"AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU"      
Pastor Bob Chroninger Trinity C.U.  1-24-99 A.M.       1Cor.6:9-20 
	Do you listen to the testimonies that are given?  They are usually on the "victory" side,
 aren't they?  Say, do you ever have "struggles" that you have to deal with often? I want us to 
 look at another issue in our society that seems to be developing into avalanche proportions... 
 and out of control... that is "homosexuality". 
I.  THE CAUSE OF IT...(?) 
  A. It is "eroticism for one of the same sex.." 
  B. It has many factors... 
    1. Early childhood relationships.. father / mother 
    2. A desperate search for love and acceptance 
    3. An unhealthy attitude toward the opposite sex 
    4. A direct outgrowth of our "fallen nature"... SIN - apart from God's grace all men will distort God's
 	wonderful gift of sex... in one way or another. 
 ** No matter what the source.. we are all without excuse.. Ro.1:20 
II. THE CONFUSION ABOUT IT.. 
  A. The Action of Homosexuals.. 
    1. Aggressive... 2. Vocal... 3. Persistent... 
  B. The Agenda of Homosexuals.. Acceptance.. 
    1. By "science", so called.  Looking for reasons.. "born" that way 
    2. By educators.. promoting "alternative" life styles... 
    3. By Politicians... tolerance 
    4. By Churches... United Methodist on Youth Ministry.. "Homosexual practice should not be a bar to
 	ministry." 
	- Episcopal Church has ordained practicing homosexuals 
	- Church of England.. - Some Roman Catholic priests.. - United Presbyterian Church 
III.  THE CONDEMNATION OF IT.. 
  A. The Bible Is Clear... 
    1. God created them "male and female"... for a reason! Gen.1:27;5:2; Mt.19:14 
    2. God said.. Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (KJV)
 	- Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:24-27 
	- We are all a part of the fallen race and may "feel" it's all right when it's all wrong!  Ro.3:23 
  B. The Bible Is Consistent..  this practice is in same category as... 
    1. Adultery, bestiality, & child sacrifice.. Lev.18:20-25
	- It defiles the land.. God judged the Canaanites for it.. 
    2. All have sinned.. all perversion is out of the heart... Mt.15:19 
    3. All need to repent (Acts 3:19).. to be forgiven (Eph.1:7).. to be enabled to walk with God (Gal.5:16)
  C. The Bible Is Competent.. 
    1. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.. 2Tim.3:16 
    2. The Bible is the ONLY Rule of Faith and Practice 
    3. The condemnation is based on the holy character of God 
IV.  THE COMPASSION IN SPITE OF IT... 
  A. There Is HOPE... God Himself entered this fallen race and reached out with the promise of
 	redemption.  John 5:24 
    1. You Can Change... if you want to!! 
	- Recognize (Luke 18:13)... Repent (2Cor.7:10; 2Pe.3:9).. Receive Jesus as Lord! (John 1:11,12) 
	- Put off the old...  Put on the new... Eph.4:22-24 
  B. There is HELP... 
    1. Persistent and specific action.. it will "cost" you  Acts 26:20 
    2. Professional counseling  2Timothy 2:25,26 
    3. Praying and Caring Christians.. 
	People don't care how much we know until they Know how much we Care! 
  "BROKEN" PEOPLE ARE WELCOME AT TRINITY... 
	NOT TO REMAIN "BROKEN"... BUT TO FIND HEALING AND HELP!!