1. Taking Issue with God 7 LIFESTYLE MATTERS: Gender Issues and the Church Genesis 19, Judges 19:22, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:18, Mark 10:6-9, Romans 1:26 -27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1Timothy 1:10.

2.  Luke 10: 27: The greatest command  Matthew 7: 12: The golden rule  John 3:16 -17: The greatest rescue plan GOD’S LOVE AND HEART FOR ALL MANKIND

3. BIBLE PASSAGES concerning same sex relationships. THE TRAGEDY OF THE CHURCH WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? OTHER ISSUES

4. BIBLE PASSAGES concerning same sex relationships. O/T: Genesis 19, Judges 19:22, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:18. N/T: Romans 1:26 -27, 1Corinthians 6:9, 1Timothy 1:10. Homosexual acts are mentioned in 7 Bible passages: 2 refer to gang rape and humiliation (Genesis 19:5, Judges 19:22) 3 refer to intercourse between men (Leviticus 18:21-22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:27) 1 refers to intercourse between women (Romans 1:26) 1 refers to prostitution and pederasty (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) 1 is general in nature (1 Timothy 1:8-10)

5. 1 Corinthians 6: 9- 10. Here Paul clearly distinguishes between the act and the orientation. Also, let’s look at that list – quite a list – we probably all fall into it in one category or another, maybe more than one! We are ALL sinner saved by Christ, not what we have done, but what Jesus has done for us – his finished work on the cross. James 1: 22-25 Scripture is to be like a ‘mirror’ first to look and see what is going on inside ourselves – mirror, not a window into others lives!; a mirror to reveal wrong in our lives that need to be put right, standards we need to keep, not the stones we have to throw at other people!

6. WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? Matthew 4 -6. “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

7. Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, but He did condemn all forms of sexual immorality. In Mark 7:20-23, Jesus says this: “What comes out of you is what defiles you. For from within, out of your hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile you.”

8. There is nothing positive said in the Bible about same gender sexual relationships. Therefore we cannot affirm or condone, but also, we cannot condemn. However, the Bible does have a good deal to say positively about heterosexual intimate relationships within marriage. We are called to be inclusive in welcoming in all to meet Christ and have a redeeming relationship with Him. We are called not to judge, but have a responsibility to explain the truth of scripture, as we understand it. CONCLUSION

9. Everyone in this room whether gay, straight, Christian, non-Christian – we all have regrets; things we wish we had not done. We are often attracted to sexual sin. As James instructs us: let us be ‘mirror ‘people and not ‘window’ ones, seeking to build bridges, not walls.

10. FCC STATEMENT: Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfilment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. Although at FCC we do not condone the practice of homosexuality, which goes beyond the leadership’s current understanding of Christian teaching, we affirm that God's grace is available to all. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn their lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.