Homosexuality – same-sex marriage & the gospel Part II

How is the gospel good news for the homosexual?

1Corinthians 6:9-11 9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves.

1Corinthians 6:9-11 9 Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 

1Corinthians 6:9-11  11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The application of the gospel The misunderstood Christian view Creation : Different to normal creations “Not like us” Fall : Their sin is worse/permanent Redemption : They defined by their sin [their identity]. No salvation Restoration : They will never change

The application of the gospel The non-Christian view Creation : No God or sin. We just DNA. Fall : We all different sexually Redemption : I am what I am – you should accept me as I am Restoration : I don’t need to change. you need to change attitude

The application of the gospel The gospel in Christ Creation :All created in God’s image Fall :All have turned away – Hetero & Homo Redemption :All receive new identity Restoration :All by God’s grace can live a new life.

The journey of sexuality Birth/Nurture Puberty Identifying Same Sex Attraction Embracing Homosexual lifestyle

The Gay script SSA signals distinct sexual identities SSA is a way of knowing who you “really are” SSA is core of who you are as a person SSA behaviour is extension of that core Self-actualization is critical for fulfillment

The Christian script: Identity in Christ SSA doesn’t signal categorical distinctions. many human experiences are “not the way its supposed to be” SSA doesn’t define identity You can choose to integrate SSA into gay identity You can choose to center your identity around other aspects The most compelling aspect of personhood for a Christian is their identity in Christ.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Is homosexuality a sin? “I tell you the truth, anyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34

Romans 1:21-27 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 

Romans 1:21-27  23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever- living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

Romans 1:21-27 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 

Romans 1:21-27  27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Our [new] identity But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13