SAME-SEX MARRIAGEThank you for having tuned us in this morning. I am grateful for your continued interest and concern. It continues to be my desire and the desire of the congregation of God's people who bring you this broadcast that the truth of God's word be proclaimed at all times, whether in our pulpit, or over this radio station. If we do not have scriptural authority for all that we say and do, we are standing upon dangerous ground. By this, I mean, that we must have book, chapter, and verse from the Book of God, the Bible, for all things. When your preacher tells you something, be sure that he gives you the scripture for it. It is not enough for him to say, "This is what I believe," demand what God's Word teaches.
Now to our subject for study today. I am reading from a newspaper article that appeared in the Beaumont Enterprise a few weeks ago. It was presented by the Associated Press and is entitled, "Episcopalians reject same-sex marriages." The report come from the city of Philadelphia. I shall read the article in its entirety. "A proposal to recognize same-sex marriages in the Episcopal Church was rejected Saturday but by such a narrow margin that backers remained encouraged. "A vote is still pending this week on ordination of homosexuals by the denomination. "Saturday's vote came a day after the head of the church reminded clergy and layman of his request a dozen years ago that
they make everyone welcome."It was Jesus, not me, who said there would be no outcasts," Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning told more that 1,100 church leaders and nearly 10,000 visitors attending the 10-day Episcopal General Convention. "Browning had not taken a formal stand on either ordination or same-sex marriages, but has supported gay rights.
"The issue of formal recognition of homosexuals has threatened to break apart the 2.5 million-member church, which has suffered a 30 percent drop in membership in 30 years.
"A group of bishops representing about 10 percent of Episcopalians hinted more than a year ago that approval of same-sex marriages and ordination of sexually active homosexuals would lead them to consider breaking away from the church."
Thus the end of the article as it appeared in the paper. This report presents a number of questions to those who accept the Bible as the final authority in all matters. It seems extremely strange to me that those who claim to believers in the Bible and in Christ Jesus as the Son of God have not taken the time to read what God says about those who practice same-sex marriages; and those who would practice homosexualism. When Jehovah saw that Adam was in need of a help-meet (Genesis 2:20); He took a rib from the side of Adam and made woman, and brought her to the man. And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of the man." Isn't it interesting that Jehovah did not make another man for Adam's help meet. Adam, here is Joe, love him and take care of him, and the two of you become one flesh. Oh, no, my friends, Jehovah's arrangement was one man and one woman, joined together in marriage. Jesus said in Matthew 19, "Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." That is the reading of Matthew 19:4-6. It was not a man and a man; it was a man and a woman. That has always been God's arrangement. But, man comes along and wants to change this to please the masses.
It makes little difference how many might accept this sinful practice, it still remains sin in the sight of God. And those who practice sin shall suffer the consequences of sin. Sin will not enter the presence of Jehovah and those who walk in sin shall not enter His presence when this life is over. Jesus stated, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). The word "Iniquity" means "lawlessness." That is "without law." Those who practice things that are outside the realm of Divine law will not enter God's presence.
Have you not heard of what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? We read of their fate in the nineteenth chapter of Genesis. We are told that "brimstone and fire rained down upon these two cities and destroyed all the inhabitants thereof" (Genesis 19:23-28). Why did the Lord destroy these cities? Because of their wickedness. But, what was their grievous sin? Sodomy!! Homosexualism!!! They were guilty of same-sex immorality. Men laying with men. That is what same-sex marriages are.
Listen to the apostle Paul as he speaks, "Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature; and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due" (Romans 1:24-27. Does that sound like God approves of men lying with men, or women lying with women? Evidently, there are religious people out there who are not reading the book we call the Bible. (Incidently, I noticed in the Beaumont Enterprise recently where "Ellen" and her actress girlfriend have decided to have a baby. And how might that be accomplished? Evidently not only homosexualism, but also, adultery is a part of this arrangement. But then, sin knows no bounds.)
But, back to the newspaper article with which we began. Did you notice that the recognition of same-sex marriages was rejected by a narrow margin. That means that there were about as many there who accepted same-sex marriages as those who opposed it. Thus the leading backers of same-sex marriages were encouraged. You see, they will try again next time, then if they fail, they will try again the next time. That is the way with Satan. He never gives up. Peter states that, "he walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is ever busy. My friend, he would destroy your soul in a devil's hell. He is constantly seeking to lead you into sin. But, there is one thing that is needful. And that is your permission. Satan cannot force you to commit sin. He cannot compel you to practice iniquity. If and when you commit sin, it will be because of your own choice. Jehovah will not force you to do right, to live righteously. Thus, it becomes your choice as to whether you wish to live in sin or to live righteously. You and you alone will decide your eternal destiny.
Back to the newspaper article: Do you remember that the Presiding Bishop stated that, "It was Jesus, not me, who said there would be no outcasts." Is this Presiding Bishop saying that Jesus accepts those who practice sin into His fellowship. Surely one who has studied God's word just a little bit knows that one cannot practice sin and please Jehovah. Granted the Lord said that all have the right to come to the tree of life. But the fact remains that not all chose to come. Not all chose to obey Christ Jesus. And those who do not obey him cannot come to Him. One cannot live in sin and come to Christ. And yes, God's word places the homosexual in sin. It is a practice that has been condemned by Jehovah from the very beginning. And it continues to be condemned. Who today has the right to approve of those things which God's Word condemns? If a group of people stamp their approval upon the homosexual, they may as well throw away the Bible and just do whatever pleases them.
The newspaper article stated that the issue of formal recognition of homosexuals has threatened to break apart the 2.5 million-member church. I do not doubt that. I applaud those who would object to the recognition of homosexuals. Indeed, if this religious body chooses to ordain homosexuals, I hope that those who object to it will indeed have the courage and come out from among them.
I am reminded of the words of the apostle Paul, "Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,..." (2 Cor. 6:17). God has always demanded of those who seek to please Him to separate themselves from those who would walk in sin. The Holy Spirit through the apostle John says, "If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works" (2 John 10 and 11). So often today we hear of those who object to what some religious group is doing, but they continue to have fellowship with them. One cannot continue to fellowship those who do evil without becoming guilty of the evil themselves. If you are affiliated with a religious body who teaches that to which you do not agree, will you not have the courage to bring about a change, or sever your relationship with them. May the Lord give each one of us the courage to take a stand with the Lord. And to take a stand with the Lord is to take a stand against sin. And, homosexualism is sin, according to God's revealed truth.
Jack Thompson