Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Church

As Christians, we are all “Washed and Waiting”. We all struggle with sin, and do our best to pursue holiness. Whether we are heterosexual or have same-sex attraction, we all need to pursue holiness. As Pastor Clay says, “Love without honesty is sentimentality and honesty without love is brutality.” Today Pastor Alex addressed homosexuality with Truth and love. We must look at this through the lens of Scripture and an absolute Truth because our ever-changing culture is defining it in a way that perverts God’s original design. That design is found in Genesis 1:27-28 and 2:24-25. This passage states:

1. Gender uniqueness is good 1:27

2. Reproduction/Procreation is good 1:28

3. Marriage is good 2:24

4. Sex itself is good (recreation between husband and wife) 2:25

Jesus uses this design as the foundation for all of His teaching, which is why we do not see Him directly address homosexuality over and over. His plan is known from the beginning.

Another argument that a revisionist might use is to say that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of a lack of hospitality (Ezekiel 16:49-50), but Jude 7 states, “-just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immortality and pursued unnatural desire, serve an an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.”

The law in Leviticus 18:20-23 state that (22)”You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” A revisionist might say that the abomination here is that “it became an idol” is the excuse. That argument must be played out throughout the entire passage, and that would give the “ok” to adultery, child sacrifice, and bestiality as long as it is not idolatry. That does not work.

Pastor Alex encouraged us not to define our identity through our sexual orientation. Instead, we should identify ourselves as one in Christ!

We are FOR a biblical understanding of marriage between one man and one woman for life. We will not perform same-sex marriages at Carmel Baptist Church. We believe that marriage and sexuality was created by God and therefore can only be defined by Him…not the State.

Truth: The practice of homosexuality is a sin.

Love: Carmel sincerely wants homosexuals to attend this church. Carmel is not anti-gay. We are not anti-anyone! We love all people. The mat at our front door says, “Welcome” to everyone!

Truth and Love: Come as you are…but don’t stay as you are. This is a motto for everyone.

To discuss as a family today

1. What is the difference between same-sex attraction and homoerotic behavior? Do you believe their is a difference? (temptation and sin)

2. Do you spend more time with the culture or in the never-changing Scripture? How does the culture impact or confuse what you believe?

3. Where did you come from? What did Jesus rescue you from?

Prayer

Pray for God’s Truth to prevail in a culture where tolerance is expected. Ask God to grant you opportunities to speak the Truth in love now that you have been given good Truth to share with others. Confess where you have sexual sin in your life, and commit to pursue holiness. Pray for those who have same-sex attraction but choose not to act on that and pursue instead pursue holiness. Pray for their loneliness as they wrestle with this temptation in their life. Commit to have a worldview based on the Scriptures instead of one based on the ever-changing culture. Pray for our nation to turn back to God.