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By Steve A. Hamilton Introduction: It is happening; homosexuals are increasingly being accepted into many denominational religions. I have seen reports of the ordination of three gay Lutheran Clergymen in San Francisco; the appointment of homosexual Priests and Bishops in the Episcopal Church; I even have a newspaper article that declares, “Catholic priests are dying of AIDS.” Given the fact that God says no homosexual “will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10), why would any so called religious organization accept such behavior? I. “Born homosexual.” Many weak minds have asked, “if a person is born a certain way, how can God condemn them for being that way?” 1. The question should be sufficient to answer itself. Obviously, God did not make a homosexual gene! 2. All the scientific research and studies that have sought to prove a genetic link to homosexuality have failed. In fact, studies of identical twins have proven the opposite. Since identical twins have identical genes, they should also have the same sexual orientation if there is a gay gene. However, dozens of studies have proven sexual behavior is not genetic. Children are not born homosexual. II. “God changes His mind.” A. This is quite an arrogant position. 1. It assumes man knows what God is thinking (1 Cor. 2:11) 2. It assumes God changes (Mal. 3:6). 3. It denies God’s unchanging nature (2 Tim. 2:13). B. This position demeans the Lord and undermines our hope of salvation if what He says is not constant (Heb. 13:8; Tit. 1:2). III. “God continues to reveal His will.” A. Gene Robinson, newly appointed as an openly gay bishop in the Anglican Church proclaimed, “God did not stop revealing His will when the scriptural canon was closed.” B. Ignorance of the scriptures would be the only reason anyone would make such a statement. 1. God has provided all we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). 2. All scriptures are inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). C. God will not reveal any more revelations (Gal. 1:6-10). IV. “The Bible is not authoritative.” A. Robert Williams, an ordained gay priest in the Episcopal Church declared, “We just don’t take as given that, just because something is in the Bible, it necessarily has anything to do with our lives today.” B. Instead of repeating the passages we just covered that prove the Bible is relevant in our lives, does this not sound like a desperate plea not to consider the Bible when discussing homosexuality? (2 Tim. 3:1-5) C. Now understand, Robert Williams is a religious leader in the Episcopal Church. Upon hearing Heb. 4:12 read to him, he said, “I don’t agree with that.” When pressed for his authority for a homosexual relationship he sited his “worship community” as his authority. In other words, whatever the people who worship with him are willing to accept is his authority for his immoral activities. What other immoral activities could we justify as long as it was accepted by those whom we worship? V. What does the scripture say in regard to homosexuality? A. From Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-11) to the New Testament, homosexuality was always condemned (Rom. 1:27; Lev. 18:22). B. From the beginning, man was to take a woman (not another man) for a wife (Matt. 19:4-5). Conclusion: For those who want to embrace homosexuality in religion, does this passage (1 Tim. 4:1-3) ring true? The problem homosexuals have is even they too need God but they are not resigned to give up their immoral conduct in order to please Him. So they create religions that accept their sins in order to ease their guilty conscience (2 Cor. 11:13-15). If you are relieved to know there is a church in this community that won’t embrace homosexuality, perhaps we could help you learn more of God’s word. If you are ready to put away all sins in your life in order to please God please come. |
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Last modified: 05/02/08
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