羅馬書一章廿四至廿九節；馬太福音十九章三至十二節；哥林多前書六章九至十節
林永健牧師
福遍中國教會
2012.08.19 國語堂
2012.08.26 粵語堂
2012.11.11 英語堂
2012.11.25 學生聚會點
引言
1. 今天我想與大家分享同性戀的問題，可能你覺得同性戀與你無關，離你很遠，「我從來沒有過同性戀的問題，也沒有認識任何同性戀的人。」在美國，同性戀是一個爭議很大的問題，各有説法，我們的總統是第一位公開支持同性婚姻的美國總統，時代在改變，可是今天這不是我們講這個題目的目的，今天我們要從一個牧養的角度來看這個問題，我們的教會應如何對待在我們當中的同性戀者？如果我們的下一代告訴我們他們是同性戀者，我們應如何去面對？
香港最富有的人之一，趙世曾的女兒，三十三歲的趙式芝最近公佈她與相戀八年的同性戀人 Sean 在法國結為夫婦，公開她同性戀的身份，對這件事的反應有三種，代表著現代人對同性戀的三種反應：1）趙式芝本人認為這是個人的私事，與別人無關，任何人包括她父親，也沒有權去過問，她本人很快樂，這是最重要的事；2）父親趙世曾與女兒的關係很好，也很愛他的女兒，但沒法接受女兒是同性戀，也不願意承認女兒同性戀的婚姻，甚至公開為女兒徵婚，願意送出六千四百萬美元作聘禮，只要有（男）人得能女兒的芳心，同結連理；3）媽媽是個基督徒，終日以淚洗臉，認為女兒大錯特錯，得罪神，為女兒難過。
以下是有關的新聞報導：
香港卓能集團主席趙世打算出資5億港元，為女兒趙式芝招婿。他表示應徵者須心地善良、慷慨大方，而且要有才能。
但這只是趙世曾單方面的意願。趙式芝上週宣佈與同性戀人結婚。
早前有媒體披露，33 歲的趙式芝是女同性戀者，且已與戀人結婚。但76 歲的趙世曾拒絕承認此事，指責「報道不實」。他說，出資招婿是為了「吸引自身才華橫溢、但沒有資金創業的人才」。媒體上週報道，趙式芝稱已與相戀七年的同 性戀人楊如芯於4月4日在法國結婚。法國認可同性婚姻，而香港法律並不承認。
趙式芝媽咪兼前女星姚煒，早前表示對女兒的性向十分抗拒，曾對 Gigi 使用強硬手段改變女兒想法，結果讓母女倆因此斷絕來往兩年，如同陌生人。後來姚煒信主後才慢慢接受，明白愛是包容，已見過幾次 Sean，大家關係不錯。
事實歸事實，對於女兒在大眾面前承認是同性戀者，更稱已跟 Sean 在法國結婚，姚煒雖早聽說女兒在法國「出嫁」，但依然選擇不出席婚禮，只「將一切交託給神」，明顯依然無法接受；據知Gigi 與 Sean 公開關係後，姚煒整日以淚洗面，心情一直還未平復。
這三種對同性戀的反應總結了今日對同性戀不同的想法與態度，我們福遍教會應該如何回應？
2. 我求神給我們教會三件東西：1）賜人智慧的靈，使我們能明白真理；2）一顆愛人的人，使我們能真心的愛這一群的人；3）勇氣去面對這問題與站立得穏。阿們！
一、定義
1. 性別的身份（Sexual identity）
每一個人出生的時候，都有一個性別，醫生説：「是個男孩！」或「是個女孩！」是根據生理而認定的性別。但一個人心理上的性別身份是長大的過程中的一個自我認知：「我是個男孩！」或「我是個女孩！」
人會在行為上表現自己的性別，這表現與文化有關，我們認為打架是男的表現，打扮是女的表現。以現的男人不哭，哭的就像女的，現在卻認為要做有感性的男人，男人要哭才是真的男人。
性別的身份出問題是當男的認為自己是女的身份，而女的認為自己男的身份。一個人對自己性別的身份之認知，是天生的？還是後天的？我不是很清楚，各有各的説法，沒有肯定的答案。
2. 性取向（Sexual Orientation）
一個人的「性取向」是指與人親密關係之傾向，親密的關係包括性關係、面對面（Face to Face）排他性的關係，若「性取向」是異性的，稱為「異性戀」的傾向；若「性取向」是同性的，稱為「同性戀」的傾向；也有是雙性的，稱為「雙性戀」的傾向。
前言的趙式芝的性別身份是正常的，她對自己女人的性別沒有疑惑，他不穿男子的衣服，但他的性取向是同性的，換句話説，她渴想的親密關係是與女人的關係，男人對她沒有性的吸引力，趙式芝是有「同性戀傾向」，而我雖然有很多的男朋友，但我對男的一點性的吸引力都沒有，我的性取向是異性的。
一個人的性取向是從何而來？以前，大部分的人相信是後天的影響，從父母、朋友、環境、與經歷而來，現今大部分的人卻信相是天生的，在美國十六歲至廿九歲的人，調查説百分之九十相信同性戀的傾向是天生的，若是天生的，不是人可以選擇的，這不是人的錯，我們沒有確定的科學証據，証明同性戀傾向是天生的，不過無論同性戀傾向是否天生的，同性戀的行為卻是一個選擇，或許有一天，我們會發現同性戀傾向的基因，同性戀的行為卻仍是人的選擇。
3. 同性戀行為（Homosexual Behaviors）
同性戀傾向實現出來成為同性戀的行為，人的行為永遠是一種選擇，可以有所為，有所不為，我們要為自己的行為負責。
二、聖經的教導
1. 聖經的教導清楚地告訴我們：同性戀的行為是罪！
哥林多前書六章九至十節，保羅列舉十種的罪，行這樣事的人是不能承受神的國，列表中包括親男色的（ESV: men who practice homosexuality），指的是同性戀的行為。提摩太前書一章九至十節，有同樣的描寫。
我們非常熟識的經文，羅馬書一章廿六至廿七節，「男和男行可羞恥的事」，指的也是同性戀的行為。
聖經沒有説同性戀的傾向是罪，卻説把同性戀傾向變成同性戀的行為的時候，同性戀的行為是神所憎惡的。
就如異性戀傾向的人一樣，若這傾向變成淫亂的行為，這是神所憎惡的。人有各種的傾向：憤怒的傾向、色情的傾向、貪食的傾向等，將這些的傾向變成行為是人的選擇，人要為這選擇負責。
例如：如果一個超重的人，五呎六，二百五十磅，喜歡吃東西，有吃甜食物的傾向，面對一個三層煙肉芝士的漢堡飽（Triple Bypass Burger at Heart Attack Grill）與一大盒他最喜歡的冰淇淋，總熱量超過八千卡路里，被稱為世上最不健康的食品（The worse junk food in the world），雖然他有喜歡吃東西的傾向，吃東西的行為仍然是他的選擇，若他選擇吃，他要承擔這選擇的後果，超重、心臟病、糖尿病等等的後果，不能怪罪於與生俱來喜歡吃東西的傾向，今天有許多與生俱來喜歡吃東西傾向的人，做了對的選擇而活得很好。
一個生來易怒的人，生氣的時候殺了人，在法官的面前不能推卸責任，説這是他與生俱來的傾向，他生下來就是要發怒。
同樣，異性戀的人也不能説，我擁有與生俱來的性慾傾向，必需要得到滿足，才能真正做人，而搞婚外情，婚外情是道德的選擇，不是因為傾向而沒法不去做的事，最近美國最有名的將軍，中東戰爭的英雄，中央情報局局長裴卓斯，因為婚外情而離職，婚外情是他的選擇，他需要承擔一切的責任。
有同性戀傾向的人，面對的也是一個選擇，他可以選擇同性戀的行為，也可以選擇沒有同性戀的行為，無論選擇如何，他需要為他的選擇而負責。
問題一：為什麼神定同性戀的行為是罪？這是兩個人之間的事，沒有強迫性，又沒有傷害別人，為什麼神卻認為是可憎惡的事？
2. 原因很簡單，同性戀不是神的設計，神婚姻的設計是一夫一妻、一男一女、一生一世、男人是頭、女人是男人的幫助。
馬太福音十九章四至六節，耶穌説很清楚，一男多女是淫亂，一男一男或一女一女是神所憎惡的事，不是神的設計，這設計是要保護我們，不是要限制我們，是為了我們的好處，正如保齡球與高爾夫球的設計是不同的，若把保齡球當為高爾夫球去用，高爾夫球的棒子一定斷掉，而且保齡球一定不能進洞，若把高爾夫球當為保齡球去用，高爾夫球一定打不到大滿貫，而且會損壞。人若離棄神美好的設計，徧行己路，男和男發生同性戀的行為，結果一定是不好的，説好只是自欺欺人，一時的快感，卻帶來各種的後遺症與問題，這不是法律容不容許的問題，是道德的問題，是家庭的問題，是靈性的問題，是養兒育女的問題，兩個爸爸，沒有媽媽，或兩個媽媽，沒有父親，下一代如何成長？神的設計是愛的設計，為要保護我們，不是要限制我們。
我們不可能問神：為什麼我們不能飛？魚不能問神，為什麼我一定要在水中生活？我們是被造之物，是造物主的安排與旨意，同樣，為什麼神設計婚姻是一男一女？這是造物主美好的安排。
問題二：如果一切都是造物主的安排，為什麼我有同性戀的傾向？神讓我有同性戀的傾向，卻不準我有同性戀的行為，這豈不是很不公平嗎？你還説神是美好！？
3. 這是青少年對同性戀最大的問題，John Piper 説得好，「我們都是破碎的人！」（We are all broken people.）人的罪性包括了各樣的慾念、驕傲、怒氣、與自私，同性戀的傾向只是其中一樣而已，耶穌説：「我來不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因我得生。」（約翰福音三 17-19）
我們的破碎不能是我們犯罪的藉口，而是我們需要救贖的原因。
問題三：既是這樣，有同性戀傾向的人有何選擇？一生的快樂是否就要幻滅？
4. 人的快樂不是從滿足所有的慾念而來，而是從遵行神的旨意而來。
耶穌説：人在婚姻上的選擇有兩種，只有兩種的可能是合乎神的心意，1）一夫一妻、一男一女、一生一世。2）為天國自己選擇不結婚，守獨身。（太十九 3-12）
無論一個人的性取向是什麼，如果是異性戀的人，與一個異性結婚或守獨身，沒有第三個選擇，同樣，一個同性戀取向的人，也一樣，如果不結婚，就是守獨身，選擇是過聖潔的生活，還是違背神的設計。
5. 過去兩年曾來過福遍教會講道慕迪神學院的教授袁幼軒老師（Christopher Yuan），他的見証是一個很好的例子（Ｏut of a Far Country: A Gay's Son Journey to God. Waterbrook Press, 2011. By Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan） 當他認識神之後，他從性的奴隸中走出來，不再作同性戀行為的奴僕，從新選擇過獨身的生活，雖然他仍有同性戀的傾向，同性戀的行為對他仍有很大的吸引力，但他不需過著同性戀的生活，因為他要為主而活，過聖潔的生活，他發現這是更美的生命，就如一個戀食的人，選擇健康的飲食，結果他享受著健康的生活一樣。
下週一位在我們當中的弟兄將會為我們作見証，他有同性戀的取向，而他將分享他的掙扎與選擇。
三、如何牧養同性戀的人？
1. 正確地教導聖經有關同性戀的教導，全面地教導、正確地教導是非常重要的事，許多人認為教會不合潮流，攻擊批評教會為封建思想，甚至因為同性戀的立埸而離開教會，生氣，很多的原因是因為不明白聖經的教導，聖經沒有提到同性戀的傾向，我們也不能確定同性戀傾向從何而來，但聖經卻禁止同性戀的行為，説明這是神所憎惡的事，同性戀的行為不是神的設計，這些的教導要全面地教導教會中的弟兄姊妹。
2. 教會同時要對同性戀的人存憐憫的心，他們與我們一樣，天天與罪惡爭鬥，我們雖然不能完全了解有同性戀傾向的人之爭扎，但我們要與他們認同︳不能排斥他們，把他們拒於門外，幫助鼓勵他們做正確的選擇，我們也是罪人，我們同樣每天都要做正確的選擇，要有同理心。
我們的下一代，比上一代在這一方面更開放，當他們願意與我們分享他們在這一方面的爭扎的時候，我們要好好的耹聽，耹聽就是愛，了解就是醫治，他們大多心存恐懼，怕父母知道，怕別人的拒絕，中國人的父母聽見兒女有同性戀的傾向的時候，大都不能接受，有強烈的羞恥感，反應或許會過份強烈，強迫兒女去改，做成更大的傷害，同性戀的傾向有更深一層的問題，不是立志去改就能改變，我們可以幫助他們做正確的選擇，同性戀的傾向或許不能改變，但同性戀的行為卻是可以選擇的。
我們鼓勵青少年與父母坦誠的溝通他們在這一方面的爭扎，父母是孩子們都大的支持者，但如果孩子不願意，我們應尊重他們，不會在他們不同意之下向父母報告，這可能使他們失去唯一的支持，更走向同性戀的團體去求助，結果得不其反。若孩子有自殺的傾向或有傷害別人的時候，我們會依照法律的要求，主動的向父母報告求助。
教會是罪人的家，耶穌是有病的人之醫生，教會的門是大開的，什麼的人都可以進來，但我們希望當我們離開的時候，卻是不同的人，是蒙了恩而靠聖靈而改變了的人（Come as you are but not stay as you are.）
教會希望能開辦一些同性戀傾向的支持小組，鼓勵他們過聖潔的生活，在一般的小組中得愛與關懷，這是我們的心願。
3. 最後，我們求神賜下勇氣與胆量，在潮流文化中，堅守聖經的教導，這是不容易的事，要付上代價，受人的攻擊或白眼，求神賜下勇氣。
結論
你若在這一方面有任何的問題或意見，請與我們牧師聯絡，我們罪常渴望耹聽你們的意見。
討論問題
1. 請分享你對同性戀的看法。你有沒有親人或朋友是同性戀的？你對他們有何看法？
2. 什麼是性別的身份？這身份從何而來？你有沒有男性的朋友卻自認為女性的身份？或女性的朋友卻自認為是男性的身份？
3. 什麼是性取向？性的取向從何而來？你的意見如何？
4. 什麼是同性戀的行為？為什麼聖經説同性戀的行為是可憎的事？同性戀是兩個人之間的事，又沒有傷害別人，為什麼神要定為罪？
5. 若一個人有同性戀的傾向卻不能選擇同性戀的行為，這是否不人道？違背他的人性？
6. 假若有一位同性戀傾向的人走進你的小組，他沒有同性戀的行為，你如何與他相處？要注意什麼的事？
回應詩歌
參考資料
Ben Witherington III is an American New Testament scholar. Witherington is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church.
回應
1. 林牧師，
我來美留學時，第一個室友就是一位同性戀者, 也是對我幫助最大的第一位美國朋友，和她同住一年半給我很多機會觀察，體會同性戀者的掙扎和痛苦。我很贊同牧養的第一步是教導，包括對一般會友和對有同性傾向的人。正如你說同性的行為是可以選擇的，但如果沒有一個接納的空間，只有批評和卑視，這種環境壓力反而會迫人入死角，去選擇犯罪墮落的決定。我的室友就是在家人拒絕的情況下，乾脆「豁」出去了。
另外，你的講章中，提到同性行為的選擇時，似乎是指可以選擇與異性戀者結婚或不婚。我不知道與異性戀者結婚會如何，我想一定比一般普遍的婚姻面對更多挑戰，如果同性戀傾向果真是天生的，如此對其配偶豈不是很不公平？
教導弟兄姊妹有愛心，憐憫去接納同性戀者是一回事，教導父母去接受同性戀傾向的子女又是另一回事，我想無論美國或中國教會，這都不是大家想去碰的話題，我很敬佩林牧師你的勇氣和擔當，但是我想你需要一個十分委身的堅強團隊，才能開辦支持小組，也才能走得長遠。
回覆
很謝謝你的來信，你親身的經歷帶給這個題目具體真實的描繪，昨天一位在教會中長大的年青人在英語崇拜公開分享他同性戀的掙扎，很真誠，很感人，你說的很有道理，我們要有一個接納的空間，過去教會對同性戀缺乏教導，基督徒是帶頭批評與迫害同性戀者，把同性戀者不論是有同性戀傾向的人或有同性戀行為的人拒於門外，做成很大的傷害，同情同性戀的人對教會的態度不以為然甚至反感，特別是我們的下一代，他們百分之九十以上，相信同性戀的傾向是天生的，是他們沒法選擇的，我們的孩子在學校中接受美國相容的文化之薰陶，都認為我們基督徒自義、假冒為善，甚至不願來教會，我們的教會有好幾個這樣的個案，他們不是同性戀者卻因為同性戀而拒絕教會。
我的講章中，可能表達不是很清楚，我不要鼓勵同性戀傾向的人選擇與異性結婚，我的意思是耶穌給我們婚姻的兩個選擇：1）一夫一妻、一男一女、一生一世；2）守獨身。沒有同性婚姻的選擇。經文的上下文很清楚的告訴我們，耶穌說不可以離婚，門徒說這太困難了，耶穌說明了婚姻的兩個選擇，也是唯一的選擇，離婚不是選擇，也沒有說同性婚姻是一選擇，（注意當年羅馬的文化中，同性戀的行為是非常普遍，甚至是時尚的事，但耶穌卻不認為這是一個可能的選擇）。正如異性戀的人，若認為不離婚的婚姻是很困難的，不願意選擇，那他唯一的選擇就是獨身，同樣同性戀的人若認為一男一女的婚姻不是一個願意的選擇，那他唯一的選擇就是獨身的生活。這並不是如一些人說，這是不人道的事，不自然的事，令同性戀的人因為獨身的選擇而一生不快樂，這正是耶穌的意思，為討神的喜悅而作獨身的選擇，是神所喜悅的事，這也是講章中的一個重點，人為了健康的身體而作出與自然傾向相反的選擇，帶來的健康的人生。
林牧師
這是我們教會長大的一個年青人的見証，我們邀請他在講道之後的下一個主日分享，下一代聽道是從他們的經歷去聽，故事的方式（見証」是一個很好的方法去把真理個人化。
Testimony - Struggles through Homosexuality.
By Matthew Lee
I know some of you all don’t know this about me, but through the past several years, I’ve struggled with homosexuality. Thankfully, I’ve found a wonderful community of brothers and sisters in Christ who have walked alongside me through all this, pointing me to Jesus all the way.
This past sunday, I shared my testimony at my home church, FBCC. It was unbelievably difficult to share, but I feel strongly that God has called me through these experiences in order to testify to his goodness. Since sharing, I’ve went back and forth about posting my testimony here. It’s something so private and emotional for me, and it’s not something I really want to share with everyone.
Writing my testimony, however, has been a reminder of the shame-based culture we live in. One that flees from confrontation and awkwardness. One that prizes self-sufficiency and saving face. One that drives us away from community because deep down inside, we’re simply afraid.
I don’t want to live in that sort of fear. I want to embrace vulnerability and weakness, and run to Christ because I know he is strong in my failures. I want to boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then he is strong.
As a result, here it is. If you’d like to talk about this in at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to talk about this more with any of you. Thank you all for being such a huge blessing in my life! This testimony would not exist if not for the grace of God and your friendship, prayer and support. Thank you.
I know some of you all don’t know this about me, but through the past several years, I’ve struggled with homosexuality. Thankfully, I’ve found a wonderful community of brothers and sisters in Christ who have walked alongside me through all this, pointing me to Jesus all the way.
This past sunday, I shared my testimony at my home church, FBCC. It was unbelievably difficult to share, but I feel strongly that God has called me through these experiences in order to testify to his goodness. Since sharing, I’ve went back and forth about posting my testimony here. It’s something so private and emotional for me, and it’s not something I really want to share with everyone.
Writing my testimony, however, has been a reminder of the shame-based culture we live in. One that flees from confrontation and awkwardness. One that prizes self-sufficiency and saving face. One that drives us away from community because deep down inside, we’re simply afraid.
I don’t want to live in that sort of fear. I want to embrace vulnerability and weakness, and run to Christ because I know he is strong in my failures. I want to boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then he is strong.
As a result, here it is. If you’d like to talk about this in at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to talk about this more with any of you. Thank you all for being such a huge blessing in my life! This testimony would not exist if not for the grace of God and your friendship, prayer and support. Thank you.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve grown up here in this church. Some of my first memories are of me as a little boy, roaming the halls of HCC. I remember when HCC first planted FBCC, spending my Sparky years of AWANA back at Williams Trace. I remember the groundbreaking for phase 1, and the summer when we had our sunday services at an elementary school. When I was little, I played Sonbeam baseball with a lot of the people here. I grew up here, and so many of my childhood memories are tied up with this church. In all senses of the word, FBCC was like family to me.
Fast forward a couple years past elementary school, however, and I began to face something that completely and utterly terrified me: I began struggling with homosexuality. This was something completely unexpected and that I was in no way prepared to cope with. I had no idea how to react, and all I could think to do was to bottle it up inside, ignore it, and hope that it would go away if I didn’t think about it too much. Unfortunately, that was not the case. My struggles with homosexuality have not faded with time.
All the while, I was being bombarded with words, actions, and images that humiliated and haunted me. Politicians and angry conservatives loudly condemning homosexuals. The unerasable images of Christian activists spewing hate and violence towards the gay community, shouting phrases like “God hates fags”, or “You’re all going to hell”. Even close Christian friends at church and school would casually pass off snide gay jokes or remarks, which cut even deeper. It wasn’t just the words, however, that hurt. It was also their silence. Even when Christians weren’t speaking hateful things, their silence also was painful to bear. Homosexuality was a taboo - something forbidden. It was something uncomfortable to speak about, so people didn’t speak about it, and in my mind, their silence was an affirmation of all these hateful messages I’d heard.
All this drove me inward. Everything I heard from the people around me filled me with lies, saying that because I struggled with homosexuality, I could not be a Christian. God didn’t love me. The church would not accept me. I honestly wanted to follow after God, but I felt like it was impossible.
I felt so isolated and alone. I couldn’t trust anyone with this deep, dark secret of mine. I felt that if I opened up to anyone, I would be ridiculed and reviled. That I would be pushed away and hated. These lies had been so ingrained in my thinking, that I could not imagine any other possibility.
I kept thinking to myself, “This can’t be happening to me. This can’t be happening to me. Why is this happening to me?!” I cried out to God on so many occasions, wanting him to answer me. I remember that through my middle school and high school years, a passage of the bible that always resonated with me was Psalm 13 - verses 1 and 2.
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Despite all this, I kept going to church; It was the only thing I knew. I wanted so desperately to follow God, but I felt an unending feeling of guilt and shame that I could not rid myself of. So, I tried serving. I helped out with ushering, worship team. I served on our high school leadership team for two years - all the while, hearing these lies in my head that said I wasn’t fit for this. That my struggles with homosexuality disqualified me from doing anything of value for God.
That’s how I left my senior year of high school. On the outside, I had everything together. I had a great group of friends at FBCC, I was a model student and a student leader. Inside, however, I felt like the opposite was true. I felt like I a lie - a fake. I couldn’t really trust anyone enough to let them know what I was really going through. Under the surface of a polished exterior, I felt just so filthy on the inside.
College, however, was a huge time of change and transition. I went to UT Austin, and there I managed to become part of a great campus fellowship, an InterVarsity chapter called Asian American Campus Ministry, or AACM. My freshman year, I got to meet all kinds of people, many of whom have been integral in growing my relationship with God. I spent countless hours with these people - at church, in small group, at large group, studying, and just playing around. All my free time, I spent involved with this body of believers. Still, by the start of my sophomore year, nothing had changed: I still lacked the trust to let anyone in and really know all the pain and fear I was struggling with.
That all changed, though, that second year in college. I was involved with a local church called Austin Stone. It’s a huge church where a lot of college students go, and I really can’t describe it in any other way besides calling it a bible church. They place a huge emphasis on Scripture, and they’re not afraid of speaking boldly on tough issues from the bible. Well, one sunday my sophomore year, I remember being completely shaken by the senior pastor’s message on confession. He was speaking on James 5. James 5:16 says this:
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
He made the point that so often, we don’t receive healing from sin in our lives because we don’t confess - neither to God nor each other. Soon, it became clear that I had to follow through and obey. I had been meeting up with a close friend from my freshman year, Jon, to talk about accountability together. Around that time, my IV staff worker had invited me and another friend, Marco, into discipleship together. The other guys in my year had also wanted to start meeting together weekly to confess and live in accountability together, something we were trying to model from the guys in the year above us. With this huge push for accountability and honesty happening all around me, I knew I couldn’t hold back. I needed to humble myself, break down my pride, and confess. So that’s what I did.
I started off with Jon. We were having dinner together when I told him. I remember being so afraid and weeping uncontrollably at the time. Then I shared with Marco and my discipler. Then my accountability guys and my small group. Time and time again, I confessed, fearing derision, scorn, and rejection. But time and time again, I received nothing but God’s mercy, grace, and love. Instead of being outcasted as I had expected, I was embraced. My brothers walked alongside me as I walked through these struggles. In becoming vulnerable and opening up all my weaknesses for them to see, I received a community that demonstrated what the body of Christ looks like. I found lifelong brothers and sisters who were unafraid to stand by me through good and bad, pray for me, admonish me, challenge me, and encourage me.
Now I understand what Paul talks about in Romans 8 when he says that
28 we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
While my struggles with homosexuality have been painful, lonely, and sorrowful, because of them, I’ve had the opportunity to really know the joy that comes in true Christian community. I can say with full confidence that my faith and community are deeper because God has refined me through this experience. My community has shown me time and time again that my identity is not found in my struggles with homosexuality, but as a beloved child of God. They’ve challenged and encouraged me to honor God in all my choices, not just in this one aspect of life. And for all of that, I’m unbelievably grateful.
They’ve taught me that when everything is crumbling around me, I can trust God because even in my darkest moments, He is working for my good and my best. God does not hold out on us.
Still, I have to say that though I wish it weren’t so, I still struggle with homosexuality on a daily basis. It’s not something God has chosen to heal me from yet. Still, I know that I can honor God through a life of singleness, with a heart wholly devoted to Him. I still pray that God may heal me from this, and he may in the future. If he does, then I will rejoice. Regardless, however, if he does not, then I will still choose to rejoice because my relationship with Christ is a greater treasure than anything else I could ask for in this world.
2. Dear Brian,
I’m very impressed that FBCC is willing to take up the
challenge to address social issues esp. homosexuality. Under your
leadership, I believe FBCC is going down the right track. Very, very
proud of you, Brian. It is one of the best sermons I heard from
you. It is coming out of your heart and just in time to educate your
flock in dealing with this changing US society.
Thank you for sharing God's Word with us today. You helped me understand more clearly about the topic of homosexuality by explaining homosexual orientation and homosexual behavior. This is not something I struggle with personally, but I have a family member who is openly gay, and I know people who are gay. This better prepares and equips me to to share what God's Word says about homosexuality. You're right, it takes a lot of courage and compassion too! Thanks Pastor!
4. Dear Pastor Brian,
Thank you for the message... This topic probably can't be completely covered in a single message. I do have two questions/concerns:
1) Most supporters of homosexuality will claim that much of the Old Testament rules are irrelevant, and that we are "picking and choosing" which ones apply today. They also claim that much of the New Testament passages are actually misinterpreted or generally softer in tone. For example, the word "homosexual" wasn't really used in English translations until later versions, maybe because the word didn't exist or wasn't well known, and a lot of euphemisms or symbolic language over the years make make the meaning difficult to translate. Any thoughts?
2) I am concerned about how this has affected politics and how damaging this has been to the perception of Christians and our faith. I would think advocating to deny gay marriage rights is not the proper way to influence our culture, but perhaps the damage is already done. I don't mind if some conservative ideology are viewed as "quaint" or "old fashioned", but I am concerned when they're viewed as "hateful". Any ideas on how to express our viewpoints compassionately? And how involved we should be in politics and law on this issue? The recent abortion scandal in Ireland may be somewhat related to this.
RESPONSE
Thank you for your feedback. I learn when you ask these questions. Here are some of my thoughts. Not complete answers but from my own understanding of the Bible.
1) Most supporters of
homosexuality will claim that much of the Old Testament rules are irrelevant,
and that we are "picking and choosing" which ones apply today. They
also claim that much of the New Testament passages are actually misinterpreted
or generally softer in tone. For example, the word "homosexual"
wasn't really used in English translations until later versions, maybe because
the word didn't exist or wasn't well known, and a lot of euphemisms or symbolic
language over the years make make the meaning difficult to translate. Any
thoughts?
Homosexuality is not new to the current culture. It has been around for thousands of years since the fall of Adam. You read it from the OT. And in the NT, homosexuality was common and even adored in the Roman culture. You read about it in the history of Rome. It is a very consistent teaching in the NT (2 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim 1:9-10; Rom 1 for examples) that homosexual behaviors are sinful. Paul listed it many times in the lists of sins that could not enter into the Kingdom of God. The word used in these passages is
ἀρσενοκοίτης, ου, ὁ (ἄρσην ‘male’ + κοίτη ‘bed’;
Bardesanes 719 Fgm. 3b 10, 25 p. 653 Jac. [in Eus., PE 6, 10, 25]; Anth. Pal.
9, 686, 5 and Cat. Cod. Astr. VIII/4 p. 196, 6 and 8 have the sp. ἀρρενοκοίτης;
Theoph. Ant. 1, 2 [p. 60, 27]; in a vice list—ἀρσενοκοιτεῖν SibOr 2, 73; AcJ 36 [Aa
II/1, 169]; cp. the association of ἄρσην and κοίτη Lev 20:13, s. Soph. Lex.: ἀ.= ὁ μετὰ ἄρσενος κοιμώμενος
κοίτην γυναικείαν=‘one who has intercourse w. a man as w. a woman’; [1]
In Romans 1, the passage is very clear, not symbolic language or euphemism over the years. Paul said in Romans 1:26-27
26 For
this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women
exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men
likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion
for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in
themselves the due penalty for their error. [2]
2) I am concerned about how
this has affected politics and how damaging this has been to the perception of
Christians and our faith. I would think advocating to deny gay marriage rights
is not the proper way to influence our culture, but perhaps the damage is
already done. I don't mind if some conservative ideology are viewed as
"quaint" or "old fashioned", but I am concerned when they're
viewed as "hateful". Any ideas on how to express our viewpoints
compassionately? And how involved we should be in politics and law on this
issue? The recent abortion scandal in Ireland may be somewhat related to this.
I agree with you here. There are times our actions have the opposite effect. For examples, the recent abortion scandal in Ireland you have mentioned does not do any good to influence our culture. Bombing the abortion clinic and killing abortion doctors are not the right things we should do. A wrong does not justifies another wrong. On same sex marriage, I opposite it because the Bible defines marriage to be between a man and a woman. Two daddies or two mommies could not raise children the way God intends it to be. However, I am for the law to protect civil union—the right of homosexuals to have the same medical benefits and the same protection, even though what they do is sinful before God. We cannot discriminate them. We too are sinners—not better than they are. I believe this is George Bush’s policy. And I share the same view.
There is a lot we need to learn about homosexuals, their struggles, their pains and their pressure. Throughout the history of the church, the Church has not been doing the right things in when keeping the law of God. They killed the Jews—saying that the Jews killed Jesus; they justified slavery until recently; the Church was part of the problem in the civil movement; the Church discriminates women even today. All of these are not right and they cause more problems than solving the problems. They give God a black eye.
I pray for FBCC to have understanding to know the truth, the compassion to love the homosexuals, and the courage to stand firm in the current culture. All three we must have. Please join me in praying for these three things.
God bless.
Pastor Brian
[1] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A
Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature
(3rd ed.) (135). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Ro 1:26–27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
5. Dear Pastor Brian,
I just now have the chance to listen to your sermon on homosexuality. It is a very complete teaching on this subject.
2 comments.
1). I spoke to Professor Huang Wei-Jen about the psychology aspect - he also said that there are no conclusive data from psychology on nature vs. nurture as the cause of this issue.
2). For the youth, one of the struggle that I see not infrequently is that they use words like " you homo, you gay", on face book or routine conversation to put down, or degrade their peers in conversations. Even when the conversation is not addressing the person who is struggling with homosexuality. As a by stander or Facebook viewer, they feel like the professed Christians are none-loving and insensitive. This insensitivity has cause some emotional issues for youths that are struggling with homosexual issues.
In your sermon to the youth, can you please address some of these issues and talk more on practically how we should treat one another.
3). It would be good if Matt Lee can give his testimony and talk about how he felt when he came to the H.S. fellowship and how we can do better to help him go thru the struggle.
6. 摩門教最近發表神的立場，不再認為同性戀的傾向是罪，勸父母接納有同性戀傾向的子女，認為同性戀的傾向不是人的選擇，但同性戀的行為卻是人可以選擇的，選擇同性戀的行為仍是犯罪，而且不再反對同性戀合法化，主張法律保障同性戀的法律權益，公開向同性戀的社團道歉，企圖修補過去教會迫害同性戀者的形象，摩門教的新立場與我的看法有點相同。
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/07/15734686-new-website-from-mormon-church-sexuality-is-not-a-choice?lite
寫這篇講章的過程與一些的考量：
林永健
1. 做了一些的研究，其實我對這問題已經注意了很久，這一次是經過教會長老牧師正式的討論後，確定了教會的立場，然後公開的教導會友對同性戀應有的態度。最近這幾年，教會年青的一代有好幾個同性戀的個案，而且愈來愈願意公開的討論，教會對這個問題首要的責任是教導。
RICH McCULLEN, a pastor in San Diego, used billboards to apologize to gay Californians after proposition 8 passed. And himself is gay.
John Piper - Why is homosexuality wrong?
2. DQ1/DQ2/DQ3 安排的講章。
No comments:
Post a Comment