The Bible and Today’s Issues

The Bible on Homosexuality

1) Homosexual Practices Forbidden​ (Leviticus 18:22-30; 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)​

2) Homosexual Practices Condemned​ (Genesis 19:1-24; Romans 1:18-32)​

​3) Freedom From Sin Found in Christ​ (Romans 6:1-14, 18-23)

Central Truth: ​Your identity and God-given gender come from Christ, your Creator.

INTRODUCTION

      We live in a fallen world―a world that seeks to gratify and accommodate sexual sins that would not have even been discussed in public a generation ago. At the time of this writing, a philosophy professor at a prominent university is questioning publicly why sex with a child is wrong, no matter how young. ​

Congregations and denominations are being ripped apart by those who advocate homosexual and transgender or “queer theology” (their words). They teach that any Biblical prohibitions against such activity is cultural and not a commandment. Culture and convictions change―commandments do not. We preach the Word without compromise. However, we must also have compassion on those caught in this insidious sexual captivity and show them how the Son of God still sets people free.

1. HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICES FORBIDDEN

​
A. Detestable Sexual Practices (Leviticus 18:22-24, 29-30; 20:13)

B. Deceptive Sexual Sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

• How and why are so many people, both inside and outside the church, leading “deceived” lives? How can this deception be overcome?

Smorgasbord Morality​

    Every area of education has been infected by . . . value-neutral philosophy. Teachers and school administrators encourage students to choose from a smorgasbord of what they term “morally equivalent lifestyles”: homosexuality, adultery, premarital promiscuity. Gorge yourself on one or sample them all. And this smorgasbord morality, which is itself a value system, tramples on the sensibilities of any who hold to moral absolutes―particularly Christians.―Charles Colson

2. HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICES CONDEMNED​

A. Destruction of Two Cities (Genesis 19:1-24)

B. Denial, Darkness, and Depravity (Romans 1:18-32)

• Describe the connection between “practice” and “approve” in verse 32 (NKJV).

3. FREEDOM FROM SIN FOUND IN CHRIST​

A.  Dead to Sin; Alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-14)

B.  Devoted to Righteousness (Romans 6:18-23)



• Compare and contrast the two types of servanthood discussed in this passage.

Shoo Away Temptation​

    When someone once asked Martin Luther about how to deal with temptation, he replied, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” Everyone is tempted. We get in trouble when we entertain the temptation.

HOPE FOR ALL

     The act of homosexuality is offensive to the holy nature of God. It is a sin against Him and the order He set forth in Creation. Anything offensive to God should be offensive to us. The church must not compromise its mandate to preach the whole Word rightly divided. 

Neither should it require anything less than obedience to God’s commandments for its members. However, homosexuality and other sins fueled by carnal lusts are not unforgivable. 

    “For God so loved the world [even male and female homosexuals], that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). 

     The blood of Christ has never lost its cleansing and liberating power. There is hope in Him!

Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2023-2024.