Finding My Identity - Pastor Jonathan Falwell (Full Service)

Sermon Notes
Question 1: Why does the LGBTQ issue seem to be the topic of every conversation these days?
Answer 1: Same-Sex marriage, Men competing in women’s sports, Locker rooms & bathrooms, Drag queen shows in schools & libraries, Educational changes

This is not a new issue, it has been going on for decades

Answer 2: Ultimately, it’s a cultural attempt to dismiss the Biblical narrative of what is truth

Question 2: What does the Bible say?
Answer 1: God created “Man” in His own image. The image bearers of God are reflected in two sexes/genders: Male & Female

Genesis 1:27-28a (CSB) So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.

Answer 2: God’s perfect design is marriage between two people; one male and one female

Genesis 2:24-25 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame.

Answer 3: Any other plan or design that dismisses the “Imago Dei” or God’s plan for marriage and gender is sin

There are six references in the Bible to LGBTQ behavior (Gen 19; Lev 18: Lev 20; Rom 1; 1 Cor 6; 1 Tim 1)
There are at least two references in the Bible about the Transgender issue (Deut. 22:5 and 1 Cor. 11)

Answer 4: Jesus affirms God’s design for sex, gender, and marriage in Matthew 19

Matthew 19:3-9 Some Pharisees approached him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, 5 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?, 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 “Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away?” 8 He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. 9 I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”

Jesus points back before the fall to affirm God’s perfect creation and design

Question 3: How does LGBTQ behavior go against God’s design
Answer 1: It attempts to disrupt and upend God’s desire and design
Galatians 5:16-21 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It rejects God’s design of “He made them male and female” (XX or XY)
Rejects God’s design of marriage
It is being promoted by Social Contagion and Cultural Confusion
CDC Report states the number of young people who identify as LGBTQ or are questioning has more than doubled in the past 7 years[1]

Question 4: What is the Christian’s response?
Answer 1: Truth in love
Ephesians 4:14-15 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

1 Timothy 1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.
No compromise

Question 5: What do I do if a loved one is walking this path?
Answer 1: Love, but don’t affirm

Matthew 22 – The Great Commandment – LOVE

Question 6: What do I do if I am questioning my identity?
Answer 1: Recognize your worth
Ephesians 2:10

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Answer 2: Find your identity in what God created you to be, not what the culture encourages you to change
Psalm 139:13-16

Bottom Line: You are created in the image of God, God doesn’t mistakes, you are perfect in your created form, don’t let the world destroy truth.