1 Cor. 6:9-11

1. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:9-11

4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!" Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the…

5. dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet — I can count all my bones — they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. (Psalm 22)

7. We do not have a political problem… We do not have an economy problem… We do not have a social problem… We have A Sin Problem!

8. A Nation In Crises

9. Homosexuality

10. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • The presence and prominence of the homosexual movement must be recognized. Organized & funded well (Isa. 3:9; 5:20-21)

11. “For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.” “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”

12. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • The presence and prominence of the homosexual movement must be recognized. Organized & funded well (Isa. 3:9; 5:20-21) • Since 2004 – 12 states and Washington D.C. have legalized gay marriage. On August 1st, 2 more states will have laws that go into effect. • The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) – They not only teach that homosexuality is okay, they promote it in kids • Some public schools actually put on skits where the LGBTQ agenda is promoted. Love & acceptance regardless of sexual orientation • Major companies actively & openly support the homosexual movement. It’s nearly impossible to avoid these. What do we do?

14. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • The presence and prominence of the homosexual movement must be recognized. Organized & funded well (Isa. 3:9; 5:20-21) • Since 2004 – 12 states and Washington D.C. have legalized gay marriage. On August 1st, 2 more states will have laws that go into effect. • The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) – They not only teach that homosexuality is okay, they promote it in kids • Some public schools actually put on skits where the LGBTQ agenda is promoted. Love & acceptance regardless of sexual orientation • Major companies actively & openly support the homosexual movement. It’s nearly impossible to avoid these. What do we do? • Our current administration has done more to support the LGBTQ movement than any other presidency.

15. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • The presence and prominence of the homosexual movement must be recognized. Organized & funded well (Isa. 3:9; 5:20-21) • Recently, the Supreme Court struck down a very crucial part of the Defense Of Marriage Act, opening door to homosexual marriages • Groups give out scholarships exclusively to homosexual students… What about no prejudices based on sexual orientation?

16. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • The untold story of homosexuality. Stories that are hidden and ignored by the leaders and media (Proverbs 9:13-18) • Homosexual men average 8 partners per year. Over 40% of white homosexual men have relationships with over 500 men. Almost 1/3 with over 1000 men. 70% live enormously promiscuous life. • 66% of homosexual couples admit to having activity outside of their union within 1st year. 90% admit to infidelity within first 5 years • STD’s, especially syphilis are on the rise among homosexuals. Homosexual men are 46X more likely to contract STD’s. Such activity is less common among women, but it is still prevalent • A homosexual British journalist openly admitted to the promiscuity that goes on within homosexual circles… Committed doesn’t mean monogamous to most within the homosexual movement

17. “Are we just swimming around in a sewer which we are sort of saying is normal? …the gay lifestyle is incompatible with happiness and fidelity in human relations.” • http://www.chick.com/bc/2008/lifestyle.asp

18. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • The untold story of homosexuality. Stories that are hidden and ignored by the leaders and media (Proverbs 9:13-18) • Major leaders within the homosexual movement have actively endorsed pedophilia: “…We must do it for the children’s sake” • Just look at the “Gay Pride” parades… Look at their clothing, their activity, and their words. Darkness is all over this movement!

19. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • Some have tried to use the Bible to defend homosexuality or they say the Bible doesn’t condemn it; however, the Bible teaches against from the start to the finish: • In the beginning – God designed a WOMAN to be man’s “helpmeet.” Women are not designed for women and men are not designed for men. Marriage was between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:23-25) • This was not just a one time thing. The entire Bible defines marriage as being between a man and a woman (1 Cor. 7:2) • Sodom & Gomorrah – They had more issues than just homosexuality. But the Bible specifies unnatural affections (Gen 19:4-5; Jude 7) • Law of Moses clearly condemned homosexuality. It is listed as being similar to that of bestiality. The error in it was greater than the presence of the law of Moses (Lev 18:22-23; 20:13, 15-16)

20. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • Some have tried to use the Bible to defend homosexuality or they say the Bible doesn’t condemn it; however, the Bible teaches against from the start to the finish: • Yes, Jesus never specifically condemned homosexuality. But He spoke against it by implication. He spoke of the problem of lust as being between a man and a woman. Jesus defined marriage as being between a man & a woman (Mt 5:28, 31-32; 19:1ff) • Paul addressed it with strong words: Impure. Unnatural. Dishonorable. Shameless. Debase minded. It’s penalty is due. Wrong. A result of worshiping self instead of the Creator. (Romans 1:24-29) • Some of the Christians at Corinth had been homosexuals, but this was their past. They gave it up to be in Christ. It was a sin, among others, they needed washed from. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

21. Facing Off With Homosexuality • The Problem Of Homosexuality: • Some have tried to use the Bible to defend homosexuality or they say the Bible doesn’t condemn it; however, the Bible teaches against from the start to the finish: • The sexually immoral will have their part in the lake of fire. Unless repented of, homosexuality will send you to Hell (Rev. 21:8) • Homosexuality and its lifestyle is sinful. One must repent and turn away from it. This is possible in Jesus! (I Cor. 6:9-11) • You cannot please God, be part of the kingdom, and inherit eternal life while practicing homosexuality. • This sin is no worse than any other sins. All sin carries the same penalty. We must be careful about rejecting some sins & accepting others. • There is hope! You can change! It will not be easy… it may be a life long battle, but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

22. Our country does not need more politicians… Our country does not need more fiscal policies… Our country does not need more social activists… Our Country Needs Jesus!

24. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Gal. 6:1-3

27. Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God." When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me…

28. over to you has the greater sin.” From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." (John 19:1-19)

30. A Nation In Crises

31. Homosexuality

32. We do not have a political problem… We do not have an economy problem… We do not have a social problem… We have A Sin Problem!

33. Facing Off With Homosexuality • Helping Those Caught Up In Homosexuality: • It is crucial for Christians to continue to stand up and speak out about homosexuality (Ephesians 6:4; Jude 1:3) • But its growing more and more unpopular. It’s getting to the point it is seen as hateful. May become illegal. Don’t stop preaching… in season & out of season. Contend earnestly. Don’t just give up! • It’s uncomfortable, but talk to your children about it. Either you will educate them or the LGBTQ movement will! Arm them with truth! • Speak in public! Often things that are false get accepted as truth because those who know better are silent. The power, money, & fame behind LGBTQ will make sure their message is heard. Will God’s? • But speak in love. Don’t be self righteous, hateful, hypocritical, unloving, unmerciful, etc. It’s a sin like all others. Show God’s grace! • Judgment is necessary! Silence is the greatest form of hate speech!

34. Facing Off With Homosexuality • Helping Those Caught Up In Homosexuality: • When it’s possible to identify the background to the decision, it will help in knowing how to reach out (Acts 17:24-32) • Born that way? This argument has been repeated so much it has been accepted as true, without any scientific evidence. In fact, there is evidence that points to the opposite. • There may be certain inborn traits that are particularly vulnerable to the homosexual movement… such as a melancholy disposition. This is very different than saying a person is born homosexual! • Some factors are common, but cannot paint with a broad brush: Battles with depression, a distant or absent father, sexual abuse when younger, a lack of social abilities, rejection from the opposite sex • External influences do play an enormous role in this (I Cor. 15:33) • The source must be faced. This may open up old wounds. They may need help in this. You may need to provide what is missing.

35. Facing Off With Homosexuality • Helping Those Caught Up In Homosexuality: • A person caught up in this will likely be in for a very long spiritual battle. It may be a lifelong battle for them (Luke 9:23-25) • Tendencies, thoughts, emotions, & whole lifestyle involved – Takes time! • There may be thoughts and desires that continue for the rest of their life. A person may have to live a celibate life to live a godly life. Not fair? Doesn’t seem fair. But eternity puts it all into perspective • Patience is vital! Some tendencies may not immediately change. A guy may still seem too feminine and a girl may seem to masculine. There may be interests that seem odd to you. Is this a matter of sin? Don’t bind things upon them that God has not bound! • Are you struggling with this? Don’t grow weary in doing good. Don’t get consumed by discouragement because the thoughts, desires, and tendencies don’t immediately change. Be patient with yourself! Remember, desire when it conceives brings for sin (Jas 1:13-15)

36. Facing Off With Homosexuality • Helping Those Caught Up In Homosexuality: • Prepare ourselves. Be that spiritual family we should be. Be ready to help them by bearing their burdens (Gal. 6:1-2) • Possess a spirit of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience. Don’t add grief to the pain lest they get consumed by sorrow. Don’t hold past against them by bringing it up. Reaffirm your love (2 Cor. 2:6-8) • Be there to LISTEN. Many of us are made uncomfortable by it, listen anyway. Pray together often. Battle together (I Peter 4:8) • Provide a relationship. Often that healthy relationship is missing. Others will be giving relationships up. We all need each other. Be that brother, father, mother, or sister (Matt 19:27-29) • Help them fill the void left by abandoning that lifestyle. Activities, events, and places frequented will leave a void. There will be times they will be tempted to go back. Help fill it! (Rom 6:12-13)

37. Facing Off With Homosexuality • Helping Those Caught Up In Homosexuality: • Those struggling with homosexuality or involved in it need Jesus. They need to know the difference Jesus can make in their life and come to Him for healing (Rom 7:22-8:1; I Peter 1:3-7) • LGBTQ preaches a message that says that this is just who you are, there’s no changing. No hope. Only discouragement & deeper darkness • The message of the gospel of Jesus is a message of hope! Peace, light, and salvation in a world that is the complete opposite of that. • Some are enraptured by and held in the homosexual movement by the acceptance they see. People need to see the fellowship available with Jesus and through Jesus. They need to see the acceptance • Show others what Jesus has done for us and means to us. We are not aloof to struggles and sin. Be open, honest, & passionate. If they don’t see that He’s done meaningful things for us, what makes them think He will do anything meaningful for them?

38. Our country does not need more politicians… Our country does not need more fiscal policies… Our country does not need more social activists… Our Country Needs Jesus!