The Life of Abraham: The Sin of Sodom

Genesis 18-19 The Sin of Sodom Introduction: 1. Why Did God Destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? a. Historically, Theologians and Bible teachers have pointed to the militant homosexuality as one of the chief reasons for the destruction of these cities. i. What do I mean by Militant Homosexuality? 1. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” Genesis 19:4-5 b. More recently we’ve seen the emergence in the church world of an attempt to downplay the sinfulness of homosexual behavior. There are now homosexual evangelical churches throughout the globe and many pastors have recently come out claiming that they have been homosexuals all along and have simply suppressed these truths. Along with this there has arisen what has been called the “gay” apologetic. The “gay” apologists’ argue against the historical view and deny that the Bible condemns homosexuality. i. Let’s look at some of their arguments and see if they hold up in the light of scripture. The “gay” apologist says- 1. Sodom was not destroyed because of homosexuality, but rather because of pride, prosperity and neglect of the poor. a. For proof they often cite Ezekiel 16:49. i. “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” ii. But the next verse Ezekiel 16:50 says, “They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” iii. To understand what is being talked here, what exactly is being condemned, we need to know what is being referred to by the term “abomination” 1. Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” 2. Leviticus 20:13 “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. a. Under the list of abominations in Leviticus we also find incest, and bestiality. 3. 2 Peter 2:6-10 “if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. 4. Jude 1:7 “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” a. In these verses the the terms abomination, defiling passion and sexual immorality/unnatural desire refer to homosexual activity. b. Others have said that Sodom was destroyed for their inhospitality.... I think we can safely say that if that was the case God overreacted a bit to say the least. 2. The Bible does not use the word “homosexual or homosexuality”, therefore, it is incorrect to say homosexuality is a sin. a. Even if the original language doesn’t use the term homosexual or homosexuality there is no doubt that this is what is being described. i. Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” ii. Romans 1:26-27 “God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. iii. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “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. iv. It’s true that in the original language Paul doesn’t use the word homosexual or homosexuality here. Paul uses the word Catamite for homosexual. A catamite was a boy kept for Homosexual practices. Paul also uses the term Sodomite. A sodomite has always referred to homosexual practice. Sodomy by definition is: Sexual intercourse by anal or oral copulation. v. Even if the term homosexual or homosexuality isn’t used in the original language you would have to be delusional to not understand that this is what is being described and being condemned in Paul’s teaching. 3. Jesus never condemned homosexuality. a. True, he never addressed it directly for there was no need to among the Jews to whom he ministered. It was not practiced by the Jews and it was already condemned in their Law. b. Jesus indirectly addressed it when he affirmed the perpetually binding nature of the law. Not one jot or tittle will pass from the law till all is fulfilled. c. Jesus also indirectly addresses it when referring to heterosexual marriage as being God’s ideal for mankind. 4. The Biblical writers were ignorant of certain scientific facts therefore their views on homosexuality cannot be taken seriously today a. To make this claim or believe this you would also have to deny the divine inspiration of Scripture. And in the end this is exactly what the “gay” apologist does. 2. Addressing Homosexuality a. Why is Homosexuality a sin? i. The scripture teaches that Homosexuality is sin and it is wrong because it is contrary to God’s purpose. - Following our own desires over God’s ordained creation structures. That’s a pretty good definition of sin right there. 1. Many times in reference to homosexuality the phrase “against nature” or “unnatural” is used. This means that it is against God’s original design in creation. ii. Homosexuality is also biblically wrong because it treats a person’s biological sex as only half of what it is. While the logic of a heterosexual bond is that of bringing together the two different and complimentary sexual halves into a sexual whole, the logic of homosexual bond is that another person of the same sex complements, and fills what is lacking in, that same sex, implying that each person is only half his or her sex. The logic of sexual intercourse requires a sexual complement, and thus a same sex bond is a self-devaluing of one’s own gender. 1. Not only that but according to the Bible all sex outside of heterosexual marriage is a sin. Marriage between one man and one woman is the biblical context for sexual intimacy. b. Are people born homosexual? i. There is certainly no indication in Scripture that this is the case. As a matter of fact, the over all picture given us in Scripture would necessitate an emphatic NO to that question. 1. Nor is there any scientific evidence to support that claim. “Born Gay” is part of the mythology that undergirds the militant homosexual agenda. 2. “If God created people homosexual then homosexuality would necessarily be a good thing. But the Scriptures are clear that it is not a good thing but an abominable thing. If God created people homosexual then He created them to sin. Yet we know that God did not create man to sin, but to be holy as He is holy.” a. The whole idea runs completely contrary to the teaching of Scripture. 3. But there can be certain hereditary factors that give people a greater likelihood of developing all sorts of different behavior patterns (such as frequent wrongful anger, violence, adultery, alcoholism and so forth), and it would not be surprising to find that some people, from certain hereditary backgrounds, have a greater likelihood of developing homosexual desires and conduct. a. But this is far different than proving that some people are genetically incapable of making any other choice than to entertain homosexual desires and engage in homosexual conduct. c. Can a homosexual change? i. Yes, through Christ absolutely! That is the message of the Gospel: that human nature can change by the radical resurrection power of God! (Not to say that there won’t be thoughts, feelings and temptations peculiar to that sin.) d. Can a homosexual change apart from Christ? Not necessarily. i. A person who turns away from a homosexual lifestyle and becomes a Christian should never refer to themselves as homosexual. The Bible only uses the term to describe behavior. e. We should neither maximize nor minimize the sin of homosexuality. i. We should never give the impression that homosexuality is the unpardonable sin. 1. Luke 13:1-5 “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 1. Matthew 11:20-24 “Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” ii. We should never give the impression that homosexuality is anything less than wickedness. We should never downplay any sin but always see it for what it is - destructive and a radical offense to a Holy Almighty God. 1. There are many “Christians” who are affirming individuals in their homosexual lifestyle. If we are going to affirm people in this sin than we ought to affirm all sin, “oh your cheating on your wife? How can I encourage you in this identity that you’ve chosen?” a. God is going to judge all sexual immorality - that is any sex outside of heterosexual marriage. Conclusion: The church should always act with love and compassion toward homosexuals, yet never affirm homosexual conduct as morally right. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers the “good news” of forgiveness of sins and real hope for a transformed life to homosexuals as well as to all sinners. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “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, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.