Truth and Grace

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Intro:
I made the statement a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to share a message or two regarding some current events that we are seeing in our world.
At that time, I addressed the poor state of our nation using the assassination attempt of President Trump as my main illustration.
Today, I want to give “A Biblical Response to the LGBTQ Issues” and have entitled this message as “Truth and Grace”
I have had several people ask me questions about this very topic because of friends or family members that have been caught up in homosexuality or transgender-ism… and with the recent events surrounding the Olympic games in Paris, I feel that now would be a good time to address it.
As followers of Christ, we are called to navigate these conversations with the Truths of Scripture, but also with the same Grace that Jesus showed as He ministered to sinners,… like us...
Prayer:
Meat:
I don’t have a main passage for tis morning, but we will be looking at several Scriptures as we make our way through.
Lets start with the…
Truth of Scripture:
Because again, as followers of Christ, we are committed to the authority of Scripture as the inspired Word of God and the Bible leaves no room whatsoever for confusion on this topic.
But one thing that I cannot stress enough, is that as we share the Truth of Scripture with anyone… in needs to be done out of love… not hatred, not through derogatory comments or any other forms of rejection towards the individuals that are caught up in this sinful lifestyle…
If nothing else, this should cause us to pray for them all the more as we realize how blinded and gripped by sin they really are… … …
Truth #1…

1. God Specifically Designed Mankind

I could make a whole sermon on this point alone… but lets just get a couple of highlights…
God specifically designed mankind…

1.1 In His Image

This brings us right back to the very beginning…
Genesis 1:27 NKJV
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Again, this could be an entire sermon in and of itself… but let me summarize it…
The concept of being made in the "image of God" signifies that humans uniquely reflect certain attributes of God. This includes the capacity for rational thought, moral reasoning, creativity, the ability to have relationships and the ability to love and make choices… It sets humanity apart from the rest of creation and shows us that every person was created with dignity and worth.
This verse also gives us more information about how God specifically designed mankind…

1.2 Male and Female

Genesis 1:2727 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
As I was studying for this sermon this week, I asked google… “how many genders are there?”… and one of the first articles that came up was from MedicineNet.com (not sure how medically inclined they really are… ) but this article listed off 72 genders in addition to Male and Female.
Honestly, this list looked like a bunch of made up words… you can google it for yourself if you’d like… but at the bottom of this list, the 72nd gender was labeled as “Omni-gender” - which is defined as “Having or experiencing all genders.
I share that with you for the sole purpose of pointing out how far and distorted this teaching is from the Truth of God’s Word… God says there are 2 Genders and the world says there are 72 genders… … I am sticking with God’s Word…
“Well Pastor, why is taking a stand for only 2 genders important?”…
1. Because that is what God said He created… and…
2. Men and women, though distinct in gender, together reflect the fullness of God's image. This distinction is not merely biological but encompasses emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects. The differences between male and female are intentional and purposeful, and God designed them to complement each other.
The Psalmist had it right when he said…
Psalm 139:13–14 ESV
13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
When a bouncing baby boy is born, that is exactly who God created him to be… and when a precious baby girl is born, that is exactly who god created her to be…
When someone says “I was supposed to be this or that, but I was born as a such and such...” … they are saying that God has made a mistake… and as a Perfect and Holy God… that is 100% impossible… because God doesn’t make mistakes.
God specifically designed mankind… In His Image, as Male and Female… and…

1.3 To Be Holy

Mankind was the Crown Jewel of Creation. Everything else God spoke into existence… But when it came to Mankind, The God Head came to Earth, and literally formed man with His hands out of the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his new divinely created body… There is no other part of creation that He spent that much time with… everything else He just said “Let there be trees” and there was trees… “Let there be stars and planets” and there were stars and planets… “Let there be fish, cattle, reptiles, dogs, cats… ” you get the picture…
But mankind was made to be holy… we were made to be set apart as a sacred part of Creation… and we are to be holy in every aspect of our lives, but Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4, specifically addresses the fact that we are to holy in our sexuality.
Look with me at 1 Thessalonians 4… (read vv. 3-7)
Our sexuality is a gift from God, meant to be enjoyed within the bonds of marriage… and any form of Sexual immorality, which would include homosexuality, transgender-ism, and even sexual relations outside of marriage is 100% contrary to God’s will and God’s specific design for us as human beings.
According to Scripture, God ordained sexuality to be expressed within the covenantal marriage between one man and one woman, as a reflection of His creative order and as a means for procreation, intimacy, and mutual support (again, we would find that back at the beginning, in Genesis as God lays out his plan for marriage)… And any deviation from this divine blueprint is seen as a distortion of God's intended harmony and order.
This leads us to our second truth… and that is the fact that…

2. Sin is a Problem

And it has been since the fall of mankind… back in Genesis chapter 3…
Prior to the Fall, humanity enjoyed perfect harmony with God, each other, and the rest of creation. However, with the entrance of sin, this harmony was shattered, and every aspect of human existence was marred, including our sexuality.
Initially, God created sexuality as a good and integral part of human identity, meant to be expressed within the confines of a lifelong, covenantal marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). This design was intended not only for procreation but also for the deep, intimate union that mirrors the relational nature of God Himself.
However, after the Fall, sin corrupted this divine gift. The result was a distortion of sexual desires and behaviors, leading to a range of immoral expressions that deviate from God’s original intention.
And this is not something that just started within the past few years… this has been a problem for thousands of years…
The Apostle Paul, in the book of Romans says this…
Romans 1:26–27 NASB95
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the 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.
In looking at these verses we can see that sin is not only a problem… but…

2.1 It has Consequences

In v.26 of Romans 1, it says “God gave them over to degrading passions” some versions may use the term “Shameful Lusts”…
To "give them over" signifies that God, in response to human beings' persistent rejection of His truth and commands, permitted them to follow their sinful desires without divine restraint.
It needs to be noted that this does not suggest that God actively wills or causes sinful behavior, but rather that He respects human free will to the extent that He allows individuals to pursue their chosen paths, even though He knows that it may lead to their destruction.
This divine "giving over" serves as a judgment because it reflects God's decision to withdraw His protective hand, allowing people to face the natural consequences of their actions.
There are so many sexually transmitted diseases today that the medical system is constantly trying to push and almost force families to vaccinate their children for… when in reality, if God’s plan for the sexual relationship between a man and a woman is followed, then we shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Now, I wouldn’t classify myself as an strict anti-vaxer… but when it comes to vaccines for STD’s… I believe they are just a way to try and prevent the consequences of sin… they enable people to engage in sinful activities with a lesser chance of facing any consequences… I feel abortion is the same thing… … which again, is another sermon…
Sin has consequences… but I firmly believe that these consequences are put in place by God to further reveal the destructive nature of sin and the urgent need for repentance and restoration.
I would say that the consequences of sin are actually a demonstration of God’s Mercy… … This may be hard to fathom… but stay with me…
By allowing individuals to experience the emptiness and dissatisfaction that comes with pursuing sinful desires, God provides an opportunity for them to recognize their need for Him.
Instead of just sending us to Hell to receive the punishment that every sin deserves… He mercifully and patiently allows us to experience some less severe consequences in hopes that we will change our ways, seek His forgiveness and live our lives the way that He originally intended.
Yes, sin is a major problem, it has consequences… but here’s the good news…

2.2 It can be Forgiven

Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 6… (Read vv.9-11)
Paul is emphasizing here the past lives and sins of the Corinthian Christians before they came to faith in Christ. It underscores the reality that many of them once lived in ways that were contrary to God's commands… … and so have we…
What Paul goes on to emphasize is the transformative power of the gospel… By saying "that is what some of you were," Paul emphasizes that their identity and way of life have fundamentally changed through the work of Christ… Their sins had been forgiven… and their way of life had changed.
This shows that this forgiveness is available to anyone who would asks for it… regardless of their past sins. But it is also a reminder that despite past sins, as followers of Christ we are now called to a new life of holiness and obedience to God.
So often people love to justify their sin or excuse their sin by saying something along the lines of “But God is a God of love and He loves us...”… Which is true, God does love us…
John 3:1616 For God so loved the world...
and people think that His ultimate act of love is tolerating their sin and looking the other way… But that is not what Scripture says…
For God so loved the world... that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Saved from what???… Their Sin!!!
God's ultimate act of love is not found in tolerating or ignoring our sin, but rather in His profound and sacrificial decision to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins…
This act of love is demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who bore the weight of our transgressions on the cross, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
And this forgiveness is only available to those who repent of their sins. This means that individuals must acknowledge their wrongdoing, feel genuine remorse, and turn away from their sinful behaviors. Repentance involves a heartfelt change of mind and attitude towards sin, accompanied by a commitment to live according to God's will. It is through this sincere act of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ that one can receive God's forgiveness, be cleansed from all unrighteousness, and enter into a renewed relationship with Him… … …
As we prepare ourselves to have conversations with people that are caught up in any sin, we need to know these fundamental Truths from Scripture… and we also need to have…
An Attitude of Grace:
We need to…

3. Follow Jesus’ Example

We don’t have time to turn to each of these examples this morning, but just a few that you can look up later…

3.1 The Woman at the Well - John 4

She was a Samaritan woman with a troubled past, having had five husbands and living with a man who was not her husband. Despite societal norms and prejudices, Jesus spoke with her, revealing her life's details and offering her "living water," symbolizing eternal life.
He showed her grace by acknowledging her worth, engaging in a meaningful conversation despite her social status and history, and offering her the opportunity for spiritual renewal and transformation.

3.2 Zacchaeus - Luke 19

He was a wealthy tax collector and was known for his dishonesty and extortion. When Jesus passed through Jericho, Zacchaeus, eager to see Him, climbed a sycamore tree because of his short stature. Jesus called him by name, invited Himself to Zacchaeus's house, and showed him grace by associating with a despised sinner.
This act of kindness led Zacchaeus to repent, promising to give half his possessions to the poor and repay those he had cheated, once again illustrating the transformative power of Jesus' grace and acceptance.

3.3 The Adulteress Woman - John 8

She was brought before Jesus by the Pharisees after being caught in the act of adultery. They intended to trap Jesus, asking if she should be stoned according to the Law of Moses. Jesus responded by saying, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." One by one, her accusers left.
Jesus, showed her mercy and grace, when He told her that He did not condemn her and instructed her to "go and sin no more." This highlights Jesus' compassion and forgiveness, as He extended grace and mercy instead of judgment, offering her a new chance to live a transformed life free from sin.
And if that is how Jesus responded to those blinded by sin… Then…

4. Our Response Should Be...

Very similar to His… which was…

4.1 Gracious

Responding with grace and compassion while remaining true to one's convictions can be challenging in situations like this… and so our response should be…

4.2 Prayerfully Considered

So often we want to respond with the very first reaction that comes to our mind… which may not be as gracious as it should be. There is always time, even if it is a 2 second request during an immediate conversation that you are having… but there is always time to ask God to give you wisdom to respond… and it is ok to stand silently and collect your thoughts…
James 1:19So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
Take your time and prayerfully consider your response.
One of the questions that I have been asked a few times is “should I go to a certain event for a friend or family member that is openly homosexual or claims to be transgender”… such as a wedding, a baby shower, or other things of that nature…
To answer that, I will refer to…
1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB95
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Can you attend this certain event and glorify God while you are there? I suppose that will be a response that will need to be prayerfully considered by each individual person…
Pastor, How do I graciously say I am unable to attend, if I feel that my attendance would not Glorify God??
That is a question that I recently had to answer… and I will give you a brief suggestion of how you could handle it…
- Begin by responding out of Love… by saying “I want you to know that I care deeply about you and value our relationship. I appreciate your invitation and the trust you've shown by including me in this significant moment of your life.”
- Respectfully share your personal convictions… “As a follower of Christ, my beliefs guide my actions and decisions. While I deeply respect your choices, attending this event would be difficult for me due to my personal convictions.
- You can offer an alternative time to get together… “While I can't attend the event itself, I would love to celebrate your happiness in another way. Perhaps we could get together for a meal or spend some time together soon?
And if they agree to that, guess what… you now have an opportunity to have a one on one conversation with this person for you to lovingly share the truth of Scripture.
- And it is here that you can emphasize your desire to still have an ongoing relationship with this person by letting them know… “that I'm here for you, and I pray for God's blessings in your life. I'm committed to our relationship and want to stay connected and supportive in ways that align with my relationship with Christ.
And then you have to be prepared for different reactions… they may respect your decision, or they may shun you completely… … Which is exactly what happened to those in the early Church. As soon as they accepted Christ and committed to live in a way that honored Him, they were cut off from their families, their jobs, and basically had to start all over…
Closing:
Navigating such situations requires a delicate balance of truth and grace. As followers of Jesus, we are called to respond with love, compassion, and a commitment to biblical truth.
We must stand on the Word of God even when those around us disagree with or challenge our beliefs. The Bible encourages us to be steadfast in our faith, even in the face of opposition or pressure to conform to societal norms. We are called to be faithful witnesses, showing grace and truth in our actions and words, trusting that God's wisdom and guidance will carry us through, until the day that He calls us home…
This has been just a brief overview of how to respond to some of the issues that we have been faced with from the LGBTQ movement… and I want you to know that Focus on the Family has many different free resources available, on their website, that deal with this topic and just about any other topic that you can think of. It has been a great help to me as different situations arise and I am sure that it can help you as well… …
Lets pray…
Prayer:
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