Sexual Ethics

Our Bodies

Romans 12:1–2 KJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Our bodies are important. Jesus warned that God can send someone body and soul into hell.

We were made good in His sight at the beginning of creation.

1 Cor 6:9-20.

Marriage & Adultery & Divorce

Marriage is between one biological man and one biological woman. Any sexual behaviour outside of this union is sinful.

Our propensity to sin, in whatever way that is, has nothing to do with our identity in Christ.

Many are concerned more with the pastoral side rather than speaking the truth, though this should always be done in love, it should still be spoken.

The woman caught in adultery was told by Jesus go and sin no more. It was not condoned or approved but forgiven.

Certainly a man is not considered to be an adulterous Christian just because he commits adultery.

The man and wife are a unit all on their own and no one else should be a part of it until children come into it by birth or adoption. A man and a wife without children are to be devoted to one another.

A. A BIBLICAL SURVEY OF MARRIAGE 1. What Jesus Taught About Marriage a. Marriage was instituted by God at the beginning—Matt. 19:3–4 (cf. Gen. 2:18–25). b. Marriage was designed for those created male and female—Matt. 19:4. c. Marriage is for man and wife, who become “one flesh,” in the eyes of God—Matt. 19:5. d. Marriage is a union that God joins, not the state—Matt. 19:6. e. People and the state may try to end a marriage, but only God an begin or end a marriage—Matt. 19:6–9. 1) One may divorce and remarry, yet still commit adultery—Matt. 5:31–32. 2) God allows divorce only for fornication, unrepentant sexual sin, and remarriage by the innocent spouse—Matt. 19:9. f. The kingdom of heaven may require some to “make themselves eunuchs” (i.e. remain celibate)—Matt. 19:11–12. 2. What The Apostles Taught About Marriage a. Sex inside the marriage relationship is honorable; sex outside the marriage relationship is not—Heb. 13:4. b. To avoid the sin of fornication, sexual fulfillment must be found within the framework of the marriage union—1 Cor. 7:1–2. c. All other discussions pertaining to marriage describe the marriage relationship as existing between a man and a woman—1 Cor. 7:3–8; Rom. 7:1–4; Eph. 5:22–33; Col. 3:18–19; 1 Tim. 3:2, 11–12; 5:14; Titus 1:6; 2:4–5; 1 Pet. 3:1–7. B. A BIBLICAL SUMMARY OF MARRIAGE 1. All sex outside of marriage is sinful, whether heterosexual or homosexual. 2. Marriage is a divine institution, and not a civil institution. While the state issues marriages licenses and regulates the practice of marriage. Marriage is a gracious gift of God that unites a man and a woman as one flesh in His sight. 3. God determines the parameters which constitute a proper marriage. Those parameters are not set by men. 4. The Bible always speaks of marriage as a covenant that exists between a man and woman. 5. There is not one mention regarding same-sex marriage, although the practice was known among the Gentiles. 6. There is no biblical teaching on how same-sex marriages would work, even if they were recognized by God. (Who is the head? Who is to submit?)

Singleness

Prostitution

Desire

Homosexuality

Sodom & Gomorrah

Mike Winger NOTES

Same sex marriage

A. A BIBLICAL SURVEY OF HOMOSEXUALITY 1. Old Testament References To Homosexuality a. The Sodom incident—Gen. 19:1–13. b. The Levitical prohibition—Lev. 18:22; 20:13. c. The Gibeah incident—Jud. 19:15–25. d. The sodomites, or male temple prostitutes, in ancient Israel—1 Kings 14:24. 2. New Testament References To Homosexuality a. Women and men who practice homosexuality and lesbianism are said to be committing acts against nature—Rom. 1:26–27. b. Practicing homosexuals and sodomites are not saved, and will not will not inherit the kingdom of God—1 Cor. 6:9–10. c. Sodomites contrary to sound doctrine—1 Tim. 1:10. d. The Bible refers to the actions of the men in Sodom and Gomorrah, as going after “strange flesh”—Jude 1:7. B. A SUMMARY OF DIFFERENT VIEWS REGARDING HOMOSEXUALITY 1. Arguments By Those Approving Homosexuality a. The incidents at Sodom and Gibeah were gang rapes, which are wrong whether homosexual or heterosexual. b. The Levitical prohibitions were condemning ritual sodomy and prostitution like that referenced in 1 Kings 14:24. c. “Acts against nature” are not against nature if you are born homosexual. d. The Greek words used in the New Testament (“malakos” and “arsenokoites,” 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10) refer to either temple prostitution, pedophilia, or male rape, not to homosexuals who are in committed relationships. e. Some seek approval for gay sexual relationships from the relationships of: 1) David and Jonathan—1 Sa 18:1, 3; 20:17, 24; 2 Sa 1:26–27. 2) Naomi and Ruth—Ruth 1:16–17. f. Gay sex by two loving, committed companions is never condemned in the Bible. 1) Jesus never mentioned it. 2) He condemned divorce and adultery, but not homosexuality. 2. Observations By Those Opposing Homosexuality a. Homosexuality is condemned every time it is referenced in the Bible. 1) Just because Jesus did not condemn homosexuality is not an argument for its permissibility. 2) Prophets prophesied against homosexuality. 3) The proscription against homosexuality in first century Judea was strong and certain. 4) The fact that Jesus did not defend homosexuality shows He was in agreement with its proscription in Jewish law. b. The Levitical prohibitions against homosexuality condemn its practice. 1) Not just against pagan ordinances, but also “the doings of the land”—Lev 18:3. 2) Forbid adultery, incest, bestiality; shall the same arguments be applied to them? Should we accept incestuous relationships as valid? Should a man be allowed to marry his pet goat if he wants to? Once the door is opened to “same-sex marriages,” what is to say that plural marriage, incestuous marriages and marriages between people and animals won’t be next? c. The argument seeking to undermine Rom. 1:26–27 1) The arguments for homosexuality assume that individuals are “born gay.” No scientific study has yet proved this to be true. The very fact one’s gender is evident, even before birth, argues that no one is “born gay.” 2) Reproductive organs indicate otherwise, to use them in gay sex is “against nature.” d. The Greek words in the New Testament 1) The word “malakos,” used in 1 Cor. 6:9, may have limited meaning. It means “effeminate, soft.” It refers to a male who carries himself and acts like a female. 2) The word “arsenokoites,” used in 1 Tim. 1:10, refers to “male sex” and can include any homosexual act. e. The Bible praise same-sex platonic relationships. 1) David and Jonathan illustrate the value of friendship (phileo) 2) Ruth and Naomi exemplify the beauty of familial love (storge) f. There is not one indication of gay sex (eros) being approved in the Bible

Questions:

1. What harm can come from “same-sex marriages?” The harm comes from the fact that “same-sex marriage” changes the historic definition of marriage from a divine institution that is based on the will of God, needs of children and society to one that is based on the desires of adults. “Same-sex marriage” also poses a serious threat to religious freedom. “Same-sex marriage” will influence what children are taught in public schools about sexuality, relationships and marriage. It would also result in religious individuals or organizations being stigmatized, persecuted, or denied the right to offer services. For example, Catholic adoption agencies have been forced to end their state-funded adoption and foster care programs in some “same-sex marriage” states. If “same-sex marriage” becomes the law of the land, churches like our would be forced to recognize those marriages as valid. Pastors would be forced to perform “same-sex marriages” or face fines or imprisonment. 2. Doesn’t a ban on “same-sex marriages” interfere with love? Love is a great thing, but marriage is not only about love. By its very nature, marriage is an exclusive institution. We don’t allow siblings, children, or more than two individuals to marry because of the potential harm to both individuals and society. Clearly, marriage is not only about love; it’s about binding together a man and a woman in a complementary union that creates the best environment for having and raising children. It is a special familial relationship that has been recognized by the government because of the many benefits that it brings to society. 3. Would a ban on “same-sex marriages” deny crucial benefits for same-sex partners, unmarried couples and their children? This is a smoke screen being thrown up by those who favor allowing “same-sex marriages.” The real issue isn’t benefits; it is marriage. Local groups, private companies, and governments can decide benefits for themselves. The heart of the matter is about redefining marriage, our most basic societal institution, and the best family environment for raising healthy children. Allowing state or local governments to recognize any other domestic legal union undermines the institution of marriage. Marital recognition is not necessary for healthcare, insurance, hospital visitation, education or numerous other benefits that opponents to the marriage amendment are asserting. 4. Do opponents of “same-sex marriages” believe that same-sex couples cannot be good parents? Two men might each be a good father, but neither can be a mother. Two women might individually be good mothers, but neither one can be a father to a child. The ideal for children has always been and always will be the unique, irreplaceable love of their own married mother and father. Thousands of studies involving children from single parent, and broken homes, have shown how much little girls and little boys need the opposite-sex parent to thrive. Two parents of the same-sex cannot provide the opposite-sex parents that every child needs and deserves. 5. What should our position on “same-sex marriages” be? Our position should be the same as God’s. God sees marriage as a divine institution between one man and one woman. He sees all “same-sex” sexual relationships as sinful, detrimental to the family, and ultimately destructive to the very fabric of society. The Bible is not silent on this issue, and neither should we be. Get out and vote for The Marriage Protection Amendment on May 8th. Let’s conclude our time together by going before the Lord the pray for our state, our nation, the protection of the family, and for those trapped in sexual sin.

6. Children - what about them?

Children do best when raised by their married mother and father. The overwhelming body of social science evidence establishes that children do best when raised by their married mother and father in a low conflict marriage.

When children are raised by their mother and father, they experience less poverty, commit far fewer suicides and far fewer crimes, are half as likely to become pregnant out of wedlock, develop better academically and socially, and are healthier physically and emotionally when they become adults.

More from elsewhere about homosexuality

• CHRISTIANITY AND LGBT God’s Word regarding sexuality, gender and gender clearly tells us: “God created man, both male and female, blessing them to multiply and fill the Earth with people.” Christ in the New Testament confirmed that marriage is a community between one man and one woman. SODOMY, HOMOSEX SEXUAL RELATIONS, SCOTOLOGY, PEDOPHILIA are strictly prohibited by God. There have always been sexual orientations contrary to the Bible. In ancient Rome and Greece it was in fashion for nobles to have a pedophile relationship with a young boy.\n In other societies there has and are sexual relations with animals. Even celibacy is a distorted philosophy of the church, of not marrying "holy people", and therefore there is a lot of homosexuality and pedophilia in churches, where some priests, monks, nuns renounce marriage, (and don't have the gift of living alone), and fall under such sexual addictions. THE AGGRESSION OF THE SODOMIANS (HOMOSEXUALS) Back in the time of Abraham and Lot (around 2000) p. nh. is. ) When Lot received two passengers, to spend the night in his home, the men of the city of Sodom gathered at the doors of Lot's house and demanded that he let the two guests (who were angels) in order to rape them. The same night Sodom and the surrounding cities were destroyed by sulphur rain and fire from the sky. The Dead Sea is the location of those ancient cities. The New Testament is written that those cities stand as an example to this day, to be a lesson to us: "Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which were fornicating, and in the same way as they, went after another body, became an example by being punished with eternal fire." The same will happen to those who defile the body, despise the government and insult the Glory. (Jude 1:7- 📷 PORNOGRAPHY AND LGBT AND PROTECTION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY The addiction to pornography is huge and inconceivable for thousands of people to parade in the name of church and traditional marriage, while being addicted to pornography for days. It is hypocritical and tragically comical to speak with hate against LGBT, while with an open porn page on their electronic devices. It speaks volumes, how many people are exposed to the anti Christian influence today. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND LGBT RIGHTS Their demands for their sexual freedoms are clearly stated on their part. There can be no compromise between Christianity and LGBT. As Christians, how are we supposed to respond to their demands that they want to introduce in education, in the Constitution and laws of the state in the name of tolerance? Tolerance, by UNESCO's definition, means: acceptance of those different of us with their national, religious, sexual and cultural notions. All right. But what when, do others feel exposed to the LGBT influence and fear for themselves and their generations? Then we need to protect ourselves appropriately. LGBT associations seek to influence society, and when in the name of the Holy Bible, Christians want to influence society, is that not allowed!? This discord will deepen in the future. HOW WOULD JESUS HANDLE IN THIS SITUATION? Jesus had compassion for all people, especially sinful people, whom others pointed a finger at. But. Jesus was not tolerant of sin. He was asking people to renounce their sins. For a woman caught in adultery, for whom the first priests requested to be stoned, He said, "Whoever is without sin, let him be the first to throw the woman's stone." They left, starting with the oldest, accused of their own conscience. And then he said to his wife, "Go away and make no mistakes anymore." Jesus still sends the same message with love to all members of LGBT.\n LORD GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON THE LGBT POPULATION EITHER God the Father loved the whole world and he loves these people too and wants to forgive them. He has given us an obligation to intercede in prayer for all people without swearing, insulting and swearing. So, as Christians we have an obligation to pray before God for all people, for those in power and of course for the LGBT population, for God to give them enlightenment, then to come to Him in repentance. We are called to pray for their families also who are being ashamed of their legal members. Those families need God's healing. They are deeply broken to the core. This is how we begin to think with the mind of Christ and make evangelically and healing impact on such people and society as a whole. PREDICTED DAYS AHEAD These events are foretold by the Lord Jesus Christ: "and because iniquity will multiply, love will cool down for many. And whoever endures to the end will be saved.\n (Matthew 24:12 - 13) Evil will not be eradicated, the opposite will prosper. Jesus spoke in advance of a total waste of humanity and salvation of a small group of Christians who would endure to the end. So humanity's decline in terms of moral values will continue. The time is not far away, when LGBT will get very big rights and rule the world global society. Soon official churches will stand on the side of LGBT and support other globalist evils. THE GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED IRRESPECTIVE OF THE ANTI-CHRIST AND LGBT THEOLOGIES Jesus encourages us to be sowers of the Good News, that God is love, and that in Christ at Golgotha is our salvation: "And this gospel will be preached for the kingdom in all the world, for a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come. “ (Matthew 24:14) AND THEN JESUS WILL MAKE A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH,where justice will be,peace,but there will be no room for all: "And outside are the dogs, devils, fornicators, murderers, idol-worshipers and anyone who wants to lie and lie"\n (Revelation 22:15).

Same sex attraction

Attracted but do not act. This is how it is for all sin. We are attracted to a man or a woman who is not our spouse. We do not act on it. We are tempted to steal. Do not act on it. Even if we were able to be born homosexual does not mean it is right to act on it - there is always a choice when it comes to what the bible clearly states is sin.

Transgender

Incest

Lot’s daughters

Sexual Immorality Generally Including Porn

1 Corinthians 5 - followed up in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 More about Church Discipline than behaviour (?)

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 (More about the body)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

Change of Ministerial Rules - Baptist Union

Then there are the pastoral conflicts that will emerge if the ministerial rules are changed. Let me highlight just four of many.

First, such a change to the ministerial rules will cause pain to families in our Baptist churches seeking to hold to orthodox Baptist beliefs with some supporting struggling family members. Some of our members are helping their children and in some cases close friends through the challenge of holding a biblical narrative whist working to find a pathway to a lifestyle that matches the biblical advice they believe Scriptures provides on the subject of same-sex attraction. Many families will feel badly let down by our Baptist family if the ministerial rules are changed.

Secondly, changing the rules will let down those who have worked through the scriptures and, nevertheless have concluded that Scripture calls them to define their identity as being in Christ and not their sexuality. Such have chosen to work out their Christianity by following the plain teaching of the scriptures. They have chosen to live celibate lives, and some of these have written publicly agreeing that this issue affects the gospel message itself ( 1 Cor 6:9 ; Rom 14:5). We must stand with them and agree that no one has the right to take away from the work of Christ on the Cross or call good and acceptable what the Bible calls people to repent from.

Thirdly, we have many individuals actively working with the gospel message seeking to reach the lost on the fringes, and outside our church walls, they will feel that their core message on the mission field is in danger of being irrevocably undermined by misdirecting vulnerable sinners away from their need of repentance from sinful acts (temptation we acknowledge is not sin). Where will the redefinition of sin end? Will we, for example, change our understanding of biblical sin in terms of greed or false testimony? The Gospel without repentance from sin is not the Gospel Jesus and the Early Church preached.

Fourthly, for Baptist church members, spiritual integrity and personal holiness is what they look for in their ministers; changing the ministerial rules in the way being suggested will create great anxiety that our hard-won equilibrium and current diversity of views in the Baptist Union is being swapped for a liberal view of the scriptures

I have to say the way the invitation to explore this issue is being framed involves an invitation to redefine divine intention by introducing uncertainty into the simple reading of the scriptures. ” The problem we are being told is ” the way we read scripture” I find most Baptist church members read the scriptures perfectly reasonably well, and I have found that even a thirteen-year-old can explain Romans 1 clearly. Many theologians would agree that the simple reading of the text of Scripture is often the best.

On the question ” did God say?” marriage is only every scriptural if it is between ‘ a man and a woman?, we can affirm with a clear and emphatic, yes he did! It would be different if we were trying to understand an obscure passage of Scripture, but we are dealing with texts that have been expounded by diverse cultures around the world for 2000 years, all coming to the same conclusion that homosexual practice is a sin. Without the illumination of the scriptures, humanity is hopelessly lost in a human-centric view of what constitutes sin.

And, so we are left with the question, what will the Baptist Union of Great Britain do, will we downgrade the work of Christ on the Cross by redefining Christian marriage and promoting what the scriptures call sin as godly? If man can redefine sin, we do not need a Saviour.

I conclude by saying that this is not the issue that is foremost in most church leaders’ or churches’ minds, evangelism and halting church decline is by far a greater pressing problem for many churches and we should be doing more to address that. I personally would rather be engaging with that question as top of our many priorities.

Previous Sermon

Sexual immorality is not treated as it ought to be because so much of the world is in the Church rather than the Church in the world. There are numerous passages that speak of these things in Scripture so much so that you would think it is a common thing among Christians. Not only among those in a congregation but of Pastors as well. In a recent survey it was found that 50% of Christian men, 50% of Pastors and 20% of women had accessed pornography deliberately in the previous year. It has become endemic. The figures are surely higher than those that have been admitted.

This passage is not so much about sexual immorality as it is about church discipline. How should the Church respond when these kinds of things happen? Should we say that personal acts of sin have no effect upon the Church? That is not indicated here. The things we do have a direct consequence upon other Christians. Obviously the man in this passage who had slept with his Father’s wife had done a public evil – so much so that Paul had heard about it. How would we have dealt with it, I wonder, if the man had been a member here? We would have to say that that person can no longer fellowship here, at least until there is a public repentance. Why? Why would we not want such a person to continue with us? There are two very good reasons. 1) He would bring the Church into disrepute. 2) He would set as an example that it is OK to do this as there are no consequences. So, for the sake of the witness of the Church and for the sake of other Christians you would not put up with such a person in the fellowship. It is unlikely that we here will face such a problem until we grow numerically – but even so we should know how to deal with these kind of things. It also shows that we should not put up with sin.

(1Th 4:3-4)

Obviously this is dealing with sexual sins and that is relevant but it is true of other sins too such as the lust for power or money or reputation – what we need to learn is to avoid or flee from these sins and learn how to control our lusts. Note that this is a learning process and that it does not come naturally – it is about keeping discipline within ourselves to make sure we do not sin – there is action for us to take – do not put ourselves in situations where we know that we are weak. We need to be radical – if porn is an issue get rid of the TV or internet – if alcohol is a problem then do not go to the pub, if gambling; do not go to Casinos or betting offices! Think, think, and think. We are to throw off the sin that so easily entangles.

Thomas à Kempis said, "First there comes to the mind a bare thought of evil, then a strong imagination thereof, afterwards delight and evil motion, and then consent." His advice was, "Withstand the beginnings." If you apply a magnet to the end of a needle that moves freely on its pivot, the needle affected by a strong attraction approaches as if it loved it. Reverse the order, applying the magnet to the other pole, and the needle shrinks away trembling as if it hated it. One man rushes into the arms of vice; another recoils from it in horror. According as the nature it addresses is holy or unholy, temptation attracts or repels, is loved or hated. Our Lord Jesus said, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41).

Our passage then goes on to say we should not associate with anyone who is a fornicator who claims to be a Christian. But, we are not to separate ourselves from such who are in the world. This is where I would have a problem with the monastic movement – we are not called out of this world but to be in it but not of it. Yes, our citizenship is not here in the world but in Heaven but present reality is that we have to live here until either the rapture or we die. To associate ourselves with those in the world is our calling – we are not to be surprised at what the world gets up to. Jesus is our example; he was criticised for being around prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners – he came to save the lost - a calling he has given us. We are called to go out into the world and make Him known.

In the middle of this passage is the key motivator – in verse 6. Jesus Christ. In Moses’ time there were ten plagues that affected Egypt. The 10th plague was to destroy all the firstborn. The Jews were told to get rid of all the yeast. Today there is a search in the house by the children of Jews today for the yeast. Then The Israelites were to slaughter the lamb and put the blood upon the lintels and door posts so that this particular plague would pass over them. Jesus is our pass over lamb. We are leaven – we have no yeast. Jesus was sacrificed for us so that God’s judgment would pass over us and not touch us.

Why then do we add yeast after this? The yeast of sin permeates our being – starting with temptation normally through the eyes, then the mind, then the heart, then the action. Sometimes this process is all too quick. You see, you want, you must have. It is the same principle for shopping: you see, you want, you must buy. We give into the temptation of the latest offer or the latest gadget (MEN!). Is it true of committing sin? Are we so quick to jump in feet first? If we cannot control our shopping passions is this indicative of what we are like when we are tempted in other ways? Have we forgotten how to resist? James 4.7 says that we are to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.

In China's later Han era, there lived a politician called Yang Zhen, a man known for his upright character. After Yang Zhen was made a provincial governor, one of his earlier patrons, Wang Mi, paid him an unexpected visit. As they talked over old times, Wang Mi brought out a large gold cup and presented it to Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen refused to accept it, but Wang Mi persisted, saying, "There's no one here tonight but you and me, so no one will know." "You say that no one will know," Yang Zhen replied, "but that is not true. Heaven will know, and you and I will know too." Wang Mi was ashamed, and backed down. Subsequently Yang Zhen's integrity won increasing recognition, and he rose to a high post in the central government.

Human nature is weak, and we tend to yield to temptation when we think nobody can see us. In fact, if there was no police force, many people would not hesitate to steal. This is not to say that when we do something bad, we feel no compunction at all, just that man is weak and prone to yield to temptation. But even if nobody witnesses our sins, and not a soul knows of them, we cannot hide the truth from the eyes of our conscience. In the end, what is important is not that other people know, but that we ourselves know. And more than that – God knows too.

Just as we are to discipline those of our fellowship and put those out we are to do the same with our own vices – purge them out – come to confess God and He will forgive and cleanse you. Jesus laid down his life for us so that we could escape judgment and then get out in the world and make disciples.