For Christ died for sins once for all , the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

1. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:18

2. STARTING POINT --The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC • Condoms do not protect against HPV (human papillomavirus) because it encompasses a larger area than latex can cover. There are a little over forty strains of HPV. We are only beginning to know the effects of the many different types. The vaccine is NOT YET proven to be lasting and only covers 4 of the 40 some strains.

3. STARTING POINT --The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC • The CDC stated that half of all sexually active people can expect to contract a strain of HPV. The Cleveland Clinic increased the number to 80% of those who are presently sexually active. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/genital_warts/hic_understanding_hpv.aspx

4. STARTING POINT --The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC • HPV causes various cancers in men and women, causes sterility in women, and can lead to painful treatment. • Who really cares in our society? The ones who are ignoring the issue? • Tobacco companies paid up for the harm they promoted. Who will look into the face of a teen with cervical cancer and do the same?

5. STARTING POINT --The UNDISCUSSED EPIDEMIC • If society got HPV all wrong, is silent about the facts, and is unwilling to talk about reality, could society be doing the same with other sexual issues?

6. Let’s Dive Right into the Scriptures • NKJ Revelation 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

7. Let’s Look at 1 Corinthians, chapter 6 • NIV 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

8. 1 Corinthians, chapter 6 • 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. 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.

9. What have we learned? • Members of the Corinthian congregation were engaged in these practices before coming to the faith. Paul clearly references baptism as the defining moment of the forgiveness of sins – The old life and its sin were washed away. • Some in the congregation were engaged in the practice(s) of homosexuality.

10. What do know of the times? • Homosexuality was accepted by Roman culture (to a certain degree), but with a different understanding that American society has. • Some references show a disgust to anything other than cordial affection. • Some references show that men were looked down up if they were the partner who was the penetrated – ThePathicus.

11. Arsenokoistai • The term for homosexuality is arsenand okois. These terms that are combined refer to fire and dwelling respectfully. Those with burning dwelling within. • 1 Timothy 1:10 also uses the term. The term is often mistranslated for sodomy in general.

12. Arsenokoistai • NKJ 1 Timothy 1:9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

13. Scriptural View of Homosexuality • Christianity had a radically new, sacred view of marriage. It was no longer to be seen as a mere contract, but a loving covenant in which a spouse was treasured more than self. As a man instinctively cared for his own body, he was to find joy to serve, cherish, and nurture his wife. A woman was to know she was cherished and to be grateful in turn. • John Gray picks up on these Biblical principles in his highly effective secular counseling – Men Are from Mars, Women from Venus.

14. Scriptural View of Homosexuality • Fire is good in the right places. Fire is bad in the wrong places. • In Scripture, sexual affection is good and holy in marriage alone. • Homosexuality is not part of the intended design of sexual affection. • This attitude is also reflected in Paul’s Roman epistle.

15. Romans, chapter 1 • NIV Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. • While Paul does not say that common sense is the cause of salvation, he does say that there is an obvious rationale in God’s truth.

16. Romans, chapter 1 • 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. • Let common sense predominate. Even today, we see living primates’ skulls paraded as human ancestors and paganism is celebrated in the belief that an explosion of energy formed matter with all its intricacies and cooperative properties.

17. Romans, chapter 1 • 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

18. Romans, chapter 1 • 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. • People love the creation more than the Creator, Sustainer, and Giver of all good (paganism). This is the source of all idolatry.

19. Romans, chapter 1 • 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen.

20. Romans, chapter 1 • 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

21. Romans, chapter 1 • Again, Paul sees homosexual relationships outside of God’s intended design. • He also sees harm in one’s body. • Personal harm was never part of God’s design in sexuality.

22. The Harm Done to Self? • In the television show, Hoarders, people collect an inordinate amount of stuff. Some are emotionally attached to EVERYTHING. Some fear they will be unprepared for uncertain days ahead. They need to address underlying issues for a better life. • Causations of homosexuality: • Confusion of sexual affection with acceptance. • Doubt that a meaningful relationship with the opposite sex is attainable.

23. Confusion of sexual affection and acceptance. • Randy Thomas grew up without a father figure or close male friends. • Every boy desires both. Every girl desires a mother figure and female friends. • Randy confused his desire for a dad and male friends with sexual affection.

24. Doubt that a meaningful relationship with the opposite sex is possible. • Since the Fall into sin, men and women have expectations for relationships, especially marriage. It’s almost as if these are in our DNA. But we do not naturally know how to communicate our desire to meet those expectations. • Many give up on the possibility of have a meaningful relationship with the other gender or believe it is impossible. • A belief that one cannot have a meaningful relationship with the other gender is often a causation for homosexuality.

25. When people believe that a meaningful relationship with the other gender is impossible, they often explore homosexuality. • In these relationships, men become more feminine and women more masculine.

26. The Life Lesson of Charles Kane • Charles Kane believed meaningful relationships with the opposite sex were no longer possible. • A counselor told him he was doomed to failure because he was gay. • An effective counselor would have referenced principles (like those found in John Gray’s books and teachings).

27. The Life Lesson of Charles Kane • In trying to find happiness, Charles became a woman. • But he found his re-inventions of self were masking issues that needed addressed. • He became a man again and addressed the reasons for failed relationships with the opposite gender.

28. The Life Lesson of Charles Kane • Charles is now ridiculed for no longer supporting homosexuality or transgender lifestyles. • Charles believes that underlying issues need to be fully explored to be truly caring and loving to people who are who need effective help and counsel.

29. Did God design lifestyles that harm? • The average gay or lesbian relationship is short lived. Only 15 percent of gay men and 17.3 percent of lesbians had relationships that lasted more than three years. • God never designs heartache after an intimate relationship. Marriage was went to prevent heartache from multiple intimate relationships.

30. Did God design lifestyles that harm? • Life-span is decreased by a minimum of 20 years for both men and women. • Gay rights pioneers, Richard Adams and Harvey Milk, died relatively young. We never openly discuss this fact but attribute it to a lack of acceptance and education.

31. Did God design lifestyles to mask underlying issues to be lovingly addressed? • Who really cares in our society? Effective and loving counsel addresses and empowers confrontation of underlying issues. • Lesbians are 5 times more likely to be alcoholics and 5 times more likely to have cancer. • 75% of gays (men and women) have suffered depression.

32. Did God design lifestyles to mask underlying issues to be lovingly addressed? • 21% of gays think of suicide sometimes or often with a plan thought through. Some have believed that this is because gays feel rejected by society. But in the Netherlands (where it is very acceptable), the suicide and depression rate is just as high, if not higher. • Gays are 5 times more likely to commit suicide.

33. The Loving Christ. The Loving Church. • We believe in the Lord who died for all. He empowers us in His grace to trust Him. Forgiven, His ways are for our highest good on earth. • NIV John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

34. The Loving Christ. The Loving Church. • The Church is full of recovering sinaholics who lovingly help others confront the issues that enslaved and harm them. • Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

35. We are here to help. • Lord Jesus, You want to be my Lord as none other can love or serve me better. • Lord Jesus, forgive me. May I die to an old life that grieves You and others. May I arise as a new creation in a pure, perfect, innocent love for you and for all as You lovingly know best. Amen. • 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

36. What a loving Church should consider? • Empower marriages. • There’s a wealth of resources out there that WORK! Our nation should be looking at these resources for a better future for everyone, especially our children. • Encourage every child to have a loving father and loving mother in a strong marriage. • With the Scriptures, show proper care and concern for heterosexuals and homosexuals to look at underlying issues that are often masked.

37. What about the many churches that promote the homosexuality lifestyle?

38. The Warning of the Rise of the Antichrist • In the book of Revelation, many want to use the name, authority, and ceremony of Christ to mask the promotion of unscriptural beliefs. • Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns [witnessing authority] like a lamb [a Christian],but he spoke like a dragon.

39. The Warning of the Rise of the Antichrist • Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!‘ • 1 John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come… They went out from us [the Church], but they did not really belong to us. • James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

40. Footnote on Rationalism • In discussing issues, there is always the danger of rationalism. Rationalism tries to make sense of God’s will with human reason first and foremost. • We trust God because He is God. • His Word is faithful and has power.

41. The MIGHTY Power of the WORD ALONE • Sin. What someone has is more important than who they are. Contempt for people who don’t meet our expectations. People are a means to serve our desires and give us self-esteem. • Unto righteousness. Someone is more important than what can be gained from them. A desire for every person to raised up as a new creation in Christ. People are the object of Christ’s love with His own worth placed upon us as we bask in the love of the Father in Him.

42. What about the OT reference? • I have stayed away from the Old Testament verse up to this point. • NIV Leviticus 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. • Some immediately point out that we are no longer bound to the Old Testament. But Paul makes it clear that God has a moral will for our sexuality that transcends the Old and New Testaments.

43. Three types of Laws in the OT • Civil Laws - These were to be laws of justice that showed God’s people were set apart as special on earth. • Example. If a man stole a sheep, he should return it with four more. • These civil laws are left to Christian freedom and the governments whom they serve in the New Testament.

44. Three types of Laws in the OT • Ceremonial Laws - These were to be laws of covenant that showed God’s people were set apart and dear to Him in His grace. These were all fulfilled in Christ. • NIV Colossians 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

45. Three types of Laws in the OT • Moral Laws - These were applicable to individuals and do carry over into the New Testament. • Examples: Honesty. Proper child-rearing. Spiritual zeal. Fidelity. Sexual purity. Righteousness. God’s will on sexuality is part of the MORAL LAW that encompasses the Old and New Testaments.