“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, …”            

 

 

I realize the passage we are looking at this week has been the subject of much controversy. Many clergy will avoid speaking on the sin of homosexuality. People are eager to speak on the love of God but not the wrath of God. Both aspects of God are equally true.

 

We have seen the extreme positions highlighted in the news. Rev. Fred Phelps used to pastor at Topeka, Kansas, Westboro Baptist Church. Perhaps you will remember the small vocal church that would picket outside funerals of slain servicemen condemning them to hell because they were serving a country that allows homosexuality to flourish. We have been repulsed by the actions of such claiming to be Christians by holding up signs for national TV “God hates Fags” and “God hates America.”  and there are radical groups and individuals who beat, injure, and even kill homosexuals.

 

On the other extreme, the American Episcopal church and many churches and denominations calling themselves Christian, support practicing homosexuality. Homosexual clergy and Bishops are ordained and given leadership over sizable number of churches. When I first preached this sermon, the American Episcopal church had just voted in an active homosexual to be the Bishop over the New Hampshire churches. The same was true of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. In addition, just two years ago the United Methodist Church changed its position. United Methodists now are urged to speak up for persons who face marginalization of any kind, including because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Their statement reads, "The United Methodist Church commits to befriending and caring for all persons, including LGBTQ persons in our churches and communities". Many churches who accept the Biblical teaching as authoritative for the whole church today, are leaving these liberal denominations.

 

The debate has found itself in most denominations in America, and it is growing and fiercely discussed. The American Counseling Association policy states that counselors must not provide therapy for any clients seeking to change their homosexual attractions or involvements. The California Assembly approved a position that would force some nonprofits to record the sexual orientation of board members, as well as the number of grants awarded to homosexual groups. They would be compelled to collect information including the race, gender, and sexual orientation composition of the board of directors and the number of grants awarded to organizations serving ethnic minority communities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

 

A British Columbian based evangelical Christian university lost its legal battle over accreditation for a new law school. The Supreme Court of Canada ruling says it's "proportionate and reasonable" to limit religious rights in order to ensure open access for LGBT students. This legal movement is taking away accreditation from Christian Universities and colleges for not following the government's stand on diversity.

 

As we go through the book of Romans, we see the way Paul presents his argument. Last week we addressed Romans1:16,17. It was the key to the whole book the stating that we are justified by faith in the works of Jesus Christ. There is hope and good news for everyone, but for good news to be good, Paul develops a courtroom illustration where the world is on trial before the Judge - God. He began by addressing Gentile pagans who had had no exposure to the truths of the Old Testament.

 

This week’s passage is instrumental in asking tough questions, Are the heathen lost? What about those who have never heard the message of Jesus Christ? We will look at important Biblical truths this week.

 

 

Dale