Posted on 01/17/2004 7:45:55 PM PST by Dubya
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (BP)--I received an e-mail from a member of our community about a sermon I had preached concerning homosexuality. "Why do you feel you can speak with such authority on this subject when Jesus is quoted not one single time on the topic of homosexuality?" he asked.
If you are a connoisseur of the cable news channels, you probably heard the same question posed to those who opposed the election of a homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church last year or Massachusetts' supreme court declaring that "marriage" rights must be extended to homosexuals.
"If Jesus had nothing to say against homosexuality," they say, "why should we?" That argument is seriously flawed in several ways.
First, it assumes that Jesus' words are more authoritative than the rest of Scripture -- something the Bible itself never claims. When New Testament passages that condemn homosexual conduct such as Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10 are cited, the typical response is, "Well, those are just the writings of the Apostle Paul." But even the Apostle Peter (who had his own share of disagreements with Paul) recognized Paul's words as authoritative and called them "scripture" (2 Peter 3:16). Since that time, Christians have historically recognized all of the Bible as equally authoritative.
But even more significant is the fact that Jesus clearly did address the issue of homosexual "marriage." In a "Q&A" with the Pharisees about marriage and divorce, Jesus reaffirmed God's design for marriage as first expressed in the opening chapters of Genesis. "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made the male and female, and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:4-5).
In these two brief verses Jesus affirmed that God intended for sex to be practiced within the bounds of a heterosexual ("male and female") marriage ("shall cleave to his wife" not "his significant other").
Jesus never directly addressed the issue of bestiality, incest, pedophilia, necrophilia or any other sexual aberration. He didn't need to. By upholding God's original plan for human sexuality, He automatically condemned any deviation from that standard. We should not need a constitutional amendment to tell us what God has said from the beginning: Marriage is for a man and a woman. Period. I realize it is trite, but it is nevertheless true: The first couple God placed in the Garden was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
The reason God's guidelines for marriage are preserved in Scripture are not for His benefit, but for ours. For example, suppose you purchase a new television set and read in the owner's manual that you should use only a 120-volt outlet. "The manufacturer is being too narrow-minded," you complain. "The set belongs to me, and if I want to use a 220-volt outlet, that's my business." Obviously, the manufacturer gave those instructions for your benefit. He wired the set and knows under what conditions it operates best.
Instead of pounding our pulpits in fury and spewing venomous denunciations about homosexuals, we who believe in the authority of Scripture should remind people that the Bible is God's "owner's manual" for all areas of life, including sexuality. God's commands were given for our well-being. Since He wired us, He knows that the optimum place for sex to be enjoyed is within the boundaries of a heterosexual, married relationship.
What would Jesus say about homosexual marriages? The same thing He would say about adultery and premarital sex. "Go back and read the Owner's manual ... then have a good time." --30-- Robert Jeffress is pastor of First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is the author of thirteen books including the upcoming "Hell? Yes!"
Im detailing the folly in your comment. You seem to think the sin of homosexuality is more of a sin than your everyday lie when the Bible details that no sin is worse than another. It seems to me you probably should set down those rocks you are throwing...
I use a "red letter" Bible, and it has never blurred the fact that all of it is God's Word.
Why? Since you already sent me into the lake of fire along with the homosexuals, a few rocks won't make a lot of difference.
Apparently I have to spell it out for you since my previous comments have gone flying over your head.
Your comments regarding Christian homosexuals going to hell regardless of their belief in Christ is hypocritical. Unless you can claim perfection in the eyes of God, you cannot condemn anyone to hell. Either can I. My post was using your own words towards you. It obviously offended you as it should so what gives you the right to condemn them?
Homosexual's sins are as much a sin on Gods eyes as your sins you commit. So why do you think you are so much better in God's eyes?
Hey! Don't get pissed at me. I didn't say it God did. Talk to him about it or would you rather I sent you a razor blade so you can remove everything you don't like out of the bible? And as for...why do you think you are so much better in God's eyes? Ans: because I am!
I never got "pissed" at you. Im only responding to your holier than thou attitude towards homosexuals. I never doubted the Bible says what it says.
Ans: because I am!
Oh really? Your elitism dovetails nicely with the Pharisee.
phar·i·see ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() n.
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You still don't get it...HELLOOOO! God said it, not me. Why don't you go find out what God said about Homosexuals and then come back.
So standing on a rock and saying "God says you are gonna burn in hell for sinning!" will win them over and turn m from the sin of homosexuality? Get real. Try to work in a more productive and positive way for God...I think He will appreciate the souls you won over for him rather than turning potential souls away from him thanks to your negative fear mongering. They know the Bible says its a sin... Hardly anyone homosexuals dont know this fact.
Your method is judgement which is not your job. Jesus befriended sinners. He loved them as God's children and convinced them to turn from their sins. You could try the Jesus method sometime, not the Pharisee method.
It is an atrocity that this is happening. We should never stop being a voice however it is written that we will become the picked on minority more than we already are. We cannot stop this and its frightening that it will get worse. The one thing we should never do is forget Jesus' message to those who dont know the Word. We will win in the end.
It may in a Darwin way of thinking but militant Homosexuals are working overtime to convince newbies.
Aren't you guilty of just that with me...calling me an Pharisee.. A hypocritically self-righteous person. SHAME on you! Are you a Christian?
Not at all. Im not condemning you to hell like you are to homosexuals. Im giving you an opinion on poor witnessing technique. Calling you a Pharisee must hurt you but compare your comments with theirs and get back to me.
Matthew 9:Im merely trying to indicate your condemnation of homosexuals doesnt fit with Jesus' way. Jesus was dealing with the sinners in a constructive way to build his Fathers kingdom. Not preventing them access by condemnation.
10 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 9:11 And when the pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners? 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.
By the way, you can't shame me when I know I am right. I still love you as a Christian. I just think you are approaching the topic of homosexuals all wrong. No, they shouldn't be in Christian leadership, no they shouldn't be considered on the same level when two marry as hetero couples...but they are people with souls with potential to live forever with God if they are given some guidance and they accept Christs sacrifice...
Am I wrong or do you think their lifestyle will spread to you like leprosy so you reject them without effort?
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