Biblical Sexuality Pt. 7

Weekly Update – February 22nd, 2024

Over the last year, we have been slowly walking through our newly adopted statement on Biblical Sexuality.  There are nine points to this statement.  This week we will look at point seven.  Point one can before found HERE.  Point two, HERE.  Point three, HERE.  Point four, HERE.  Point five, HERE. Point six, HERE. Point seven is as follows:

People who experience sexual attraction for the same sex may live a rich and fruitful life pleasing to God through faith in Jesus Christ as they, like all Christians, walk in purity of life in accordance with scripture.

One of the objectives to adopting a statement on Biblical sexuality was to be explicitly clear on what the Bible says about who we are as men and women, and from there, what are relationships to one another are supposed to look like.  In other words, this statement addresses what we believe about gender, sex and marriage.  Point seven goes a bit deeper though.  The reason why that is the case is because this point addresses more than just a black and white statement.  It addresses the attractions and desires within. 

First, we must start with a clear understanding of our desires.  Here I am equating attraction for the same sex as equal with desire for the same sex.  At a fundamental level, we don’t want to rush to condemn someone for an unwanted desire that they struggle with in their hearts. Yes, understanding desires are necessary to determining what is behind the sins we commit, but the bigger picture with same sex attraction that we need to focus on is what is done with those desires. That means that we can be tempted to dwell on a certain thought or move towards a certain action based on the desires of our heart, yet we can resist that temptation and still remain without sin.  By God’s grace, we have a savior who can sympathize with us as well, as Jesus himself was “tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).  Therefore, in the midst of the temptations that spawn from the desires within, we are called to pray to God for deliverance (Matt. 6:13), from being lured and enticed towards sin (Jas. 1:14).

When we pray about the desires within, should we then expect them to change?  In short, not always.  In many cases, God does change the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4), but a complete elimination of all unwanted desires is never promised in Scripture.  That means with sexual attraction, there are many who have come to Christ and have experienced a change within and no longer experience exclusively same sex desires.  Many have gone on to marry someone of the opposite sex and some have never experienced any sort of homosexual feeling again.  But that is not always the case.  Some pray and do so fervently and yet still struggle with same sex attraction.

Why do Christians who seek the Lord still struggle with unwanted desires?  Here is where our understanding of salvation is key.  First, when we come to Christ, we are made new.  Second Corinthians 4:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”  We have been given a new self (Eph. 4:24) through being born again (John 3:3).  At the same time, we are still awaiting the fullness of our adoption to God with the redemption of our bodies to him (Rom. 8:23).  The apostle Paul says that during this in-between stage, we groan in our weaknesses (Rom. 8:26) as we long for complete renewal, and at times, God graciously allows us to experience that, even with certain sexual attractions.  But again, that is not always promised in this life. 

Therefore, whether we are struggling with same sex attraction, pornography, other types of sexual immorality, or even greed, pride or envy, we as Christians are all called to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1), “blameless and innocent…without blemish” (Phil. 2:15), no longer “conformed to the passions of your former ignorance” (1 Pet. 1:14). All Christ followers, regardless of the desires within, should seek to “deny himself and take up his cross” as they “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).  For some, this may mean embracing a life of singleness, for others, this may mean looking for trusted friendships to find encouragement in the striving towards purity.  Either way, same sex attraction does not need to define a person, nor does it need to become their identity.  But along with every Christian, regardless of the attraction, desire or struggle within, we ought to “stir up one another to love and good works” as we “hold fast the confession of our hope” (Heb. 10:23-24).

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
- John 10:27-30

Announcements:

Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study will begin on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions will be offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.

Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Greeting Team: If you are interested in joining the greeting team, there will be a sign up sheet in the hallway this Sunday. We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm. There will be no evening activities on Wednesday, December 27th.