Sexy Elephant

For the month of March at The Well, we will be in a series called “Elephant in the Room.” The topic: those things everyone is thinking but no one is will to talk about. Pastor Travis will tackle the four toughest and most controversial topics in church. Week one was probably the toughest of the four topics: homosexuality. Last night was perhaps the most intense sermon at The Well to date, in a good way. As pointed out last night, we live in a society that likes to argue about everything. And in order to make any impact at all, we have to stop the arguing and start talking. This goes for any topic, talk do not argue.


Travis covered four questions that come up when discussing homosexuality in regards to God and the church. The first question is “How does God view sexuality?” The answer: Sex is not just a good thing, it is a God thing. God created sex and commanded Adam and Eve to have sex. However, it is important that although sex is a legitimate need, meeting that need in an illegitimate way is a sin. God created sex and gave us a way to meet that need, marriage.

That leads to question number two “How does God view marriage?” To answer this we look at Genesis 2:24 “that is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” We were given this not only in Genesis, but also in Matthew 19:5 and Mark 10:7. In the book of Leviticus, we are given our laws to follow. There were temporal and universal laws. One that is a universal is Leviticus 18:22 “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as a woman. It is a detestable sin.” There is argument that Jesus overturned the old law and that homosexuality is only discussed in the Old Testament. Both of these can be proven false through Scripture. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” Matthew 5:17. Yes, Jesus brought change to some laws, those that were temporal, but He came to put flesh to the laws. And as far as the argument of homosexuality being only in the Old Testament, read Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Timothy 1:10. Some homosexuals will say “I was born this way.” I, like Travis said last night, believe you. As with anything else, though, you may not have chosen the temptation but you can choose whether you allow it to rule your life. This last sentence is important for all of us to read and comprehend because it does not apply just to sexuality, but all sin and temptations.

The next question, “Does this mean God hates homosexuals?” is one that although is a legit question from someone who does not know Christ, I find it to be a silly question for a Christian to ask. God has an overwhelmingly unimaginable amount of love for each of His children. We are His children and not one of us to too far, too broken, or too dirty for His love. God hates sin, but He loves sinners. The well known verse John 3:16 talks about the whole world, there is no disclaimer that homosexuals are not loved.

The fourth and final question is an important one for Christ followers, “How should Christians respond?” First thing is first, stop trying to win arguments. Second of all, love. Love them like Jesus loves you. It is important to remember that the remedy for homosexuality is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus cleanses you. And it is not their sexuality, but the lack of knowing God that will keep homosexuals from spending eternity in His presence. Isaiah 1:18 “’Come now, let’s settle this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them white as wool.’”

God is incredible and His love is greater than we know.