Pastor: Please note that the first point of this message contains what some view to be “political” speech. While God has not called us to endorse candidates from the pulpit, we must be unashamed in taking the truth of God’s Word and making application. Don’t let the Barry Lynns of the world intimidate you. Stand in the pulpit and preach the Word.
Series: The Family Under Fire
America is under attack. But I am not referring to the terror attacks of 9-11. I do not refer to the Al Queda network or to Islamic Jihad. America is under attack from within. With the aid of Hollywood, activist judges, and the mainstream, liberal press, radical homosexual groups are undermining the very fabric of American Society.
Sermon #5: The Fight for Marriage
Selected Texts
If we are going to stand firm in the fight for marriage, we must identify at least 4 weapons that are at our disposal.
As a footnote, the use of military terminology in this message should not be construed in any way as promoting violence against those who hold a different view. The old adage is correct, we are to love the sinner and hate the sin. God will never condone individual acts of violence.
That being said,
Weapon #1 – Spiritual Leadership
Proverbs 29:2 - “When the righteous rule the people rejoice but when a wicked man rules the people groan.”
A. In the White House
I believe the 2004 presidential election will be one of the most important
elections in American history, especially as it relates to the family.
I am grateful for a president who speaks of his faith in God. He is
frequently criticized by the media for his outspoken faith.
Yes, the 2004 RNC was liberal to moderate. This reminds us not to have allegiance to party but to principle.
But I am grateful that at least 1 keynote speaker at the RNC was a bona fide pro-
life, pro-family, pro-faith advocate. And I am grateful that pro-family speaker is serving us as president of the United States of America.
According to his official web page:
“President Bush believes that marriage between a man and a woman is the most enduring human institution, and the foundational building block of our society. President Bush has fought to defend traditional marriage laws from activist judges who threaten to legislate from the bench to impose same-sex marriage and deny the voice of the people.”
John Kerry in a thinly-veiled criticism of the president’s outspoken faith recently said at the DNC – “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve. The question is not, ‘is God on our side?’ The question is, ‘are we on God’s side?’”
Senator, for your informationGod is not on the side of the abortionist but you are.
God is not on the side of the radical homosexual activist and you are.
So it doesn’t matter which way you phrase the question.
The answer to both of your questions is “no.”
You are not on God’s side and He is not on yours.
B. In the Court House
One of the worst enemies of the family is the over-zealous federal judiciary. These are men and women who have gone to law school but yet cannot understand their constitutional role is to interpret laws, not write them. If judges want to write laws, they need to resign from the bench, put their names on the ballots, and run for a seat in the legislature.
From the Pledge of Allegiance case in California to the homosexual activism of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, secularists are using and abusing the court system in America to push an agenda that would never pass through our legislatures.
Political cartoon (9th Circuit Court of Appeals) – “I sent the payroll back. All of the
bills had “In God we Trust” on them.”
Our next president will most likely appoint as many as 4 judges to the United States Supreme Court. We had better have a man in the white House who understands the ramifications of the breakdown of the traditional family.
C. In the Legislative House
Senators and representatives on state and national levels…
Some people ask, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have senators and representatives that you knew personally…that you could call and have access to them and tell them how to vote on the critical moral issues of our day?” I say, “It would be even better to have legislators that you didn’t have to call because they already had a spiritual backbone and a moral fiber…”
If you just said “Amen” but are not registered to vote then you are what the Bible would call a “hypocrite.”
D. In the Church House
Is opposing gay marriage political? The person who thinks that opposing gay marriage is a political (not spiritual) issue, either doesn’t understand homosexual marriage or the Bible…or both!
E. At Your House
Revival will only come when it comes to your house.
Don’t cheat on your wife and oppose gay marriage.
Weapon #2 – Sound Logic
I Peter 3:15 – “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
There are questions that we need to be asking and/or be prepared to ask.
Question #1: How does homosexual “marriage” affect heterosexuals?
The breakdown of the family has adverse effects on the entire culture. The negative consequences of gay marriage will be felt by every member of society.
How does a person boring a hole in their side of the boat affect the other passengers?
How does a person on an airplane setting fire to their seat affect the other travelers?
How does a person recklessly polluting the atmosphere on their private property affect you?
We are in the cultural ship together. If you do something to damage your part of the boat it has an effect on me and it is my business.
Question #2: Isn’t homosexual “marriage” a civil right?
All homosexuals are currently free to marry. What they want is not an equal right but a special right.
No one in America is free to marry anyoneand anythingthey want to.
Health laws prohibit marriage between close relatives.
There are laws against polygamy, incest, and bestiality.
Question #3: Didn’t Christians once oppose interracial marriages?
Yes and they were Biblically wrong to do so.
The Bible is silent on interracial marriage. Where the OT prohibited marriage between various nations it was always because the other nations were pagancountries. The same prohibition applies today for the NT Christian for the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6 that it is a sin for a believer to marry a non-believer.
Be careful what you say the Bible teaches.
The Bible has never prohibited marriage based solely on race and it still doesn’t.
The Bible has always condemned homosexuality and it still does.
When the Bible speaks to an issue we should speak up.
But when the Bible is silent on an issue we should shut up.
Question #4: If the standard moves, how far will it go?
If it is not one man and one woman, then why not 1 man and 2 women.
Or how about a man and his cousin? Or a woman and her son?
Or 3 men and 7 women? Or a man and his dog?
In 1972 the National Coalition of Gay Organizations demanded, “The repeal of all legislative provisions that restrict the sex or number of persons entering into a marriage unit; and the extension of legal benefits to all persons who cohabit regardless of sex or numbers.”
Someone has to set the standard or it will always be moving.
The standard has already been set by God…1 man and 1 woman for life.
Question #5: If you’re saving marriage, why not oppose divorce?
This is a “straw-man” argument…one that is based on incorrect facts. The assumption is
that Christians do not speak out against adultery.
Get last week’s tape. Adultery is sin and we preach on it quite often.
But frankly, no one is leading a parade down Main Street touting the virtue of divorce.
While a few moronic psychologists are reporting that divorce has no ill effect on children, the vast majority acknowledge the negative impact of divorce.
In short, no groups are planning “Celebrate Divorce Week” at Disney World.
Question#6: Can’t 2 homosexuals raise a child as well as a traditional family?
In his recent book, ”Marriage Under Fire,” Dr. James Dobson states, “More than 10,000 studies have concluded that kids do best when they are raised by loving and committed mothers and fathers. They are less likely to be on illegal drugs, less likely to be retained in a grade, less likely to drop out of school, less likely to commit suicide, less likely to be in poverty, less likely to become juvenile delinquents, and for the girls, less likely to become
teen mothers, They are healthier both emotionally and physically, even thirty years later, than those not so blessed with traditional parents.”
Question #7: Isn’t all sin equal?
All sin is equal in its nature but it is not equal in its degree.
Throughout the Word of God, sexual sin is placed in a special category all by itself.
We need Spiritual Leadership, Sound Logic and
Weapon #3 – Scriptural Legislation
God is concerned about our laws.
2 Kings 10:31-32 – “But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel with all his heart. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam which he made Israel sin. In those days the Lord began to cut off portions of Israel and Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel.”
Much modern-day legislation is detrimental to the family:
1 - Welfare legislation that promotes laziness and pays for fornication
2 – Estate taxes and confiscatory tax policies
3 – No-fault divorce laws
Georgia Marriage Amendment…Vote Yes on Amendment 1
Federal Marriage Amendment
Isn’t it interesting that those who are now wanting individual states to decide this issue are the very ones that don’t want states the restrict the killing of pre-born children?
God will hold the entire country responsible for those sins we officially embrace.
Weapon #4 – Sovereign Lord
2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people which are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”
It has been said before, “We need to work like it depends on us and pray like it depends on
God.”
The US Army unveiled a poster during WW2 days. It simply said, “I WANT YOU.” Today,
the Lord is issuing that same call to you.
God is Sovereign and He is in control. But our commander in chief is recruiting soldiers for His army. Today He and I are giving you an opportunity to enlist in this epic struggle. Our Sovereign Lord is asking us today to ready ourselves for battle, to join heart and hand, and to prepare our spiritual weapons in this upcoming fight for marriage.