How to think about the "Pride Movement"

Before we begin today, i want to acknowledge what is going on in the world. This week begins Pride month. So we are going to see all sorts of things everywhere. So as a believer and follower of The Way, Jesus Christ. How do we process this in light of scripture.

At the essence of the pride movement is indeed a search for identity. The Pride movement is an attempt to answer Who am I? Now a few weeks ago, we looked to Scripture and we answered this question.

Genesis 1:26–27 CSB

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

We talked about how we are Identity is not found in our talents, creativity, or even intelligence But rather that God made us to image himself to all of creation and to each other. This is our true identity.

So as a christian we must reject any movement that distorts this truth. We must reject any answers that the world gives to this question out side of what scripture says.

Now the Pride movement tries to answer the question of Identity in the following way. I am who I am attracted too. I am who I feel I am.

As believer in Christ, This is heartbreaking. A whole generation is seeking out their Identity in sex. They are identifying themselves by an emotion ,attraction or desire. The reason why there are now so many “genders” and letters associated with the pride movement, is because emotions and attractions are fickle things.

How many of you when you were in High school learned that your emotions and attractions changed regularly. One week you were in love with this person, two weeks down the road you can’t live without this other individual. Human emotions, attractions, and feelings are not solid ground.

So this movement that is attempting to answer the question of “who am I?” will only leave the person more confused and farther from the truth than where they started.

As a follower of Christ, we see people as having much more value than emotions and feelings. We see people as having way more worth than who they sleep with. We see people who’s full potential in Christ is to image the creator of the world. To show his goodness and that his ways are good and bring joy.

So this is why church it is not loving or kind to stay silent on the issue. People need to know the value they have in Christ. That their is more to life than sex and sexual attraction.

We see people outside of Christ as those who have been blinded to their true meaning and purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:4 CSB

In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

We believe their is no greater Joy than to image God well and we believe their is great joy in helping those who are blind find their way through the love of christ and the gospel.

So this morning church, I know that like me many of you are burdened and taxed by all that we hear is happening. What we hear is both heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s okay by the way to have a mix of both of those reactions to sin.

So then what do we do about it?

We Pray....So today we are going to do that very thing.

I want you to pray for the following things:

Pray that God would once again open the eyes of the blind.

Pray that God would protect the minds of our children and the children that will be exposed to horrific things this month.

Pray that God’s church would love God enough to endure ridicule and criticism and to preach his word and Gospel.

Pray that God would give us boldness to proclaim the true hope of the Gospel and our Identity in Christ

Pray for those, maybe in our midst, who are wrestling with homosexual attraction that God’s love would be enough for them.

Pray that God would give us love for people who desperately need to be transformed by the Gospel.

Pray that in this place , no matter the cost, that Cooper River Baptist would be a church that would always proclaim the truth of God’s Word in love.

Pray that God would give us a constant heart of repentance.

Pray that God would fill our hearts with the Joy of knowing him.

After a few minutes I will lead us in praying through a Psalm 51 of repentance and restoration.