the homosexual question Are we seeking to CONVERT or CONDEMN

KEY QUESTIONS What are we truly concerned with regarding homosexuals? 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:9-11) What are we truly concerned with regarding homosexuals? Why have we chosen this sin to be so disgusting to us? What is the core issue that must be dealt with to convert a homosexual to the Lord?

SORTING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:9-11) How do we as Christians/churches sort through the discussion in which our society is engaged in a manner that deals with the true moral issue of homosexuality rather than become a political pawn or a fountain for bigotry?

SORTING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:4–5 (NASB95) The difference between righteous conviction and sinful bigotry is often the thought and education required for the one and the intellectual laziness required for the other

SORTING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:9-11) FAILURE TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION WILL: CONFUSE THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH LEAVE CHRISTIANS ILL-PREPARED ALLOW TRUTH TO BE LABELED AS TRADITION

SORTING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:9-11) WE MUST SPEAK PREPARE EDUCATE

SORTING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:9-11) Proper Approach Not Hypocritical Reasonable & Scriptural Compassionate

PREPARED TO BE QUESTIONED?? Christians SODOM WAS DESTROYED FOR HOMOSEXUALITY LEVITICUS 18 SAYS THAT HOMOSEXUALS ARE AN ABOMINATION THE PATTERN FOR MARRIAGE WAS EST. IN GENESIS 2 Antagonists GENESIS 19 DOES NOT MENTION HOMOSEXUALITY LEVITICUS 18 CONDEMNS IDOLATRY WHERE IS A “MARRIAGE” IN GENESIS 2?

ARE WE PREPARED TO ANSWER “As we see, the Bible really does not fully address the topic of homosexuality. Jesus never talked about it. The prophets never talked about it. In Sodom homosexual activity is mentioned within the context of rape (raping angels nonetheless), and in Romans 1:24-27 we find it mentioned within the context of idolatry (Baal worship) involving lust and dishonorable passions. 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 talk about homosexual activity in the context of prostitution and possibly pederasty. Nowhere does the Bible talk about a loving and committed homosexual relationship… To use the Bible to condemn homosexuality, as we see, involves a projection of ones own bias and a stretching of the Biblical text beyond that of which the scriptures speak.” http://www.gaychurch.org/homosexuality-and-the-bible/the-bible-christianity- and-homosexuality/

PREPARED TO BE QUESTIONED?? Christians JUDE 7 STATES THE MEN OF SODOM “WENT AFTER STRANGE FLESH” LEVITICUS 18 DESCRIBES SEVERAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE ABOMINATIONS ROMANS 1 TEACHES HOMOSEXUALITY IS AGAINST GOD’S LONG STANDING ORDER Antagonists GENESIS 19 DOES NOT MENTION HOMOSEXUALITY LEVITICUS 18 CONDEMNS IDOLATRY WHERE IS A “MARRIAGE” IN GENESIS 2?

THE CORE ISSUE 1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:1–2 (KJV 1900) MARRIAGE IS THE ONLY AUTHORIZED RELATIONSHIP TO EXPRESS THE SEXUAL DESIRE Any sexual fulfillment outside of this relationship is referred to as “fornication” HOMOSEXUALITY IS FORNICATION

THE CORE ISSUE THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PATTERN 18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Genesis 2:18–19 (KJV 1900) THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PATTERN ADAM WAS NOT INTENDED TO BE “ALONE” EVE WAS TO BE A “HELPER SUITABLE FOR HIM”

THE CORE ISSUE JESUS PROCLAIMED THIS RELATIONSHIP TO BE MARRIAGE 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Matthew 19:3–5 (KJV 1900) JESUS PROCLAIMED THIS RELATIONSHIP TO BE MARRIAGE Demonstrated the purpose is beyond procreation

The Need for Consistency in our Teaching THE CORE ISSUE 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (KJV 1900) The Need for Consistency in our Teaching All violations of God’s law are sin - 1John 3:4 The wages of any sin is death - Romans 6:23 The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven

2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NASB95) A SIMPLE CONCLUSION ATTEMPTING TO PUT HOMOSEXUALITY INTO A SPECIAL CATEGORY OF SIN IS UNACCEPTABLE THE GOSPEL IS INTENDED TO CALL PEOPLE TO SALVATION It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NASB95)