Homosexuality – How Then Shall We Respond?

If public opinion is sluggish, inconvenient minorities will be persecuted, even if laws exist to protect them – George Orwell

You have been given the choice between war and dishonor. You have chosen dishonor – now you will have both! – Winston Churchill

Well them is fightin’ words! Durn tootin.’ Adventure Christian Church is exploring all kinds of fightin’ words these days. Words that need thorough examination. Postmodernism would deny this. Postmodernism, political correctness, celebrate diversity, and moral relativism are key catch phrases of American, if fact Western culture these days. Some are familiar to different readers, and some aren’t. Their common denominator is they are all Public Enemy Number One to a healthy and conscience society. Moral relativism is postmodern philosophy embodied – “Your criticism (read “intolerance”) of my sin is worse then sin itself.” For a philosophy that teaches truth is what matters to you or there are different truths for different people, that’s an incredibly intolerant attitude – “Don’t you dare disagree with me!” However, the primary tenet of postmodern faith is power, those that have it and those who don’t and how they can get it. The duty of the state then is to pass power to those who don’t have it. What that says about tyranny is for another post. Basically, history says, “Been there, done that, a lot of blood spilled in the process.”

What does this have to do with homosexuality? Everything anymore according to Joe Dallas this morning at Adventure. Joe Dallas is associated with that “intolerant” Christian organization – “Focus on the Family.” You know, the one with that religious Nazi, Dr. James Dobson? Christians have been muted by the Gay Rights Movement for fear of being branded “intolerant” or guilty of “hate crimes.” Granted, some Christians who conveniently forget about their own sin, have contributed to this through poorly chosen words – "Sorry son, this church has no room for fags.” Shocking wasn’t that? Don’t be shocked, the church a few decades ago was best at alienating people. Essentially the Church got lazy about sin, especially its own, and as a result did stupid things allowing the Dark One some huge victories in the process. Should I apply some earthly measure of sin to claim I’m not as bad as you? From a secular standpoint, that’s a fallacy in that I would commit an act of a philosophy (postmodernism) that I despise - my “sin” works for me, so don’t criticize it, if you do, you’re evil. Biblically, that’s a waaayyy false teaching. God hates all sin equally, because it all separates us from Him. Whether I lust after women joggers along the road or you lust after men – makes no difference. It all drives a dark wedge between us and the One that loves us so much, …. He sent His only Son as a final burnt offering for that sin.

To protect our culture, our society, our government, our very life and well being, we can’t be silent any longer. Through our choosing of dishonor, we’ve been thrusted into a fight for our very survival. Our opinion has been sluggish, so now we are persecuted. So how then shall we respond? By taking up arms? “Verbal” arms is what got us to where we are. Some months ago, I posted on the very public spat between Alan Keyes and his daughter who came out of the closet. I wrote that Mr. Keyes, and us, should pray for Jesus to put a crowbar in his arms and pry them apart into a position of a loving embrace. I pray that now for all of us on this Hot Topic. Below are the sermon notes and some quotations from Mr. Dallas' message:

“Homosexuality – How Then Should We Respond?
- Joe Dallas

I It is impossible to take a position on homosexuality without being controversial.

A. “Controversy for its own sake is a sin, but controversy for the sake of truth is a divine mandate.” – Dr. Walter Martin

B. Even when controversial, we must be Christ-like.

C. “We are His workmanship” (his poema). Ephesians 2:10

D. An effective response will include Repentance and Recommitment

II The Church must repent of whatever immorality exists in Her own ranks, and recommit to Biblical standards of holiness.

A. Compromised Holiness means compromised impact.

B. Christians fail to transform the culture because they are neither grieved nor humbled by their own sins – George Barna

C. It is always easier to fight for our principles than it is to live up to them – Alfred Alder OUCH! That hits a little close to home.

D. Biblical Standards of holiness include Honesty and Accountability.

E. “Exhort one another daily, while it is still called today, lest any of you be hardened in your hearts through the deceitfulness of sin” – Hebrews 3:13 “Why is it that people will be more open and honest with their bartender then most anyone else, including Christians? Why can’t the Body of Christ be more like a bar? Well… in some ways!”

F. How, then should we respond? First, by being Consistent. Consistent in committing our lives to Biblical standards. Through consistent commitment, questions never arise to one’s integrity.

III The Church Must Repent of Hostility Towards Homosexuals and Recommit to Bold Love.

A. Righteous anger Corrects a problem. “Be angry and sin not” –Ephesians 4:26 Do we have a right to be angry that our culture is under attack by the Dark One? Absolutely!!

B. Wrath/hostility Aggravates the problem. “For the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.” –James 1:20 Do we have a right to attack others over their sin(s)? Absolutely NOT!

C. Hostility shows itself in the “Jonah Syndrome.” Jonah was much more interested in the condemnation of the Ninevites than their salvation. He avoided God’s order to him to warn them God was displeased with them. He even grabbed himself a front row seat to watch the barbeque after prophesizing that Nineveh would be destroyed. Jonah was upset with God after the Ninevites repented and God showed mercy on them.

D. Bold love seeks to Serve without Compromise. We’re all sinners. I don’t condone yours anymore then I condone my own. But Jesus wants us all to know Him and know His forgiveness. We are here to spread that Good News to all of humanity, but remember it’s His news not ours.

E. How then should we respond? By being Compassionate.

IV. The Church must repent of being intimidated by the gay rights movement, and recommit to Her assigned role.

A. “The Church must be reminded that it is neither the master of the state nor the servant of the state. Rather, it is the conscience of the state.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A state without a conscience will allow all sorts of abominations on its people. History is rife with examples. Those with power will execute those abominations on those without power.

B. The gay rights movement has a two-fold agenda: the Normalization of homosexuality, and the Silencing of opposing viewpoints. The Silencing part is the most chilling. Canada has passed legislation regarding so-called “hate crimes.” Is teaching on the laws handed down in Leviticus (including laws against homosexuality, bestiality, and other sins such as murder, theft, etc.) a “hate crime?” That hasn’t been tested in Canada – yet. What does this say about Canada as a ” state with a conscience?”

C. “If large numbers of people believe in freedom of speech, there will be freedom of speech, even if the law forbids it. But if public opinion is sluggish, inconvenient minorities will be persecuted, even if the laws exist to protect them.” –George Orwell Are you a member of the so-called “Religious Right?” Who is this “fringe” element anyway? Why are you afraid of being painted as a member of the Religious Right? Or are you just an inconvenient minority anymore?

D. “You have been given the choice between war and dishonor. You have chosen dishonor – now you shall have both!” –Winston Churchill Prophetic words by Mr. Churchill to the Chamberlain government regarding its timid response to Hitler’s aggression. How are we to respond to Satan’s aggression against our culture? Let’s choose honor.

E. How then shall we respond? By being Courageous! Not easy, but absolutely necessary if our society is to survive.