Podcast 3 - Homosexuality and Harding

(You can listen to the audio by clicking the title above)

It's once again time for Biblically Speaking, a podcast taking relevant material from God's Word and making it relevant to those living in the world today. I am your speaker, Jeremy Butt, and I look forward to taking the journey with you from biblical learning to practical living.

Today's text comes from Romans 1:26-27: "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error".

Paul describes in the opening of this great book what happens to those who reject God. Among the many things that are detestable to God is homosexuality, and the Bible is loud and clear about the Lord's stance on this matter.

Recently at my alma mater, Harding University, an underground website sprung up that required some swift attention by the university. The following is an excerpt from The Bison, the school's student newspaper in an article written by editor in chief, Sara J. Kyle:

In chapel Thursday morning, President David B. Burks defended Harding University's decision to censor an underground student website, citing his personal feelings and a formal statement by the university. Harding came under scrutiny by several blogs and social media sites Wednesday afternoon after deciding to block the website, HUQueerPress.com. The e-zine, which was also distributed to several students in the dormitories in the form of a pamphlet, detailed the anonymous experiences of gay and lesbian students at Harding. HUQueerPress.com was blocked at about 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The site included testimonials from current and former students, some of which included explicit sexual detail and offensive language (http://www.christianchronicle.org/blog/2011/03/harding-university-defends-decision-to-block-website/)

As a member of the Lord's church and alumnus of Harding, I am proud of their stance against such ungodly material. The issue of homosexuality is a hot button of conversation in our world today, and taking such a stance against it will bring backlash from the liberals who say we are homophobes and gay-bashers. Dr. Burks made it clear in his chapel remarks that it was not about bashing homosexuals, but rather it was about following the Bible's teaching on proper sexual relationships. According to Dr. Burks this not only includes homosexuality but also premarital sex and extra-marital sexual activity, which we know as adultery.

People in this world who are homosexuals need to understand what God teaches about the heinousness of their so-called lifestyle. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed largely because of their homosexuality (Gen. 19). Paul said that homosexuality is contrary to sound teaching (1 Tim. 1:10). He also told the Corinthians that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Many people today will claim to have been born this way, but Brother Jimmy Allen cites in his commentary on Romans some information gathered by Neil and Briar Whitehead. They did scientific research for more than eight years on homosexuality, and they would respond to this so-called homosexual gene that people claim to have as being genetic nonsense; it doesn't exist (Allen 75-76).

The liberal media of today's time will seek to devour anyone who opposes homosexuality, claiming that such a person is unloving, intolerant and unaccepting. Television shows have even depicted family members of gays and lesbians who don't accept their sexual choices as being without the love of Jesus. Seriously?

Let us understand that because God loved the world so much He gave His only begotten Son so that we wouldn't have to perish eternally (Jn. 3:16). Jesus said "if you love me you will keep my commandments" (Jn. 14:15). Homosexuals and those supporting them often fail to realize what the love of God compels us to do. Jesus died on the cross for all of us, and we in turn are told to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Mt. 16:24). Denying ourselves and daily dying to self are not concepts they would promote. If we're tying to please ourselves, then we're not accomplishing the Father's will.

Hell is a real place and those who live contrary to the Word of God will be there. Going back to the statement made by Paul in our text for today, homosexuals abandon the desire for the opposite sex and burn in their desire toward one another (Rom. 1:27). A burning eternity awaits those who choose the homosexual lifestyle. Some of the Corinthians repented of this sin to become Christians. "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11).

Let us as Christians continue to hold fast to the Word of God so we won't be pressured by the immoral world to abandon truth. Let us like Harding University continue to stand upon the bedrock of truth as God has given us in the Bible. Thank you for listening, and until next time, I hope you have a wonderful week!

Issues of Idolatry - Weekly Podcast

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week. I went ahead and uploaded this week's podcast early for your listening ears. Again, I welcome your feedback along with possible topics of discussion. Email me at jeremytbutt@gmail.com
As a reminder, just click on the title to open the podcast.

Jesus is Aware!

A short while ago I was visiting some patients in Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN. As I was walking down the hall, I glanced in the coffee shop as I often do and found some friends of mine from Centerville. One of them was Shane Willis, who is on staff at the Centerville Church of Christ. His mother-in-law had surgery, and it just so happened Shane's partner in crime, Brian McAllister (the preacher) was visiting her. I sent Brian a text message saying "I know where you are and what you're doing!" His reply to me was "glad someone does." Though we were being sarcastic, he knew that I was aware he was in the hospital.

In the book of Revelation (which is another type of text message), John reveals to the seven churches of Asia Minor in chapter one that Jesus is in the midst of the lampstands (13). He clarifies that a few verses later by saying the lampstands are the churches (20). He also says that Christ was holding the seven stars in His right hand, which were the angels of the seven churches (16, 20). He was aware of the persecutions they had been facing, but He was also aware of the horrible persecutions they would face in the near future. That's why His message to them was relief is coming soon (1:1; 6:9-11). Following that up in chapters two and three, Jesus begins to reveal to John the spiritual conditions of the seven churches. It is clear from the information given in the opening chapters of Revelation that Jesus is totally aware of what goes on with His church.

We need to know this message today, because Jesus still knows what is happening with the church. It doesn't matter if it's here in Tennessee, California, Africa or Japan; Jesus is aware of what is going on in the lives of His people and their congregational triumphs and tragedies. Five of the churches were told to repent because of wrongdoing, whether is was leaving their first love like Ephesus or tolerating immorality like Thyatira. Smyrna and Philadelphia were the two praised for their faithfulness to the Lord. Regardless of where the church is meeting around the world, Jesus knows and cares what's happening with his people.

This message is comforting, but it should also be frightening. How many times have you heard the phrase "there's an all-seeing eye watching over you?" The writer of Hebrews says "and no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (4:13). Knowing that the Lord knows everything about us, how should that make us feel as members of the body of Christ? Are we doing things what would make Christ proud to call us members of His body, or are we acting in ways that bring shame and reproach to His body? Good or bad, Jesus is aware of our activities each and every day.

Jesus did provide us with the ultimate text message in the Word of God, but how would it make you feel today if Jesus sent you a text message on your phone saying "I know where you are and what you're doing?"

New Podcast

For those of you wondering where the link to the podcast is, the audio will play if you click on the title of the blog entry. It may be easier to provide the visible link below next time. Let me know what you think.

Follow Me - First Podcast

Here is the inaugural edition of my podcast I was promising all of you. Please provide me with some feedback so I can work to improve it along the way. I hope you enjoy and benefit from this weekly study!

New Podcast

Coming soon from my blog will be a new podcast, which will be a weekly audio feature on the site titled "Biblically Speaking." I have pondered for a while the possibility of having a weekly study of Scripture to benefit anyone who can listen. I am planning on kicking this off next week on Tuesday, so pass the word along to your friends. I look forward to your comments and suggestions on possible topics of discussion on the upcoming program.

Who Will Follow Jesus?

The audio from last night's sermon has been uploaded if you would like to listen. The title of the sermon was "Who Will Follow Jesus?"