Discuss Homosexuality. I. MOVE TOWARD ACCEPTANCE. Intro: Homosexuals make up only about 3% of the population in the U.S., yet they have been far more successful than any other special interest group in persuading some politicians as well as some denominations into openly supporting their lifestyle. 1. In a Washington, D.C. Sex Education Workshop (1981) "Children from the sixth grade on must accept homosexuality as normal." "Parents who quote Scripture against homosexuality are irrational, their minds are perverted." These type of statements are typical of the homosexual agenda or way of thinking in order to establish homosexual behavior as a normal expression of human sexuality and to make non-homosexuals believe that homosexuality is a legitimate alternative lifestyle. 2. While campaigning for presidency, Walter Mondale said, "We are including and recruiting openly gay and lesbian candidates for our staff" (Human Events, Feb.25, 1984). "If I'm elected president I will issue an Executive Order banning discrimination against them: I will support the Gay Rights Bill; I will push for changes in the immigration laws to allow homosexuals to enter the USA." 3. Geraldine Ferraro said, "We must have legislation that would stop the military from discharging people because they are homosexual" (San Jose Mercury, July 14, 1984). 4. Gay Rights groups gained tax-exempt status under the Carter-Mondale administration. ("We espouse a philosophy just like the churches and schools" was the argument used to gain this status). 5. According to IRS Records, by 1983 there were 330 homosexual churches in 47 states. (Above statistics taken from "Homosexuality/Lesbianism", Today March 1985) 6. Homosexuality is not a new problem. 14 out of the first 15 Roman emperors were homosexuals. II. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? O.T. SCRIPTURE: 1. Gen. 19:5 2. Forbidden in Lev. 18:22; Called for the death penalty Lev. 20:13: "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." 3. Deut. 23:17. N.T. SCRIPTURE: 1. Rom. 1:26-32. Note emphasis in the context: all of what is described is the result of departure from God! a. v.26: against nature (para phusin); vile passion (degrading; passions of dishonor). b. v. 27: men working unseemliness: indecent act, shameless act.; error. 1) "Receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due." This can so vividly be seen, among many diseases, in the AIDS epidemic. c. v. 28 "reprobate mind" (Vine: a mind of which God cannot approve, and which must be rejected by him). NAS: "depraved mind." To do those things which are not fitting. d. "Worthy of death." 2. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 a. Effeminate (malakos: Thayer-effeminate. of a catamite, a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness). b. abusers of themselves with mankind. c. "Be not deceived" Do not be led astray by plausible talk to cover up sin and change it into something respectable and acceptable. 3. 1 Tim. 1:10: For abusers of themselves with men. 4. Homosexuality is fornication Jude 7 III. HOMOSEXUAL RIGHTS A. Right to hear the Gospel. 1 Cor. 6:9-11. B. The Right to know that God does not regard homosexuality or lesbianism as an alternative life style Heb. 13:4. Rom. 1:24 Dishonor their own bodies. C. Have the right to know that this kind of conduct is sin. NKJV: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10). D. Have the right to know that they will suffer in their own bodies and personalities the consequences of this sin (Rom. 1:26- 27: James Moffatt Translation: ...".men perpetrating shameless acts with their own sex and getting in their own persons the due recompence of their perversity. E. Have the right to know that God calls them dogs (Deut. 23:17-18; Rev.22:15). F. Have the right to know that their companions have a right from God to put them away for this sin Matt.19:9; Jude 7. G. Have the right to know that they were not born homosexuals. It is a learned behavior. It is a choice that the individual makes out of ignorance of, or defiance of, Biblical authority. (Source of "Rights"-Donald Townsley) CONCLU: Homosexuality is a sin. Like other sins, it condemns the soul. God wants the homosexual to turn from his sin, in obedience to the Gospel, before it is eternally too late.