Paris church of Christ

1. Paris church of Christ August 12, 2012

2. “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; • and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” Romans 1:26-27

4. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. • More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:10-11

5. “The Lord’s Supper can be only a symbolic re-enactment of the all-saving sacrifice of the cross. The first supper looked forward to it; all others have looked back.” - F. F. Bruce

6. Would Jesus Condone Homosexuality?

7. 1.7% X X

8. Patriarchal Period Jude 7 – “Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” Genesis 19 page 13

9. Mosaic Period “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” - Leviticus 18:22 “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” Leviticus 20:13

10. New Testament Why didn’t Jesus condemn homosexuality? He did. Who was it that wrote Leviticus? Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). John 16:12-14: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

11. The Letters • Romans 1:26-28; page 939 • 1 Timothy 1:9-11; page 991 • A homosexual can change his/her behavior if not at least stop the sinful behavior - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. page 955

12. Homosexuality is not genetic. • Study of the hypothalamus area of the brain done by Simon LeVay in 1991. • Also in 1991, researchers Michael Bailey and Richard Pillard studied homosexual twins. • In 1993, research led by Dean Hamer of the National Cancer Institute tried to suggest that there was a gay gene on the X chromosome.

13. Finding help… • Homosexuality is correlated with an absent or abusive father and an over involved, controlling mother (which push men toward other men) or • An emotionally or physically absent mother which leads a woman to over identify with her father and crave affection from other women.

14. Finding help… What homosexuals need to do is what each of us need to do. • Submit ourselves – even our sexuality – to God. • Seek forgiveness for our sins and bad choices. • Any of us can change our behavior. • Change the places we go. • Deal with our past, one way or another. • Relationships with same-gender people need to remain friendships. • Accept that God made us a male or a female and we should take pride in what God has made.

15. Finding help… For those who have a child, we need to understand a few things. • The core of the homosexual struggle is deep feelings of rejection. • Lecturing probably will do more harm than good. • Keep the lines of communication open, talking and listening. • Pray constantly to control your emotions. • Maintain boundaries.

16. Paris church of Christ Take home message: Love homosexuals and teach them God’s truth to save them from the wrath to come.