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2 What’s So Gay About Homosexuality? Romans 1:18-28

3 Introduction A decade ago Obergefell v. Hodges unthinkable.If one does not support gay “marriage” you are considered: An arrogant bigot of the rankest sort, A ‘Neanderthal,’ A ‘knuckle dragger,’ On the ‘wrong side of history.’ Is Homosexuality Gay?

4 Introduction Social pressure very intolerant! Must not just accept homosexuals, must celebrate them! Gay community seeks to silence any opposition to their agenda: Seek “hate crime” legislation. Many schools, universities, businesses, etc. adopting speech “codes.” How long till sermons like this one draws government sanction?! “We are no longer seeking just a right to privacy or a right to protection from wrong. We also have a right ... to see government and society affirm our lives.” Jeffrey Levi, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (Citizen, 5/97) Is Homosexuality Gay?

5 Introduction Comments on news/political web sites concerning gay “marriage”: A grand and glorious triumph of ‘civil rights.’ On par with the ‘civil rights’ movement under Martin Luther King. Opposers of gay “marriage” akin to those in ‘Jim Crow’ south who denied equal rights to blacks. Some claim Jesus would be pleased; He would approve and celebrate the gay lifestyle. Some go so far as to claim Jesus was a homosexual. Is Homosexuality Gay?

6 Introduction Stop using euphemisms and call things what they really are! The so-called “gay lifestyle” is the practice of homosexuality. Same-sex “marriage” is the “marriage” of two homosexuals. Is Homosexuality Gay?

7 Homosexual behavior in the Old TestamentSpecifically condemned in the Law of Moses: Lev. 18:22-23; 20:13, 15-16 To “lie with a male as with a woman” refers to homosexual intercourse: cf. Gen. 30:14- 17; 39:7-14; Num. 5:13 Remember OT law (vs. NT law) was limited in application and duration: Gal. 3:24-25 In Leviticus God puts homosexual sex on the same level as bestiality! That’s why it’s an abomination! Is Homosexuality Gay?

8 Homosexual behavior in the Old TestamentSodom: gays make false claims about lack of hospitality and not homosexual behavior: Gen. 19:1-11 “know” means “know them carnally” (NKJV); “have sex with them” (NIV): cf. Judges 19:22; Num. 31:17, 18, 35; Gen. 4:1, 17, 25; Matt. 1:23-25; Lk. 1:27, 34 Lot considered it “wicked” conduct! Gen. 19:7 NT considers it “ungodly,” “filthy,” “wicked,” and “lawless” behavior: 2 Pet. 2:6-8; Jude 7 Jude 7: “sexual immorality and perversion” (NIV). Is Homosexuality Gay?

9 Did Jesus condemn homosexual behavior?Jesus never specifically says “homosexual.” Arguing from silence is very dangerous! Jesus condemns a lot of conduct He never specifically mentions (i.e., in red letters). Jesus does soundly condemn “fornication” (i.e., “sexual immorality”) which is a general term that includes homosexual behavior: cf. Mk. 5:32; Matt. 19:9 Is Homosexuality Gay?

10 Did Jesus condemn homosexual behavior?Jesus promised Holy Spirit to apostles: Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13 Apostles and prophets were guided by the Holy Spirit and their revelations were understandable: Eph. 3:3, 4 Holy Spirit guided inspired men into “all truth” (Jn. 16:13) by the end of the first century (Jude 3). Is Homosexuality Gay?

11 Did Jesus condemn homosexual behavior?When we read the words written by inspired men it’s the same as reading the words of the Lord Himself! 1 Cor. 14:37 Every word written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James or Jude in reality emanated from “the Word”: Jn. 1:1; 1 Cor. 2:9-10 Is Homosexuality Gay?

12 Does Jesus approve of homosexual behavior?That’s a big negative! Rom. 1:18-28 Prevailing attitude of “ungodliness” and “unrighteousness”: v. 18a Led them to “suppress the truth” in their unrighteous living: v. 18b Led them to refuse to “glorify Him as God,” “nor were thankful” despite the fact God’s “invisible attributes…even His eternal power and Godhead…are clearly seen”: v. 20 Is Homosexuality Gay?

13 Does Jesus approve of homosexual behavior?Where did all this “ungodliness,” “unrighteous- ness,” and suppression “of the truth” lead them? First, they became “futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened”: v. 21 Rejected the one true living God to practice gross immorality: vv Led them to profess “to be wise,” but in reality “they became fools” (v. 22) by first turning to rank idolatry: v. 23; Psa. 14:1 Is Homosexuality Gay?

14 Does Jesus approve of homosexual behavior?What was God’s response? “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among them- selves”: v. 24 How did this “uncleanness,” “lust of their hearts,” and dishonoring of “their bodies” manifest itself? The very first manifestation was the giving of themselves over to homosexuality! Is Homosexuality Gay?

15 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorVv graphically describes the sordid state of their behavior as they practiced homo- sexuality. V. 24: “uncleanness”: impure behavior, morally impure or filthy. V. 24: “lusts of their hearts”: the source of homosexual behavior (as all sin!) originates in the “heart” as an expression of one’s “lusts.” cf. Jas. 1:13-15 Is Homosexuality Gay?

16 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorNature vs. nurture? Is biology destiny? Gay community and supporters claim people are “born gay” (i.e., determined by biology). Identical twin studies show a genetic “component,” but environment plays a much larger role (i.e., more nurture than nature!). In identical twins, if one twin gay, only ~20% of identical twins are gay. Would be 100% if strictly genetic! Genetics is a component of many complex human behaviors (e.g., alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, arson, etc.) but doesn’t predestine one to the behavior! “Anybody who tells you that we have found a gene that creates homosexuality has not read the reports, does not know what they are talking about, and is illiterate on the topic.” Dr. Joseph Davis Is Homosexuality Gay?

17 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorVv graphically describes the sordid state of their behavior as they practiced homo- sexuality. V. 24: “dishonor their bodies”: homosexuals shamefully insult their own bodies through their licentious behavior: 1 Cor. 6:18; Heb. 13:4 V. 26: “vile passions”: those passions having a dishonoring or shameful effect. Is Homosexuality Gay?

18 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorVv graphically describes the sordid state of their behavior as they practiced homo- sexuality. V. 26 & 27: “against nature”: lesbian conduct under view in v. 26, male homosexuality in v. 27. “natural” mode of sexual intercourse is between a man and a woman (Heb. 13:4). Homosexual behavior (female-female, or male- male, v. 27) is “exchanging” the “natural use” for “what is against nature” (v. 26). Is Homosexuality Gay?

19 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorVv graphically describes the sordid state of their behavior as they practiced homo- sexuality. V. 27: “shameful”: in reference to sodomy; degrading conduct. V. 27: “error”: “a wandering”; “error in morals or religion.” (Vine)(cf. Eph. 5:11; Ezek. 33:7-9) The gay community and their supporters are mentioned in Isa. 5:20. Is Homosexuality Gay?

20 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorVv graphically describes the sordid state of their behavior as they practiced homo- sexuality. V. 28: “a debased mind”: Vine: “not standing the test, rejected”; negative of approved. Saddest words in the Bible repeated three times: “God also gave them up,” (v. 24); “God gave them up,” (v. 26); and “God gave them over” (v. 28). Once this happens we are on the slippery slope to every sort of degrading sins: vv Is Homosexuality Gay?

21 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorSociety portrays homosexuals as liberated and enlightened, really? Trevor Project Lesbians two times more likely to attempt suicide than straight women (28.4%?). Gay and lesbian youth account for ~30% of all “completed” suicides. Gay teens three times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual peers. Is Homosexuality Gay?

22 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorSociety portrays homosexuals as liberated and enlightened, really? Trevor Project Gay teens are four times more likely to make a suicide attempt requiring medical attention. Gay men are six times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual peers. Among gay men HIV infection rate is 44 times greater than in heterosexual men, 40 times greater than in women (Source: Bilerico Project). Is Homosexuality Gay?

23 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorSociety portrays homosexuals as liberated and enlightened, really? Trevor Project Among gay men syphilis infection rate is 46 times greater than in heterosexual men, 71 times greater than in women (Source: Bilerico Project) “Rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobia, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and alcohol and drug dependence were significantly higher in homosexual respondents (Source: PsychCentral). Is Homosexuality Gay?

24 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorSociety portrays homosexuals as liberated and enlightened, really? Centers for Disease Control says “Men who have sex with men…are only 2% of the population, yet… “account for 60% of all new HIV infections” “are 40 times more likely to be infected with HIV” “are the only risk group in which new HIV infections have been steadily increasing since the early 1990s.” Is Homosexuality Gay?

25 Paul’s inspired and graphic description of homosexual behaviorVv graphically describes the sordid state of their behavior as they practiced homo- sexuality. V. 27: “not fitting” “The idea is then that the deeds done by those of a rejected or reprobate mind are not fitting or proper in relation to God’s standard of morality.” (Hamilton, p. 96) Is Homosexuality Gay?

26 Conclusion The gay community and their supporters will not be satisfied with acceptance; they want their “vile passions” and “shameful” conduct to be celebrated by society…or else! God has always condemned homosexuality: Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 Same-sex marriage requires a complete redefinition of marriage: Matt. 19:5 Society in general suffers when it collectively repudiates God’s principles of righteousness: Prov. 14:34 Is Homosexuality Gay?

27 Conclusion Despite the charge, neither God or His people are homophobic. Like all men, homosexuals are created in God’s “image”: Gen. 1:26-27 Thus, they deserve our respect and love: Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8 The homosexual is no more, or no less, guilty of sin than you and I: Rom. 3:23 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Is Homosexuality Gay?