Marriage - Yes; Homosexuality - No
-Introduction
-At times, two or more lessons have a tendency to “merge” together.
-I don’t know how many times I have had individuals say (following a lesson),
“The topic of your lesson this morning (or last week) was very similar to what
we were studying in Bible class.”
-Often times it is by mere coincidence.
-This morning, it is intentional. This morning’s lesson will merge together with aspects
of our Wednesday evening, auditorium class (Peace, Be Still: Living a Quiet and
Peaceable Life by Mike Winkler) and our Sunday morning, auditorium class on
Ephesians.
-Therefore, this lesson - “Marriage - Yes, Homosexuality - No” will overlap
somewhat with both of those Bible classes.
-Here’s one of the reasons that I’m intentionally doing this: the website. I realized
that I don’t have a lesson on the website which specifically addresses this topic.
When we consider the direction that things are seemingly going in this country - with
the proper design of marriage being challenged and the homosexual agenda
promoted - I wanted to have this lesson available online.
-As I said this past Wednesday evening - marriage/family/home is a core, foundational
element of society. As the home goes, so goes the society. Therefore, it is important for
us to stand up for that which is right regarding marriage and the home. It is important
for us to realize the roles of husbands, wives, parents, children within the home and do
our best to fulfill those responsibilities. The impact - whether good or bad - is enormous.
-God’s Design of Marriage
-Gen 2:18, 21-24
-God established marriage in the very beginning with the first two people that ever
walked upon this planet.
-before sin entered the world, before there is a hint of God’s plan of redemption,
before a single prophecy regarding Jesus, etc. - This should reveal to us the vast
significance of proper marriage.
-Nothing has ever negated marriage. It’s been here since the beginning of time for all
people.
-All people are under God’s rules for marriage - whether they realize it or not - since
all have come since Adam and Eve.
-When the Law of Moses came, marriage was already there. The Law dealt with
marriage. But, it neither instituted it or removed it.
-When the Gospel came, marriage was already here. The Gospel deals with marriage.
Yet, it did not institute it nor did it remove it.
-Matt 19:4 - When Jesus was asked about marriage, He referred to the beginning.
-God designed marriage to be between man and woman. It designed it to be permanent -
‘til death do you part.
-Homosexuality
-Homosexuality is a deviant lifestyle. It deviates from God’s word - from that which is right.
-Rom. 1:20-28, 32; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; example of Sodom and Gomorrah (consider
our term sodomy) - Gen. 18 & 19
-all periods of time - Gospel, Law of Moses, Patriarchs - homosexuality is contrary
to the will of God
-Some/many have claimed that a homosexual is “made” that way.
-Yet, we know this invalid due to the fact that God is no respecter of persons
-Rom. 2:11 - He gives all an opportunity for salvation. If in fact He created some
as homosexuals and condemned them for it, God would be a respecter of persons.
-The human genome project (mapping of the human genetic code) was completed and
there was no announcement that a “gay gene” was discovered. There simply isn’t one.
-Homosexuality is something that can be changed, departed from, repented of - 1 Cor.
6:9-11.
-Taking a stand against homosexuality isn’t an issue of being homophobic. It’s a matter
of standing for that which true and right (John 17:17).
-I’m against murder. Does that make me a murderphobic?
-I stand and live in the fear (deep abiding awe and respect) of God. That’s what it is
about - Eccl. 12:13, Ps. 111:10, Heb. 12:28. This is what motivates me to do the
things that are right and avoid the things that are wrong.
-Again, it’s not a phobia toward mankind but a fear of the Almighty God.
-Proper Marriage = Happiness, Peace
-Mankind benefits from God’s design of marriage.
-As Mike Winkler stated (Peace, Be Still: Living a Quiet and Peaceable Life,
Winkler Publications, Inc., Tuscaloosa, AL, © 2005, pg 15): “The first purpose of
marriage is to provide companionship for both husband and wife...The second
purpose of marriage is for procreation...The third purpose of marriage is to prevent
immorality.” Within proper marriage is the only authorized place for a sexual
relationship - Heb. 13:4.
-God wants people to be happy and at peace. That’s why He has given us His design of
marriage. We need to abide within it and diligently work to fulfill our individual duties
as husband and wives - parents and children.
-Summary and Invitation
-Notice the ultimate example of marriage - Jesus and the church.
-Eph 5:22, 23, 24, 25
-In God’s design of marriage, we see His wisdom. In His design of the church, we see
His wisdom - Eph 3:9-11.
-Our marriages are to be patterned after the example of Jesus’ relationship with the
church. Jesus will never be unfaithful to us. Let’s not be unfaithful to Him. Let’s come
to Him by abiding by the word of God - Matt. 7:21.
-Don’t you want a relationship with the Lord? You enter that relationship with
obedience to the Gospel: believe (John 3:16, 8:24), confession of faith (Matt. 10:32,
Rom. 10:9-10), repentance from sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), baptism into Jesus for
the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
-We maintain that relationship by walking in newness of life (living faithfully) - Rom.
6:3-4, Eph. 4:22-24. We are not perfect, therefore we need continued forgiveness
which is available through the blood of Christ - 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24 - through
the avenue of acknowledging our wrongs, repenting and praying for forgiveness.