Contrary to Nature

1. Contrary to Nature Paul On Homosexuality

2. “Contrary to Nature” ESV Romans 1:24-28 “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. …” THE TEXT

3. “Contrary to Nature” ESV Romans 1:24-28 “… 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. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” THE TEXT

4. Paul Didn’t Believe in Marriage “Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.” ESV 1 Corinthians 7:25-38 “Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. …” ARGUMENT ONE

5. Only “Unnatural” Behavior ESV Romans 1:26-27 “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 …” ARGUMENT TWO

6. Only “Unnatural” Behavior • Paul does demonstrate any concept of a “real homosexual” as opposed to a “fake.” • Paul uses very unusual terms for “women” (thēlus) and “men” (arrhēn). • They are anatomicalterms. ARGUMENT TWO

7. Only “Unnatural” Behavior Where else might we find these terms? • ESV Matthew 19:4 “He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female’” • The “nature” Paul is describing is the created physical nature of males and females. ARGUMENT TWO

8. Only Idolatry ESV Romans 1:24-28 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. … And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. ARGUMENT THREE

9. Only Idolatry • Backbiting • Hating God • Violence • Pride • Boasting • Inventing Evil • Disobedience to Parents • No Discernment • Untrustworthiness • Lack of Love • Lack of Forgiveness • Lack of Mercy • Homosexuality • Unrighteousness • Sexual Immorality • Wickedness • Covetousness • Maliciousness • Envy • Murder • Strife • Deceit • Evil-mindedness • “Whispering”

10. Paul Was Just Wrong • Why? • Can God ever say anything that I don’t like? • How can I ever know when Paul is “right”? • ESV Jeremiah 10:23 “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” ARGUMENT FOUR

11. Not In Your Anger • ESV Jerermiah 10:24 “Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.” • Just as we pray that God not crush us with his judgment, we should extend compassion to those that are guilty of this sin. WARNING TO THE CHURCH

12. What Will We Do? “When the word ‘homosexual’ is mentioned in the church, we hold our breaths and sit in fear. Most often this word is followed with condemnation, laughter, hatred, or jokes. Rarely do we hear any words of hope. At least we recognize our sin. Does the church as a whole see theirs?” OPEN LETTER TO THE CHURCH FROM A LESBIAN

13. What Will We Do? “To those of you who would change the church to accept the gay community and its lifestyle: you give us no hope at all. … You are willing to compromise the word of God to be politically correct. We are not deceived. If we accept your willingness to compromise, then we must also compromise. We must therefore accept your lying, your adultery, your lust, your idolatry, your addictions, YOUR sins.” OPEN LETTER TO THE CHURCH FROM A LESBIAN

14. What Will We Do? “We do not ask for your acceptance of our sins any more than we accept yours. We simply ask for the same support, love, guidance, and most of all hope that is given to the rest of your congregation.” OPEN LETTER TO THE CHURCH FROM A LESBIAN

15. What Will We Do? • The Church must not move an inch on the Bible doctrine concerning the sin of homosexuality. • The Church must move miles to show the compassionate gospel of Jesus to those enslaved to this – and every – sin. OPEN LETTER TO THE CHURCH FROM A LESBIAN

16. “Do Not Be Deceived” ESV 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “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.”