The Sexual Tsunami & LGBTQ Agenda
Cultural Drift & Christian Response • Sermon • Submitted
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2 weeks ago we confronted an unpleasant issue - The Abomination of Abortion. Abortion is 1 of the 2 catastrophic consequences of the sexual tsunami that has overflowed the banks of our culture’s crumbling moral levees. The 2nd consequence is the LGBTQ Agenda.
Today we discover how Christians should KNOW, LIVE, and SPEAK the truth while extending God’s grace, to those being swept away by the Sexual Tsunami & the LGBTQ Agenda.
First, one must remember that GOD INVENTED sex - a gift intended for marriage between 1 man and 1 woman for 1 lifetime. A gift that offers pleasure, protection, and procreation - making babies. Sex should stay within marriage - the way God intended it, since God invented it.
And if American culture would have kept sex in the marriage bed as God commands, there would have been no Sexual Tsunami pushing legalized abortion.
So too, if sex - which God intended for marriage between 1 man and 1 woman for 1 lifetime - was honored as the norm, then we wouldn’t be experiencing the consequences of the LGBTQ Agenda
We will talk about that in a moment. But first, Christians need to take a look in the mirror and deal with our own sinful habits. Peter, the dear disciple of Jesus wrote these words:
1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
Paul also writes
Romans 2:1–2 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth.
See the PROBLEM? Judging others while doing the same things - that’s hypocrisy.
Romans 2:3-4 Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Now Paul nor Jesus tell us to NEVER judge. In fact God wants us to judge righteously. What’s THAT mean?
Contrary to how most people only read 1 verse - Matthew 7:1,
Jesus tells His followers they should judge others with mercy and without hypocrisy (see Matthew 7:1-6). Those who have EXPEIENCED mercy should EXTNED mercy. Those who have been forgiven for wickedness, shouldn’t continue to live in it. But Christians often we do the opposite of what Jesus said. That is...
We judge WITHOUT mercy - that is - without the kindness & patience God has extended to us.
We judge WITH hypocrisy - that is - we tell others to turn from sin while we continue to live in sin.
For followers of Jesus, this should NOT be so. Sadly, many who claim to follow Jesus also live in sexual sin. "Christian” folks who are dating are often sexually involved with each other. I can’t tell you how many couples I have met with about weddings are living together before marriage. In fact, couples who aren’t living together before marriage seem to be the minority.
Further, it’s possible that some of US are living in sexual sin right now. I know many of us HAVE LIVED in sexual sin in the past. Can God forgive that? YES!
Thankfully, God forgives those who TURN from their sin - and that includes sexual sin - heterosexual or homosexual sin. And God’s kindness, shown by his provision and patience - is intended to lead us to repentance - to TURN from sin. As we have said before, we should be 1 beggar telling another beggar where to find the BREAD.
So, let’s do a little work to demonstrate what the Scriptures teach - that sexual intimacy is intended for 1 man and 1 woman in the lifelong relationship of marriage. Jesus makes this clear when He says:
Matthew 19:4–6 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
What do we learn from what Jesus taught?
Jesus believed the Scriptures. Jesus quotes from the writing we call Genesis. Of course it makes sense that Jesus believes the Scriptures, because He is God - who AUTHORED the Scriptures through His creation.
God made them male and female. Outside of deformity, there are only 2 genders - male and female. Like it or not, those who follow the teachings of Jesus cannot find Jesus making any allowance for transgender claims - a biological male claiming to be female, or a biological female claiming to be a male. (The Scriptures speak against men and women dressing alike - Deut 22:5)
God invented sexual intimacy for marriage between male and female. The male and female will become one flesh. That’s Bible code for SEX. Sex was an expression of love that was to be saved for marriage alone. And marriage, according to Jesus, is recognized as a man being joined to his wife (female). Any sexual activity outside of that relationship is sinful.
Marriage was intended to last a lifetime, as Jesus says, what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Sex is God’s invention for the marriage relationship - for pleasure, protection, and pro-creation. So, we should
BIG TRUTH: Honor what God invented for what God intended.
Fire in the fireplace is a good thing. It heats the home and brings comfort. But the same fire moved out of the fireplace and moved into the living room will destroy a home.
This is the plain teaching throughout the Scriptures.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Further, Jesus said that sexual sin wasn’t just committed with the BODY, but with the MIND.
Matthew 5:27–28 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If you are struggling with the sin of lust, I’ll give you some practical steps to help you in a moment. But first, let’s recognize that - according to Jesus and His 1st followers, sexual thoughts and actions outside of the marriage relationship are sinful to our Holy God, and WILL BE JUDGED by Him.
If you aren’t yet a follower of Jesus, you might not be aware that sex outside a marriage is a sin God will judge you for too.
Those who claim Jesus should agree with Jesus and...
BIG TRUTH: Honor what God invented for what God intended.
Yet somehow, many who claim to follow Jesus have discounted the sinfulness of sex before marriage among heterosexual couples.
The next step on this slippery slope was to deny the sin of sexual activity with the same biological gender, and that is exactly what has occured, as many side with the LGBTQ community declaring that “love is love” and same-sex attractions are normal & healthy.
Just in case you’re not familiar with what these letters represent...
L = Lesbian; G = Gay; B=Bisexual; T=Transgender; Q = Queer/Questioning. The “+” sign is typically included, in case there are other letters that need to be added in the future.
These people ARE made in the image of God. They matter to Him. God offers forgiveness to the person in homosexual sin just like He offers forgiveness to the person in heterosexual sin - when WE (all of us) turn from our sin. But if we DON’T turn from our sin - we will be judged guilty.
And that’s just the PROBLEM. The leaders of the LGBTQ community don’t believe the homosexual activity IS sinful.
That’s why leaders and those who affirm the LGBTQ agenda want to make sure others don’t say their sexual activity is sinful.
Here’s a quick history lesson of where we got to where we’re at.
At first, the LGBTQ community wanted everyone to acknowledge their ‘rights’ to love whoever they wanted to. After all, you can’t tell someone what they can/cannot do in their bedroom. Many in our country became calloused to the scenes of homosexual couples on TV shows and in movies.
Then came the scenes with this couples kissing. Over time, those who were appalled at these images were slowly desensitized. Those who used to change the channel when they saw these things, allowed it to stay on their screens.
Then LGBTQ leaders began the push that everyone applaud the homosexual lifestyle and and those who refused got labeled as a ‘homophobe’. TOLERANCE was redefined from 1) valuing the person without agreeing with their opinion to meaning 2) You must agree with the opinion in order to value the person.
And now, the LGBTQ leaders expect others to submit to their demands. One must honor homosexual marriages just like you honor heterosexual marriages. In addition, one must also recognize a growing number of genders - not just 2 (male/female). Further, those who deny transgender claims - that a biological male is actually a female (and vice versa) are judgmental bigots.
It leads to others being forced to call a biological male SHE instead of he (and vice versa).
It leads to biological males being able to enter the womens’ restroom (and vice versa).
This leads to biological males who claim to be females competing against biological females. Case in point:
CeCe Telfer The article reads: “Before the night was done, Telfer would beat her closest competitor by a second and a half, and then heft a trophy high above her head, to begin her reign as 2019 Division II national champion in the 400m.” - Um that’s because “she” is a HE. Back in the day we might call this “dress up”. These are biological men pretending to be women. [https://www.outsports.com/2019/6/3/18649927/ncaa-track-champion-cece-telfer-transgender-athlete-fpu-trans-testosterone]
And then there’s ‘Laurel’ Hubbard, part of a New Zealand Olympic team. He used to compete in Men’s weightlifting before ‘transitioning’ in 'her’ 30s. - here HE won 2 Gold and 1 Silver at the Pacific Games - against women. [https://savewomenssports.com/laurel-hubbard]
By the way, Joe Biden plans to pass The Equality Act within his 1st 100 days as president, which “would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, and national origin, to include sexual identity and gender identity.” This would lead to ‘Transgenders’ in opposite biological bathrooms and competing against the opposite biological gender. This will likely mean that a business could must hire and not fire a person who is biologically one gender yet claims to be another. [https://www.nationalreview.com/news/biden-vows-to-pass-equality-act-in-first-100-days/]
How could our nation get to such a place?
It’s simple. The further we drift away from GOD, the further we drift from GOOD. This is nothing new. It’s been happening for centuries. Look what the apostle Paul writes to the the Romans.
Romans 1:21–23 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
Romans 1:24–25 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
John MacArthur writes: “When man abandons the Author of nature, he will inevitably abandon the order of nature.”
And we are watching that happen right in front of our eyes.
And then we see the dreadful consequences of refusing to respond to God’s correction.
Romans 1:26-27 For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error.
“God delivered them over to disgraceful passions.”
God simply lets them do what they want, and drown in their own depravity.
Notice the language used here speaking of homosexual sex: disgraceful, unnatural, shameless, error.
Some counter by saying, “Yeah, but that language about homosexual sex - that’s Paul’s view, not the view of Jesus.”
Actually, that’s not just Paul’s view, it’s God’s view through Moses found in Leviticus.
Leviticus 18:22 You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable.
God gave Moses those words, and if Jesus is God in skin, then He authored and affirms these words through Moses.
Still others are quick to say, “But Jesus never spoke against homosexuality, so it must be okay with Him.”
This kind of thinking discounts the reality that
Jesus authors the Old Testament & condemns what the OT condemns.
It also implies that if Jesus doesn’t specifically speak against something, He must be in favor of it. But let’s play that out. We have no New Testament record of Jesus speaking against molestation, rape, necrophilia, & bestiality. Yet one would be foolish to argue that since Jesus didn’t mention these actions, He must be okay with them. The claim that Jesus affirms homosexual relationships is just as foolish. Since Jesus AFFIRMS the OT, He wouldn’t have relaxed what it commanded. Plus, we have already covered what Jesus says about LUST outside of marriage (Matthew 5) and about MARRIAGE designed for 1 man and 1 woman for 1 lifetime (Matthew 16).
So, Jesus and Paul, whom His Spirit wrote through, are in agreement that GOD INVENTED SEX for marriage between 1 MAN + 1 WOMAN = 1 LIFETIME
Sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship between man & woman is SINFUL.
After demonstrating that “God delivered” people over to “the desires of their hearts” (Rom 1:24), Paul shows how this impacts every area of the mind.
Romans 1:28-32 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice.
They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.
You see, there are a couple of typical responses to God’s judgment on our sin:
Turn from sin, live for Jesus and encourage others to do the same. These people bend their beliefs, experiences, and emotions to fit what the Scriptures say.
Turn from Jesus, live for sin and encourage others to do the same. Those who choose this path will dilute Scriptures & denounce those who point to them. Their experiences and emotions cause them to bend the Bible to fit their beliefs.
So what’s the answer to all of this madness? It’s simple…but NOT easy. We must
BIG TRUTH: Honor what God invented for what God intended.
But what if we have already sinned sexually? Many in this room have - whether it was lusting in your mind, looking at pornography or messing around with the opposite sex…or same sex.
Is there any hope for us? YES!!! You haven’t gone too far for God’s grace! If you’re still breathing, there is still hope! Here are some KEYS TO OVERCOMING SEXUAL SIN.
First, Turn from your sin and live for Jesus who died for your SINS!
He can really forgive you…of anything! Turn from your sin and ask Jesus to forgive you! Then God can use you to be one beggar showing other beggars where to find the BREAD OF LIFE!
That’s not the finish line, it’s the starting point.
Next, we must ENGAGE IN THE BATTLE FOR PERSONAL PURITY.
Our struggle to walk in sexual purity will be a FIGHT…many BATTLES. God will empower us to do what is right, but we don’t hit automatic pilot and sit back for the ride. We must make some difficult decisions for the One who died for us.
Remember when Jesus said that LUST is adultery of the heart? He wasn’t done. Jesus used vivid imagery to give us our marching orders in this battle.
Matthew 5:29–30 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
That’s some serious stuff - huh?
Jesus warns of judgement to come and the importance of repentance. Jesus uses a hyperbole (gouge out eye and cut off hand) to say that...
If what you WATCH causes you to lust, REMOVE it.
Some of us need to get screen blockers (CovenantEyes.com), stop using social media, or get rid of those movie channels/websites.
If who you’re with/what you TOUCH causes you to lust (can’t keep your hands of him/her) - CUT off the sexual relationship and STAY AWAY!
The alcoholic who wants to stop drinking would be foolish to keep going back to the bar. If you’re in a sexual relationship - END IT! It won’t be easy, but it worth be worth it in the long run.
Paul echoes that when he writes these words:
1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NLT) Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Of course you realize what that HIGH PRICE was - the death of Jesus - the Holy One - to make YOU and ME HOLY, forgiven, clean!
Or maybe you have bought our culture’s LIE that you were BORN THAT WAY therefore you can’t help yourself.
This is foolishness. Let me show you why.
First, you aren’t an animal who lives by INSTINCT. You are a human being - made in the image of God - who can/should live by your INTELLECT! You can, with God’s help - decide to change how you are living.
Imagine me saying,
yeah I can’t help stealing because I was born that way or I can’t help lying because I was born that way - so just accept my lying and stealing or you’re a judgmental bigot.
or, I know I should stop drinking and driving but I can’t help myself. I know I should stop doing drugs, but it’s impossible to stop - after all - I was a crack baby.
or, I know I should stop slandering others, using abusive language, or beating my wife, but I was born that way.
Or, what if I told you the truth about Jackie, “I started watching pornography in 7th grade. I struggled with it off and on for years. So, I must be born that way. Sorry Tonya, I just can’t help myself…so you should celebrate my it rather than pray for me and help me to overcome it like it’s some sort of sin.”
Second, there are MANY people who used to be addicted to pornography, who used to cheat on their spouse, who used to mess around with people of the opposite and same sex…who have been forgiven and changed!
I could give you lists of folks right here in this room - starting with me. And if you say, “Well - that’s not true for LGBTQ folks.” FACT CHECK. I encourage you to check out the stories of these folks:
Joe Dallas had an affair with a married woman, who became pregnant. He paid for the abortion. Later, he began a homosexual relationship and stayed in that lifestyle for over 7 years. He even served on staff at a gay affirming church. But Joe could not escape the Scriptures and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Joe turned to Jesus and began the journey of forgiveness and restoration.
He has been married to Renee for over 30 years. They have 2 grown sons. Joe is an author, speaker and pastoral counselor, the founder and program director of Genesis Counseling, a ministry for men dealing with sexual addiction, homosexuality and other relational problems.
Rosaria Butterfield is a former professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University, converted to Christ in 1999 in what she describes as a train wreck. Her memoir The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert tells of that difficult journey. Rosaria is now married to Kent Butterfield, a Reformed Presbyterian pastor in North Carolina, and is a homeschool mother, author, and speaker.
Jackie Hill Perry is an author, poet, bible teacher and hip-hop artist. But she once lived the homosexual lifestyle. She dressed like a man and tried to act like a man. But Jesus changed her life. She is now a wife - married to Preston and Mommy to Eden and Autumn.
Each of these precious folks have chosen to...
BIG TRUTH: Honor what God invented for what God intended.
If you have bought the lie or sold it to others - that people can’t change - that can be demonstrated to be false by thousands of people.
These 3 have been forgiven and transformed by the Person and power of Jesus, who died for them. They have turned from sin and chosen to live for Jesus. They have engaged in the ongoing battle for personal sexual purity,
AND they encourage others to do the same!
If you are Christian who is turning from sin and living for Jesus…then you should CARE for the souls of others - share the good news of Jesus. Tell them - regardless of their sin, to turn from it and live for Jesus. We should share with TRUTH & GRACE - from 1 sinner to another - 1 beggar telling the other beggar where to find the BREAD OF LIFE!
Don’t be silent and don’t LIE to those you care about!
IT IS NOT LOVING TO LIE. When we celebrate what the Bible calls sin instead of telling the truth about what the Bible calls sin, this is NOT loving…it’s lying.
I know, I know. None of us want to lose a friend over a disagreement. But what if what the Scriptures say are TRUE? What if people who don’t turn from their sin & follow Jesus - really will be judged GUILT?
Don’t let personal relationships and personal experiences overpower the truth of Scripture. This is what SO MANY PEOPLE DO. “Well, I know what the Bible says…BUT…I have a gay friend who is so kind...”
You must ask yourself a question: Will I allow emotional stories to erase inspired Scriptures?
In the years to come, there will be a WAKE of damaged people who will find - just like we have found - that SIN leads to death - spiritual, emotional, and eventual physical DEATH. They will be seeking answers. Will WE be ready to point them to the King who cleans and changes them…and US?
Al Mohler writes: “In response to the storm gathering over gender and sexuality, Christians must do at least two things: preach true gospel liberty in the face of erotic liberty and stand ready to receive the refugees of the sexual revolution.” Mohler, R. Albert . The Gathering Storm (p. 119). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Years ago I had a young man send me an email sharing that he had been involved in homosexual sin and was willing to talk about it. We did, on several occasions. I didn’t treat him poorly. Why would I? He is made in the image of God! He has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…as have YOU and I. One day I asked if he was familiar with what the Scriptures said. He wasn’t sure if he had heard it all. We walked through Lev. 18:22, Romans 1, and several other passages and then we came to this one.
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.
If you have participated in that…and that’s all this is to the verse…you and I are TOAST! Thankfully it doesn’t end there.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Then I looked at him and said, “You realize what that means. There were people who had had been living for all that stuff…and then they turned to Jesus - and He changed and transformed them! And He still does!
He responded with these words that I will never forget: “No one ever showed me THAT part before!”
Can God forgive and transform people who have sinned sexually? YES! YES! YES!
Lastly, don’t fight the battle alone! Ask trustworthy Christians to walk w/ you. You won’t overcome this by yourself. Galatians 6:1-2 makes it clear that God has put Christians in your life to help you be restored AND carry your burdens! Would you ASK SOMEONE FOR HELP?
Call our staff
or Deacons
Consider the resources we have put in your notes for further study. And remember…
Celebrate Recovery - on Tuesdays from 6-8:30pm.
Let’s pray and choose to...
BIG TRUTH: Honor what God invented for what God intended.
RESOURCES
5 Steps to Breaking Free From Porn by Joe Dallas
When Homosexuality Hits Home by Joe Dallas (https://joedallas.com)
Secrets of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield (https://rosariabutterfield.com)
Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach
Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry