April 26, 2015 AM

Pastor Craig Ledbetter

Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland

www.biblebc.com

I.       Introduction (Luke 17:24-30)

A.    It is Amazing how CLEARLY the Bible predicts things

1.      Jesus said as it was in the days of Noah, and the days of Lot…

a.       God was completely rejected, not even tolerated in Sodom, just as Jesus is rejected today

b.      People going along with their lives, as if nothing matters

c.       But did destroy this world with a flood

d.      And God did destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, with fire

e.       And so is it happening once again, just before Jesus returns, and judges this world again!

2.      Listen to 1Timothy 3:1-4   Sounds just like today! It has NOT always been this way!

3.      Don’t dupe yourself into thinking this world is getting better and better! It isn’t!

B.     There is a BATTLE, a WAR raging…

C.    Against GOD! (Romans 1:30, “…haters of God…”)

1.      The Media (TV, Movies, Facebook, Twitter, Sports, Newspapers)

2.      The Governments of this world

3.      Schools

4.      ALL pushing, for the honour and elevation of such wicked sin, and granting such sin, the power to have your children, and teach your children, and expose themselves to your children, and leave nothing clean, and pure and godly for the next generation!

5.      Basically, almost a complete shut out of dissent – bullying

6.      BUT! We have a vote! Amazing! May 22^nd, 2015

II.    Preliminary Facts

A.    What is about to happen if people don’t wake up

1.      What the proposed change will say:

a.       The Irish government proposes to add to the Constitution a declaration that "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex".

2.      Ireland will be the first country in the world to allow its people to vote on Same Sex Marriage – and it is only because we HAVE TO VOTE ON IT! Our blessed constitution does THREE THINGS:

a.       Limits the power of the legislature and courts to make these decisions

b.      Honours not just God, but the Lord Jesus Christ and HIS view on life and society

c.       And forces the entire country to be a part of any changes to the constitution!

d.      ALL other countries have never been allowed a vote – because in every country the majority have voted to retain the traditional meaning of marriage, and excluded same sex participants from the  elevated honour and protection and support that Traditional marriage has been given for the past 4,000 years!

3.      Listen to the opening words of the Amazing Constitution of the Republic of Ireland!

a.       This was no simple document. It has 16,000 words, and is divided into 50 sections, called Articles. There have been 26 amendments since 1937.

b.      It is in no way a perfect Document, but it is the law of Ireland!

c.       The Irish Constitution ends with these words…

1)      Dochum Glóire Dé agus Onóra na hÉireann

2)      Which means, Courageously glorify God and honour Ireland!

4.      Now listen to What the Constitution currently says about Marriage and the FAMILY…

5.      NO WONDER HOMOSEXUALS HAVE TO CHANGE THIS DOCUMENT!

B.     Why This Vote Matters

1.      The Media and the Government are LYING about this referendum

a.       The Same Sex Marriage referendum has nothing to do with children. (Repeat over and over and over)

b.      This vote is only about “respect”

c.       “Anyone should be allowed to marry the person we love” – Jerry Buttimer, Thursday night debate

d.      “We must RIGHT  the wrong of exclusion of homosexuals from Marriage” – Jerry Buttimer

e.       “Most people aren’t religious”

f.       “Two Daddies or Two Mommies are just as good as a Daddy and a Mommy”

g.      “The Bible has nothing to do with this referendum” – REALLY? Have you READ the Irish Constitution?????

2.      The Truths About Politics

a.       I guess all, or at least almost all politicians have LIED about their stand on traditional marriage and homosexuality to get elected

b.      Examples:

1)       “[The Children and Family Relationships Bill] is the most important change in family legislation since the foundation of the state. It’s a really important bill.”  Those were the words of Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Feb 17, 2015. But he didn’t always believe that! He NEVER committed himself on this issue until 2013!!!

2)      The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, said, when speaking on the Civil Partnership Bill 2010:

a)       “Every child has the right to a mother and father and, as much as is possible, the State should vindicate that right. That is a much more important right than that of two men or women having a family. That is the principle that should underline our laws regarding children and adoption.

b)      “I am also uncomfortable about adoption by single people, regardless of their sexual orientation. I do not believe I as a single man should adopt a child. The child should go to parents, a mother and father, to replace what the child had before.”

c)      Well, Jan 18, 2015, said he “is gay” and says “it is no secret.”

3)      Countless others in government have been elected as unknown, and then came “out” and then got re-elected, with great pride.

4)      And then there is Barack Obama

a)      In August 2008, he told Southern California megachurch Pastor Rick Warren his definition of marriage: "I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God's in the mix."

b)      He had written on the 1996 questionnaire, "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."

c)      Just two years later, on another Outlines questionnaire, Obama wasn’t so sure. Did he favor legalizing same-sex marriage? "Undecided." Would he support a bill to repeal Illinois legislation prohibiting same-sex marriage? "Undecided." Would he co-sponsor it? "Undecided."

d)     Later years offered greater clarity — and a shift from 1996. Civil unions? Yes. Gay marriage? No.

e)      As Obama sought a U.S. Senate seat in 2004, he told the Windy City Times, "I am a fierce supporter of domestic-partnership and civil-union laws. I am not a supporter of gay marriage as it has been thrown about, primarily just as a strategic issue. I think that marriage, in the minds of a lot of voters, has a religious connotation. ..."

f)       He described his hesitation to endorse same-sex marriage as strategic and political.

c.       Don’t trust a politician. Keep his feet to the fire until he votes right, and honours his pledge to obey the Constitution!

3.      Second Reason Why This Referendum Matters… Because words have meanings

a.       Marriage, by definition is two consenting people of opposite sex, entering into a binding and protective agreement, becoming physically one unit.

b.      The proper, dictionary definition of marriages is as follows:

c.       "The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children."

d.      The words 'Traditional marriage', is a valid title, because it already fits all over the world. Any new definition of marriage violates absolutely ALL current definitions in all countries. There are no nations that traditionally held to same sex marriage.

e.       Not only redefining Marriage, but will completely destroy the meaning of the word, FAMILY

4.      Because Mothers and Fathers matter, but they no longer will under this bill. Labels won’t matter.

5.      Because Children matter. But not after this referendum. A group on the No side said that, if enacted in its present form, the legislation “would promote arrangements where children are intentionally denied either a mother or a father”.

6.      Because Freedom of speech matters. But not after this bill. Homosexuality will now be enshrined in the protection of law so that a Biblical Christian will possibly find himself or herself on the wrong side of the law for stating Biblical facts.

7.      Lastly, because GOD matters – His opinion counts most!

C.    Things we will LOSE when the Homosexuals win:

1.      A bible-believing Christian won't be able to:

2.      Speak out freely about sin – ANY sexual sin

a.       You won't be able to say anything that might appear biased against homosexuality.

b.      You won't be able to tell the truth about the moral degradation of homosexuals

c.       People already are pushing for acceptance that paedophiles are not evil

3.      Work in the field of counselling

4.      Conduct ministries to help homosexuals leave that lifestyle

5.      Use the terms father/mother, husband/wife, boy/girl

6.      Honour homosexual lifestyles in your business.

7.      Turn down a blatant homosexual for a job.

8.      Enforce public nudity laws.

9.      Stop homosexuals from having public sex.

10.  Have women-only public restrooms. 

11.  Refuse to place children with homosexual couples.

12.  In a nutshell, the thing that will be illegal when homosexuality is fully legal, is Bible-believing Christianity! But none of this is surprising to the Bible believer. The Lord Jesus Christ likened the last days to that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:28-30).

D.    The sad facts of our modern society

1.      1/3 of all children in Ireland are now being raised in non-traditional homes

a.       Barely one parent around

b.      Being taken cared of by “the State”, by schools, babysitters, the TV

2.      Family Life stinks

a.       Traditional Marriages are failing. Seriously failing.

b.      Constant disappointments with “normal” society

c.       Have poor relationships with their parents, if the parents are even there

d.      Little or NO affection in so many homes - Just constant bitterness and anger

3.      So much confusion in Music and Entertainment

a.       Children are hearing about and exploring and being taught to approve of sinful lifestyles like never before

b.      It already was in motion for the past few decades via the confusion of the MTV programming, sex in movies, and drive to ever push the envelope to teach ever younger children about sex.

c.       Constant mockery of male and female roles

d.      Cross dressing

e.       Aggressive music, sung by long haired, beautiful women???

f.       Effeminate, girly music sung by bearded teenage boy bands???

g.      Constant praise and applause of openly sinful lifestyles in Media (nakedness, homosexual acts, porn everywhere, overdosing on sex everywhere)

h.      The Media have a lot to answer for

i.        But it is US PARENTS who have tolerated and allowed this to get this far!

4.      Majority of civilised people are IGNORANT of who God really is, and how important he is to life itself – you have no life without Him! Do not know Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible!

5.      Society has created this explosion of homosexuality, and all the hatred and anger that is wrapped up in it! Homosexuality is not in our genes, it is in our homes, and on our TVs, and in our music, and our computer games!

III. Background (Hebrews 13:4)

A.    Unmistakably Clear Scriptures Against Homosexuality

1.      1Cor 6:9-10

2.      Romans 1:24-28

3.      1Timothy 1:9,10

4.      2Peter 2:6

5.      Jude 1:7

6.      As well as dozens of Old Testament Scriptures like Leviticus 18:22

B.     Homosexuality is not genetic, is not natural, is not right. It is wrong, and sinful.

1.      We all are sinners from the heart – SIN, is in our nature – not specific sins, but the desire to disobey God and do our own thing – is in all our nature

2.      That sinful nature will always gravitate towards something WRONG

3.      And currently, about 7% of the population is gravitating towards homosexuality

C.    Homosexual sins are not singled out in the Bible, as the only bad sin – even though it is bad

D.    But it is the one sin that currently is flaunted, and applauded and honoured everywhere in our societies

E.     Homosexual sins are serious sins – According to GOD

1.      They cannot be just accepted, and respected and allowed to be protected by the highest law in our land – the Constitution!

2.      Can you imagine if King David, after committing adultery with another man’s wife (which is what he did do), if he then sought to CHANGE the definition of Adultery in the Law??? Hmmm. We know why he might have wanted to do that! Because all of us are naturally lovers of ourselves, more than lovers of God!

F.     I have the Biblical MANDATE to Speak Out (Ephesians 5:11,12)

1.      They want to come out

2.      Well, then they need to be ready to face Bible believers who will speak out

3.      I am not on a crusade against homosexuality. I stand and preach unashamedly against every sin.

4.      But it is THE HOMOSEXUALS that brought this on. They decided to hijack Marriage. It was THEM who want children now.

5.      Most people are totally ignorant of what is good, and clean, and pure, and holy, and right (Ezek 44:23; Isa 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”)

6.      I HAVE to Warn – that’s the job of EVERY Christian (Romans 1:18-

a.       Not to make you feel loved

b.      But to put the fear of God in you

c.       Listen to the word of God!

1)      Rom 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)      Am I reading from the “OLD, archaic, ancient, out of date” OLD Testament?

3)      NO! I am reading from the NEW Testament!

IV. Main Message

A.    Sin has Ruined us ALL (1Corinthians 6:9-10)

1.      Not one of us escapes the ruin of sin

2.      As I said, sin is in all of us – there is no one righteous, no not one (Rom 3:10). ALL of us have sinned, and all of us come way short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

3.      Look at the list of sins the Apostle Paul gives

a.       Fornication – any sex outside of traditional marriage

b.      Idolatry – worship of anything other than God (like money, girls bodies, like power, as well as bowing before statues and images)

c.       Adultery – that is still wrong – and it covers physical acts of adultery as well as the emotional and mental acts that go on almost constantly in people’s hearts, even though married)

d.      Effeminate – wow! Where did THAT word come from? That is a sin listed showing when someone tries to CHANGE what they are – transsexual, transgender, cross-dressing

e.       Abusers of themselves with mankind – describing homosexual acts – quite violent

f.       Thievery – Wow! Stealing, robbing someone is a sin we all agree!

g.      Covetous (Heb 13:5) – just being unhappy with what you currently have is a SIN

h.      Drunkenness – just look at the ruin that drink has caused this country

i.        Reviling – fierce yelling, anger, bitter attitudes towards others – THAT’S a SIN

j.        And Extortion – well, finally, bankers and lawyers and car salesmen are listed!

4.      The wages of our sin is God’s judgement – DEATH (Romans 6:23)

5.      So, where is the hope in all that? It’s in the next verse!

B.     But God Has Made A Way To Be Restored (1Cor 6:11)

1.      A way to be changed, transformed

2.      “Such WERE some of you” – blessed words

a.       It’s like hearing that a cancer is now gone from your body

b.      It’s like having all the hatred and bitterness in your soul, flushed away and replaced with real and lasting love and joy!

3.      God loves sinners (John 3:16). That may be news to you, but, God loves adulterers. God loves rapists. God loves SINNERS! In case you have forgotten, that includes homosexuals. Because they all have a soul, and are infinitely valuable to their Creator!

4.      But that in no way means He loves their sin (Read it again, but continue to verse 19)!

a.       John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

b.      John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

c.       John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

d.      John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

5.      As a matter of fact, God went out of His way to come down HERE and become a MAN, so that He could take the PUNISHMENT that adulterers, and rapists, and fornicators, and thieves, and liars, and homosexuals deserve!

a.       Matthew 1:21

b.      As a matter of fact, I stand with the great Apostle Paul, and unashamedly say, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1Tim 1:15 

6.      That is GRACE!

a.       The message of the gospel—the entire storyline of scripture—is God’s loving pursuit of people who run from him as fast as they can and who live lives unworthy of his love.

b.      That’s why it’s called grace.

c.       People are used to only being told to be good little boys and girls, and God will love us and bless us. But that is the total opposite of the gospel. It’s a counterfeit of the worse kind.

d.      The wonder of the gospel is not the love of the beautiful; it is the love of an all holy, all pure, perfect, sinless Almighty God, for fallen, sinful, broken, messed up people.

e.       The sinful man or sinful woman is not loved because he or she has changed themselves for the better; the sinner is changed when he or she discovers they are loved by such a God. Joy doesn’t come when he or she is loved for their beauty and goodness; joy overwhelms us when we discover we are loved in our hideousness.

f.       If the sinner, the thief, adulterer, the rapist were loved BECAUSE of their beauty, it would be a mockery of God and of righteousness.

g.      But if they are loved in spite of their sin, then there is HOPE!

7.      And it is offered to everyone!

V.    Conclusion - What do we do?

A.    Fear God folks! He offers grace, but not forever. His wrath will come. Not mine. Not a church’s. Not a government’s. But God’s righteous wrath, against ALL ungodliness!

B.     Believe God! Turn to God, repenting of YOUR sins.

C.     Cry out to Jesus Christ to have mercy on you a sinner. To take away your sin, and replace it with Himself!

D.    Christian! Start to pray every day for our nation, and her leaders – for God to humble us and turn our hearts back to Him

E.     Voice your opinion! People think No voters are few and far between

F.      Give the Gospel to everyone that Jesus saves sinners of every kind!

G.    Register to vote – this week!

H.    Write, Phone, Email and visit a TD and let them know you are voting No on this referendum

I.       Finally, VOTE on May 22nd!