Transcript For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for

For Christ died for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18
STARTING POINT -The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC
• Condoms do not protect against HPV (human
papillomavirus) because it encompasses a
larger area than latex can cover. There are a
little over forty strains of HPV. We are only
beginning to know the effects of the many
different types. The vaccine is NOT YET
proven to be lasting and only covers 4 of the
40 some strains.
STARTING POINT -The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC
• The CDC stated that half of all sexually active
people can expect to contract a strain of HPV.
The Cleveland Clinic increased the number to
80% of those who are presently sexually
active.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/genital_warts/hic_u
nderstanding_hpv.aspx
STARTING POINT -The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC
• HPV causes various cancers in men and
women, causes sterility in women, and can
lead to painful treatment.
• Who really cares in our society? The ones
who are ignoring the issue?
• Tobacco companies paid up for the harm they
promoted. Who will look into the face of a
teen with cervical cancer and do the same?
STARTING POINT -The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC
• If society got HPV all wrong, is silent about the
facts, and is unwilling to talk about reality,
could society be doing the same with other
sexual issues?
Let’s Dive Right into the Scriptures
• NKJ Revelation 22:18 For I testify to everyone
who hears the words of the prophecy of this
book: If anyone adds to these things, God will
add to him the plagues that are written in
this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from
the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part from the Book of Life,
from the holy city, and from the things which
are written in this book.
Let’s Look at 1 Corinthians, chapter 6
• NIV 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that
the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male
prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
1 Corinthians, chapter 6
• 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards
nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the
kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of
you were. But you were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God.
What have we learned?
• Members of the Corinthian congregation were
engaged in these practices before coming to
the faith. Paul clearly references baptism as
the defining moment of the forgiveness of sins
– The old life and its sin were washed away.
• Some in the congregation were engaged in the
practice(s) of homosexuality.
What do know of the times?
• Homosexuality was accepted by Roman
culture (to a certain degree), but with a
different understanding that American society
has.
• Some references show a disgust to anything
other than cordial affection.
• Some references show that men were looked
down up if they were the partner who was the
penetrated – The Pathicus.
Arsenokoistai
• The term for homosexuality is arsen and okois.
These terms that are combined refer to fire
and dwelling respectfully. Those with burning
dwelling within.
• 1 Timothy 1:10 also uses the term. The term is
often mistranslated for sodomy in general.
Arsenokoistai
• NKJ 1 Timothy 1:9 knowing this: that the law is
not made for a righteous person, but for the
lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly
and for sinners, for the unholy and profane,
for murderers of fathers and murderers of
mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for
sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for
perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is
contrary to sound doctrine,
Scriptural View of Homosexuality
• Christianity had a radically new, sacred view of
marriage. It was no longer to be seen as a mere
contract, but a loving covenant in which a spouse
was treasured more than self. As a man
instinctively cared for his own body, he was to
find joy to serve, cherish, and nurture his wife. A
woman was to know she was cherished and to be
grateful in turn.
• John Gray picks up on these Biblical principles in
his highly effective secular counseling – Men Are
from Mars, Women from Venus.
Scriptural View of Homosexuality
• Fire is good in the right places. Fire is bad in
the wrong places.
• In Scripture, sexual affection is good and holy
in marriage alone.
• Homosexuality is not part of the intended
design of sexual affection.
• This attitude is also reflected in Paul’s Roman
epistle.
Romans, chapter 1
• NIV Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being
revealed from heaven against all the
godlessness and wickedness of men who
suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19
since what may be known about God is plain
to them, because God has made it plain to
them.
• While Paul does not say that common sense is the
cause of salvation, he does say that there is an
obvious rationale in God’s truth.
Romans, chapter 1
• 20 For since the creation of the world God's
invisible qualities-- his eternal power and
divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being
understood from what has been made, so that
men are without excuse.
• Let common sense predominate. Even today, we
see living primates’ skulls paraded as human
ancestors and paganism is celebrated in the belief
that an explosion of energy formed matter with
all its intricacies and cooperative properties.
Romans, chapter 1
• 21 For although they knew God, they neither
glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him,
but their thinking became futile and their
foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although
they claimed to be wise, they became fools
Romans, chapter 1
• 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal
God for images made to look like mortal man
and birds and animals and reptiles.
• People love the creation more than the
Creator, Sustainer, and Giver of all good
(paganism). This is the source of all idolatry.
Romans, chapter 1
• 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful
desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for
the degrading of their bodies with one
another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God
for a lie, and worshiped and served created
things rather than the Creator-- who is forever
praised. Amen.
Romans, chapter 1
• 26 Because of this, God gave them over to
shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged
natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the
same way the men also abandoned natural
relations with women and were inflamed with
lust for one another. Men committed indecent
acts with other men, and received in
themselves the due penalty for their
perversion.
Romans, chapter 1
• Again, Paul sees homosexual relationships
outside of God’s intended design.
• He also sees harm in one’s body.
• Personal harm was never part of God’s design
in sexuality.
The Harm Done to Self?
• In the television show, Hoarders, people collect
an inordinate amount of stuff. Some are
emotionally attached to EVERYTHING. Some fear
they will be unprepared for uncertain days ahead.
They need to address underlying issues for a
better life.
• Causations of homosexuality:
– Confusion of sexual affection with acceptance.
– Doubt that a meaningful relationship with the
opposite sex is attainable.
Confusion of sexual affection
and acceptance.
• Randy Thomas grew up
without a father figure
or close male friends.
• Every boy desires both.
Every girl desires a
mother figure and
female friends.
• Randy confused his
desire for a dad and
male friends with sexual
affection.
Doubt that a meaningful relationship with the
opposite sex is possible.
• Since the Fall into sin, men and women have
expectations for relationships, especially
marriage. It’s almost as if these are in our DNA.
But we do not naturally know how to
communicate our desire to meet those
expectations.
• Many give up on the possibility of have a
meaningful relationship with the other gender or
believe it is impossible.
• A belief that one cannot have a meaningful
relationship with the other gender is often a
causation for homosexuality.
• When people believe
that a meaningful
relationship with the
other gender is
impossible, they often
explore homosexuality.
• In these relationships,
men become more
feminine and women
more masculine.
The Life Lesson of Charles Kane
• Charles Kane believed
meaningful
relationships with the
opposite sex were no
longer possible.
• A counselor told him he
was doomed to failure
because he was gay.
• An effective counselor
would have referenced
principles (like those
found in John Gray’s
books and teachings).
The Life Lesson of Charles Kane
• In trying to find
happiness, Charles
became a woman.
• But he found his reinventions of self were
masking issues that
needed addressed.
• He became a man again
and addressed the
reasons for failed
relationships with the
opposite gender.
The Life Lesson of Charles Kane
• Charles is now ridiculed
for no longer
supporting
homosexuality or
transgender lifestyles.
• Charles believes that
underlying issues need
to be fully explored to
be truly caring and
loving to people who
are who need effective
help and counsel.
Did God design lifestyles that harm?
• The average gay or lesbian relationship is
short lived. Only 15 percent of gay men and
17.3 percent of lesbians had relationships that
lasted more than three years.
• God never designs heartache after an intimate
relationship. Marriage was went to prevent
heartache from multiple intimate
relationships.
Did God design lifestyles that harm?
• Life-span is decreased by a minimum of 20
years for both men and women.
• Gay rights pioneers, Richard Adams and
Harvey Milk, died relatively young. We never
openly discuss this fact but attribute it to a
lack of acceptance and education.
Did God design lifestyles to mask
underlying issues to be lovingly
addressed?
• Who really cares in our society? Effective and
loving counsel addresses and empowers
confrontation of underlying issues.
• Lesbians are 5 times more likely to be alcoholics
and 5 times more likely to have cancer.
• 75% of gays (men and women) have suffered
depression.
Did God design lifestyles to mask
underlying issues to be lovingly
addressed?
• 21% of gays think of suicide sometimes or
often with a plan thought through. Some
have believed that this is because gays feel
rejected by society. But in the Netherlands
(where it is very acceptable), the suicide and
depression rate is just as high, if not higher.
• Gays are 5 times more likely to commit
suicide.
The Loving Christ. The Loving Church.
• We believe in the Lord who died for all. He
empowers us in His grace to trust Him.
Forgiven, His ways are for our highest good on
earth.
• NIV John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full.
The Loving Christ. The Loving Church.
• The Church is full of recovering sinaholics who
lovingly help others confront the issues that
enslaved and harm them.
• Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in
a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him
gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be
tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in
this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
We are here to help.
• Lord Jesus, You want to be my Lord as none other
can love or serve me better.
• Lord Jesus, forgive me. May I die to an old life
that grieves You and others. May I arise as a new
creation in a pure, perfect, innocent love for you
and for all as You lovingly know best. Amen.
• 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body
on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live
for righteousness; by his wounds you have been
healed.
What a loving Church should consider?
• Empower marriages.
– There’s a wealth of resources out there that WORK!
Our nation should be looking at these resources for a
better future for everyone, especially our children.
• Encourage every child to have a loving father and
loving mother in a strong marriage.
• With the Scriptures, show proper care and
concern for heterosexuals and homosexuals to
look at underlying issues that are often masked.
What about the many churches that promote
the homosexuality lifestyle?
The Warning of
the Rise of the Antichrist
• In the book of Revelation, many want to use
the name, authority, and ceremony of Christ
to mask the promotion of unscriptural beliefs.
• Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast,
coming out of the earth. He had two horns
[witnessing authority] like a lamb [a
Christian], but he spoke like a dragon.
The Warning of
the Rise of the Antichrist
• Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord,
Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your
name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23
Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from
me, you evildoers!‘
• 1 John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you
have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have come… They went out from us [the
Church], but they did not really belong to us.
• James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be
teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who
teach will be judged more strictly.
Footnote on Rationalism
• In discussing issues, there is always the danger
of rationalism. Rationalism tries to make
sense of God’s will with human reason first
and foremost.
• We trust God because He is God.
• His Word is faithful and has power.
The MIGHTY Power
of the WORD ALONE
• Sin.
What someone has is more
important than who they
are.
Contempt for people who
don’t meet our
expectations.
People are a means to serve
our desires and give us selfesteem.
• Unto righteousness.
Someone is more important
than what can be gained
from them.
A desire for every person to
raised up as a new creation
in Christ.
People are the object of
Christ’s love with His own
worth placed upon us as we
bask in the love of the
Father in Him.
What about the OT reference?
• I have stayed away from the Old Testament
verse up to this point.
• NIV Leviticus 18:22 Do not lie with a man as
one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
• Some immediately point out that we are no
longer bound to the Old Testament. But Paul
makes it clear that God has a moral will for
our sexuality that transcends the Old and New
Testaments.
Three types of Laws in the OT
• Civil Laws - These were to be laws of justice
that showed God’s people were set apart as
special on earth.
– Example. If a man stole a sheep, he should return
it with four more.
– These civil laws are left to Christian freedom and
the governments whom they serve in the New
Testament.
Three types of Laws in the OT
• Ceremonial Laws - These were to be laws of
covenant that showed God’s people were set
apart and dear to Him in His grace. These
were all fulfilled in Christ.
– NIV Colossians 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone
judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard
to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or
a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the
things that were to come; the reality, however, is
found in Christ.
Three types of Laws in the OT
• Moral Laws - These were applicable to
individuals and do carry over into the New
Testament.
– Examples: Honesty. Proper child-rearing.
Spiritual zeal. Fidelity. Sexual purity.
Righteousness.
God’s will on sexuality is part of the MORAL LAW
that encompasses the Old and New Testaments.