I. Scriptures pertaining to homosexuality

    ? Gen. 19:1-11 -"we may have relations with them" (inhospitality? sexual obsession for strangers?
           homosexuality? - cf. Ezek. 16:49; II Peter 2:6; Jude 7
    Lev. 18:22 - "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female"
    Lev. 20:13 - "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a women, both of them
           have committed a detestable act; they shall be put to death"
    Deut. 22:5 - "a woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing"          (transvestitism)
    ? Judges 19:22 - "bring out the man who came into your house that we may have relations with him"
    I Kings 14:24 - "there were male cult prostitutes in the land"
    I Kings 15:12 - "he put away the male cult prostitutes from the land"
    Rom. 1:26,27 - "women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the
          same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire
          towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own
          persons the due penalty of their error"
    I Cor. 6:9 - "do you not know...effeminate, nor homosexuals...shall inherit the kingdom of God"          (Greek malakos - passive, effeminate, soft homosexual partner; Greek arsenokoites - active,          aggressive homosexual partner)
    I Tim. 1:10 - "immoral men and homosexuals...whatever else is contrary to sound teaching"

II. Biblical position toward homosexual behavior

    A. Homosexuality is sin because it is contrary to God's intent for human sexuality.
         1. God divided mankind into male and female, made to fit together - Gen. 1:27; 2:18
         2. God's intent is heterosexual relationship between one man and one woman in context of              marriage - Gen. 2:23,24.
             a. Otherwise celibacy - Matt. 19:10-12
         3. Homosexuality is
             a. unnatural - Rom. 1:26
             b. indecent - Rom. 1:27
             c. detestable - Lev. 20:13
             d. "degrading passion", insatiable lust - Rom. 1:26
             e. abomination - Lev. 18:22; 20:13
             f. immoral - porneia - Rom. 1:29; I Cor. 6:3
             g. rebellion against God
             h. idolatry - obsessive preoccupation - Rom. 1:25
             i. abnormal, aberration, perversion
     B. Homosexuality is sin because it is contrary to character of God.
          1. God's character is purity - Ps. 18:26
          2. Homosexuality is impurity - akatharsia - Rom. 1:24
          3. Homosexuality is dishonoring to God - Rom. 1:21
          4. Homosexuality rejects the absoluteness and sovereignty of God
     C. Homosexuality is sin because it comes under divine judgment.
         1. Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen. 19; II Pet. 2:6; Jude 7
         2. due penalty of error - Rom. 1:27
         3. shall not inherit kingdom of God - I Cor. 6:9

III. Social degeneracy in contemporary attitudes toward homosexuality

    A. Sigmund Freud - regarded homosexuality as a psychosis which could be cured.
    B. Later psychologists regarded homosexuality as a sickness, illness or disease.
    C. Homosexuality began to be regarded as "gay" lifestyle.
    D. Cultural relativism conceded to homosexuality
         1. Civil rights; gay rights
         2. "alternative lifestyle"
         3. "responsible commitments"
         4. casual sexuality
         5. "new morality"
         6. 1973 - American Psychiatric Assoc. - "homosexuality is not an abnormality"
         7. 1985 - National Education Assoc. - "not unnatural to have sexual relations with members
              of one's own sex."

IV. Fallacious arguments of homosexuality advocates

    A. That homosexuality is an inherent predisposition that one is born with
         1. Homosexuality is not intrinsic to a person
              a. spiritually - depravity, Satanic energizing
              b. psychologically - "flesh" patterning
              c. physically, genetically - heredity, organic, hormonal, DNA
         2. Homosexuality is behavior that is sociologically and psychologically learned, formed,              patterned and developed
              a. sinful, dysfunctional families - weak, passive fathers and dominant mothers.
              b. guilt and shame - thought life, masturbation, inadequate sexual instruction
              c. inadequate sense of gender distinction - inferiority complex
    B. That homosexuality is constitutional
         1. Gender identity is male or female, not "I am a homosexual"
          2. Homosexuality is not what one "is," but what one "does."
    C. That the one engaged in homosexuality is not responsible for his/her actions.
    D. That homosexual expression is necessary and psychologically healthy
         1. To have feeling, desires or attractions toward another of the same sex does not mean you are                   a "homosexual."
             a. Such desires are temptations of the Satanic tempter in the mind and emotions
             b. In the will we choose to act on such temptation
         2. It is not "hypocritical" to fail to "act out" the homosexual behavior, and thus to fail to behave              like who you "think" you "are."
    E. That homosexuality is so natural
         1. Homosexual behavior is "natural;" the selfish, personal gratification of "natural man."
         2. Though men/men relationships allow sexual expression to be impulsive, mechanical,              objective sexual act; and women/women relationships allow sexual expression to be tender,              caring, subjective sexual relationship; such does not allow for God-given LOVE to be              expressed in sexual relationship as God intended.
    F. That the one engaged in homosexuality cannot change
         1. To posit "once gay; always gay," is to posit "once a sinner, always a sinner," and to deny              God's redemptive work in Jesus Christ.
         2. Behavioral change does not come by "behavior modification," but by a spiritual exchange              (Acts 26:18) of becoming a "new creature" in Christ - II Cor. 5:17

VI. Christian attitude toward homosexuality and those engaging in such behavior.

    A. Compassion, love, grace toward persons being misused and abused by Satan.
    B. Firm stand that homosexual behavior is sin.
    C. Clear witness that those engaged in homosexuality can overcome such
         1. Repentance - change of mind that leads to change of action
         2. New creature in Christ - II Cor. 5:17
         3. "Such were some of you" - I Cor. 6:11
    D. Unwilling to tolerate continued homosexuality among Christians - Eph. 5:7,11; II Thess. 3:14
    E. Encouragement and counsel for those who continue to be tempted with homosexual desires
         II Thess 3:15