And therefore you define your life by those things. [11:02] This manifests itself in a lot of things. It can manifest itself in money, it can manifest itself in power, it can manifest itself in a career, it can manifest itself in a heterosexual partner, or a heterosexual identity in lust and in promiscuity.

[11:16] It can manifest itself as well in a homosexual identity. [11:20] And so Paul is summing everybody up and saying you are all people who are sinful.

[11:29] And that is not very hopeful.

[11:33] Sexual brokenness then is not simply an issue of same-sex attraction. [11:38] We cannot therefore simply deal with homosexuality as if it is the chief issue of sexuality. [11:43] Our cultural wars may attempt to distract us with that, but we are all broken sexually with the default mode of dishonoring our bodies as Paul writes in there. [11:53] Therefore when we see women on television dishonoring their bodies by revealing more than needs to be revealed, and what should really only be revealed in the marriage bedroom, we are dealing with sexual brokenness. [12:05] When men seek to find their fulfillment in anything other than their wives with fidelity and faithfulness for all of life, we are dealing with sexual brokenness. [12:19] So ultimately the foundational issue with sexuality in our culture is that we are a sexually broken people.

[12:26] And God has given us over because ultimately we worshiped it more than we worshiped Him. [12:31] And our continual effort to redefine and say well it is 2013, let’s catch up with the times sexually.

[12:42] That is what is leading to all the problems that we are seeing manifest itself in our culture and even in our own hearts. [12:49] Because we look at things every day that we shouldn’t. [12:53] We want things every day more than we want God. [12:57] Jesus Christ Himself put it in Matthew 5 verses 27-28 this way. [13:03] You have heard it said, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman or even a man with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [13:17] So Jesus says this is not just a question of external action, this is a question of what is going on in you.

[13:24] What is driving you. [13:26] And we are broken because of sin. [13:29] Scripture reveals also secondly that God’s vision for sexuality is unchanging. [13:35] Romans chapter 1 starting in verse 24, I want to reiterate that right now, but I want to read all the way to verse 28. [13:42] For this reason God gave them up to dishonoring passions for their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature. [13:49] And the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another.

[13:54] Men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. [14:01] And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not be done. [14:10] I want to be clear this morning. [14:12] I believe that a teenage guy and girl who have sex in the back seat of a pickup are sinning. [14:17] The unmarried heterosexual couple living down the street from me is sinning. [14:20] In fact any sexual activity that takes place outside the marriage covenant between a husband and wife is sinful.

[14:27] What’s more Jesus takes the sexual ethic a step further and goes to the heart of the matter. [14:32] That means that anytime I even lust after someone else I am sinning. [14:37] Jesus had a radical view of sexuality that shows us up all of us as sexual sinners. [14:45] And that’s why Jesus came to die. [14:48] Jesus died to save lustful, homo and heterosexual sinners and transform our hearts and minds and behavior. [14:56] Because he died for me I owe him my all and as a follower of Jesus I am bound to what he says about sex and morality.

[15:04] Do you understand that ultimately this morning it doesn’t matter what I think about this issue. [15:09] What matters is what God thinks about this issue. [15:11] And I believe that God has revealed through scripture what he thinks. [15:15] And I believe the apostle Paul begins to unpack right here God’s ultimate view of sexuality. [15:21] In Genesis chapter 2 verse 24 God right after creating Adam and Eve says, [15:28] Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh.

[15:33] And what we have there is more than a statement about what God had for Adam and Eve. [15:38] What we ultimately have there as we have in everything that we see in the creation account [15:42] is God’s vision for people for all time. [15:47] And that God has not deviated from his plan. [15:50] In Mark chapter 10 Jesus says, [15:52] But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.

[15:56] And Jesus restates what Jesus stated in Genesis chapter 2 verse 24. [16:00] Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. [16:06] So they are no longer two but one flesh. [16:08] What therefore God has joined together let not man separate. [16:13] God’s vision for marriage as a covenant for the whole of life is unchanged. [16:17] The point of Romans 1 here is that the only one who has the right or authority

[16:22] to define and judge what is good for us is God. [16:27] He did not design us to be self authoritative but rather for us to submit to him in humility and worship. [16:34] Because of that I want us to understand point number 3 this morning. [16:40] That homosexuality ultimately changes God’s vision of sexuality and is therefore sin.

[16:48] Homosexuality begins as an idolatry that produces sinful action. [16:52] Just as all sin does it begins with the belief that there is something other than God [16:56] that can bring joy and satisfaction. [16:59] What we tend to do is move to a self authoritative posture [17:02] in which we believe things such as whatever makes me happy defines right and wrong. [17:07] But because of Romans chapter 1 and because of the way that Paul unpacks

[17:11] ultimately what is going on inside of us is this exchange of God for creation [17:17] we see that that is not a good ethic. [17:20] What it actually means is that we cannot be trusted to make decisions about our lives [17:25] but rather God alone can be trusted to make those types of decisions. [17:29] And that what we are dealing with here is the reality of what we find our identity in. [17:36] The problem with all sin is that there is something sinful that each and every one of us struggle in finding our identity in.

[17:44] And that when we deal with this issue it becomes very personal. [17:48] Because for those who identify as homosexuals what they have done is then they have exchanged and said [17:54] I am finding my identity in what scripture would say is sin. [17:59] And I don’t say that lightly. [18:01] Just as someone can find their identity as being a heterosexual who is promiscuous [18:06] or even finding their identity as being the ultimate heterosexual

[18:11] that is exchanging satisfaction of God. [18:15] If the only thing that fulfills me is sex with my wife and it is what I seek for ultimate satisfaction [18:20] and the most ultimate thing that I do [18:22] I am bound for a great deal of trouble because frankly that is why many divorces happen in our country [18:27] is because we are seeking to find satisfaction in something that we were never meant to find satisfaction in. [18:32] And that is what leads to adultery.

[18:35] Which ultimately we would all define as wrong. [18:37] But in the end we are dealing with the same issue.

[18:43] God’s commands reveal God’s character.

[18:47] When we are dealing with what do we obey from the Old Testament. [18:50] Well why can we wear polycotton blends in the temple now? [18:53] Well number one the temple is now us because Jesus has made his home in our hearts if we trust him. [18:59] But in Acts chapter 15 [19:02] the apostles wanted to know how to handle the Old Testament. [19:06] And they struggled with that in Acts chapter 15.

[19:09] The idea behind their pronouncement of what Old Testament laws we should follow [19:13] or what Old Testament ethics we should hold to [19:17] is that some laws existed to reveal our complete separation from God. [19:22] And that is what I would say all ceremonial laws in the Old Testament reveal to show [19:28] we are separated from God. [19:29] We have no hope of being with him under our own power.

[19:33] So all of the laws that he does about ceremonial things and about wardrobe in the temple [19:37] those are all to show separation from God. [19:40] When Jesus died on the cross and the veil of the temple was ripped by God himself [19:44] what that shows is that those ceremonial laws are gone [19:47] and we through Jesus can come into the Holy of Holies freely to worship them. [19:51] But then secondly there were laws in the Old Testament that reveal God’s character.

[19:55] That’s why murdering has never been acceptable in Christianity and it shouldn’t be. [20:01] That’s why stealing from people shouldn’t be acceptable. [20:03] But frankly that’s also why our sexual laws do not change. [20:08] Because culture does not define what is sexually proper but God does and he has from the very beginning. [20:13] What if then sexuality is genetic? [20:18] And that’s one thing that we hear constantly is I was born this way.

[20:23] And I’ll answer that. Frankly that is not a theological problem. [20:27] It’s not a theological problem for sin to be genetic. [20:30] I believe Romans chapter 1 shows that sin is genetic. [20:35] Scientific studies have revealed that some may have a genetic predisposition to same sex attraction. [20:39] Studies have also revealed that some may have a genetic predisposition to addiction. [20:45] But just as I believe those who struggle with addiction because of their genetic code

[20:49] or because of the sins of their mother or father [20:51] I also believe homosexuality is still a sin because the genetic predisposition to homosexuality [20:57] comes from original sin that is passed on to every man and woman born. [21:02] I do not say that with ease but rather I say that with a heavy heart for that issue [21:07] because I do believe this is going to be a struggle for some more than it is going to be for others. [21:11] But I also do not believe that changes what God has envisioned for faithfulness and sexuality.

[21:21] In all genetic predispositions that lead away from obedience to God [21:25] the source is that humanity is sinful. Not that God has erred. [21:31] Some may also question what about committed homosexual relationships? [21:37] Isn’t monogamy the goal? [21:38] It seems natural therefore so it can’t be wrong [21:42] because what they would say is in Romans chapter 1

[21:44] Paul deals a lot with unnatural lusts, with unnatural lifestyles. [21:50] And so what some may say in the biblical argument is that [21:54] homosexuality in a monogamous relationship is not unnatural. [21:57] What he is dealing with there are homosexuals who are being promiscuous. [22:01] The problem with that ultimately is number one a problem of language [22:04] and that is not what the language has in mind.

[22:06] The biblical reality is that when culture progresses [22:09] because many would say culture has progressed past this point [22:12] where it should be acceptable. [22:14] But when culture progresses away from God, God remains unmoved. [22:18] His perfect vision is that. It is perfect and it is unchanging. [22:22] The feeling of what is natural can come because of our rebellion

[22:25] as Romans chapter 1 shows. [22:28] Scripture never deviates from the vision of heterosexual marriage [22:31] being that which God envisions. [22:34] And they will say Jesus never spoke about homosexuality. [22:36] He didn’t. [22:38] He spoke of heterosexuality because in Mark chapter 10

[22:40] what we already read, Jesus was giving God’s vision for sexuality [22:44] for all people at all times and all locations and all places. [22:48] And that is a heterosexual vision of a marriage covenant [22:52] between one man and one woman. [22:55] Jesus then came to redeem where we bring error. [22:59] The further we go into the effects of sin on people

[23:02] the more condemning it feels. [23:03] I will be honest about that. [23:04] This is God’s intention with the law [23:07] and with what we see in Romans chapter 1. [23:10] So are we hopeless people left to be either perfect or just be judged? [23:15] The point is that there is no human unaffected by sin.

[23:18] It is the answer to why the perfection of Scripture is out of reach. [23:24] Jesus though did not come just for the purpose [23:26] to reveal more of God’s holiness to condemned humanity. [23:29] He also came to bring the hope of redemption. [23:32] Romans chapter 1 begins by placing us all in a hopeless situation [23:37] where we have all exchanged right for wrong.

[23:40] But in Romans chapter 3 [23:42] Paul gives Jesus’ reality that he came not only to reveal sin [23:46] which he did [23:47] but secondly that he came in order that we would be redeemed from sin. [23:53] In Romans chapter 3 verses 23-26 we read [23:56] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

[23:59] and are justified by his grace as a gift [24:01] through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus [24:03] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood [24:07] to be received by faith. [24:09] This was to show God’s righteousness [24:10] because in his divine forbearance

[24:12] he had passed over former sins. [24:14] It was to show his righteousness at the present time [24:17] so that he might be just and the justifier [24:20] of the one who has faith in Jesus. [24:24] Just to sum this up [24:25] God desired to redeem people from sin

[24:28] and Jesus comes to do that through dying [24:31] on the cross for our sin [24:33] and then rising from the dead [24:34] to show his victory over our punishment. [24:38] The hope of new life after death [24:39] means real change is possible in what we need.

[24:43] The key term in that passage is the term propitiation. [24:46] What that means is [24:47] is that Jesus has created a way [24:50] from our sinfulness [24:52] towards God’s favor for us [24:54] and that no matter what sin it is

[24:56] that God has defined that we are struggling in [24:58] Jesus comes to bring us the hope [25:01] of a future in loving and worshiping God [25:06] without sin being holding us back from his presence. [25:10] Jesus takes the penalty for all of our sins [25:12] so that God can get even more glory

[25:15] by justifying sinners. [25:17] What that means is [25:18] by not holding our sin against us [25:21] and instead he holds it against Jesus [25:23] who in his perfection can pay the penalty [25:26] for our sin and did on the cross.

[25:29] And then finally this morning [25:31] we have to understand that Jesus gives hope [25:33] of redemption and restoration [25:35] to God’s vision [25:37] by changing lives. [25:40] The church must testify to God’s vision.

[25:43] In all spheres of life [25:44] and specifically here with sexuality [25:46] those who have been redeemed [25:48] are called into the relationship of God’s church [25:50] and we then are called to show [25:53] the manifold wisdom of God

[25:54] Ephesians 3.10 shows us. [25:56] Matthew 5 refers to us [25:59] as salt and light in this world. [26:02] This means that the people of God [26:04] are to be distinct. [26:06] Therefore we must have a God shaped quality

[26:08] in life together [26:09] as well as clarity of the message [26:11] in God’s truth. [26:13] This also means that our view of heterosexuality [26:15] must be redeemed away [26:17] from what is natural lust

[26:20] and seek marriages formed by and for God [26:23] and faithfulness and fidelity to him [26:26] and then each other. [26:27] Truth is loving [26:30] when you truly desire reconciliation with people [26:33] and not vengeance

[26:35] against something that you disagree on. [26:38] In our culture this has become increasingly difficult [26:41] because it calls us to reveal [26:42] that we live by the standards of God’s vision. [26:45] You want to know why that is ultimately a struggle? [26:48] Because we still struggle against sin.

[26:51] Therefore our standard cannot be [26:53] I am right, I am perfect [26:54] and you are wrong and you are sinful. [26:56] Because the reality is [26:58] we do not come to this or any issue [27:00] with any degree of superiority over anyone

[27:05] but rather we come to this issue and all issues [27:08] as people in desperate need of God’s grace [27:11] and people who know the beauty of God’s forgiveness [27:15] who have felt the power of God’s mercy [27:18] and then have repented [27:21] and turned towards Jesus

[27:22] believing in their hearts that he is better [27:25] and struggling through life [27:26] to show that to all people [27:28] preaching the message of the grace that we have received [27:31] and the grace that we continue to receive [27:33] as we struggle with sin.

[27:35] The error is when we cease to struggle. [27:38] The error is when we begin [27:40] to change God’s message to one that is different. [27:44] We must have a position and posture [27:45] of someone who knows what it is [27:47] to struggle with the grace of Jesus

[27:49] being your only hope [27:50] and not your undue hope [27:52] because of your morality

[27:56] 1 Corinthians 6 puts it this way [27:58] by the apostle Paul again [28:00] Do you not know that the unrighteous [28:01] will not inherit the kingdom of God? [28:03] Do not be deceived. [28:05] Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters

[28:07] nor adulterers nor men who practice homosexuality [28:10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards [28:12] nor revilers nor swindlers [28:14] will inherit the kingdom of God. [28:15] And such were some of you [28:17] but you were washed

[28:19] you were sanctified [28:20] you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ [28:23] and by the Spirit of our God [28:25] Understand that he gives an entire list [28:27] which we are all guilty of [28:29] but then he puts the hope of

[28:31] and such were some of you [28:36] Redemption begins God’s work of restoration [28:39] in each life [28:40] but the reality is that he is restoring us [28:43] from those broken identities [28:45] that found us somewhere other than Jesus.

[28:50] 1 Corinthians chapter 6 shows [28:51] that you can’t be a genuine Christian [28:53] without repentance [28:54] but all sinners must repent [28:56] there is nothing wrong with all of us [28:58] excuse me there is something wrong with all of us

[29:01] we believe that our sexual desires [29:03] are our identity [29:04] but they are not [29:06] that is the reality [29:07] but he also calls us in this arena [29:11] as well as any other arena

[29:13] to represent God’s truth [29:16] not our own [29:17] so in that sense [29:19] especially in our society [29:20] anytime we are given [29:23] the potential

[29:24] to show God’s view of things [29:26] we must [29:27] that is what God has called us to [29:30] that is why in a democratic society [29:31] this can become very complicated [29:34] and hard

[29:35] but I will tell you right now [29:37] that even in democracy [29:38] anytime God’s laws are questioned [29:41] we must be the ones that say [29:43] God’s laws exist because we are sinners [29:44] but they do not go away because of our sin

[29:46] rather Jesus redeems us [29:49] to the standard of God’s grace

[29:53] and even politically [29:54] we are called to be the defenders of righteousness [29:57] that means it affects our votes [29:59] and it means ultimately it affects our relationships [30:01] that we are not going to legislate morality in our society [30:05] but that does not change the fact that

[30:07] all laws are moral laws ultimately [30:10] therefore when God’s word is put up as a standard [30:12] we must vote in the sense of God’s word [30:16] now [30:17] culturally [30:19] people need assurance that their fear

[30:21] of being rejected by Christians [30:23] is unfounded [30:25] so I want us to understand [30:26] about how do we deal [30:28] with someone [30:29] if I am going to say and I would

[30:31] that homosexuality is sinful [30:34] what about the homosexual [30:35] that I am friends with [30:36] or that I am related to [30:37] because this becomes ultimately a personal issue [30:40] knowing someone has same sex attraction

[30:42] does not mean you stop being their friend [30:44] does not mean you stop loving them [30:46] does not mean you cut ties [30:48] it is an opportunity to express the story

[30:54] listen to them [30:56] pray for them [30:58] pray with them [30:59] some will be hardened [31:01] and reject you as hateful [31:03] that is a reality

[31:04] it is very hard [31:06] but in any sexual sin [31:08] we must combat it with the truth of the gospel [31:10] and God’s word [31:13] but if the gospel is true [31:15] and I believe that it is

[31:17] the only loving thing to do [31:19] is to give the good news [31:20] of Jesus to people [31:23] it is only good [31:24] if we need redemption from sin [31:28] in that sense it can only be good to someone

[31:30] if they know [31:31] what sin is [31:33] we do not come [31:34] with a message of condemnation [31:36] we come with a message of hope [31:38] with a message of redemption

[31:40] and a message of hopeful restoration

[31:44] pray with me [31:45] Father

[31:49] you are so good [31:52] and we are not

[31:55] we are not [31:55] Lord we have sinned against you [31:56] we have exchanged your righteousness

[32:01] for unrighteousness [32:02] we have exchanged the worship of you [32:04] for the worship of creation [32:06] and instead of justly [32:09] condemning every one of us [32:10] to eternity away from you in hell

[32:12] you sent your son [32:15] with the hope of redemption [32:17] you sent your son [32:19] to save us [32:21] to save me [32:24] I pray that over the next few moments

[32:26] we would be a people that glory in you [32:29] not in our piety [32:31] not in our morality [32:34] but as a people [32:36] who struggle with brokenness [32:39] but are ultimately made whole

[32:41] through faith in Jesus [32:44] right now [32:45] I want to transition into a time [32:48] of reflection [32:50] on the greatness of God [32:51] and his grace

[32:52] by partaking of communion [32:55] because of our brokenness [32:57] Jesus came [32:58] and died on the cross [33:01] because of our sin [33:03] Jesus came and suffered

[33:06] the one who was sinless [33:08] for the sinful [33:09] the righteous [33:11] for the unrighteous [33:13] and he gave us a meal [33:15] to reflect on that

[33:17] and more so [33:19] to proclaim it to each other [33:21] which is what we are supposed to spend our lives [33:22] doing

[33:26] in six stations around this room [33:28] we have the cup [33:29] and we have the bread [33:31] the juice represents the shed blood of Jesus [33:34] the bread represents his broken body [33:37] when we partake it

[33:38] the bible says [33:39] that we are proclaiming the death of Jesus until he comes

[33:43] we proclaim the death of Jesus [33:45] because we know the story ended [33:47] with the resurrection [33:48] of Jesus [33:49] that he rose from the dead [33:52] and died over sin and death

[33:54] so whatever sin it is that you struggle with [33:59] working harder at obedience ultimately isn’t your answer [34:03] your answer is trusting that Jesus is better [34:07] and when you partake of communion [34:10] that’s where you are communicating to everyone around you [34:13] that Jesus is better

[34:15] than finding my identity [34:17] in anything else [34:19] so if you trust in Jesus over the next few moments [34:22] I invite you to the back or to the front [34:24] where we have tables [34:27] to proclaim the greatness

[34:28] of our God and King Jesus [34:31] if you are in here and you are not a believer [34:33] I want to invite you to come talk to me [34:35] I want to invite you to go out into the foyer [34:36] and talk to someone there [34:38] I would love to pray with you

[34:39] I would love to talk to you about [34:41] what it means to be a follower of Jesus [34:43] but you don’t need me [34:45] you need to trust in the King of Kings [34:48] and the Lord of Lords today [34:49] when you are ready

[34:54] Father I thank you so much [34:55] for your grace [34:58] I pray that over these next few moments [35:00] that you would be glorified further [35:02] give me words [35:05] open our hearts

[35:06] to you [35:08] give us wisdom [35:10] in the name of Christ I pray [35:11] Amen [35:13] So we are going to have a little different format this morning [35:15] right now we are going to ask the ushers to come forward real quick

[35:18] as we start Q&A here [35:19] and we are going to take our offering [35:20] this is something that our regular audience [35:22] do as a form of worship [35:24] giving God our resources [35:26] so we definitely ask if you are visiting with us

[35:28] let those plates pass you by [35:30] let our service be our offering to you [35:33] we are going to jump right in here [35:35] to our question and answers [35:36] I did get some good questions [35:39] I tried to break down the questions

[35:41] that were kind of similar into one [35:43] so we will get going here [35:44] and see where we head [35:46] uh oh [35:49] what was I thinking [35:52] first question

[35:53] I got this in two different ways [35:54] how does a struggle with sin [35:57] specifically homosexuality [35:58] but any sin if we are all sinners [36:00] how does that show God’s grace [36:03] it’s

[36:03] the great exchange [36:05] it’s one of my favorite [36:08] phrases in the bible [36:10] or in theology about the bible [36:12] what that is is that [36:14] Jesus came

[36:15] and on the cross [36:17] he exchanged his righteousness for my sin [36:21] and therefore [36:21] when I am trusting in him [36:23] I am exchanging my sin for his righteousness [36:26] and what that means is

[36:27] whatever I was finding my identity in before [36:30] was sinful [36:31] and Jesus [36:33] and his great grace has given me the gift of his righteousness [36:36] which means I now find my identity [36:38] in him

[36:40] and so when I struggle with sin [36:42] what is happening is [36:43] the righteousness of Jesus [36:44] and the power that he gives me [36:46] through really the scripture says the Holy Spirit makes his home in us [36:51] towards him

[36:52] and that is an act of grace [36:53] so my struggle with sin [36:56] is actually because I am trusting Jesus [36:59] and he is giving me the strength for that struggle [37:01] and so I would say the sign of grace [37:03] is really the struggle to find my identity in him

[37:08] thanks [37:10] this one I got three times [37:11] this was the most popular question [37:14] that means I had one thing really wrong [37:17] I think it’s just what people are wondering [37:19] is there such a thing as a sin

[37:21] [37:21] there is such a thing as a gay Christian [37:22] in the sense of a Christian that struggles with same-sex attraction [37:25] okay [37:27] number one [37:28] yes there are Christians that struggle with same-sex attraction

[37:31] many [37:31] there is though I would say a gay Christian [37:35] is a [37:37] contradiction in terms [37:38] you cannot be two things [37:41] it is probably the best way for me to describe that

[37:46] homosexuality [37:47] just as anything else that I would say is sin [37:50] is something that you find your identity in [37:53] so I am not a murderous Christian [37:55] or I am not a thieving Christian [37:57] I am a Christian who struggles with homicide

[37:59] I am a Christian who struggles with stealing [38:02] I am a Christian who struggles with what I watch on television [38:05] I am a Christian [38:05] and on and on and on and on [38:07] so I believe you can be a Christian [38:09] I believe there are many Christians

[38:11] struggling with same-sex attraction [38:13] but the identity is I am a Christian [38:16] the struggle [38:17] is against sin [38:19] sorry [38:20] That kind of leads into another question that came up.

[38:24] Is it for all centers, and so we all struggle with something, why does it seem that the [38:28] church has so much more backlash towards homosexuality?

[38:33] I don’t think it’s just a church issue. [38:36] I think it’s bigger than that. [38:36] I think it’s a cultural issue, and I think in our culture, which was defined for so long [38:44] by a certain ethic, some would call it Judeo-Christian ethic, and that has shifted in our culture [38:50] to more of a pluralistic ethic, and so homosexuality is something that’s new to a lot of people, [38:58] and really the fight against saying that it’s any different than anything else.

[39:02] And within the church, we’ve got to realize that church people are like everybody else. [39:07] We struggle. [39:08] We struggle with self-righteousness. [39:10] We struggle with hypocrisy. [39:12] I think to say Christians are hypocritical, yeah, you’re right. [39:16] I am in something.

[39:18] And so, but the reality is, it’s such a buzzword, and I think just people are learning how [39:23] to deal with it, and it’s hard because we’re learning how to publicly deal with it. [39:27] But it is not greater than other sexual sins, but it’s just more pronounced because it’s [39:35] so much different. [39:36] And now let me put it to you this way as well. [39:38] There is more of a struggle against it in one sense because heterosexual marriage between

[39:44] two unsaved people can be redeemed. [39:48] What I mean by that is, is that a heterosexual marriage where you’re struggling, there’s [39:52] adultery, there’s fornication by somebody, I mean there’s just all sorts of wrongness [39:56] in it, and those people get saved, that marriage can be redeemed through the grace of God, [40:00] and they can stay together. [40:02] And homosexual relationships, the redemption is found in separation.

[40:08] And so it’s a different sexual ethic that has a different response. [40:12] So I would say in one sense, the church does deal with it in a more extreme way because [40:17] the church, by God’s word, must, for the love of those people, I would say. [40:25] And this question leads right out of that too then.

[40:30] People aren’t always receptive to the idea of love the sinner, hate the sin. [40:35] How do we show love without people feeling hate?

[40:40] Yeah, number one, that’s a biblical phrase. [40:44] So don’t dislike that phrase, I guess you would say, love the sinner, hate the sinner. [40:47] I think it’s a good phrase. [40:48] And here’s why. [40:51] I think the second part of it, hate the sin, is difficult because when you’re finding [40:59] your identity in that sin, it’s going to be very hard to not feel like you hate me,

[41:04] because that’s how I define me. [41:07] So there’s always going to be that tension. [41:09] When you preach the gospel to some people, it’s a hardening thing that seems hateful [41:14] and is going to sting. [41:16] And you can’t take that sting away. [41:18] The scripture says you cannot take away the offense of the gospel.

[41:22] It’s offensive, if number one, because it says I’m a sinner. [41:25] That’s pretty offensive. [41:26] And then number two, if I find my identity in that sin, it seems doubly hateful. [41:32] But also, as a Christian, I have to make sure I’m doing the first part, that I love people. [41:37] And I’m not speaking out because I hate, I’m not speaking out because I feel superior, [41:42] I’m not speaking out because I’m vengeful, or somebody that struggled with this did

[41:47] this wrong against me, so I’m going to get them all. [41:50] No, it has to be because the gospel makes us love everyone, and what’s good for everyone [41:57] is Jesus.

[42:01] What’s a good response to the question, am I going to hell for being gay?

[42:09] If personally, well biblically, the answer is no. [42:14] You’re not going to hell for being gay, you’re going to hell because you’re a sinner. [42:18] And that’s another one of those identity things. [42:22] That’s one sin. [42:24] You got a whole lot of other ones. [42:26] And all of them are the reason you’re going to hell.

[42:29] Like I said, you can’t take the sting out of that, but it’s still true. [42:33] But the reality is, it’s not just that one thing, it’s because of all of those things. [42:38] My three-year-old is already struggling with sin.

[42:43] All right? [42:44] I got to deal with that.

[42:48] This question kind of came up in some of the other things you were talking about, but how [42:52] should we be missional towards people who struggle with homosexuality? [42:57] What does that look like with our friends? [43:00] Yeah, frankly, I wouldn’t say it looks too dissimilar from relationships with other [43:06] people. [43:07] I think when Russell Moore recently at a luncheon that I was at in Texas said that we have

[43:12] to get over the icky factor.

[43:16] I hope that’s not offensive to you, but I think that’s what people struggle with. [43:19] It’s not that it’s a sin, it’s that ew. [43:21] You don’t understand it. [43:23] All right? [43:23] We got to realize that there’s more at stake here. [43:26] So the same relationship that I have with any other sinner that comes into contact

[43:30] with me, if I’m not superior to anyone, then I’ll be in relationship with all people. [43:35] And so it means that I need to love people, I need to be in relationship with people. [43:40] You need to seek out to love those people as well. [43:43] And in that, I would say use great discernment. [43:47] What I mean by that is, if I were to invite anyone over to my house for dinner, no matter [43:53] who they are, no matter what they’re finding their identity in, I’m going to have certain

[43:57] boundaries. [43:59] Which number one is, you can’t be engaging in that sin at my dinner table with my children. [44:05] Okay? [44:06] And so that’s the boundaries that I would set up. [44:08] And I set that up in my mission in life with anyone, with any one of you. [44:12] You come over and eat with my kids.

[44:14] I mean, seriously, I have some respect. [44:16] Don’t be engaging in any of it in front of them. [44:19] I hope that answers it. [44:21] It does. [44:22] Oh, I rabbit trailed, sorry. [44:23] We’ve got time for more rabbit trails if you have any more.

[44:26] We’re pretty much done with the questions. [44:27] Yeah, I think the biggest struggle that we have is because our culture is moving faster [44:34] than it’s ever moved before. [44:35] And some of that is because of social media. [44:37] Some of that, I mean, I’ll be honest with you. [44:39] When I was 14 years old, I didn’t know what a homosexual was.

[44:45] People would say the slang terms for it that are wrong, and I would have no idea what [44:51] they were saying. [44:53] And you want to know why? [44:53] Because I didn’t have internet.

[44:56] You know, there were certain cable television channels I wasn’t allowed to watch.

[45:02] Now they have clubs in middle school. [45:05] So we’re dealing with different things 10 years ago we didn’t deal with. [45:13] And so the reality is, is you need to be more culturally aware of what’s going on around [45:18] you so that you can be a more effective follower of Jesus Christ living his mission. [45:25] What that also means is, is that you need to protect your purity in all things. [45:31] It’s very difficult in a culture where we divorce for just being unhappy.

[45:40] As say we’re a follower of Jesus Christ, to have any sexual integrity with anyone.

[45:47] If we’re going to try to be God’s witnesses in this world, we need to be people who are [45:54] at least struggling with fidelity. [45:58] And sometimes those, and some of it’s because the gospel is not clear in our culture, we [46:06] struggle to have any sexual ethic because in heterosexuality we don’t have any street [46:15] cred.

[46:17] And so whatever marriage you’re in right now, okay, fight for that marriage. [46:23] Your happiness is not the most important thing in this world.

[46:30] Believe that. [46:31] Faithfulness in God’s grace is the most important thing in this world.

[46:37] I think we’re done. [46:38] Alright. [46:40] Unless you got anything else you want to add. [46:41] I could sit here all day, but let’s stop there because I got another service at 11. [46:47] So guys, I love you. [46:49] If you have any more questions, this isn’t the end.

[46:52] Shoot me an email, give me a call. [46:54] But let me pray for you and then let’s get out of here. [46:56] Father, thank you so much. [47:00] I’ve experienced a lot of your grace today. [47:02] Thank you so much. [47:05] Lord, I pray that you would pour your mercy and grace on us.

[47:13] That we would believe you more than we believe ourselves. [47:17] That we would trust you more than we trust our sinful hearts. [47:22] And that rather than begrudgingly obeying you, we would learn to take joy in obeying [47:30] you. [47:31] In the name of Jesus, I pray. [47:32] Amen.