PAUL’S 8-FOLD DESCRIPTION OF HOMOSEXUALITY (2)

Romans 1:18-32

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Have you ever heard of a court case called:  Lawrence vs Texas? 

1.    The case is a Supreme Court Case.

2.    It was ruled on June 26, 2003.

3.    Prior to this case, sodomy or homosexuality, was illegal in the state of Texas.

4.    However, the Supreme Court stated that the U.S. Constitution grants individuals the right to practice sodomy.

5.    In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 4 to 3 that the state legislature had to recognize the legitimacy of homosexual marriages.

 

B.   On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court heard another case, Obergefell vs Hodges.  In that case, same-sex marriages were approved nationwide.

 

C.   On December 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act.  It states that if Obergefell vs Hodges were ever overturned, all states had to recognize the same-sex marriages from the states wherein they are approved.

 

D.   Today, we are talking about

1.    Multiple genders.

2.    Children being taught explicit sexual material in elementary school.

3.    Gender affirming care being given to minors without parental consent.

4.    Biological males competing in girls’ sport.

5.    Men being allowed in girl’s bathrooms and locker rooms if they feel they are female.

6.    Men having the ability to have babies.

7.    Tampons in boy’s bathrooms.

8.    Laws being introduced to legislators that would allow pedophilia.

 

E.   We are no longer slouching toward Sodom.  We have had the gates opened to us and we are walking straight through them.

 

F.    It is essential for Christians to know the truth about homosexuality as taught in God’s Word.  Too, we must have the courage to go out and speak that truth to a world that is deep in darkness.

 

G.   Paul discusses the sinfulness of the Gentiles in Romans 1:18-32.

1.    He does this in order to solidify the theme of the book found in Romans 1:16-17, The Righteousness of God Is Found in the Gospel.

2.    The sins of the Gentiles included homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27).

 

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

 

3.    Last week, we began a study entitled:  “Paul’s 8-Fold Description of Homosexuality” from Roman 1:18-32.  We looked at four points.

a.    It is Delineated as Evil.

b.    It springs from the Desires of the Heart.

c.    It is a Departure from the Natural Use of the Body.

d.    It Dishonors the Body.

4.    In this lesson, we want to look the last four aspects of Paul’s description of homosexuality.

 

I.             DUMPED IN WITH OTHER SINS (Rom. 1:29-31)

 

A.   In Romans 1:28, Paul notes that the sins of the Gentiles did not stop with idolatry and homosexuality.

 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.

 

B.   In the next three verses, Paul lists twenty-three (23) other atrocities committed by the Gentiles.  Murder, haters of God, proud, and disobedient to parents are on that list.

 

C.   When man turns from God, and when man departs from things which are natural, he has put himself on a course to destruction.  There is no standard.  Thus, all things are permitted.

 

II.           DELIVERS A REWARD (Rom. 1:27)

 

A.   In Romans 1:27, Paul reveals that the men burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of error which was meet.

 

B.   Thayer defines the word “recompense” as “the reward of their error.”

1.    Yes, there are rewards to those who engage in sin.

2.    These rewards, however, are not positive in nature. In an article by Johns Hopkins Medicine, they list five “rewards” of homosexuality.

a.    Intimate Partner Violence:  manipulation, control, verbal threats, emotional and physical abuse

b.    Substance Use Disorder:  cigarettes, alcohol, crystal meth

c.    Body Dysmorphia:  eating disorders, depression, self-esteem

d.    Sexually transmitted infections:  HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis A & B, HPV, and meningitis.

 

C.   The old adage is:  “If you play, you will have to eventually pay.”

1.    The downward spiral is not pretty to observe.

2.    2 Timothy 3:13

 

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

III.         DISCARDS THE TRUTH

 

A.   Often within this text, the rejection of truth is noted.

1.    Hold the truth in unrighteousness (v. 18)

a.    The word “hold means “to hold back” or “to restrain.”

b.    They pushed back against the truth with their wickedness.

2.    Became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (v. 21)

a.    Instead of allowing truth to enter their hearts, they followed their vain and empty imaginations.

b.    Their hearts were darkened to the truth.

 

3.    Professing themselves to be wise (v. 22).

a.    They became the wise and knowledgeable. 

b.    Accepting their own wisdom, they rejected the wisdom of God.

4.    Changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things (v. 23)

5.    Did not like to retain God in their knowledge (v. 28)

 

B.   When individuals hear these things, they are often turned off by the truth. 

1.    They believe the truth is mean.

2.    They believe the truth is outdated.

3.    They believe the truth is bigoted.

 

C.   Truth, however, comes from God.

1.    He alone is the Creator of all things.

2.    He knows how things operate for the well-being and joy of His creation.

3.    His laws provide for our humanity’s well-being and happiness.

4.    Those who reject the truth reject that which is best for them.

 

IV.         DESERVES GOD’S WRATH (Rom. 1:18, 32)

 

A.   The first verse of our text, Romans 1:18, and the last verse of our text, Romans 1:32, both mention the wrath of God and His judgment against these things.

1.    Romans 1:18

 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

 

2.    Romans 1:32

 

Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death…

 

B.   Truth exists in the world.

Right exists in the world.

Morals exist in the world.

Nature exists in the world.

Holiness exists in the world.

That which is fitting exists in the world.

NOTE:  These things are determined by God’s wisdom and not man’s wisdom.

 

C.   When men reject God and the wisdom found in His word, they are worthy of the wrath, judgment, and punishment of God.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   In our first lesson, we noted that the phrase, “homosexuality is a sin,” is not found in these verses. 

 

B.   The entire context of the passage, however, goes from Romans 1:16 to Romans 3:31.

1.    Paul sets forth the theme of the book of Romans (Rom. 1:16-17).

2.    Then he shows that Gentiles need God’s righteousness (Rom. 1:18-32).

3.    He also proves the Jews need God’s righteousness (Rom. 2).

4.    The summary:  “…they are all under sin, “and “…all have sinned” (Rom. 3:9, 23).

5.    Homosexuality is in this discussion.  It is definitely sin in the sight of God.