Revive the Drive Session 44: Homosexuality in the New Testament Art Georges, Daniel Bennett, Dr. Ritch Boerckel

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Revive the Drive Session 44: Homosexuality in the New Testament Art Georges, Daniel Bennett, Dr. Ritch Boerckel"

Transcription

1 Revive the Drive Session 44: Homosexuality in the New Testament Art Georges, Daniel Bennett, Dr. Ritch Boerckel Ritch: Welcome to Revive the Drive. We re thankful that you re listening to us again today. We re continuing in our series on the issue of homosexuality. What an important subject to consider today! It seems like every person has to think through how we can respond to a culture that is celebrating that which God calls sin. How can we love those who are enslaved to this sin? How can we encourage and help those who have same sex attraction? How can the church minister? How can we share the Gospel? Last time, we began talking about some specific biblical passages related to homosexuality because we believe that the Bible is very clear. Homosexual behavior, homosexual relationships, these are sins, grievous sins against God that keep us from Him. So we talked last time about some passages primarily in the Old Testament, and a bit in Matthew. But now, we re going to move on to the New Testament passages that teach us much about homosexuality. The first is Romans 1. Romans 1 is the cornerstone, it is the bedrock of biblical teaching regarding homosexuality. It s the passage that speaks most clearly and most in detail. It is the one passage that speaks not only of male homosexuality, but also female homosexuality. And so, Art and Daniel, why don t you lead our discussion on Romans 1. Art: I had mentioned in an earlier session that homosexuality tends to be part of the landscape of sexual immorality when a culture has distanced itself from the knowledge and worship of the one true God. And in Romans chapter 1, Paul makes it very clear that God s wrath is being revealed against mankind because they are practicing such ungodliness, because they have denied not only the Creator, but the worship and glory-giving of the Creator. In Romans chapter 1, it indicates, Paul, the Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, indicates that sexual immorality in the form of homosexuality is something that God gives human beings over to when they have denied His rightful place as their Creator and the One worthy of their worship. Daniel: Well, we mentioned before that our desire is to kind of see how people have attacked what Scripture says regarding this issue. And this seems pretty clear. I mean, it talks about the theological reasons that this activity takes place. It talks about how it s a deviation from what God intends. Ritch, you mentioned a session or two ago about the danger of talking about how other people approach Scripture, false teachers approach Scripture, because they can cause people to doubt what s pretty clear. And really, for the vast majority of the church s history, people have read this and said, I may disagree with what Paul is saying, but I can understand what he s saying. It s just right here in the text. Art: Maybe it would be helpful if I read a little so our listeners don t have to pull out their pocket Bible. Daniel: Yes! Thanks!

2 Art: The Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:21, For even though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks. There s the worship and the recognition. But they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. In other words, they began to speculate about what was proper for practice and for life. And verse 22, Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. And then verse 24, Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them, for they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Verse 26, again a giving over, For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions. For their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural and in the same way also the men abandoned their natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men, committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. Daniel: Thanks Art! I m almost hesitant to do so, but let me kind of articulate the argument that someone comes to with an orientation toward believing in the homosexual lifestyle, but also wants to believe in the authority of Scripture. Here s how someone would, and I m reading from Matthew Vines who we discussed a few sessions ago, an excerpt of his sermon at a Methodist church. He says, Does this passage here (Romans 1) reject the possibility of loving relationships for gay people? And he goes on and he says, What exactly is it that Paul is condemning here? He says, In the passage, Paul is making a larger argument about idolatry. That argument has a very precise logic to it. He says, The idolater s actions are blameworthy because they knew God. They start with a knowledge of God. They chose to reject Him, and then they turn away from those relationships that they re naturally oriented toward, heterosexuality, and then they engage in these lustful relationships. And so, Mathew Vines here says, Look, he s not talking about what we understand as a monogamous homosexual relationship of two people who are oriented that way. He s talking about people who are naturally heterosexual and then engage in these lustful relationships. How do we respond to that interpretation of Romans chapter 1? Ritch: I would respond, you know, we all can read. We all can read the text. The text doesn t say any such thing. There are those who take the Scripture and read into it any idea that they desire to read into it. And unfortunately, this fellow has chosen to do that. And then readers who also desire to justify the sin, the very thing that Paul is addressing, the refusal to embrace responsibility for one s own rejection of God, and give an open door, give an excuse by which they can do that. You know, this passage relates to a rejection of God and God giving them over then to the natural course of rejection. It takes us back again to Genesis 1 and 2 doesn t it? God made them male and female and to reject one s gender and one s identification as that gender according to God s design, is the ultimate rejection of the Creator who created us. Whether that is a transgender individual or a homosexual individual, it s a rejection of the God who created. Again, we re sympathetic because we re born in sin. We are part of this issue of sin. And that s why when Paul writes, he writes as a sinner who has been liberated by the grace of God and he recognizes that. But it begins with an acknowledgement that I m broken from the beginning. Sin has ruined me and I need a Savior because the natural inclinations of my heart will lead me away

3 from the Creator and from the Creator s good, right, joyful design for me as, for instance, as a man. And what s interesting too to note is that at the end of that passage in Romans 1:28 and following it says, And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God And is there any more basic acknowledgement of God than His design as male and female for us? God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil and he gives this list. And so we want again, our hearers to know that in having a session of Revive the Drive on homosexuality, we re not saying that it is THE one sin that is horrible and soul-destroying. It s among many. And all of these sins are serious. We have this series because this sin seems to be more celebrated and the pressure to celebrate it is intense in our culture. But he goes on to say, They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. And so, in the midst of this context of talking about homosexuality, there s also this expression of all manners of unrighteousness by which we express our rebellion against God. Daniel: John Boswell is a scholar that many of our listeners may have heard of. As far as I can tell in the research that I have done on this issue, no one before John Boswell, I believe he wrote in the late 80 s-early 90 s, had ever looked at Romans 1 and said, Paul is not condemning homosexuality. There were things they were doing with it and trying to explain it away, but no one was ever arguing that he wasn t actually condemning homosexuality. John Boswell has sort of approached Romans 1 kind of similar to how Matthew Vines does. D. B. Martin wrote an article entitled Heterosexism and the Interpretation of Romans 1: He kind of took some of these similar lines saying that he opposes homosexuality simply because it involves excessive desire. I think one of the ways, and we alluded to this in a previous session, previous edition of Revive the Drive, sometimes a person can say, Well, here in Romans 1, and it s what Matthew Vines would say and others. Paul is, in this cultural context, he s against homosexuality, but that doesn t mean that homosexual marriage is wrong, because the way that it is expressed in this culture was a lustful expression, and so because it s expressed differently in our culture, it s not wrong. I think an analogy of that would be similar to what some people do with divorce. They say, Well, yeah, in general divorce is wrong in these contexts, but in my context, because of this aspect of how I feel Scripture says adultery is wrong, but it doesn t say adultery is wrong if you really care about the person. In other words, it doesn t expressly condemn my particular expression of this sin, and so therefore, it s not condemned in Scripture. Whereas we look at Romans 1 and say, You know what? Romans 1 is all-encompassing and any type of expression of homosexuality you wish to engage in violates this overarching prohibition against homosexuality. And I think that becomes more clear as we look at some of the other New Testament passages.

4 Ritch: Yes. And there s another professor of religion at Case Western University who also communicates some of these very ideas that you mentioned. At the end, he writes, Paul does not understand genetics and sexual orientation the way we understand it now as something much more than a choice. He s ultimately giving away everything that he s been arguing about in this text. Ultimately, he s struggling with the text and even the bare words make it difficult for him. He says, Well, Paul just doesn t understand sexual orientation the way we do. Daniel: It s kind of like a back-up argument. I m saying that Paul s not saying what we think he s saying. But even if he did, he doesn t understand. Ritch: And you know, he s right. Paul doesn t understand sexual orientation the way he does. Art: Oftentimes you ll hear that Paul was the only one that spoke on this. Obviously, Peter and Jude mentioned it as well, as we referenced before. But there s often the argument that Paul and Jesus were not on the same page in this debate because Jesus never really said anything. And I believe that we need to give heed to what Jesus says in Matthew 19. Ritch, you referenced it before in an earlier discussion. As Jesus is being pressed on His view of divorce, Jesus again sets the pattern for the image of God and God s design for male and female when he says in verses 4-6 of Matthew 19, Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. So I believe that Jesus did speak to this discussion by laying down God s design for marital union by reminding us of what God had done in the beginning. Ritch: Sure. And anytime Jesus spoke about sexual immorality it was this broad, general word that described all forms. And every 1 st century Jewish person they talked to would understand all those forms that were comprised within that one statement about sexual immorality. So for instance, with the argument that Jesus didn t expressly condemn homosexuality, you d say well he didn t expressly condemn incest or child molestation or a host of other kinds of sexual perversions that Leviticus talks about. And yet, a lack of specific reference to homosexuality is not a failure on His part. It was understood by the audience at the time. Art: Right! That s good! Daniel: Well, the other passages, and we may just touch on these very quickly. 1 Timothy chapter 1 addresses the issue of homosexuality, a list condemning those who are lawless. He talks about the lawless the disobedience of 1 Timothy 1:10. The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality And then in 1 Corinthians chapter 6, you have this list of, he says, 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. (verses 9-10) The argument that some make as they come to these texts is that the word homosexual isn t a literal translation of what he is describing there. Unfortunately for that argument, a literal translation is even more graphic in describing what is

5 taking place here. Men who are lying in bed with other men. And so, it seems pretty clear even if Paul wasn t using the same terminology that we do, that he is describing this practice and denying that it s an orientation. Ritch: The standard, classic, accepted Greek dictionary, Arndt and Gingrich states this word. First to a male who practices homosexuality, was the use of this word in extra-biblical literature of the time? So again, it s not a dictionary that has any particular axe to grind on this subject. It s just recognizing this was what this word meant in extra-biblical literature during the time the New Testament was written. And I do think that it s important to notice as we look at 1 Timothy, 1 Corinthians and Romans, that the issue of homosexuality is brought up, where in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, it s not expressly stated. And I believe it s because who is the audience that is hearing Jesus, for instance? Well, it s Jewish people who understood biblical sexual morality vs. those in Corinth, those in Rome. They had this very problem, and so Paul felt the need to specifically reference it because this very problem was a specific issue in his day. Art: I think there s several beautiful things about 1 Corinthians 6 that are worthy of note. The first being that homosexuality is among other sins, both sexual and non-sexual that are practices prohibited or prohibiting one from entering the kingdom. And again, we talk about the fact that salvation and the gospel severs the stronghold of sin over the practice of the one believing it. And so that s the first thing for us to note. It s that homosexuality is among other sins that are condemnable and we need to remember that as the church. But we also need to remember the rest of this passage where Paul says, Such were some of you. (verse 11) In other words, there were homosexuals, there were those who had formerly practiced same sex union in the church at Corinth who had, as Paul says, Such were some of you, but you were washed. In other words, they were forgiven. They were cleansed by the blood of Christ. And he says, but you were sanctified. In other words, that means set apart. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. And so, there were those who were formerly immoral people, some homosexual practicers who had been saved and now they were no longer practicing. They had been forgiven. They had tasted the grace of God and they had been set apart for God s glory. And what a great message for anyone listening that may be struggling with same sex attraction. In the Gospel is not only forgiveness, but the power, the indwelling power, to overcome those temptations to sin. Ritch: And the church is filled with people whose past was engaged in all kinds of sins. And you know, it s been said that the ground at the foot of the cross is level. We come there on our knees and unworthy beggars. Daniel: Let s develop that a little bit at the next session too, this idea of former sinners. I think one of the real weaknesses of the pro-homosexual movement is it s kind of a biological determinism that I can only operate in a certain way. I think that s a really interesting thing to delve into further. Ritch: Alright! Well, thanks again for listening to Revive the Drive. We trust this has been an encouragement and a help to you. May God bless you!

What does the BIBLE say about same sex relationships?

What does the BIBLE say about same sex relationships? What does the BIBLE say about same sex relationships? 9 Bible passages that teach about same-sex relationships Genesis 19:1-9 Leviticus 18:22 Leviticus 20:13 Deuteronomy 23:17-18 Deuteronomy 22:5 Romans

More information

How are We as Christians Called By God to Respond to Same-Sex Issues? COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

How are We as Christians Called By God to Respond to Same-Sex Issues? COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE How are We as Christians Called By God to Respond to Same-Sex Issues? COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE Rather than refer to someone as a homosexual, I ve taken care always to make gay or homosexual the adjective,

More information

What does the BIBLE say about same sex relationships?

What does the BIBLE say about same sex relationships? What does the BIBLE say about same sex relationships? 9 Bible passages that teach about same-sex relationships Genesis 19:1-9 Leviticus 18:22 Leviticus 20:13 Deuteronomy 23:17-18 Deuteronomy 22:5 Romans

More information

What Does the Bible Say about Homosexuality?

What Does the Bible Say about Homosexuality? What Does the Bible Say about Homosexuality? I. Introduction A. We should approach this topic humbly, seeking God s grace to understand his will, peoples pain, and our current cultural environment 1. It

More information

Lesson 4. God Gave Them Over. Romans 1:21-32

Lesson 4. God Gave Them Over. Romans 1:21-32 Lesson 4 God Gave Them Over Romans 1:21-32 They became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools. God gave them over. This giving over

More information

Homosexuality and the Power of the Gospel Part II

Homosexuality and the Power of the Gospel Part II Homosexuality and the Power of the Gospel Part II Introduction This morning, we re going to finish up a three part series on what the Scriptures say about homosexuality, and on how we as Christians should

More information

Romans. The Transforming Power of the Righteousness of God

Romans. The Transforming Power of the Righteousness of God Romans The Transforming Power of the Righteousness of God Introduction How do you respond to this claim? The basic problem of the human race is not ignorance of the truth but rebellion against the One

More information

ROMANS: One Verse at a Time

ROMANS: One Verse at a Time ROMANS: One Verse at a Time Romans 1:24-32 Page 1 of 8 ROMANS: One Verse at a Time Romans 1:24-32 God s Wrath on Unrighteousness 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness

More information

Red Rocks Church. God s Plan for Human Sexuality. Let s be clear from start, God has a perfect design for how we are meant to live.

Red Rocks Church. God s Plan for Human Sexuality. Let s be clear from start, God has a perfect design for how we are meant to live. Red Rocks Church God s Plan for Human Sexuality Let s be clear from start, God has a perfect design for how we are meant to live. Living life God s way is to truly live life to the fullest in a perfect

More information

Righteousness from Above: The Problem By Senior Pastor Tom Harrison. June 3, 2018

Righteousness from Above: The Problem By Senior Pastor Tom Harrison. June 3, 2018 Righteousness from Above: The Problem By Senior Pastor Tom Harrison June 3, 2018 Rom 1:18-32 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress

More information

International Bible Lessons Commentary Romans 1:16-32

International Bible Lessons Commentary Romans 1:16-32 International Bible Lessons Commentary Romans 1:16-32 New American Standard Bible International Bible Lessons Sunday, June 26, 2016 L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School

More information

October 17, 2017 Romans 1:

October 17, 2017 Romans 1: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith

More information

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ROMANS 1:24 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped

More information

The Book of Romans A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD!

The Book of Romans A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD! The Book of Romans A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD! Trinity Lutheran Church Norman, OK. www.tlcnorman.org Pastor David R. Nehrenz Date: 3-15-09 Text: 1:18-2:11 Lesson: 4 TEXT: 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed

More information

The Book of Romans A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD!

The Book of Romans A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD! The Book of Romans A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD! Trinity Lutheran Church Norman, OK. www.tlcnorman.org Pastor David R. Nehrenz Date: 3-8-09 Text: 1:16-32 Lesson: 3 TEXT: The Righteous Shall Live by Faith (these

More information

The Good News about the Bad News. Romans 1:18-2:11 August 21, 2016

The Good News about the Bad News. Romans 1:18-2:11 August 21, 2016 The Good News about the Bad News Romans 1:18-2:11 August 21, 2016 Summary of the Gospel: Good News Bad News Great News Romans 1:18 19 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness

More information

School of Life Foundations: Exploring the Foursquare Gospel (Fall and Winter) Christ in Culture: Connecting Jesus to Life

School of Life Foundations: Exploring the Foursquare Gospel (Fall and Winter) Christ in Culture: Connecting Jesus to Life School of Life 2013-2014 Foundations: Exploring the Foursquare Gospel (Fall and Winter) Christ in Culture: Connecting Jesus to Life (Spring) Pastor James Walton New Life Foursquare Church Canby, Oregon

More information

(Transition: Paul then explains in more detail how the truth about God has been suppressed in unrighteousness. He does this in three exchanges.

(Transition: Paul then explains in more detail how the truth about God has been suppressed in unrighteousness. He does this in three exchanges. I. Introduction 1. Review: - What did we learn from the OT about Homosexuality? - homosexual practice is a sin and distortion of God s created order - Though minimal attention is given, was it present?

More information

WHAT ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? I want to try to answer three questions today that often come up when addressing this issue;

WHAT ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? I want to try to answer three questions today that often come up when addressing this issue; WHAT ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? We are concluding our series today on Love and Marriage. We have looked at the biblical basis for marriage and last week looked at what happens when marriage is broken through

More information

OVERTURE 5 from Westminster Presbytery Concerning Our Present Need

OVERTURE 5 from Westminster Presbytery Concerning Our Present Need 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 OVERTURE from Westminster Presbytery (to OC) Concerning Our Present Need CONCERNING OUR PRESENT NEED We come as persons in the same predicament as all persons, yet who have been shown mercy

More information

Romans: The Revealing of Righteousness (part 4 of 9) How Far We Fell!

Romans: The Revealing of Righteousness (part 4 of 9) How Far We Fell! February 2, 2014 College Park Church Romans: The Revealing of Righteousness (part 4 of 9) How Far We Fell! Romans 1:24-32 Mark Vroegop Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity,

More information

Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans

Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 1:18-32 Inductive Discovery Lesson 2 Imagine the Christians in Rome hearing Paul s letter for the first time. Word spread through the community that

More information

Week 3: A Grim Diagnosis November 11, What happened last week for which you are thankful?

Week 3: A Grim Diagnosis November 11, What happened last week for which you are thankful? 1 Pack Sundays Romans Week 3: A Grim Diagnosis November 11, 2018 What happened last week for which you are thankful? Intercession What challenges do you see in your life? Family? Community? Accountability

More information

The Days Are Evil. Ephesians 5:15-17

The Days Are Evil. Ephesians 5:15-17 The Days Are Evil Ephesians 5:15-17 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 (NASV) To say

More information

Marriage and Family. Marriage and Family. The Gentiles Forsake God Causing Idolatry and Immorality. Introduction

Marriage and Family. Marriage and Family. The Gentiles Forsake God Causing Idolatry and Immorality. Introduction Marriage and Family Marriage and Family Lesson 1 Submission To God Foundation of The Family 1. Submission to God foundation of the family 2. God created designed and governs marriage 3. Marriage divorce

More information

Romans 1B. Now we return to the beginning of Paul s essay on righteousness

Romans 1B. Now we return to the beginning of Paul s essay on righteousness Romans 1B Now we return to the beginning of Paul s essay on righteousness o Beginning with his theme statement: Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to

More information

The Greatest Letter Ever Written!

The Greatest Letter Ever Written! The Greatest Letter Ever Written! Rom 1:28-32 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. They were filled with all manner of

More information

Debating Bible Verses on Homosexuality JUNE 8, 2015

Debating Bible Verses on Homosexuality JUNE 8, 2015 Debating Bible Verses on Homosexuality JUNE 8, 2015 Two evangelical authors offer conflicting interpretations about well-known passages on homosexuality. The debate over gay marriage is not just taking

More information

Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian

Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian Mark Yarhouse, Understanding Gender Dysphoria Wesley Hill, Washed and Waiting Caleb Kaltenbach, Messy Grace Preston Sprinkle, People to be Loved Jesus returned

More information

Biblical Sexuality Part 3 This is the third message in a four part series on Biblical Sexuality. I ve referenced this passage from 1 Thessalonians in

Biblical Sexuality Part 3 This is the third message in a four part series on Biblical Sexuality. I ve referenced this passage from 1 Thessalonians in Biblical Sexuality Part 3 This is the third message in a four part series on Biblical Sexuality. I ve referenced this passage from 1 Thessalonians in the previous messages. Paul writes, Finally brothers

More information

When God Surrenders (Romans 1:18-32) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 19, 2018

When God Surrenders (Romans 1:18-32) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 19, 2018 1 When God Surrenders (Romans 1:18-32) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 19, 2018 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth

More information

therefore to impurity the dishonoring their bodies among themselves

therefore to impurity the dishonoring their bodies among themselves God s Wrath Manifested in the Consequences of Sin (Rom 1.24-32) WestminsterReformedChurch.org Pastor Ostella January 15, 2017 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the

More information

Fear of Rejection. Cornerstone Bible Church Survey of Romans. You formed my inward parts, you weaved me in my mother s womb

Fear of Rejection. Cornerstone Bible Church Survey of Romans. You formed my inward parts, you weaved me in my mother s womb Fear of Rejection You formed my inward parts, you weaved me in my mother s womb The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.... there is a friend who sticks closer than a

More information

UNALTERABLE LIFESTYLES

UNALTERABLE LIFESTYLES UNALTERABLE LIFESTYLES 1 UNALTERABLE LIFESTYLES Dec. 5, 2012 Sermon in a sentence: We need the Spirit of God to empower us to live a lifestyle that pleases Him. Scriptures: 1 Cor. 6:9-20 1 Cor. 6:9-20

More information

Flee Fornication. What is Fornication? Flee Fornication. Is God Pleased With These Behaviors Society Approves?

Flee Fornication. What is Fornication? Flee Fornication. Is God Pleased With These Behaviors Society Approves? Flee In contrast to society, Christians are commanded to flee fornication Is God Pleased With These Behaviors Society Approves? 1. Teenagers and adults engaging in casual premarital and extramarital sex

More information

DISCUSSION SESSION 3 Discussing Homosexuality

DISCUSSION SESSION 3 Discussing Homosexuality DISCUSSION SESSION 3 Discussing Homosexuality Discussion Session Why This, Why Now? Discussion Session Why This, Why Now? Discussion Session 4 What Should We Do Next? Note to Discussion Sessions The following

More information

Of sin, the depravity of man, and the wrath of God (J. Peterson)

Of sin, the depravity of man, and the wrath of God (J. Peterson) Of sin, the depravity of man, and the wrath of God (J. Peterson) 1. Examine Romans 1:21 within the context of its preceding verses. What do you observe? "For even though they knew God," man chose not to

More information

When God Gives Up. Romans 1:24-32

When God Gives Up. Romans 1:24-32 Rock Valley Bible Church (www.rvbc.cc) # 2016-043 October 23, 2016 by Steve Brandon When God Gives Up Romans 1:24-32 He... 1. Gives over to impurity (verses 24-25) 2. Gives over to homosexuality (verses

More information

Gen 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Gen 2:21-24; 21 And the Lord God

Gen 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Gen 2:21-24; 21 And the Lord God Theological Clarity Gen 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Gen 2:21-24; 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam,

More information

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: REVELATION AND GOD Week Two: General Revelation. Introduction

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: REVELATION AND GOD Week Two: General Revelation. Introduction SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: REVELATION AND GOD Week Two: General Revelation Introduction This is the second session in a twelve week study of the doctrines of revelation and God Our topic for this week is God

More information

Questions to Consider: Homosexuality

Questions to Consider: Homosexuality Questions to Consider: Homosexuality What the World Needs to Consider get-to-know-goias-brazil.blogspot.com- 1) God s Word on this Issue: Genesis 2:23-24 [23] The man said, This is now bone of my bones,

More information

International Bible Lessons Commentary Romans 1:16-32 King James Version International Bible Lessons Sunday, June 26, 2016 L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

International Bible Lessons Commentary Romans 1:16-32 King James Version International Bible Lessons Sunday, June 26, 2016 L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. International Bible Lessons Commentary Romans 1:16-32 King James Version International Bible Lessons Sunday, June 26, 2016 L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School Lessons

More information

I. REVELATION OF GOD S WRATH (Romans 1:18)

I. REVELATION OF GOD S WRATH (Romans 1:18) Lesson Text: Romans 1:18-23, 28-32 King James Version (KJV) I. REVELATION OF GOD S WRATH (Romans 1:18) 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,

More information

MULTNOMAH UNIVERSITY S

MULTNOMAH UNIVERSITY S MULTNOMAH UNIVERSITY S Human Sexuality and Purity Understanding Preamble: Multnomah University (MU) is a faith-based, higher education institution built upon the historic, Christian, protestant, evangelical

More information

Watch a testimony of how powerful God s Word is in a simple Gospel tract: Spread the good news. Soli Deo Gloria.

Watch a testimony of how powerful God s Word is in a simple Gospel tract:   Spread the good news. Soli Deo Gloria. THE DESIGN FOR HUMAN SEXUALITY A GOSPEL TRACT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS WHO STRUGGLE WITH SEXUALLY IMMORAL CONDUCT (LGBTQ, FORNICATION, ADULTERY, INCEST & BESTIALITY) Important Note: If you are a service member

More information

Study of Homosexuality: The Clobber Passages Texts from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible

Study of Homosexuality: The Clobber Passages Texts from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Study of Homosexuality: The Clobber Passages Texts from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ

More information

Homosexuality By Evan Lenow

Homosexuality By Evan Lenow Homosexuality By Evan Lenow Pre-Session Assignments One week before the session, students will take the following assignments. Assignment One Read Genesis 2:18 24 and then read the comments related to

More information

Social Issues and Principles

Social Issues and Principles The Christian and His Vote - Part IV Social Issues and Principles Selected Scriptures Presented Live on October 21, 2018 I. Introduction and review A. We have been seeking the answer to the question: How

More information

Are You Storing Up Wrath?! Scripture Text: Romans 2:1-11"

Are You Storing Up Wrath?! Scripture Text: Romans 2:1-11 1 Are You Storing Up Wrath?! Scripture Text: Romans 2:1-11 Introduction! At the end of chapter one, Paul wrote about the unrighteousness of mankind, about those who reject God, commit various kinds of

More information

THE Bible begins with the statement: In the beginning God. Does God exist? Chapter 1

THE Bible begins with the statement: In the beginning God. Does God exist? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Does God exist? Is there objective evidence that God exists? What are the consequences of atheism? Where did God come from? Can we know God personally? THE Bible begins with the statement: In

More information

A Biblical View of Humanity

A Biblical View of Humanity A Biblical View of Humanity I. What is Man? June 26, July 3 A. The Biblical Witness: Psalm 8 Genesis 1-3 Matthew 19:ff Ephesians 5 B. Humanity Unplugged: Reimagining the Image 1. Biblical Warning: Romans

More information

WILD GRAPES Text: Isaiah 5:1-7

WILD GRAPES Text: Isaiah 5:1-7 WILD GRAPES Text: Isaiah 5:1-7 INTRO: God's people in O.T. times were likened to a vineyard which produced wild grapes. God's people today are also likened to a vineyard with Christ as the vine and Christians

More information

Ephesians 4: I. This therefore I say and testify in the Lord that you no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk

Ephesians 4: I. This therefore I say and testify in the Lord that you no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk Ephesians 4:17-24 I. This therefore I say and testify in the Lord that you no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk This brings us right back to verse one where Paul says: I urge you therefore to

More information

The Expository Study of Romans

The Expository Study of Romans Results of the Wrath of God: Romans 1:26-27 Introduction Having introduced the theme of the revelation of the wrath of God and having given the reasons for the wrath of God, o We are now in the segment

More information

UNDERSTANDING SALVATION Part 1 Titus 3:3-7 By Andy Manning July 24, 2017

UNDERSTANDING SALVATION Part 1 Titus 3:3-7 By Andy Manning July 24, 2017 UNDERSTANDING SALVATION Part 1 Titus 3:3-7 By Andy Manning July 24, 2017 The title of this sermon is Understanding Salvation. The Greek word for salvation is soteria. That s where we get our word soteriology,

More information

The Book of Romans Chapter 1 Study Manual

The Book of Romans Chapter 1 Study Manual The Book of Romans Chapter 1 Study Manual Romans 1: 1-5 * Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. * (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the

More information

Next Steps. on Your Spiritual Journey. How can I know I m a Christian?

Next Steps. on Your Spiritual Journey. How can I know I m a Christian? Next Steps on Your Spiritual Journey How can I know I m a Christian? 01 Next Steps on Your Spiritual Journey How can I know I m a Christian? 01 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

More information

Mike Riccardi Sundays in July July 10, 2016

Mike Riccardi Sundays in July July 10, 2016 Mike Riccardi Sundays in July July 10, 2016 A. Homosexuality is Sin Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female. 1 Corinthians 6:9 10 Do not be deceived; neither fornicators,

More information

Paul s letter to the church of Jesus Christ at Oklahoma City The Admonitions-1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Paul s letter to the church of Jesus Christ at Oklahoma City The Admonitions-1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul s letter to the church of Jesus Christ at Oklahoma City The Admonitions-1 Corinthians 6:9-11 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor

More information

Introduction. Are Homosexuality and Homosexual Marriage Pleasing To God? Introduction. Introduction. Following Our Own Guidance Is Displeasing To God

Introduction. Are Homosexuality and Homosexual Marriage Pleasing To God? Introduction. Introduction. Following Our Own Guidance Is Displeasing To God Introduction Are Homosexuality and Homosexual Marriage What is pleasing to humanity is often displeasing to God Homosexuals tell us, along with others, they were born gay Educators brainwash our children

More information

God & Gay Rights. Articulating our Messianic conviction of compassion with standards

God & Gay Rights. Articulating our Messianic conviction of compassion with standards God & Gay Rights Articulating our Messianic conviction of compassion with standards Should we follow gay-affirming churches? Should we follow gay-hating churches? Should we follow leftism? Should we follow

More information

Passage Guide Romans 1 4

Passage Guide Romans 1 4 Passage Guide Romans 1 4 Romans 1:1 7 (NIV) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the

More information

In Search of the Lord's Way. "Knowing Christ"

In Search of the Lord's Way. Knowing Christ "Knowing Christ" People say that knowledge is power. If you could closely and personally know someone who could give you eternal life, would you want to meet Him? Hello, I m Phil Sanders, and this is a

More information

Introduction. Gratitude. Ten Lepers. Ten Lepers. Ten Lepers. Christians Commanded To Be Grateful To God At All Times

Introduction. Gratitude. Ten Lepers. Ten Lepers. Ten Lepers. Christians Commanded To Be Grateful To God At All Times Introduction Gratitude We are commanded to always be thankful to God at all times Even when materially blessed, we can be enslaved to ingratitude, covetousness and complaining Nothing new about ingratitude

More information

SATURDAY, NOV. 20, 2016 FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR

SATURDAY, NOV. 20, 2016 FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR CALEB KALTENBACH SATURDAY, NOV. 20, 2016 FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR When Caleb Kaltenbach was a toddler, his parents divorced and independently came out of the closet as a gay man and a lesbian. As a result,

More information

Under the Weight of Sin Tim Dubberly, May 21, 2000

Under the Weight of Sin Tim Dubberly, May 21, 2000 Text: Romans 6:15-23 Under the Weight of Sin Tim Dubberly, May 21, 2000 Introduction: There is an old song that says, Sin will take you farther than you want to go, slowly but wholly overcoming your soul;

More information

First Love Lesson 6 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

First Love Lesson 6 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Bible Text English Standard Version Observations What does the text say? Interpretations & Questions What does it mean to all Christians? Applications What does it mean to me? 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Lawsuits

More information

WAR OF THE WORLDVIEWS #31. What is Man? Part 2. Review

WAR OF THE WORLDVIEWS #31. What is Man? Part 2. Review WAR OF THE WORLDVIEWS #31 What is Man? Part 2 Review We are spiritual battle; our enemies are not flesh and blood; we call this a War of the Worldviews Worldviews answer the most important questions of

More information

If You Water Down the Bad News (Romans 1:18-32) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 5, 2018

If You Water Down the Bad News (Romans 1:18-32) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 5, 2018 1 If You Water Down the Bad News (Romans 1:18-32) by Rev. Dan McDowell August 5, 2018 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress

More information

BELIEVER S IDENTITY 1 CORINTHIANS 6

BELIEVER S IDENTITY 1 CORINTHIANS 6 BELIEVER S IDENTITY 1 CORINTHIANS 6 CORINTH A BELIEVER S IDENTITY IN CHRIST MUST DIRECT HIS OR HER ACTIONS BELIEVER S IDENTITY The Corinthians were straying from Christian behavior in two ways: - They

More information

The Consequences of Idolatry Dr. Ritch Boerckel August 9, 2015

The Consequences of Idolatry Dr. Ritch Boerckel August 9, 2015 The Consequences of Idolatry Dr. Ritch Boerckel August 9, 2015 Scriptural Text: Romans 1:-32, ESV Out study of this letter of Paul to the Romans begins on a very somber and serious note, a note that is

More information

HOMOSEXUALITY WHERE CHRISTIANITY AND SEXUALITY MEET INTRODUCTION

HOMOSEXUALITY WHERE CHRISTIANITY AND SEXUALITY MEET INTRODUCTION Adult Study 17 HOMOSEXUALITY PART 2 WHERE CHRISTIANITY AND SEXUALITY MEET Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Col. 4:6 NKJV Review

More information

ἀδικία ἀνομία δικαιοσύνη ἁμαρτία

ἀδικία ἀνομία δικαιοσύνη ἁμαρτία Filled with: ἀδικία, ας, ἡ generally disregard for what is right; (1) as disregard for divine law unrighteousness, wrongdoing, correlated with ἀνομία (lawlessness, wickedness) and opposite δικαιοσύνη (righteousness,

More information

What does it pronounce? James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

What does it pronounce? James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. Divine Law What is it? Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. p.335 The law of God is the teaching given by God which prescribes

More information

The Church Becoming The Church. A Jewish Zealot Finds His Faith in Jesus. The Story of The Book of Acts

The Church Becoming The Church. A Jewish Zealot Finds His Faith in Jesus. The Story of The Book of Acts The Church Becoming The Church A Jewish Zealot Finds His Faith in Jesus The Story of The Book of Acts Who is this Guy? Born in Tarsus, Cilicia (Acts 22:3) Hebrew of the Hebrews (2 Corinthians 11:22) The

More information

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. - Psa 139.13-14

More information

WHAT MAKES A METHODIST? Dr. Robert E. Long Rev. Wendy M. Lambert Rev. Josh Attaway

WHAT MAKES A METHODIST? Dr. Robert E. Long Rev. Wendy M. Lambert Rev. Josh Attaway WHAT MAKES A METHODIST? Dr. Robert E. Long Rev. Wendy M. Lambert Rev. Josh Attaway Leviticus 21:9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the harlot, profanes her father; she

More information

Homosexuality and the Wrath of God Romans 1:26-27 March 26, 2017

Homosexuality and the Wrath of God Romans 1:26-27 March 26, 2017 Homosexuality and the Wrath of God Romans 1:26-27 March 26, 2017 Introduction: This is not a message I would have preached twenty years ago. Were Rob Borkowitz to preach through the book of Romans back

More information

But before we move on to Kant s moral argument..

But before we move on to Kant s moral argument.. But before we move on to Kant s moral argument.. For the Teleological argument: the burden of proof lies on the skeptic who, for example, tries to do away with the obvious order (laws) of the universe,

More information

As Were the Days of Noah, the Days of Lot

As Were the Days of Noah, the Days of Lot As Were the Days of Noah, the Days of Lot (Matt. 24:37-46; Luke 17: 26-30) And [just] as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the time of the Son of Man; people ate, they drank, they married, they

More information

for they received the Word with great eagerness, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so Acts 17:11

for they received the Word with great eagerness, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so Acts 17:11 for they received the Word with great eagerness, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so Acts 17:11 A Brief (and by no means exhaustive) Summary of Passages Contained Within

More information

Romans. Lesson 2: Good News and Bad News. Introduction. Romans 1:16-32

Romans. Lesson 2: Good News and Bad News. Introduction. Romans 1:16-32 Romans Lesson 2: Good News and Bad News Introduction In this portion of Romans, Paul gives both the charter of his entire epistle and the beginning of his diagnosis of deadly ills afflicting mankind. Readers

More information

3 The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when h

3 The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when h 1 1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

More information

Supporting Documentation for Parish Letter

Supporting Documentation for Parish Letter Supporting Documentation for Parish Letter Romans 1 1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets

More information

SESSION 11 READY WHEN HOMOSEXUALITY. 152 Session LifeWay

SESSION 11 READY WHEN HOMOSEXUALITY. 152 Session LifeWay SESSION 11 READY WHEN HOMOSEXUALITY DEVASTATES 152 Session 11 The Point Share the hope and new life all can have in Christ. The Passage Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 The Bible Meets Life One of

More information

WHAT GLORIFIES GOD - PART 2

WHAT GLORIFIES GOD - PART 2 THE ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CHAPTER 12:20-25 Media Reference Number SMX - 187 TITLE: WHAT GLORIFIES GOD - PART 2 THEME: Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and

More information

Listening to Sexual Issues. IBCD Conference June 2015

Listening to Sexual Issues. IBCD Conference June 2015 The Biblical Nature of Sexuality A Means of Covenantal Union IBCD Conference June 25-27, 2015 Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall

More information

According to 1 Corinthians 6:1, why did Paul recommend not going in front of the law?

According to 1 Corinthians 6:1, why did Paul recommend not going in front of the law? According to 1 Corinthians 6:1, where did Paul recommend that people of the church go when they have a matter against someone? According to 1 Corinthians 6:1, why did Paul recommend not going in front

More information

Introduction. Flee Immorality (Sexual Immorality, Fornication) What Is Fornication? Introduction. What Is Fornication? What Is Fornication?

Introduction. Flee Immorality (Sexual Immorality, Fornication) What Is Fornication? Introduction. What Is Fornication? What Is Fornication? Flee Immorality (Sexual Immorality, Fornication) In contrast to our society, Christians are to flee fornication and glorify God Introduction Fornication (sexual relations outside of Scriptural marriage)

More information

AS IF HE WERE NOT Romans 1:18-32

AS IF HE WERE NOT Romans 1:18-32 February 1, 2015 Providence AS IF HE WERE NOT Romans 1:18-32 INTRODUCTION: Do you ever play dare games with your friends? You pick an action that may have significant consequences and dare someone to do

More information

Paul s Letter to the Romans Lesson 1

Paul s Letter to the Romans Lesson 1 Paul s Letter to the Romans Lesson 1 Introduction: Paul s letter to the Romans is unique in many ways. First, Romans is the only letter written to a church which Paul had never visited. Paul had wanted

More information

Gigolos, Johns, and Ritualized Pagan Sex (1 Corinthians 6 and Romans 1) Contemporary Theology Sunday School Class August 10

Gigolos, Johns, and Ritualized Pagan Sex (1 Corinthians 6 and Romans 1) Contemporary Theology Sunday School Class August 10 Gigolos, Johns, and Ritualized Pagan Sex (1 Corinthians 6 and Romans 1) Contemporary Theology Sunday School Class August 10 Translational Issues: Hard Words Authorized Version(King James) of 1611 And there

More information

The Church saints and forgiven sinners

The Church saints and forgiven sinners The Church saints and forgiven sinners There are people in the church who have been guilty of every sin known to mankind adultery, fornication, wife abuse, child molestation, robbery, murder, drug addicts,

More information

The Queen James bible Bible or Blasphemy? By Evangelist Sean Bonitto

The Queen James bible Bible or Blasphemy? By Evangelist Sean Bonitto The Queen James bible Bible or Blasphemy? By Evangelist Sean Bonitto For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of

More information

Romans 1:18-23, LESSON: IGNORING GOD S CLEAR TRUTH June 26, 2016

Romans 1:18-23, LESSON: IGNORING GOD S CLEAR TRUTH June 26, 2016 Romans 1:18-23, 28-32 LESSON: IGNORING GOD S CLEAR TRUTH June 26, 2016 INTRODUCTION: Chapter 1: 1-7 This Book of Romans introduces the letters written to the Christian churches in Rome by Paul, probably

More information

WISDOM for the FATHERLESS. Volume 2

WISDOM for the FATHERLESS. Volume 2 WISDOM for the FATHERLESS Volume 2 What is Sin? The Bible defines sin in a direct and simple statement. It is very clear. In the New Testament: John 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses the law: for

More information

First Generation obeyed Yehowah - Nations left to test Israel

First Generation obeyed Yehowah - Nations left to test Israel First Generation obeyed Yehowah - Nations left to test Israel Judges 2:1 3:4 Message of Angel of Yehowah 1 Then the Angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: "I led you up from Egypt and

More information

Is God Homophobic? Romans 1:26-32

Is God Homophobic? Romans 1:26-32 Romans 1:26-32 Having rejected God s truth and refusing to acknowledge Him and knowing that he must worship something he turns to false gods even if he has to manufacture one himself. From verse 24 we

More information

Fools Claiming to be Wise! Scripture: Romans 1:18-32"

Fools Claiming to be Wise! Scripture: Romans 1:18-32 1 Fools Claiming to be Wise! Scripture: Romans 1:18-32 Introduction! So far in Romans chapter one, we have read about Paul s call and passion to share the Gospel with the world. We have seen Paul s description

More information

toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 12340 Old Princess Road princess.chapel@yahoo.com Ashland, KY 41102 Pastor, Douglas Salyer March 30, 2016 Romans 1:24-32 Exposition of Romans Lesson 8 Introduction: This next section of Scripture are some

More information