LQTBQ+ Q&A

Should Christians identify as gay or not? identity - We don’t gain who we are from our sexuality

We should not root our identity in my sexuality. My identity is rooted in who I am in Christ

The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality, it is holiness

What if the feelings never go away

Change is not the absence of temptation - but a trusting God in the midst of it.

1 Peter 1:16 ESV

16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Why is being gay bad if they love each other

Love - Unconditional love is not the same as unconditional approval of my behavior choices

1 Corinthians 13:6 ESV

6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Romans 1:24–27 ESV

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 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.

Are we interpreting the Bible wrong?

Inspiration - 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Was God ignorant? Should we change with the times? 2 Tim 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Is God against LGTBQ+ people?

No, he is against all sexual sin gay or straight. Or taking an identity that is against his plan or design. - All objectifying of another person is evil. There is a lot of heterosexual sin in the Bible.

Holy Sexuality - three aspects - Attractions, actions and identity

Romans 2:4 ESV

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Our biggest sin is not same sex attraction - It is Unbelief

This is not a psychological disorder - For all of us it is a matter of handling sin and sinful desire well.

Practical ways to stand strong in a world that tells you your views are wrong and racist or biased

Show yourself to be a good listener. Show yourself to be blameless. Be willing to engage in that conversation

How do you show love to LGBTQ+ while not agreeing with them?

Listen, ask good questions. Example of interaction with Brandon

How did it feel when people treated you that way?

Love - Unconditional love is not the same as unconditional approval of my behavior choices

1 Corinthians 13:6 ESV

6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

· Is the verse from Leviticus mistranslated about “man shall not lie with another man”? I am assuming they mean (Lev 18:22). 22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

· How do we approach gender/pronoun conversations with unbelievers?

· What do you do if you are called homophobic?

Are people born gay? Didn’t God make them that way? How can God ask us to not pursue something we were born with?

Psalm 51:5 ESV

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Genetics are fallen too. Example: Alcoholism 50% Biology does’t make something morally permissable.

Sin Nature is the cause of all of our sin both heterosexual and homosexual and nonsexual

Is temptation a sin?

It is not - Jesus was tempted in every way. But it can and does slide into sin quickly

We can’t toy with sin or it will get them.

Temptation is not a sin, but calling it no big deal

Flee from sexual immorality

There are holy and good desires and wrongly ordered desires, Lust and coveting -

Desire isn’t bad, but the goal and what we want to use them for matters, That is where desire becomes lust.

Leviticus 18:22–23 ESV

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. 23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion.

Marriage is not the cure for loneliness -

Anti-homosexual Outsiders 91% 80%

A Christian Response toHomosexualityDr. Christopher Yuanwww.christopheryuan.com1unChristianby David KinnamonPerceptions: ages 16 – 29OutsidersChurchJudgmental87%52%Hypocritical85%47%Old-fashioned78%36%Too involved with politics75%50%Out of touch with reality72%32%Insensitive to others70%29%Boring68%27%Not accepting of other faiths64%39%Confusing61%44%Anti-homosexual91%80%2I

Convicted

A.Gay sex is not the worst sin

B. Our sin is just as odious

II.Consistent

A.Regarding relationships

1.Singleness is a gift (1 Corinthians 7)

B.Regarding sexuality

1.Holy Sexuality

C.Regarding Change

1.Change is not the absence of temptations, but change is the ability to be holy even in the midst of temptation

III.Compassionate

A.Expect this is present here

B.Know your position

C.Assurance of friendship

D.Zero-tolerance on bullying, stop gay jokes

IV.Complete

A.Focus on Truth

1. 1 Cor 6:11

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV

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.

B.Be Redemptive

C.Christian with Homosexual Feelings

1.Thank them

2.Not alone

3.Identity in Christ

4.Be realistic

5.Don’t focus so much on externals

6.Deepen and strengthen bonds within the“spiritual family”

D.LGBT Friends

1.Do Not...

a.Compare to addiction, pedophilia, murder, etc.

b.Say “lifestyle” or “choice”

c.Say “Love the sinner hate the sin”

d.Debate (aka “defend the truth”). There’s a timefor truth when their heart is open.

2.Do...

a.Pray

b.Listen

c.Be Intentional

d.Be Patient and Persistent

e.Be Transparent