The Homosexual Agenda

This past Lord’s Day Elder James preached two sermons on homosexuality. He began by reading Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians in Acts 20 and his address to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3. In both cases Paul is warning against false teaching and false teachers both inside and outside the Church.

In our day and age we don’t see many new heresies, but just a regurgitation of what has already come and gone (truly there is nothing new under the sun). What is unique to us is the ease at which heresy can spread. Mr. Heretic needs only a computer (probably a Macintosh) and the internet to share his abominable views with the whole world. It is our duty as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to put forth a ready defense against false teaching.

But with regards to homosexuality, what exactly are we to defend? And how? Are we to promote hatred towards the gay and lesbian community? Wouldn’t it be easier to go on pretending this issue doesn’t exist?

Certainly we should be clear that our message is not one of hatred. We sharply disagree with the homosexual lifestyle, but we by no means hate gays. In fact, if we hated the gay community we would ignore this issue altogether (which is all too easy to do imho). But as Christian people we do not enjoy watching sinners revel in sin. It would bring us nothing but joy to see homosexuals turn from their sins to serve our triune God.

James brought out that our best arguments against homosexuality are not the 6 references in the Bible that condemn it (Genesis 18, Leviticus 18, 1 Kings, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1). The reason the Lord has given negative commands against same-sex activity is because God has positively defined human sexuality to function in a specific fashion:

Matthew 19:3-6, “3Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" 4And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? 6"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

The Pharisees did their best to trick Christ by asking a question about divorce. Notice the Lord’s response: “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.” Jesus begins his response by reminding them that God is the Creator. Without this simple yet necessary truth we have no basis upon which to define human sexuality. God is the Creator who made them from the beginning male and female. From the start of creation God gave specific roles to men and to women. Verse 5 continues, “…FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH…” Who does the man leave? His father and mother. He does not leave his father and his father, or his mother and his mother. I realize this is redundant, but it is significant to address. Scripture defines what a family is supposed to look like right here. After leaving his family a man and a woman become one flesh. Keep in mind that this is addressing the issue of marriage. In marriage, only one man and one woman can become one flesh. A man and a man do not make one flesh. Nor do two women. Christ concludes by saying that God is the one who joins a man and woman in marriage – they should not be separated.

Good stuff eh?

The Doc then said something that served as a tremendous wake-up call for me: “There is a day coming when we will have to count the cost to condemn homosexuality.” For those of you who are news junkies like me know that James is absolutely correct. The homosexual agenda is not for equality (surely they have equal rights under the law). No, they want super-rights. They demand approval from everyone and seek to silence anyone who opposes their behavior.

Think I’m exaggerating? Pay attention to the news for one week. I guarantee that you’ll see court case after court case being battled over same-sex marriage/unions. Every day we are inching ever closer towards Europe and Canada.

We cannot run from this issue. I know it is a topic no one, not even most unbelievers, want to talk about. It revolts most people. 98.5% of the population are straight and would wish the homosexual discussion away. But it won’t go away because this is life for the homosexual. Millions upon millions of dollars are given for their cause. If they lose one court case, they will take someone else to court tomorrow. Welcome to America where everyone has the right to sue anyone else!

This is why it is so important to be prepared to give an answer for what we believe. We need to be clear. We need to count the cost.

If you’ve taken a sensitivity class at work, watched any number of shows on TV, or hung around Starbucks for any amount of time, you will be confronted with homosexuality and the homosexual agenda. They are ready to cram it down your throat without shame.

Next, Elder James asked what it is we are really being asked to do by accepting homosexuality. To accept homosexuality is to deny that God has defined how His creatures are to live, including human sexuality. To deny God this right would be to deny the Christian faith. Make no uncertain terms … we are being asked to deny our faith.

May we stand firm in the saving faith and say along with the Apostle: “15So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."” (Romans 1:15-17).

Case of Base