1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The Holy Spirit does not leave the category of the “unrighteous” vague Ephesians 5:1-6 “fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting” Colossians 3:5-7 “fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness” 1 Timothy 1:9,10 “unholy, profane, murderers, fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers”

Even in the 1st Century, Some persuaded such were not spiritually dangerous But the Holy Spirit says: “Be not deceived” Ephesians 5:6 Delusional thinking argues that one can practice such and be right with God and go to heaven People are trying deceive us, or they are deceived

“SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU” Such behaviors are not inborn or natural No efforts to “normalize” greed or covetousness! Not hearing anyone claiming that “adultery” is natural, adulterers just born that way – adultery just another kind of “love.” No drunk agenda, thief agenda, swindler agenda or reviler agenda

HATER!? Oppose practice of homosexuality, haters. MADD oppose drunkenness but not called haters? Stores posting warnings against shoplifting are not labeled haters TV Stations that expose the adultery of a politician are not labeled haters

HATER!? It is an oversimplification to say Christians are simply against homosexuality. We are against any sin that restrains people from everlasting joy in God. And homosexual practice just gets all the press because,… it’s the main sin that is so freshly endorsed… the issue is sin. That’s what we are against.

The Forgotten Benefit Christians labeled all sorts of horrible names by refusing to bow to culture that says homosexuality is not a sin What keeps adultery, theft, drug addiction on the fringes of society is the presence of the Bible and Christians Does anyone really want to live in a culture where theft, adultery, or drunkenness are practiced with impunity and justified?

THE THIRD CAMP 1. Those who celebrate it 2. Those who hate homosexuals 3. It is just as unrighteous being greedy, a drunk or adulterer, and we love homosexuals as well as all others enough not to just collapse under the pressures of society

THE TRUE LOVERS “We speak the truth in love into this confusion, saying, simultaneously, ‘That’s wrong’ and ‘I love you.’ We speak good news, with those sweetest, deepest, more glorious words of the cross – the same words that God spoke to us, ‘You are wrong, and you are loved.’”

WRONG AND LOVED Paul in Corinth - “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not keep silent…I have many people in this city.” Act 18:9,10 “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord.. Many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8

WRONG AND LOVED Shocked to learn God says they are far more wrong that they ever thought they were. Romans 6:23 “wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” John 3:16 “gave His only begotten Son”

WRONG AND LOVED Honestly accept the gospel which labels them a sinner Realize that they are loved far more than they ever thought possible Romans 5:6-8 “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while were still sinners, Christ died for us.”