Christianity and Homosexuality (Part 2)

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 33:11-15

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ezekiel 33:11-15 (KJV)

11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.

13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.Christian living courses

14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

INTRODUCTION: Having explained homosexuality and the biblical stand about it, we shall examine the dangers involved and believers’ disposition to homosexuals.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. THE DANGERS INVOLVED
2. CHRISTIANS’ DISPOSITION

1. THE DANGERS INVOLVED

The Scripture mentions that this sexual pervasion will result in abandonment from God and the hardening of the perpetrator’s heart (Romans 1:28). God will give them over to continue in things that are ‘not convenient’ i.e. ‘not becoming’, ‘inappropriate’, ‘shameful’.

As a result, they can no longer see the effects of their wrongdoings (Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 14:12). Without an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Without repentance, there will be no forgiveness (Acts 8:22). Without forgiveness, there is no salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10; Romans 10:10).

2. CHRISTIANS’ DISPOSITION

Christians are called to demonstrate the love of Christ towards all, including homosexuals (Matthew 22:39). Homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin, it needs to be laid at the cross and repented of (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24).

Christians should pray for the salvation of homosexuals the same way they would any other person in sin (1 Timothy 2:1; James 5:16). They should treat homosexuals with the same dignity as they would anyone else because they are also made in the image of God (1 Peter 2:17a; Genesis 1:27). However, this does not mean that Christians should approve of their sin (Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:22b).

Although our society does not rely on the Bible for its moral truth but on humanistic and relativistic morals upon which it builds its ethical structure, the Bible, of course, condemns homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). It takes no ‘leap of logic’ to discern that homosexual marriage is also condemned. Therefore, every Christian and the church at large must continue to speak the truth in love and pray for sinners until they come to the knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

CONCLUSION: Let the love of Christ flow through you so that sinners can see true love and turn to Christ.

QUESTIONS

1. List some of the dangers involved in the practice of homosexuality.
2. What should be our response to the homosexuals?

FURTHER READINGS:

Sunday: 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Monday: 1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
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,

Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Wednesday: Titus 2:12 (KJV)
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Thursday: Leviticus 18:22 (KJV)
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Friday: Romans 12:9 (KJV)
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Saturday: 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

ASSIGNMENT: Highlight five (5) practical steps you will take to help homosexuals around you repent (1×10=10 Marks).