SERMON: “Does God Condemn LGBTQ+ Lifestyles? Part 2” (Various)
“Does God Condemn LGBTQ+ Lifestyles?
Part 2” (Various
Texts)
Series: “LGBTQ+
Issues” #3 Text: Various Texts
By: Shaun
Marksbury Date:
June
16, 2024
Venue: Living
Water Baptist Church Occasion:
AM Service
I.
Introduction
Some are convinced by stories of these lifestyles being
innate and natural. For instance,
there’s been much research poured into why some people find themselves on this
spectrum, while others do not. Some say
that homosexuality in nature, so God couldn’t possibly be condemning what He
has made.
Of course, the reality of this isn’t so clearcut. Despite money being poured into genetic
studies, no one has ever been able to definitively prove that a supposed “gay
gene” exists (even though newspapers have falsely reported that scientists have
made a breakthrough, there is still no evidence to suggest that sexual
orientation is part of our genetic makeup).
Even some of the stories we see from the animal kingdom are false; you
might have heard that there are two “gay” penguins in Syndey who bonded for
life and adopted an egg, but the truth is that aquarium staff put the two together
and gave them the egg, and fabricating the claim while the animals only acted
on an instinct to care for the chick.[1] Even if the data were not manipulated by
activists, there is also rape and incest in the animal kingdom, and we should
live to a higher moral standard than that of animals!
Still, opinion is shifting toward accepting the premise that
some people are simply “born this way” (as Lady Gaga sang). So far in this series, then, we’ve noted the
culture and the church shifting its opinion.
The majority in our society has changed its opinion of issues like
same-sex marriage, which it used to be overwhelmingly against. Now, the many Christian churches have also
shifted in their opinions on the subject. It may be that this is shift toward a godlier,
loving position, but we have to ask what Scripture says.
So far, we’ve seen an answer to that question. In the first sermon, we saw that the Bible
describes a cultural embrace of homosexuality and lesbianism as a sign of God’s
judgment. In the next sermon, we saw
God’s original design for sex and marriage, and we considered how sin has
warped these definitions. God originally
designed marriage to be between one biological woman and one biological man for
life, but sin introduced marital conflict as well as sexual shame. The redefinitions we see throughout time are
the result of sin.
This redefinition of sex and marriage ebbs and flows in
culture and in the church, but God’s Word remains clear. Today, we are going to continue looking at
God’s clear biblical definition of sex and marriage by considering ten more
passages on the subject. Because of the
sheer amount of material, and the importance of spending more time with the first
three points here, I’ve decided to cover only them this morning, and I’ll cover
the rest this evening. We’re continuing
to consider these points relatively in order of revelation, and the rest of the
points this evening should go quicker once we fully consider what the Old
Testament has to say about this. Let’s
continue our look at God’s opinion here starting here in Genesis.
II.
God Clearly Condemned LGBTQ+ at Sodom and
Gomorrah (Gen 19:5–11)
However, there is a debate as to whether this references
homosexuality. So, let’s begin by
examining the passage. In v. 5, we read
about the men demanding Lot bring out the angelic visitors so that they “may
have relations with them.” This term
means “to know,” which can have the plain meaning of spending time with a
person to learn more about the individual.
However, it’s also a euphemism rightly translated “relations” in Genesis
4:1 in the conception of Cain. Even in
our vernacular, we speak of “carnal knowledge” to speak of a physical rather
than emotional intimacy with another person, so this verse is obviously talking
about a sexual act.
If the euphemism is too veiled, consider what we read
next. Lot condemns this as a wicked act
(v. 7), and he uses the word “relations” or “know” to speak of his virgin
daughters (v. 8). Of course, we
would condemn Lot’s shameful offer, which likely arose from a twisted
commitment to hospitality and protecting visitors in one’s home. Yet, his offer reveals that these men were
gathered for a sexual purpose, and it reveals their dedicated to engaging in a
wicked act. They condemn him for
judgmentalism in v. 9 (how little things have changed!), and then threaten to
do worse to him, advancing on him and intending to break down his door.
The only thing that saves Lot that evening is supernatural
intervention. The angels are able to
grab Lot and bring him into the house (v. 10), and then they strike the
attackers blind (v. 11). However, noted
what v. 11 says next — “they wearied themselves
trying to find the doorway.” So
dedicated to wickedness were these men that they continue to seek out the door
even after losing their vision! This tense
scene captures how sin produces both lust and violence.
This is one of the most hotly disputed passages in this
discussion. One of the terms associated
with homosexuality, sodomy, comes from this passage. We still use that term in the criminal
justice system to describe those who have committed heinous acts against
others. Modern-day social advocates
would say that the term is not properly applied to those engaged in consensual
activity, but only to those who are criminals.
Some, however, do not see Genesis 19 as a condemnation of
homosexuality. They look to places like
the Book of Isaiah to say that this did not even apply to sexual activity. There, we see God liken Judah to Sodom and
Gomorrah (Isa. 1:9–10) because of their shameless rebellion against the Lord
(3:8–9). They argue that pride and inhospitality
were the key issues with these cities.
However, just because comparisons like these are made, that doesn’t
negate the historical reality at Sodom.
A person can be homosexual as well as inhospitable and engage in
non-consensual sex acts.
In fact, Scripture elsewhere affirms the problem of sexual
immorality there. For instance,
Scripture clearly establishes this account to find an ironic replication in
Israel (Jdg 19:22–25). Jeremiah links adultery (and walking in
falsehood) to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jer. 23:14). In the New Testament, Jude 7 speaks of “gross
immorality” and those who “went after strange flesh.” Similarly, 2 Peter 2:6–7 talks about the
example of the cities’ destruction to the ungodly, where Lot was “oppressed by the
sensual conduct of unprincipled men.” In
other words, the plain reading of Genesis 19 is how we are to consider it
(which is usually the case).
We’ll talk about many of these passages again in a few
minutes, but, for now, we see that God is clearly condemning homosexuality at
Sodom and Gomorrah. While there other
issues to condemn in these cities, like pride, assault, inhospitality,
laziness, and many more sins, that doesn’t make the sin of homosexuality any
less sinful. In fact, these other sins
which are present within our pornography-fueled, overly-sexualized society,
they accompany homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderism, queerness,
and the like. We must conclude that any
sin Scripture highlights overlaps a plethora of interconnected sins within the
human condition.
Untangling this mess with truth and love is key. If the men of the city had committed
themselves to God’s original design, they never would have pursued the two
strangers visiting the city, who were angels apparently in the form of handsome
men. They would have received Lot’s
rebuke, and perhaps even returned one of their own to him for offering his
daughters as an alternative to their depravity.
However, they allowed their homosexual lust to take control.
Yet, that is only the first of the passages we consider
today.
III.
God Clearly Condemned LGBTQ+ with His Torah Prohibitions
(Exod. 19–20; Lev. 18; Deut. 22–23)
We see God’s Law clearly detailed beginning in Exodus. Of course, this book details God’s miraculous
deliverance of Israel from slavery, but that’s only its first fifteen chapters
— this book also shows how God is delivering people from the bondage of
sin. With Exodus 19 comes the people’s preparation
and consecration at Sinai, and chapter twenty records the Ten Commandments.
These commandments are a summary of the Law. That includes a command against engaging in
sexual sin — “You shall not commit adultery” (v. 14) — or entertaining sinful,
lustful desires — “You shall not covet … your neighbor’s wife” (v. 17). The commands against adultery and
covetousness doesn’t just apply to married individuals, but also to single men
who might go after married women, or two unmarried parties who might engage in
fornication. In other words, these
commands calls us to sexual purity in both action and heart, opening the doors
for other sexual considerations.
We see this more fully developed in the rest of the
Torah. Leviticus 18 gives us a whole
list of sexual prohibitions. This
includes a clear prohibition against same-sex relationships in v. 22; one
“shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an
abomination.” This verse is hotly
debated by those who want to say God allows for homosexuality, and they engage
in a linguistic sleight of hand to explain away the plain reading of the
text.
Let’s consider that for a moment. This verse isn’t referring to ritual prostitution,
which is hinted in the previous verse[4] and stated more clearly in
19:29. The language doesn’t allow an
exception for supposedly monogamous same-sex relationships. The language is just as plain in the Hebrew
as it is in the English. The text
assumes the original creation order, that it is normal for a man to lie with a
woman, and it forbids abominable or lewd behavior such as a man lying with
another man.
These lifestyles break the two great commandments, love for
God and love for neighbor. The word
“abomination” here speaks of idolatry, and it also hates our neighbors by
having a degrading and even destructive effect on family and society. That’s why such harsh penalties were affixed
to these acts under Moses. For instance,
we read in 20:13, “If there is a man
who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed
a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is
upon them.” Again, both the translation
and the original language is clear here that this refers to sexual relations
apart from any reference to prostitution or incestual relations (cf. Lev.
20:11–12). This prohibition condemns
both parties (“both of them”), presuming this is a mutually agreed upon act
rather than rape — a consensual relationship.
Again, God similarly commands death for adulterers (v. 10)
and those involved in incestual relationships (v. 11–12). Some would be willing to see this in modern
society, as well as their cheating spouses executed! However, God also instead calls homosexuality
(and presumably lesbianism, etc.) as abhorrent.
If all the people followed in same-sex relationships, there obviously
could be no continuation of the nation, let alone a Messiah who could come
later to forgive all such sinners their transgressions. While someone might counter here that there
would always be people committed to heterosexual relationships and still having
babies, that doesn’t account for how debauched the thinking of those supporting
those early Israelite pride marches would become, diverting them from the path
of salvation.
Some think of as alterations in our physiology, either
created or as a result of the fall, where a person is only attracted to the
same gender or is born into the wrong body; the Lord our God presents these as
moral issues in His Law. Of course, that
is offensive to some, though they don’t consider how going against the created
order and inspired Scripture is offensive to God. Interestingly, while people decry these Old
Testament references, most people would still agree with the rest of these
prohibitions; no realistic discussion currently defends incest, adultery,
ritualistic prostitution, or bestiality.
However, what most who are accepting of LGBTQ+ lifestyles don’t
understand is that any argument they use to justify one form of sexual
immorality can be used to justify another.
Now, this would be enough.
However, since we referenced Isaiah, we should briefly dip into that
book next:
IV.
God Clearly Condemned LGBTQ+ in the Prophets (Isaiah
1; 3; 13; 56)
God does not leave people without hope, however. Even to “medically” transitioned transgender
individuals, those falling under the biblical category of eunuch. In the salvation revealed in Christ, God says
that the believing eunuch shouldn’t say, “Behold, I am a dry tree” (Is 56:3). He says, “To them I will give in My house and
within My walls a memorial, and a name better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off” (v. 5). Whether born with true birth defects or
having undergone sex-change operations, no one’s beyond God’s grace.
V.
Conclusion
We’ll leave off with the Old Testament there. I had hoped to move into the Gospels this morning
and consider whether Jesus had anything to say about this whole issue. I’ll have to save that for tonight, so come
back for evening service for the rest of these passages.
This is a lot of passages, not just the six which are
normally debated. The truth is I’m
giving more than I promised; including what I preached last week and tonight, I’m
giving eleven summarizing points, but many more verses and passages than that. In fact, I’m leaving many more
unconsidered. With LGBTQ+ being a whole spectrum
of categories of sexual immorality, any verse condemning fornication,
adultery, or any other sexual sin is applicable to this discussion. For instance, they would all be included in
the sweeping condemnation of Revelation 21:8, “But for the cowardly and
unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and
idolaters and all liars, their part will
be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death.” In fact, that would include all
of us; all of us have lied at times, been cowardly and unbelieving — and every
sin is an act of idolatry!
But there is hope for all of us in Scripture, including the
LGBT. Just as that last passage in Isaiah
said, no one has to say he or she is a dry tree because of undergoing a
transition. We all have hope for
forgiveness and even sanctification in the gospel. It’s wrong when churches try to give hope by
reinterpreting Scripture; they are like the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day
who declare peace when there is no peace with God (e.g., Jer. 6:13–14). Yet, there is hope in Jesus Christ, who paid
the penalty for all sin upon the cross, making atonement for all who
believe. The only hope for salvation is
to confess your need for Christ and coming to Him for salvation. He will wash away even the stain of the
LGBTQ+ lifestyle, as we’ve already seen.
[1] James Macpherson, “Sydney Aquarium Accused of
Fabricating 'Gay Penguins' to Influence Kids,” RebelNews, July 3, 2023, https://www.rebelnews.com/sydney_aquarium_accused_of_fabricating_gay_penguins_to_influence_kids
[2] The Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter,
reported by Jennifer @babybeginner, in a thread detailing this and similar
crimes on Apr 29, 2023, https://twitter.com/babybeginner/status/1652368590983823360
[3] Tom Pappert, “Audrey Hale Wrote Political Rant About
Guns and Transgenderism One Month Before Covenant School Attack,” The Tennessee
Star, June 5, 2024, https://tennesseestar.com/justice/audrey-hale-wrote-political-rant-about-guns-and-transgenderism-one-month-before-covenant-school-attack/tpappert/2024/06/05/
[4] The MacArthur Study Bible notes here that Molech is a
Semitic false deity (a god of the Ammonites) who was “worshiped with child
sacrifice (cf. Lev. 20:2–5; 1 Kin. 11:7; 2 Kin. 23:10; Jer. 32:35). Since this chapter deals otherwise with
sexual deviation, there is likely an unmentioned sexual perversion connected
with this pagan ritual. Jews giving false gods homage gave foreigners occasion
to blaspheme the true God” (John MacArthur Jr., Ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed., [Nashville, TN: Word Pub.,
1997], 180).
