The bible and homosexuality

The Bible and Homosexuality – IGNITE

What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Circle one…

1. Lev. 18:22  Sin or No Sin
2. Lev. 20:13 Sin or No Sin
3. I Cor. 6:9-11 Sin or No Sin
4. Romans 1 Sin or No Sin

Why would God call homosexual actions sinful?

Because God said that the male – female relationship is in the original design (Gen. 1:26) and it is the most fulfilling relationship you can have. Men and women were made in the image of God and the male – female relationship represents the nature of God (Gen. 2:18-24).

Are there any other reasons why God would prohibit homosexual activity? Yes!

1. It shortens the a person’s life span…the average practicing homosexual lives 30 years less than a practicing heterosexual!
2. Because it is against our natural design it is physically damaging.
3. Monogamy is the exception, not the rule in most homosexual relationships. A pro-homosexual study found that nearly 70% of homosexuals have illicit sex with people other than their partner on nearly a weekly basis!
4. Contrary to politically correct propaganda AIDS and other STD’s affect homosexuals more often than heterosexuals. Further, AIDS did in fact begin as a disease in the homosexual community. It did not start in a lab with monkeys!

God set the stand because he loves us and wants to protect us physically and emotionally.

Q. But didn’t God make people homosexual?

A. According to Scripture No! (see above)

Q. What if Jesus was gay?

A. He wasn’t so the point is mute. Further, if He was He would have violated His own laws, which means He is not God. So, if He is gay…you are still without a Savior!

Q. Shouldn’t it be all about love and attraction?

A. If we say yes to that question then how do we say it is wrong for some people to love animals, children, and multiple people sexually? Not all desires or urges are good!

Q. Does God hate homosexuals?

A. No, God hates sin!

God’s Perfect 10 pt. 3 – IGNITE

God’s Perfect 10 Pt. 3 – IGNITE

In today’s world we find it hard to abide by laws and regulation, especially any laws or rules that we think of as old or outdated. So, when the topic of the Ten Commandments comes up we often times think of those commands as old and useless for modern believers….but are they? Does the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) have any application for today? Let’s take a look and find out…
Commandment Five: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12

What does it mean to dishonor your parents?

What does it mean to HONOR your parents?

So, what does it all mean for me today, in the “real world?”

First, this is the ONLY commandment that comes with a PROMISE!

Second, parents have seen a lot more in their lifetimes than we have. So, we should honor their wisdom and input on things.

Last, to honor our parents means to care for them. When they reach an old age to help take care of them and make sure their needs are met.

Commandment Six: “You shall not murder.” – Exodus 20:13

Some things to remember…

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” – Genesis 9:6

God DOES NOT forbid killing!

All murder is killing but not all killing is murder.

In fact, God condones capital punishment (Gen. 9:6).

The reason God allows the killing of murderers and those who rape and pillage is because it is really a sin against God.

Because we are made in God’s image when a person kills someone they are demonstrating their belief that THEY are above honoring the image of God!

Jesus said that HATE is the same as murder (Matt. 5:21-26).

God’s Perfect 10 Pt2. – IGNITE

God’s Perfect 10 Pt. 2 – IGNITE

In today’s world we find it hard to abide by laws and regulation, especially any laws or rules that we think of as old or outdated. So, when the topic of the Ten Commandments comes up we often times think of those commands as old and useless for modern believers….but are they? Does the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) have any application for today? Let’s take a look and find out…
Commandment Three: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” – Exodus 20:7

What does it mean to take God’s name in vain?

When we use the name “God” or “Jesus Christ” for any purpose other than to speak to God or about God we are taking His name in vain!

So, what does it all mean for me today, in the “real world?”

When we use God’s name for a purpose other than to speak to Him or about Him we are showing a lack of respect for God and we are denying who He is as God.

This is because anytime we knowingly use God’s name in vain we are making His HOLY name on the level of any other name or slur.

This means we are placing our value and freedom to do whatever we please at a HIGHER VALUE in our hearts than the holiness of God.

Commandment Four: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”

Some things to remember…

The Sabbath is actually Saturday. As Christians we are no longer bound to resting on Saturday. Because Christ was resurrected from the dead on Sunday we now take that as our day of rest.

The way this commandment applies to us is this…

We are to set aside a time to spend honoring God and resting from our work.

This is so that we can grow with other believers and refresh ourselves spiritually and physically!

God’s Perfect 10 – Pt1. – IGNITE May 20, 2009

In today’s world we find it hard to abide by laws and regulation, especially any laws or rules that we think of as old or outdated. So, when the topic of the Ten Commandments comes up we often times think of those commands as old and useless for modern believers….but are they? Does the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) have any application for today? Let’s take a look and find out…
Commandment One: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Exodus 20:3

What is a “god?”

A “god” is anything that comes between you and your relationship with the TRUE GOD.

“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” – Ephesians 5:5

This is called idolatry!

So, what does it all mean for me today, in the “real world?”

According to Ephesians 5:5, any time we knowingly sin we become an IDOLATER.

This is because anytime we knowingly sin we are placing our sin at a HIGHER VALUE in hearts than God!

Commandment Two: “You shall not make for yourself an idol…You shall not worship them or serve them…” Exodus 20: 4-6

This passage tells us two things….

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving and kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” – Exodus 20:4-6

First, an idol is anything your worship besides the TRUE God. Therefore, God forbids people making little idols to worship.

Second, we create a false idol anytime we force God to fit “our” image of what we want “our” God to be!

Anytime we do not take God’s law seriously we are changing His image in our mind. This means that we are looking toward and worshipping a false god!

We do this when we refuse to abide by God’s laws because we do not like them. Or when we do not let the Bible tell us what God is like and what He wants but instead simply imagines what God SHOULD be like based upon what WE want.

The point of the commandment is this…we should not try to make God in OUR IMAGE but let Him remake us in HIS IMAGE.

I’m better than you! – IGNITE May 13, 2009

Do you ever look at other people and think…”yeah, I’m better than you”….if so, take just a few moments to review last nights talk from IGNITE.

 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”  But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Luke 10:25-29

So a student of the Law of Moses approaches Jesus and questions Him about eternal life. Jesus then responds and tells the lawyer to love his neighbor (any other person) just as much as he loves and cares for his own well-being.

Then Jesus tells the following story…

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.  And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”  And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:30-37

The CAST:

The Priest: The priest was the spiritual leader during the time period when Jesus told this story. These were the men who would go into the temple on behalf of the people and ask for God to forgive the people’s sins. But he didnt even take the time to care for this man.

The Levite: These were the men who assisted the priests. He didnt care enough to help this man.

The Samaritan: Samaritans were hated by the Jews. They believed people from Samaria were disgusting, evil, not worth anyones time. They should all just die!

The STORY: Just like the spiritual leaders we can become consumed with doing spiritual things but never actually live our faith. We pass by people who need help and love. We dont help them because we feel that somehow we are better than them.

The TRUTH: The truth is we are all the same. We are all sinners, we are all disgusting, we are all misfits, losers, and vile. The only difference is that some of us have placed our faith in Christ and others have not. So, the next time you start to think you are better than someone else, take just a moment and think about how you could serve that person and show the love of Christ.

Prayer – Sunday School – May 10, 2009

Prayer

žWhat is prayer?

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žHow do we pray?

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žWhy do we pray?

What did Jesus say about prayer…?

(Matt 6: 1-5) “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

žSome principles on prayer…

1. We should not pray to receive the affirmation of others

ž2. We should not pray just to make others think we are living a holy lifestyle

ž3. We should not seek to honor ourselves through our worship

žWhat else did Jesus say…?

(Matt 6:9-13) “This, then, is how you should pray:
” ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

žJesus’ model of prayer…

1. Recognize who you are in relation to God.

ž2. Give God control. Let Him be LORD of your life.

ž3. Even though He already knows, tell Him what you need and let Him know you trust Him to meet your needs.

ž4. Confess your sins.

ž5. Ask for God to make your path straight.

LDS beliefs compared to Christian beliefs – IGNITE – May 6, 2009

What are the differences between the LDS and Christians?  IGNITE  – May 6, 2009

A brief history…
The Latter Day Saints (Mormons) were founded in 1830 (Palmyra, NY) by a man named Joseph Smith.  He reported that in the year 1820, God the Father appeared to him and told him that all Christian churches were wrong. Because of this Joe needed to start his own church. The founding of his new church would revolve around some golden plates that were supposedly given to J. Smith by an angel named Moroni. These plates told of a time when Jews came to America long before the birth of Christ.

Some basic beliefs of the LDS church…

The LDS church believes that Native Americans are actually Jews. The Jews in Israel today are NOT the true chosen people.

“For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all that we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

The founders of the LDS church taught that God the Father was actually Adam. (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 50.)

The LDS church also teaches that God the Father physically fathered both Jesus and Satan making them half-brothers.  (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115)

God the Father has many wives who give birth to spirit babies.

We must continue to have children because these spirit babies end up becoming human babies every time a mother gives birth.

They also believe that there are millions of gods. One day, if we follow the teachings of Joseph Smith we will become gods. (Mormon Doctrine, p. 516)

The LDS believe that we are saved by works not faith in Jesus (2 Nephi 25:23)

What is the Truth?

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Deut. 6:4

All the known evidence proves that the Book of Mormon is a fraud! There is even a sales receipt showing that Joe Smith tried to have fake plates made to further his scheme. Also, it has been proven that Smith plagiarized nearly word-for-word a number of novels circulating around his home area.

1. All the known DNA evidence proves that Native Americans are of Asiatic descent not Semitic.
2. The Bible teaches that God made Adam and that Adam was just a man. (Genesis 1-3)
3. The Bible also teaches that God has existed alone for all eternity (Deut. 6:4). We CANNOT become gods!
4. The Bible says salvation is NOT from works but a gift of God if we place faith in Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

What does the Bible actually say about alcohol? IGNITE – April 29, 2009

What does the Bible REALLY say about alcohol?
IGNITE – April 29, 2009*

*Much of this material was adapted from Dr. Norman Geisler’s presentation “To Drink or Not to Drink.” It can be accessed by following this link – http://www.normangeisler.net/drinkornot.pdf

What does the Bible command regarding alcohol?

“But they [the priests and prophets] have also erred through wine, And through strong drink are out of the way” (Isa. 28:7 cf. 56:12).

“Do not drink wine (yayin) or intoxicating drink (shekar), you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting or you will die” (Lev. 10:9).

“When a man or a women makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the Lord, he shall abstain from wine (yayin) and strong drink” (shekar) (Num. 6:2-3).

To Kings: “It is not for kings, O Lemeul, It is not kingly to drink wine, Nor for princes strong drink.” (Prov. 31:4)

To Elders: “[Do not be] given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (I Tim. 3:3)

To Deacons: “Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.” (I Tim. 3:8)

To all Israel: “You have not drunk wine [yayin] or strong drink [shekar]; that you may know that I am the LORD your God” (Deut. 29:6).

Three lines of instruction from God…

1. God forbids the use of strong drink (shekar) for all believers.
2. God instructs all believers to avoid using weak wine (yayin).
3. God demands that those in Spiritual Leadership never use strong drink (shekar) or wine as a beverage (yayin).

What was the wine we see Jesus and others drinking throughout the Bible?

It was alcoholic  but it was diluted as least 3 to 1! (Pesahim 108a cf. Shabbath 77a)
At a ratio of 3 to 1 it would take nearly two gallons of wine to render someone legally drunk!

So, was this common practice, diluting wine in water? Yes!

It was the common practice for Jews. “It is harmful to drink wine alone, or, again, to drink water alone, while wine mixed with water is sweet and delicious…” (2 Mac. 15:39).
It was the common practice for Pagans! (Homer said it was barbaric to dilute wine any less than a 20 to 1 ratio. Pliny said it was necessary to have at least an 8 to 1 ratio.)

CONCLUSION…

The wine of the Bible was nowhere near as strong as even our weakest beer (remember they even diluted what they did have!). Therefore, Christians should not use alcohol as a beverage!

Christian leaders are especially held accountable before God for any use of alcohol!

The Bible condones the use of alcohol for medicinal purposes and nothing else. However, today we have so many medical advances that alcohol serves no genuine purpose in terms of medicine.

Answering Objections

Objection 1: Isn’t it a little legalistic to say that we (Christians) cannot consume any alcohol?

Response 1: It is not legalistic to have rules based upon the clear teaching of the Bible. Besides, legalism means when one claims that certain rules must be followed in order to receive of maintain God’s grace. Drinking alcohol will not keep us from receiving grace, but it can, and often will damage our spiritual growth.

Objection 2: Well, we eat food that is bad for us…like chocolate, burgers, fries…etc. So, if we can do that why shouldn’t we be able to drink?

Response 2: We need to consume calories in order to survive. Specifically we need to consume food in order to survive. Alcohol dehydrates the human body so it serves no purpose as a beverage. Therefore, this objection is self-defeating.

Objection 3: Jesus turned water into wine. So, doesn’t that prove that this lesson is wrong?

Response 3: The Bible tells us that when Jesus turned the water into wine, the guests at the wedding were shocked because it was so good! In that era it was nearly impossible to have fresh grape juice. Fresh juice was considered to be a “high class” and “high value” beverage rather than alcoholic wine. So, when the guests said this wine is “good” (kalon), they were expressing their surprise that it was fresh juice! Alcoholic wine was easy to come by but the average person would rarely if EVER get a chance to drink fresh juice (oinos).

Much of this material was adapted from Dr. Norman Geisler’s presentation “To Drink or Not to Drink.” It can be accessed by following this link – http://www.normangeisler.net/drinkornot.pdf

The Bible and wine info sheet

In Hebrew there are two words used for “wine,” the first, yayin, means general juice or wine that comes from a grape vine. The second, shekar, always means hard alcohol.

“Wine is a mocker [yayin], intoxicating drink [shekar] arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Prov. 20:1).

“Do not look on wine [yayin] when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when is swirls around smoothly. At last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (Prov. 23:31-32).

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints?…Those who linger over wine [yayin] (Prov. 23:29-30).

The Bible tells us to NEVER be drunk…

“Now I have written unto you not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard.—not even to eat with such a person” (1Cor. 5:11).

“Do you not know that…Neither fornicators, not idolaters, nor adulterers …nor drunkards will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Cor. 6:9-11)
:9-1
“And do not be drunk with wine” (Eph. 5:18).

What good use is there for alcohol?

1. It was used as a sedative (Prov. 31:6)
2. It was used to revive people (2 Sam. 6:2)
3. It is an antiseptic (Lk. 10:34)
4. It was used to treat stomach problems (1 Tim. 5:23)

Common sense reasons not to drink alcohol…

1. It causes over 200,000 deaths per year!
2. Over 50% of all accidents involve alcohol.
3. Over 18,000,000 Americans are addicted to alcohol.
4. More people are addicted to alcohol than any other substance.
5. 1 in 10 people who are “social drinkers” will become alcoholic!
6. 50% of all homeless people lost their previous lifestyle due to problems involving alcohol.
7. Casual drinkers are 6 times more likely to develop cancer than those who do not drink.
8. Alcohol is the 3rd leading cause of birth defects.

Got Questions? – April 27, 2009

“Got Questions?” is a new segment that will be posted from time to time here on the student ministries blog. My goal will be to answer various questions posed during bible study that we did not have time to answer before calling it a night. So check back often to see if the questions you have been asking are being answered!

Question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

Answer: This question is interesting. There doesn’t seem to be an easy answer and more often than not the answer we get to this question leaves us unsatisfied. Maybe the problem has nothing to do with the answer but instead the problem is with the question.  Think about it…how many GOOD people do you know? Sure, we call some people we know GOOD but are they really? By what standard are we to judge good and evil?

If you remember our talk on EVIL, we came to the conclusion that without there being an eternal God then there cannot be an absolute standard by which we can call something good or evil. So, if our standard is based upon God and if the nature of God is holy (as Pastor Atwater showed us last Sunday) then God’s goodness must be the standard by which we judge people. So, in moments that people reflect God’s love, holiness, and kindness we could call people “good.” But, are they really good or are they merely fallen people who are, at times, reflecting the nature of God? Let’s  take a look at what Jesus said…

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked,  ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’  ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone.’” Mark 10:17-18

Here Jesus was being confronted by the young man who was interested in finding out how to gain salvation. Notice that he called Jesus good. Now, look at how Jesus responded…”No one is good-except God alone.” That tells us two things. First, Jesus recognized the He was God and that is why He did not correct the young ruler but pointed out that only God is good. So, this passage helps us see how Jesus understood Himself to be God in the flesh. Second, no man is good. Only God is good.

So, this passage answers our question. Bad things do not happen to good people. Bad things happen to bad people. All people are sinners and all people are in rebellion against God.  Now, by placing your faith in Jesus you can move from the camp of those who are in rebellion against God to the camp of the redeemed but the fact still remains that you are a fallen sinner.  Remember, that in the biblical worldview all sin earns us death (“the end (wages) of sin is death!”) and just because we have accepted Christ does not remove the consequences of our sin. We still deserve death and we will still all experience death and pain. The difference for the Christian is that we know that death is not the end (I Thess. 4). We know that we have hope. We can, through the power of Christ, endure the pain and suffering of this world and do it with joy knowing we have a hope for eternity (Phil 4:13).

So the problem with answering this question is not that there is no good answer…it is that the answer does not make us feel good. It does not stroke our ego and tell us how amazing and wonderful we are. It points out the fact that we are still sinners, fallen, and deserve pain. We are still people who need grace…even the “good” people.

That leads us to the answer…the question should not be “Why do bad things happen to good people?” but instead should be “Why do GOOD things happen to bad people?”

Question: What book could tell us more about the fine tuning of the universe?

Answer: Well, there are a lot of good books. The easiest thing I could direct you to would actually be a website that lists all of the over 100 factors that must all be in place at the same time in order for life to exist. The website is located in our “links” section. It is called REASONS.org. Check it out!

Question: In our talk about EVIL you said that some things we call evil (such as parasites, earthquakes, hurricanes…etc…) actually serve good purposes and are necessary to balance out the environment. Where can I get more info on that?

Answer: It is true! All those things serve good purposes. Again, check out REASONS.org because it contains great information on this topic. Also, you can take a look at a great book called “Creation as Science” by Hugh Ross. It gives some info on how the only accurate model for the nature of universe is based upon Scripture.  Dr. Ross also spends a chapter dealing with the topic we are discussing.

Movie Night! May 22nd

We will be having another movie on May 22nd! So, mark your calendars!