In a society that demands unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ movement, anything less is often met with accusations of oppression and bigotry. As believers, how can we navigate this issue with truth and grace (Colossians 1:6; 2 John 1:3; John 1:14, 17)? How should Christians respond to LGTBQ+ individuals and communities? How can we equip ourselves to engage in respectful and meaningful conversations? Pastor Adam offers valuable insights and practical guidelines for approaching discussions with gentleness and respect, rooted in reverence for Christ.
In the sermon, Pastor Adam mentioned a couple of sermons you might find helpful as you consider how Christians respond to LGTBQ+ conversations. Both come from the series Controversial Jesus by Josh Howerton.
1 Peter 3 says, “But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with a gentleness and respect.” I want you to know that that’s our aim today. And it’s our aim every day to revere Christ as Lord, to hold up the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done, and to think biblically about all of life, to think biblically about every issue that we face, and to think biblically so that we will have reasons when someone says they don’t know about the hope that you have, we can answer and we can give reasons for this. But Peter goes on to say... Do it with gentleness and respect... Be ready to remember that the person who who may even be arguing with us, that person is not the enemy, right? That person is not the enemy. In fact, in the book of Ephesians chapter six, this is what Paul writes. He says, ”For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
