We Believe in Marriage

While this on the things over the last several months we've been dealing with our articles of faith under the moment we have 15 articles of faith. If the amendment which was presented to the congregation of your other congregational meeting last week, there will be 16, but that would dealing with 15 and I have the proof of the privilege of dealing with the last one, and that the title is. We believe in marriage that years ago, even perhaps 20 years ago, we would've thought that was necessary to say we believe in marriage, but we live in a very very different society of rapidly changing society and that before we look at the subject of marriage I want to reemphasize because it needs to be reemphasize the church is like Calvary. The truth is not arrived at by some cultural consensus or political expediency or some sentimental idea and certainly not your personal opinion unsightly know how you quote feel about a certain subject. We believe strongly that truth is revealed that God is a God of truth and God is spoken and God has revealed his mind and will not on every subject, but is given a 66 books which we believe are the very words of God not widely emphasize that because if we do not have that foundation and become to a subject like marriage and homosexuality and transgender is him.

It will be your idea against my idea of what the media says of the University says are CNN's Cesar Fox news say or the president Cesar the Congress. Cesar some other idea, and we put all of these aside because we believe that this book, the Bible is the very word of God. It is without error, and we believe that God is all wise and has spoken very very clearly on the subject.

We realize what I'm going to say is going to conflict with much of society is going to conflict with much of the media and not another, much more sick, on the television but as so much of the denigration of marriage and the false presentation of marriage is given through the media given in the schools. I was disheartened just a few days ago at the learn that in my native Scotland there is a debate where many of the educators want to begin with five-year-old children to teach them that gender is a method of choice. Now that was Scotland used to be called by the living Scotland in the longer loves the Bible and that we see the rapid moral to duration so our goal is always a Calvary church will become to any subject is to say, what does the Bible say our foundational taxa. Calvary churches for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. That is we stand on the word of God as the inerrant word of God. The grass withers, the flower phase with the word of our God stands forever, and we stand on that work and we also stand on the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. And if you unaware what's going on in the subject, you will realize that more and more denominations are important, blessing same-sex unions more and more Christian denominations, so-called blessing transgender is him and those who oppose their views and those who believe in biblical marriage are often portrayed as we are portrayed as bigots as intolerant as the scrimmage rate as homophobes gonna say to you, do not do not be intimidated by these attacks which are an attempt by our society, to silence us.

Remember the teaching of Jesus on the mount.

He said that we are to be lights illuminating the darkness if it is all like you don't need slight but in the dark world as it is we are to be lights and would also to be salt permeating the corruption of our society now that does not mean as a say in the minutes that we indulge in hate speech that we have a loving that will intolerant, far from it is always a loving thing to communicate the truth, and as followers of Jesus Christ. We believe that every single individual is made in the image of God. Therefore, we are to love everyone, we are to respect everyone, particularly those who disagree with us.

Jesus taught that again in the seven in mind that we are to love those who persecute us where to minister to those who ridicule us in some old-fashioned intolerant bigots we are to love our enemies and hates withers in her speech.

Interaction has no place in our lives, but believing the word of God and living the word of God and communicating the word of God is not hate speech. Let me read you. First of all Calvary's proposed amendment on the subject of this subject of marriage and also in terms of homosexuality and transgender is him so those of you who were the congregation meeting got this in writing and you can pick pick up copies of this in the gallery. I think we believe that from the beginning of creation God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male and female that equal but different.

These two distinct complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God, rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within the person. Holy Scripture makes it clear that that the divine design for marriage is one man and one woman in an exclusive and permanent relationship and that homosexuality is sinful and the natural, that is, we believe that marriage between a man and a woman is the only legitimate and accepted sexual relationship ordained by God, and then very Scriptures follow, some of which I will refer to and then here is the proposed wording further which would be article 16 not yet in force. I we believe that each person is created in the image of God. We also believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God is very very important. We are all falling people.

Furthermore, we believe that love, compassion, respect and dignity must be extended to every person, including those who are involved in sexual sin. We repudiate all hate. Conduct and attitudes toward anyone, but we believe that the faithful communication of holy Scripture, including the call to repentance does not constitute hate speech.

We believe that God offers redemption and forgiveness to all who confess their sin, seeking his mercy and forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ in you glad that Jesus Christ came not to condemn us, but to save us, and that all have sin.

As we saw this morning and all needs a Savior so sad that Leslie particularly at marriage your monies as a union between a man and a woman has function for thousands of years within the read the words from the beginning, not something you and marriage is the cornerstone and the building block of civilizations throughout the world from time immemorial. Right from the beginning, marriage is the best institution for bringing up children into adulthood. Children need.

We believe a father and the mother, and I realize as we come to this. This is a shoe subject them only got a few minutes and the so bear with me if I don't answer all of your particular questions might want to lay a foundation for civil teaching of Scripture on marriage, the Old Testament teaching. First of all time in your Bibles to Genesis chapter 1, when we will see that marriage is ordained by God. I think this is very important. Marriage is God's idea, your idea of mine. I we have it in the laws, but it comes from God is ordained by God. Genesis 1 verse 26 then God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and that is verse 27 so God created man in his own image in the image of God he created him male and female he created them. Notice that male and female, and God bless them, and God said to them, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and of dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the heavens over every living thing that moves on the chapter 2 verse 18 then the Lord God said it is not good that the man Adam should be alone I will make him a helper fit for him so he was on them is perfect. Not good for them to be alone is one man, many animals paradise. Everything is perfect. But notice what happens.

God brings to Adam, not another man not to man or three men, but he brings to him a woman. Verse 24 therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. So our creator made us not male and male or female and female, but male and female he created them.

Genesis 1 verse 27 that is important to notice this, said the obvious has to be said that God created to sexually distinct beings. Men and women are different when you think you wouldn't have to say this partly yes men and women are different.

Recent studies find that the woman who caught a little extra weight lived longer than the man who mentioned that I read so men and women are different and very important for me think of transgender is him. Gender is not is not a social construct that has little or nothing to do with but with biology. We do not choose our gender, and I'm glad to say that in my native Scotland that is at least some wise people you even who are not believers rising up and saying this is ridiculous that you're going to confuse little boys and little girls are five years old and telling them well you have.

We have satin sex but you can choose your gender after nonsense.

God chooses can I remind you what kind of body we have chooses whether you're male or female because God we believe made us God created us. You didn't choose your height. You didn't choose the color of your eyes.

You didn't choose in a sense your basic personality. Everything comes from God and God. Yes God decides our gender transgender stock of being trapped in the wrong body you had this talk. I'm trapped in the wrong body know you got the right body was wrong is your thinking and is very interesting as a letter this week, transgender status needs no medical diagnoses.

There is no medical diagnosis for transgender is him. Someone has just to say okay I'm amendment I feel I'm a woman.

I got woman trapped inside me and that means that your transgender is a ridiculous nothing to do with biology. Once transgender is him based on today feelings.

Someone who is female suddenly feels really a man, someone who is biologically a man now feels that a woman and rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection. As we said in the statement of the image of God within that person is a wonderful thing but for this issue. Transgender is a wonderful thing and we been learning in the book of Romans how important it is to their security in Christ. That's why as followers of Jesus, we should be the most secure people in the face of the because God chose your silence. God chose the color of your skin. God shows your gifts and your talents and your abilities where you were born. He chose your parents. He chose your heart. I didn't choose to be 6 feet. If I had to choose I would cheese succeed I think is the perfect height, but that we are with apologies to those of you who are taller smoker than me. But seriously, as followers of Jesus, we realize that everything is under the sovereign purposes of God, and this gives us a tremendous freedom, as we said today doesn't that we accept ourselves because I'm loved by God, that God made me as I am. And God made us think about uniqueness with her DNA with her fingerprints. We are unique human beings and therefore to reject that the sense of blasphemy against the God who made us in his image, and so is what I God provided for at fry the non-none will not another man with a complementary being a woman, Eve soul from the beginning words of Jesus is going to use as will see from the beginning God's plan for marriage is the union of a man and a woman, not a union of two men and certainly not the union of two women that is the Old Testament teachings. It was the Old Testament list week of the New Testament turn to Mark chapter 10 what Jesus plan for marriage your follower of Jesus is a well that's the Old Testament you know boring.

No, really. It's a word of God. Mark chapter 10 is a debate about divorce and marriage, and so on. Notice what Jesus says Mark 10 verse six, but from the beginning of creation. There arguing about Moses and the circumstances in which divorce was allowed on the Mosaic law. He said all right.

I understand that but from the beginning of creation God made them male and female is what Jesus says my words is not how the church is word.

That's what Jesus is saying God made them male and female. Therefore a man is escorting Genesis 224 a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, but not man separate to the families is a testing Jesus and saying is unlawful for man to divorce his wife under the Mosaic law divorce between the men and women was allowed in certain circumstances because of the hardness of their heart and notice what Jesus does in this brilliant reply. He reaffirms the creators original plan for marriage but from the beginning of creation. He says God made them male and female Jesus is teaching that marriage of the is the union of a man and a woman in an exclusive and permanent relationship. Want to know what Jesus says about marriage is between one man and one woman in a permanent, exclusive relationship, turn to Ephesians chapter 5 to see what the apostles say about this. Ephesians chapter 5 it's a great classic passage on marriage and husband-wife relationships from verse 22 through 33. But look at the last verses. Ephesians 531 Paul says that for a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh again. Genesis 224 quoted by Jesus not quoted by the apostles. This mystery is profound and him saying that it refers to Christ and the church is not wonderful to think the relationship of a husband on the wife is a reflection of the relationship of Christ and his church.

However, verse 33.

Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

So Paul was he doing he's courting.

Genesis 224 and he's repeating that management is the union of a man and a woman and is the symbol of the relationship between Christ and his church dismissed theories is that something mysterious about marriage isn't. Or when your great and is reflecting the mystery of Christ and his church, same-sex court marriage marriage, biblically speaking, but seems sex union some mockery of that relationship. An analogy to our sexuality is a beautiful gift from God and it's fine it finds its fulfillment and his joy in the expression of unity, love, intimacy, communion and love and marriage.

One man and one soap some basic Scriptures on management. What about homosexuality then well homosexuality is contrary to Scripture, so let me mention why I would say that according to Scripture not I stress and given my own view. This is the view of Scripture.

First of all we want. We want turn to the interest of time, if you're not familiar with it a ton to it in the Genesis 18 and 19. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah you had the word sodomy referring to homosexuality, where does that come from it comes to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Why did God destroy these two cities because of their homosexuality turned to Joe chapter 7, the second last book of the Bible were Jude refers to this people something so Allison and Sodom and Gomorrah was that the people were not hospitable that that's nonsense.

Listen to it. Jude 7.

Justice Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursuits unnatural desire serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

That is what was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, lack of hospitality. No, the indulged in sexual immorality and pursuits unnatural desires that make it little easier. Thank you, turn to Leviticus chapter 18 Leviticus chapter 18. So why do we believe that homosexuality is against Scripture number one. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Second, the express statements in the Levitical law. Leviticus chapter 18 verse 22, Leviticus 18 deals with a lot of sexual sins incest, and so on. But here in verse 22. You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination that IV says it is testable with an abomination something repugnant to God's commands in Leviticus 18, and also 19. I have no qualifications, no exceptions are not ceremonial prior prohibitions but they are reflections of the moral law of God and the prohibition against homosexuality in Leviticus 18 is in the chapter prohibiting incest, adultery, child sacrifice and best theology all previous sentence whether what about the teaching of Paul wrote in Romans chapter 1 the ferment if you can remember that far back in her cities in Romans member, Paul says that God's wrath. Romans 118 is against all sin and the judgment of God. He says in verse 24 of Romans one is seen that God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, homosexuality, lesbianism, acts of unbelief coming from God's truth and the rejection of God's good design for those whom he created. They are pulsated in Romans one, verses 26 and 27. They are contrary to nature, same-sex intercourse is unnatural and attempts to establish that homosexuality is biologically owed, genetically determined, have not succeeded in any event, even if you could prove that which you can, but even so all of us are accountable to God. All of us are tempted with different sins and God holds all of us responsible for our actions whether they are sexual or otherwise, so the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The political tax the teaching of Paul and then the teaching of Jesus. Have you heard some homosexual activists say that in the Gospels.

There is no explicit condemnation of homosexuality, they said well you followers of Jesus.

Jesus taught love.

Jesus never said that homosexuality was wrong what is true, that is not an explicit condemnation of homosexuality from the words of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

That is true. But Jesus knew the Mosaic law and he says in Matthew chapter 5 verse 17 have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them in the silence by Jesus on the subject of homosexuality would have been would've been understood by everyone as an acceptance of the Mosaic teaching not rejection of it and to suggest that because Jesus didn't particularly prohibit a specific conduct. He must've approved of it is a very false argument that explicit condemnation by Jesus of sexual practices such as homosexuality was not necessary because Jesus made it clear. One is that he follow the law and secondly that humans sexual relationships are to be monogamous to be lifelong heterosexual unions as ordained by God from the beginning of creation. And so when Jesus is talking about marriage is is not remember the divine design right from the beginning. One man and one woman usage on this is pretty tough.

Well the reason it's tough not.

I think necessarily the teaching is tough for this because of the darkness around us which has permeated the church of Jesus Christ and our children and their students, and the so-called millennial's are being inundated that same-sex unions in homosexuality and lesbianism is perfectly acceptable. It's not but let me say this very important as we prepare our hearts for communion that Jesus offers love, forgiveness and freedom to everyone to everyone member Paul says in Romans one verse 16 before he denounces homosexuality the end of the chapter he says this from not ashamed of the gospel for is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. That is whoever we are and whatever sin our sins we have committed the power of the gospel is greater that the power of God in the life of the individual can forgive the guilty's of sinners and to the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit as we thought of this morning gives us a supernatural power so that the New Testament teaches us greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world, but let me ask you to turn to first Corinthians 6, which are key verses on the subject, and we have the wonderful balance of Scripture. I want to say that Calvary church welcomes everyone respective of your sin, respective of your struggle irrespective of your failures.

Every single person sitting here today is a sinner. We all struggle. We all have sent one to tell you but Jesus offers you love forgiveness and freedom. First Corinthians 6 verse nine Paul is writing to society similar to ours in Corinth was a dark world sex saturated in: what does he say do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not mix be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor violators nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God and such were some of you but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified amending the word, but there which is in the original Greek, but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God was pulsating. First of all the unrighteous the wicked longer than Devon.

The first thing the person mentioned in verse nine is sexual immorality, the sexually immoral, also talks about the adulterers that he talks about idolatries in the greedy and the swindlers and thieves and drunkards in the violators love sins that under very easy for us to point the finger at those who are involved in sin that we love never been tempted to commit is so here's a man who looks down his nose at the person who struggles with sexual immorality. But in these businesses a swindler.

He's at his he's a cheat or someone who's a slanderer but notice man who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God that these horses translate two Greek words, which in some translations are are translated as effeminate and homosexual. Everything from Inc. English standard version and the bottom of my Bible it says in a footnote that this phrase refers to the passive and active partners in consensual homosexual acts or pointers. This is sinful behavior as his fornication as is adultery as his drunkenness, as in swindling, as in being a fee for greedy autopilot.

All of these are sins, but none to glad Paul didn't stop there anything verse 11 is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible and such where past tense where some of you in the church at Corinth. There were people who had been sexually immoral people who had been homosexuals there were people who were drunkards there were people who were swindlers or people who were cheats, there were people who were dishonest to work who were just nasty people and serious sin once characterized the light but all of the is in the past. Neither forgiven the free neither wash is not what we celebrated communion, the forgiveness of our sins once they were spiritually defiled, and neither clean. You come here tonight you feel dirty, unclean solute use bruised and battered and scarred because of your sent with the answer to say these are not sins no. The answer biblically is to acknowledge your sent and to realize that my Lord Jesus Christ came to die for all of my sins and all of your sins on the cross and if you come to the Lord Jesus, one who loves you the one who created you, he's going to washer and he's going to cleanse you and you will of a new identity and then use standing on this washing the sanctification. This justification that Paul refers to in verse 11 are the basis of the foundation of our identity in Christ, not what I once was. But what I know, by the grace of God, a new creation in Christ is now our baptisms celebrated love baptisms. I don't baptize many know there's other pastors do, but I'm sure I speak for all of the pastors went without a thrill. What a great privilege. It is to see there's a young man who's a young woman like to go off to college and see yeses. One of the young. One of our young sisters that yes I have five. I have my stop but I've received the forgiveness of God and cleansed the waters of baptism, though they themselves don't wash away the sin, but they they picture that spiritual cleansing done daily.

The picture of the reception of the Holy Spirit in the state, out of the water. There saying I am no longer who I once was. I once was lost in the room find.

I was blind but now I see I once was dirty, but no, I glanced I once was dead and my trespasses and sins, but now I'm alive to God and I and I'm God's slave I've arisen in the newness of life. So Paul says if anyone is in Christ is a new creation the old has passed away, because the old sins. All of the sins I don't know what your sins are and I really don't particularly want to know sexual sins. Yes many of you have committed sexual sins with his fornication and adultery, homosexuality, all kinds of things. I'm sure in the congregation the size that our many sins.

Others of you say while I'm committed the sins as we have committed other sins you've been a cheat. Give me a liar you dishonored your parents you slandered people you some you done and said some terrible things is not true of us all. We come to Christ received the spiritual cleansing so that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Now how do we respond to people who are involved in sexual sins and sinful lifestyles can I say don't reject them at Calvary. We welcome them. Don't reject him lunch on the don't insult. Don't be rude to them, love them display the love and the compassion be patient with the truth and righteousness. No no don't condone the sin don't compromise the word of God. We can do that. The point them to the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the world, pulling them to the cross of Christ. Point them to the place of hope will need hope. Don't weigh not just women of all.

But we only talk. Don't wait that hope is in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Today you're here, you're struggling perhaps with this very area of sexual sin or some other certain I'm glad you're here. God loves you and so do we. In the cross of Christ as we come to communion is grace you'll deserve a disgrace's transformation of salvation.

When you turn from your sin, you know what's wrong you know God didn't create you to live that kind of life and trust Christ as Savior will transform you is good a plan in the future for usage on what I still have struggles yes you may have struggles we all have struggles but God will place in your heart. The power of the Holy Spirit so that you can live a life of fruitfulness and freedom. Father, we thank you for the cross of Christ in this week come no entry. Hearts were communion. We asked for this cleansing some hitter still struggling in the prey they will experience you cleansing your forgiveness. That freedom from the POTUS sin in their life, convict them father of their sin open their eyes that they will see the Lamb of God perfects Lamb of God, the sinless Christ who comes into our world not to condemn us to point a finger at us, as it were, but to bring forgiveness and freedom cleansing and hope and will come. Father we come to the cross. Forgive us, strengthen us for your grace on us. We ask in Christ name it meant