Elephant II “Homosexuality and the church”
ELEPHANT II “Homosexuality”
Intro: Sensitive Subject
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Gen 3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, Gen 3:3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
Fractured Universe
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
I’ve got this.
I don’t want You, just Your stuff
Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, Rom 1:25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
This is why worship of idols happens
More about me than God.
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
Rom 1:27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done
Two Letter Answer from God: O. K.
Passive wrath
_*Arguments heard about Homosexuality:*_
*Jesus never talks about it*
*Other animals do it why would we*
*If I desire it, It must be ok*
_*Christian response:*_
*Love and Patience*
*Stop Gauging Sin*
*Truth and Love*
Podcast:
-Why is this subject so sensitive in the church?
-What are some ways the church has handled this wrongly in past and even today?
-Talk about the arguments for homosexuality.
-What should be our response?
Elephant in the Church II - "Homosexuality"
June 30, 2019 • Paul Barnard
The Elephant in the Church
June 23, 2019 • Paul Barnard
Context: Jews in Rome- Law -Gentiles *Your Conviction Framework is brought about through teaching, experiences, and all by Holy Spirit itself* Understanding this greatly impacts your part in the kingdom advancement Rom 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. You can do this in any ways- Music, Language, Movies, Dress code (church illustration), Order in church, politics Rom 14:14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. Convictions will vary Rom 14:15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. Rom 14:16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. Two sides of the coin : Love Legalism Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom 14:18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Missing the point. Rom 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Rom 14:20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is about love and unity not convictional legalism. Rom 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. Rom 14:22 The faith that you have,* keep between yourself and God*. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. This passage is about love Conclusion Rom 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Listen to you heart- Who are you hurting by your action? 1- You 2- Others 3- Spirit
Elephant in the Church Sermon Series Questions
August 4, 2019 • Paul Barnard
1) What does the Bible say about tobacco use? 2) Is it wrong for some of us in the church that have never been addicted to alcohol, to get together and have a drink while we are hanging out? 3) I have a past with alcoholism. I have friends at OFC that occasionally have a drink when they get together. I would love to be able to hang out with them. What should I do? 4) Many people have been divorced and remarried. Isn't that a sin unless adultery has been committed? What does one do, continue to live in sin by the re-marriage or get another divorce? Matthew 19:3-11
Elephant in the Church VI - "Slow Fade of the Church"
July 28, 2019 • Paul Barnard
Elephant VI Elephant VI “Slow Fade of the Church” Rev 2:3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. Rev 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 5 things that kill church growth and the solutions- Traditions of men Problem- Everyone wants change but nobody wants to change (change creates incompetence- Atlas (Definition of insanity) Solution- marry the mission but date the method Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 2. Avoidance of conflict Problem- Church discipline is avoided, hard conversations are avoided. (some people want to be offended so they will not confront) Solution- Be bold in your obedience and faith as well as follow to the letter the Word Mat 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Mat 18:16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Mat 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Mat 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 18:19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” 3. Debt Problem- Finances hinder the movement from church and individuals Solution- Live with freedom and generosity Those that manage their money have a better situation in society but debt keeps the poor poor Pro 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender 4. Congregational polity Problem- Unspiritual decision makers Solution- Accountable decision makers 5. Success Problem- Treadmill of the glory days Solution- constantly stretch and reach further, dream big, pray big and risk (faith) Conclusion: Are you holding back growth in the church? How are you accelerating it?