Three Quick Points for Christian Response to LGBTQ.

Three Quick Points for Christian Response to LGBTQ.

by | Aug 19, 2019 | Blog, Events, Gender Identity, Healthy Friendships, Homosexulaity, Transgender

Canary in the Coal Mine

Three Quick points for Christian Response to LGBTQ.

Quite often we get this basic question, “How should I respond as a Christian to those around me who have embraced LGBTQ identity or ideology?”

Although it is not an easy answer and can be quite complicated to navigate at times, there are some simple responses that go a long way.

1. All people are valuable: No matter how different our beliefs are we must remember that every life if valuable to God. As a Christian we must ask our Heavenly Father to give us His heart to love those who do not know Him. When we are able to see through His eyes we are able to show kindness and love to those who have chosen to live contrary to the Words of our God. Remember when you were once lost, you needed love and not rejection. Those who have embraced LGBTQ identity long to experience being loved and valued.

2. Build a Bridge: Before we can give advice that is received, we must first have relationship. Take time to be a friend, show love and build relationship before you speak truth that may be difficult to hear. Build a bridge to the heart of the one in LGBTQ, then wait for your friend to open the door to the LGBTQ conversation and be ready to speak truth in love. When you love long enough, the subject will come up. It is vital that you be prepared to speak the truth in scripture and through testimony of those that you know of who have been set free from LGBTQ. You may not know these testimonies personally but you have access to hundreds through our ministry online. Here is one amazing link: Such Were Some of You

3. Tell your Jesus Story: If you know Jesus, you have a story. Loving LGBTQ is no different that loving any other person who does not truly follow Jesus. Just tell your Jesus story; most likely it will not have anything to do with LGBTQ but Jesus will be lifted up and He will draw all men unto himself. The focus is not LGBTQ, the goal is for your friend to be Born again in Christ Jesus. When this happens, the rest of the transformation will follow.

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Friends & Neighbors (feat. Dee Barnes)

Friends & Neighbors (feat. Dee Barnes)

by | Jan 15, 2018 | Homosexulaity

Dee Barnes, Founder of His Wonderful Works, will share about the work of the ministry. It is dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and freedom to the Body of Christ in the areas of family, relationships, and sexuality. (Episode # 827)

Each financial gift allows us share the good news that there’s hope, healing and freedom in Christ for the sexually and relationally hurting.

Stephen Arterburn – Sexual Addiction, Pornography, Homosexuality

Stephen Arterburn – Sexual Addiction, Pornography, Homosexuality

by | Oct 24, 2017 | Homosexulaity, Pornography, Sexual Addiction

Stephen Arterburn talks about his sexual addiction and how God set him free and healed him.  He discusses the root hurts that kept him bound and how God used Christ centered community to create vulnerability and reciprocity leading to healthy, non-sexual intimacy with others.

Each financial gift allows us share the good news that there’s hope, healing and freedom in Christ for the sexually and relationally hurting.

Gay Christian Identity – Joe Dallas

Gay Christian Identity – Joe Dallas

by | Sep 26, 2017 | Homosexulaity, Same Sex Attraction

Joe Dallas equips listeners with the basic tools and concepts necessary for a Christ-like response to the Gay Christian identity.  Joe brings us in for a transparent look at his journey from the downward spiral into sexual promiscuity to promoting the Gay Christian identity and finally to landing on the solid ground of his identity in Christ.

During Joe’s journey, The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches was one of the first organizations that claimed both a Christian base and a pro-gay base and where he heard the pro-gay interpretation of scripture for the first time.  He was confronted with men and women of all ages and all types who identified as Gay Christians.  If you haven’t already, you will meet someone who says “I love Jesus, I have been born again, I believe the Bible is the word of God and I’m openly gay or I’m openly lesbian and God is fine with my lifestyle”.  Joe’s in-depth teaching will better equip you to dialogue with people holding this position.

Joe begins with these terms and concepts to help us better understand and follow along with his discussion:

Gay Christian Identify – Terms and Concepts

  • Saved – born again and positioned in Christ
  • Gay – orientation, identity or behavior
    • “Gay is not as simplistic as a term as we might think it to be because it can refer either to an orientation or an identity or a behavior or a combination of all 3.”
  • Orientation – result of the sin nature – not a choice
  • Identity – alignment with a sinful tendency – is a choice
  • Behavior – erotic connection with same sex – is a choice

Five Point Progression

  1. Discovery – deep feelings others don’t have
  2. Conflict – lasts for a season “I didn’t ask to be gay”
  3. Resolution Attempt – tried everything, “it” doesn’t work
  4. Revision – to accommodate the temptation
  5. Gay Christian Identity – adoption / embracing

Many people believe that if you are born again you will no longer have same sex attractions and desires.  They often refer to the apostle Paul stating that “if any man is in Christ he is a new creation old things are passed away and all things become new” (2 Cor 5:17).  While we do become new creations, the Bible also states that we will experience a struggle between the flesh and the spirit.

Joe puts it this way, “When someone tells me well I tried to pray the gay away and it didn’t happen. I would say who on Earth told you that was going to happen?  All of us have sinful desires of the flesh sometimes we are completely relieved of those desires at other times we are allowed to still wrestle those desires. As time goes on they may diminish and other times they stay and at all times we are still told to crucify the flesh walk in the spirit and not live under the power of any particular sin.”

Joe’s teaching ends on a powerful note from Dr. Paul Morris who says, “but if I were a homosexual Christian this one question would bother me, am I interpreting scripture in the light of my proclivity or should I be interpreting my proclivity in the light of scripture?”

Each financial gift allows us share the good news that there’s hope, healing and freedom in Christ for the sexually and relationally hurting.

Ex-Lesbian’s Heartfelt Plea to Pastors Across the Country

Ex-Lesbian’s Heartfelt Plea to Pastors Across the Country

by | Aug 31, 2017 | Homosexulaity

Dear Pastors,

There are things I urgently need for you to know. And there are things I desperately need you to tell me. I shudder to think where I’d be today if my pastor had not been bold enough to tell me the truth regarding homosexuality, a lifestyle in which I lived for more than 30 years. Pastors, please take time out of your busy schedule to read my humble plea.

First, I need you to tell me in no uncertain terms that homosexuality is a sin. Show me what the Bible says and tell me that the Word of God is eternal and does not change with the times. Please don’t tell me that you won’t address it or that you don’t have an opinion. Because if you don’t speak up, I am going to think that it’s all right and will be headed for an eternity in hell. Pastors, when I come to you seeking answers, I need you to boldly speak the truth in love. My very salvation depends upon it.

Next, please let me know that Jesus’ death on the cross was enough to cover any sin I have committed, including that of homosexuality. Please tell me that every sin, no matter how minor or major it seems, is an affront to God. If you don’t, I will feel like my sin, because it feels more embarrassing or shocking, is harder for God to forgive than the others and I will be left with the wrong impression that homosexuality is the unpardonable sin. It’s not.

And last, I need you to tell me to repent. Please tell me that true Christianity calls for genuine repentance of all sin, including homosexuality. And pastors, if I try to make excuses to live in my sin, stand firm because my eternal destiny hinges on it. And then, and this is so very important, tell me that God’s power, mercy and grace are more than enough for me to live in absolute freedom. If you don’t, I will think that homosexuality is the only sin for which God’s power isn’t enough. It is.

When I was looking for truth and answers, I walked into a church, just like yours, for the first time in years. I started attending regularly and started feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my heart as I learned what it meant to be a follower of Christ.

I mustered up the courage to speak with my pastor and share that I was homosexual, thinking it was an unchangeable fact. When I walked out of my pastor’s office, I had received the unchangeable truth: Homosexuality is a sin. God hates all sin. God loves me. Jesus died for me. I needed to repent from all sin. The cross was enough to forgive me of all sin. God’s power delivers me from all sin. Jesus is enough, even for those who struggle with homosexuality.

Pastors, speaking truth no matter how difficult, does not have to end with people running for the exits. I am living proof! I have completely renounced the homosexual lifestyle, am a devoted follower of Christ and live in truth, victory and freedom every day of my life!

I will forever be grateful to my pastor for holding to the truth of God’s Word, and pastors, I pray that your congregants will be the same.

With all gratefulness, humility and sincerity,

Linda Italiano, ex-lesbian and born-again Christian | https://lindaitaliano.wordpress.com/

Each financial gift allows us share the good news that there’s hope, healing and freedom in Christ for the sexually and relationally hurting.