4. Homosexuality and Same Sex Marriage

5. Homosexuality The term ‘homosexuality’, a word added into the English dictionary in the year 1892, refers to sexual attraction and/or behaviour between people of the same (‘homos’) rather than the opposite (‘hetros’) sex or gender.

6. Homosexuality Lesbian (women attracted to/having sex with other women) Gay (men attracted to/having sex with other men) Bisexual (attracted to/having sex with both men or women) Transgender (people experience a mismatch between their gender identity or gender expression and their assigned sex) Questioning or Queer Intersex (not certain whether they are male or female) Asexual (without sexual feelings or associations)

8. Sexuality sexual attraction (which may be a momentary feeling or desire), sexual orientation (which is determined by a continual and persistent similar form of attraction) sexual behaviour (what we do in response to our desires).

9. Sexual Attraction No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Cor 10:13 - MSG

10. Sexual Attraction For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrew 4:15- NIV

11. Sexual Attraction For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Hebrew 4:15- AMP

12. Sexual Attraction So having an attraction or a desire isn’t necessarily sinful, it is what we do with that desire that matters.

14. Sexual Attraction But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 - NIV

15. Sexual Attraction Most people in society are attracted to the opposite sex 95% to 97% The other 2.5% to 5% have an attraction to someone of the same sex So we are looking at about 1 in 20 people in Australia are same sex attracted. Stats would say that 3 people in our room here could be same sex attracted.

17. Sexual Orientation Is it biological? Or is it environmental? Is it a product of nature (born that way)? Or is it a product of nurture (made that way)? Do we discover it? Or do we decide it?

18. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - NIV Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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.

19. Sexual Orientation At Seaview Community Church we aim to be inclusive and accepting and welcoming of all people without affirming certain behaviours.

21. Marriage The CRC Churches International understands that the Biblical model of marriage is a life-long, monogamous legally-performed marriage between a man and a woman, in which there is constant love, continual care, mutual respect, Godly order, submission and sexual intimacy. In such a context children may be born and raised in an atmosphere of loving care, Godly training and discipline.

22. Matthew 19:4-5- NIV ‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”?

23. Matthew 19:6- NIV So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

25. Resources Available Books Articles: Barry Chant – Seaview Website Sam Adebiyi John Piper Letter to the Prime Minister www.livingout.org

26. Church and Homosexuality 1.Change 2.Acceptance 3.Affirmation

27. Marriage The CRC Churches International understands that the Biblical model of marriage is a life-long, monogamous legally-performed marriage between a man and a woman, in which there is constant love, continual care, mutual respect, Godly order, submission and sexual intimacy. In such a context children may be born and raised in an atmosphere of loving care, Godly training and discipline.

28. Homosexuality Seaview is a ‘welcoming and accepting, but not affirming’ church community.

29. At Seaview Community Church we aim to be inclusive and accepting and welcoming of all people without affirming certain behaviours.

30. What can we do? 1.Be informed 2.Be Compassionate 3.Be a Safe Haven

31. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self- seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

32. 1 Corinthians 13:9 - MSG ….But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.