Romans #6: 1:26b-32 Excursus on Homosexuality

Romans #6: Excursus on Homosexuality Romans 1:26b-32 Introduction Remember where we are in the argument of Romans. I. SIN—RIGHTEOUSNESS DEMANDED—1:18–3:20 A. The Gentiles guilty—1:18–32 1. The Revealing of the Wrath of God (1:18) 2. The Reason for the Wrath of God (1:19-21) 3. The Results of the Wrath of God (1:22-32) B. The Jews guilty—2:1–3:8 C. The whole world guilty—3:9–20 Results of the Wrath of God (1:24-32) 1. Exchanging Glory (1:22-24) 2. (Ex)Changing Truth (1:25-26a) 3. (Ex)Changing Natural Use (1:26b-32) “Man’s greatest problem is idolatry.” Unseemly: It is an action that is against the standard of righteousness, thus bringing shame. Reprobate Mind: This is an undiscerning, worthless mind that does not approve what is right. ff ff List of Sins: Unrighteousness Unrighteousness: It seems that unrighteousness intentionally heads the list as representative of what follows. Fornication: Any form of sexual activity outside of the marital relationship. Wickedness: Evil Covetousness: Greediness, desiring more than what God’s given you Maliciousness: Mean, vicious, violent Full of envy: Jealousy, intolerance of another’s blessing Murder: Unjust taking of another human’s life Debate: Strife, contention Deceit: Tricking others, underhanded, falsehood Malignity: Related to malice, maliciousness, vicious, mean, violent spirit Whisperers: Gossip Backbiters: Slander, speak ill of others Haters of God: Despiteful: Violent, arrogant, lack of respect Proud: Haughty, pu ed up, high view of self Boasters: Bragger Inventors of evil things: Dreaming up additional ways to sin Disobedient to parents: Self-explanatory! Isn’t it interesting that Paul highlights this amongst such a serious list of sins? Without understanding: Foolish Covenantbreakers: Faithless Without natural a ection: Heartless, lack of care of others and their welfare Implacable: Irreconcilable, not a peacemaker Unmerciful: No compassion, ruthless Homosexuality Dialogue What is homosexuality? What is Same Sex Attraction? What is LGBTQ? L - Lesbian: G - Gay: B - Bisexual: T - Transgender: Q - Queer: What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Is homosexuality a sin? De ne Sin. ● Gen 1-2; 2:24; 4:1 ● Gen 19 ● Lev 18:22 ● Rom 1:26 ● 1 Tim 1:10 ● 1 Cor 6:9-11 9 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 sancti ed, you were justi ed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.1 Is there any way a homosexual can get into heaven while staying with their partner? Can a true Christian remain a homosexual? See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Does God still love people who identify as homosexual? Is homosexuality worse than any other sins? ● Rom 1-3 ● Rom 3:23 “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ● Rom 5:6-8 Even though we were sinners and rebels against God, God showed His love for us in that Christ died for us. ● John 3:16 Why do you think people do the right thing but then look at their own gender with lust? Can a genuine believer still struggle with SSA? Identity You are made in God’s image for His glory. You are loved by God, even though you sinned against Him. You are under God’s wrath without Christ. In Christ you are washed, sancti ed, justi ed. See Galatians 2:20. fi The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 6:9–11. fi fi fi fi 1