This is the eighth in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Romans. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of April 28, 2013. This message deals with the sin of homosexuality, and how Christians should deal with the homosexual society. This contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
AUDIO – Listen Now:
SERMON OUTLINE:
SERMON NOTES:
Romans 1:26-27
v.26:
For the second time, we are told that “God gave them up.” This time, He gave them up to their vile passions.
The emphasis here, is on homosexuality.
This, of course, follows Paul’s discourse on idolatry, and believing a lie.
By creating their own gods, people are free to follow their own sinful passions.
In fact, the word passion has a much narrower focus than the word lust which Paul had previously used.
Whereas the lust of the heart could refer to any ungodly desire, passion is explicitly sexual in nature.
Since they have only the god of their imagination to account to, morality is theirs to define.
The sin of homosexuality is repeatedly condemned in Scripture.
Leviticus 18:22
Leviticus 20:13
In Sodom, homosexuality is demonstrated just prior to the destruction.
Genesis 19:4-5
Jude references to sexual deviance in Sodom.
Jude 7
Elsewhere, homosexuality is explicitly listed alongside other sins.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Despite how some would pervert Scripture in the same manner that they pervert their sexuality, it is quite clear that homosexuality is a sin.
It is what the Bible very plainly says.
Some have argued that Paul’s thorn in the flesh, is that he was a homosexual.
This view is pure perverted fantasy. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest anything of the sort.
Some have suggested that David and Jonathan were homosexual.
1 Samuel 20:17
2 Samuel 1:26
A couple of observations. The Hebrew word “ahabah” can refer to the love between a husband and a wife, but is not confined to that meaning. It can also refer to a friendship.
We are given no other clues in Scripture to suggest that this was anything more than a very close friendship.
In fact, lets not forget David’s affair with Bathsheba. That is a risk a gay man certainly wouldn’t take.
But even IF it were a homosexual relationship, that wouldn’t justify it.
We see polygamy, slavery, murder, drunkenness, adultery, idolatry, etc. all throughout Scripture. That doesn’t make it right.
Homosexuality is clearly a sin, just as much today as it was back then.
Homosexuality has become front page news in today’s society, as marriage is under constant attack, and the issue is presented as one of equal rights.
Jesus affirms that marriage is meant to be a man and a woman.
Mark 10:6
Matthew 19:4
God created both man and woman (Adam and Eve), with the command of populating the earth.
As for marriage, our laws may one day make a same sex union legal, but laws will never make it right or moral.
The law may call it marriage, but God will never recognize it as such. Neither time nor public opinion will change God’s mind. It will always be an abomination.
Our popular culture, mainstream media, and schools at every level seek to normalize homosexuality.
It is an agenda that is increasingly pushed on us, and worse, its pushed on our children. despite the fact that it defies nature itself.
Some will argue that people are born that way; therefore, they cannot help themselves.
This is a fallacious argument. Whether or not someone is born gay, is absolutely irrelevant.
The Bible says that we are all born with a sin nature. It is our nature, which has been passed down from Adam.
Romans 5:12
Jeremiah 17:9
Psalm 51:5
There is none righteous!
Even if you are born a homosexual, you are no different than anyone else.
We all have the tendency and desire to sin, and we all have the choice of whether or not we will act on those desires.
v.27:
That they burned in their lust, illustrates the intensity of the desire.
This is what sin does. As you feed it, the desires intensify. You want more and more, yet you are never satisfied.
There is no satisfaction and no peace in a sinful lifestyle.
Such a lifestyle only invites judgment (which is a common theme in the Scriptures condemning homosexuality).
It always leads down a path of ruin, and eventually people will receive the penalty of their error.
Often times, the penalty spreads to affect others, as well. Such is always the case of sin and its consequences – remember Adam?
Aids is one frightening example. A horrible disease which began among the homosexual community, now affects a broad spectrum of people.
In fact, its amazing (and frightening) to think about how many diseases are linked to sexual immorality. Do you think God is trying to tell us something?
The good news is, that no one is beyond redemption. Jesus died for the homosexual, just like He died for any other sinner.
Salvation is the same for all, and all have that opportunity.
The problem we have in our society, is that we’ve gone to great lengths to eliminate any guilt or sense of wrongdoing from the homosexual.
They’ve been taught that its natural, and they can’t help themselves. Therefore, they are doing nothing wrong.
It must, once again be recognized as sin, if homosexuals are to have any hope of redemption.
Those who would gloss over and condone homosexuality, are doing the homosexuals no favors.
If they never recognize that it is a sin, then they will never see the need for a savior.
These “accepting” people, who won’t dare speak the true nature of homosexuality will have blood on their hands.
Ezekiel 33:8
Homosexuality is a prominent sin today, but its a sin no worse than any other.
The blood of Jesus can cleanse the homosexual, and cleanse them white as snow.
Rather than ignoring or discarding this part of society, we should be working toward their redemption.
In order to do that, we have to be truthful about homosexuality, and loving in our approach.
We need to lead people to Christ, not push them away.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on May 3, 2013
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