Untitled Sermon (3)

Should Christians affirm LGBTQ identities?

Do you have a family member or friend who identifies themselves as a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or something else associated with this group?

It’s strange how this issue has come to dominate the global conversation in such a very short period of time.

· In some measure, that’s due to how personal it is.

· There seem to be few people who don’t have a relative or someone they know who identifies themselves as part of the LGBTQ community.

Many Christians feel caught in family battles over this issue and don’t know what to do.

· How should a Christian parent or grandparent respond to a child who not only claims to identify as LGBTQ but demands you affirm their choice, or you’ll be cut off from that person’s life?

· What do you do when a friend or loved one insists you refer to them by their new gender identity and name?

How does a Christ follower respond when someone insists that Jesus said, “Christians are to be known for their love, not hate?”

Quite frankly, many people struggle with what to say.

· What do you do when you’re called homophobic or a hateful person?

· How do Christians respond when someone gives an ultimatum that all contact will be broken off with anyone who won’t celebrate their lifestyle?

· Should Christians say anything even when asked about this issue?

· Would it be better for Christians just to affirm LGBTQ identities and look for other areas to point people to Jesus?

Today, I'll teach you God's perfect plan to equip Christians to answer this question.

· In addition, if you’re struggling with feeling like you were born the wrong gender or you have same-sex attraction, I ask you to listen and consider what the Bible has to say.

o God’s Word offers true hope and help.

<Genesis 1:26-28>

People are:

A. Created by God. (Genesis 1:26-28)

· Where do you find your identity?

1. People tend to identify themselves by all sorts of things.

o Education, appearance, wealth, etc.

2. God means for you to believe what He says about you.

a) You’re created in the image of God.

§ The only thing more significant that could be said about a person is that they are a child of God.

b) You're created male and female.

§ Although many people today suggest gender is something arbitrary and changeable, that’s not true.

§ A person doesn’t need a college degree in biology to know that there are unchangeable differences between men and women.

This is a glorious reality built into God’s design of people.

Important Point: In all of creation, God teaches His creatures who He is.

· The distinct yet complementary differences between men and women help to develop our understanding of God.

Tragically, in contemporary society, masculinity is embraced as the standard while God-designed femininity is mocked and hidden.

· Modern culture reduces the role of women to that of either:

o No different than men.

o Or, a sex object.

The biblical portrait of womanhood has been cast away as a relic of old-fashioned thinking.

The same holds true for today’s characterization of men who are portrayed as incompetent juveniles.

· I guess it shouldn’t come as any surprise that some of the young people today want to escape their gender for a third option.

However, you have been created by God with the perfect gender for you, and no amount of drugs or surgery will change that.

All those things will do is butcher your physical body and destroy your mind in ways that you’ll suffer the consequences for the rest of your life.

3 God created marriage.

<Genesis 2:24>

o No government, individual, or church has the authority to change this.

4. God created sex.

o God's gift to a husband and wife.

POINT: You and everything about you was created by God for His glory and your good.

· We must understand what the Bible says about this to answer the question, “Should Christians affirm LGBTQ identities?”

Not only are people created by God, but we are also:

B. Commanded to holiness.

God requires His creation to function according to His design.

1. God has the right to command us.

Colossians 1:16 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

o As the creator and sustainer, God has the right to command us.

o God's commands are good.

2. God has commanded holiness.

1 Peter 1:16 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

· This means to be separate from sin.

3. Sexual sin is especially wicked.

a) Why does God make such a big deal about sexual sin?

(i) Sexual sin violates God’s design.

Hebrews 13:4 4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

(ii) Sexual sin violates people.

· Because of your dignity and worth.

· People don't get to use and violate one another.

1 Corinthians 6:18 18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

4. Homosexuality is a satanic perversion of God's design.

<Romans 1:21-27>

· Sexual rebellion is actually part of God's penalty for sin.

o Homosexuality is a demeaning personal violation of God's design

So, we’re answering the question: “Should Christians affirm LGBTQ identities?”

· In our study of Scripture, we see that the answer to that question is, “No, Christians should not affirm LGBTQ identities.”

· To affirm LGBTQ identities is a violation of God’s created design and His command to holiness.

Now, for people who struggle with this issue or for family and friends struggling with how to respond to loved ones who struggle in this way, you might feel defeated or even hopeless.

· It may seem like you’ve been dealt a losing hand, and there’s nothing you can do about it. **That’s not true.

There's hope because people can be:

C. Transformed by grace.

In Christ, God’s offered the perfect solution to restore people to fellowship with Him.

· This includes our being restored to God's original design for sexuality.

1. Pretending sin is OK doesn't help.

o The church must not go down this road; It's a dead end to destruction.

Caution: Following Christ may cost you something

<Luke 12:51-53>

· v.51- Ultimately, God will bring peace; however, Christians must accept that it will be in the future.

o If you live out your faith, it will be costly.

o Are you willing to follow Jesus even when it costs you something you hold dear?

This isn't easy because it's so personal.

Commit to following Jesus, no matter the cost.

Luke 9:62 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Don’t seek to burn down the bridge of communication and relationship, but at the same time, don’t violate Scripture or matters of conscience.

· For example, I’m not going to hurt someone by pretending that they’re a different gender.

2. God's transforming grace.

<1 Corinthians 6:9-11>

· Jesus changes people when they’re born again.

3. How to talk to people who identify with the LGBTQ community.

a) Pray and ask God for wisdom

§ Satan has a tremendous hold on people who struggle in this area.

§ You must rely on God; He alone changes people.

§ Do you believe that? --Hold on to your faith and expect it will be tested.

b) Our purpose isn't to convert people's sexuality; we're commanded to share the gospel.

§ When a person is born again, everything about them changes.- Don't forget that.

§ You are ready with a clear and straightforward presentation of the gospel. (SHARE A SAMPLE)

c) Don't affirm or participate in sinful behavior.

§ Since God created marriage, only endorse God’s plan.

o Therefore, Christians shouldn’t attend weddings that don’t honor God.

§ Don’t pretend men are women and women are men.

§ Don’t attend events where homosexuality is promoted.

d) Speak the truth in love.

§ Christians shouldn’t be unkind or argumentative.

§ However, all sinners will have their place in the lake of fire.

Proverbs 27:6 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

Should Christians affirm LGBTQ identities?

No, Christians should not affirm LGBTQ identities.

· When Christians affirm LGBTQ identities, they deny God’s Word and participate in condemning people to suffer the wrath of God.

· Therefore, Christians help people who identify with the LGBTQ community only when they trust God to change hearts through the clear teaching of His Word.

NOTE: People don’t just go to hell for sexual sin…<Romans 21:8>

· Repentance and faith in Jesus is the only way.

As in all things, God is using this to grow our faith in Him.

· Will you trust God in what He’s said?