SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

     Thank 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.
     We mentioned last week our upcoming series of lectures on the
subject of the "Eldership," presented by Elmer Moore. The time for
these services has now arrived. Beginning tomorrow evening (that is
Monday, October 13th) and then for the next two evenings (Tuesday
night and then Wednesday evening) at 7:30 each evening. Brother
Moore will present what the Bible teaches about the important theme
of the Overseers of God's Family. These men are referred to as
"Elders, Overseers, Shepherds, and Bishops. They are men who have
met the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit in 1 Timothy chapter
3 and in Titus chapter 1. You have a cordial invitation to come and
visit us for these three nights. Bring your Bible, your pen or
pencil and your paper. Study together with us these vital lessons.
     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.
     We remind you of the services at the White Park church of
Christ. This morning at 9:00 a.m. for our Bible classes; at 10:00
a.m. for our morning worship and again this evening at 7:00 p.m. for
our evening worship. Then tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. for the
first of three services on the subject of the Eldership. Then on
Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. and again on Wednesday evening at 7:30
p.m. for two more evening of study on this important theme. You have
a cordial invitation to visit with us at any or all of these
services. We look forward to meeting you. Now until next Lord's Day
we bid you a most pleasant good morning. We encourage you to study
your Bible.

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