May 7, 2023

YOU ASKED FOR IT: FINDING MY IDENTITY

May 07, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

As we continue our current series, “You Asked For It,” today we will hear what the Bible has to say regarding the LGBTQ issue, and how Christians are to respond. It’s very easy to have a reaction that is not honoring to God when faced with something or someone that we do not agree with but that is not the right thing to do. Jesus gave us two commandments upon which “hang all the Law and the Prophets”: love God and love people. Loving God—who is perfect in every way—is easy. People? Sometimes not so much. That’s when we reach for Phil. 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” With prayer to Him for help in loving others, all things are possible.

Focal Passages: Gen. 1:27-28a, 2:24-25, ch 19; Lev. chs 18, 20; Deut. 22:5; Psalm 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Matt. 19:3-9; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. chs 6, 11; Gal. 5:16-21; Eph. 2:10, 4:14-15; 1 Tim 1:15.

Why does the LGBTQ issue seem to be the topic of every conversation these days?

  • Read 2 Tim. 3:1-5. How does this passage seem to apply to the world today? Which of these phrases or words is the one that is the biggest trigger for the rest?
  • Read Rom. 1:18-21. What has to happen to the Bible in order to justify the movements of sexual immorality that exist today? What are some of the rules or laws that have evolved through the confusion of God’s principles?
  • What are some differences between the children from the 1940’s to 1970’s, and the child being raised today? Why might those differences make this such a hot topic now, compared to fifty years ago, or fifty years from now?

What does the Bible say regarding this issue?

  • Read Gen. 1:27-28a. What did God mean exactly when He said He made man in His image? What is the difference between “man” in the first use, and “male” when it is used with female? In order to believe the Bible did not say that the sex of mankind is limited to two, what has to happen to the Scripture?
  • Read Gen. 2:24-25. Why (logically) would God have made all animals, birds, sea creatures, etc., with a male and female, but do it differently with mankind (He wouldn’t have!)? What were His instructions to Adam and Eve? Under God’s design, could two males or two females “multiply” in the normal manner of bearing offspring? At what point in adoption, procreation, or multiplying does there have to be two sexes?
  • Read Matt. 19:3-9. In reinforcing God’s original laws (made in Genesis), why did Jesus use the same Biblical principles concerning marriage to apply to NT times?

How does LGBTQ behavior go against God’s design?

  • Read Gal. 5:16-21. What are some of the works of the flesh that Paul lists?
  • What type of internal war do these behaviors cause? How do the behaviors of the LGBTQ community disrupt and upend God’s desire and design for marriages? What is the final end that God says will be the inheritance of those who practice such things?
  • What is meant by social contagion? If this phrase is true—that a person tends to mimic persons or behaviors they are exposed to—what are some of the most serious ones that you or your children are going to pick up, and from where?

What is the Christian’s response?

  • Read Eph. 4:14-15. How can we love someone who is involved in sexual immorality, yet “speak the truth in love”? What does that mean to you?
  • Read 1 Tim. 1:15. Before you were saved, were you worthy of being loved by God? How can you see others as some might have seen you before salvation?
  • What do we mean by “no compromise” in a world where compromise seems to be the byword for everyone’s behavior? What is the best way to stand firm?

What do I do if a loved one is walking this path?

  • Read Matt. 22:36-40. How can you continue to show your love for him/her, yet not affirm their behavior? What are some of the “don’ts” the Bible says about a fellow believer living a lifestyle of sexual immorality?
  • What are some steps you can take if you are so angry that you are finding it hard love them?

What do I do if I am questioning my own identity?

  • Read Eph. 2:10 and Jer. 1:5. Did you do anything to control your birth? If God created you, did He have something special planned for you?
  • Read Psa. 139:13-16. Pick out the amazing parts of this passage that God uses to tell you how special you are. Does it make a difference to you that God created you with love?

Close:

The bottom line is, you are created in the image of God, and God does not make mistakes! You are perfect in your created form, with the hair color, eyes, body make-up, and gender that God desired. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that when He made you, He had thoughts toward you of peace and not of evil, and wanted to give you hope and a future! He promises that you will be able to seek Him and find Him if you seek Him with all of your heart. If you could just grasp how much He loves you and wants to give you “fullness of joy,” you would probably see yourself as loved so greatly by God that you stand amazed! Satan will do everything he can to destroy the truth the Jesus loves you. Don’t let him.

 

By Sandy Day

May 07, 2023

 

 

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