God’s Design

Today we are talking about God’s design for Gender and Sexuality.

We are living in a time that Truth itself is controversial! Truth is controversial because it means that you and I can be wrong. People don’t like to be wrong!

Don’t be surprised if you hear statements such as:
• “If you disagree with me that means you don’t love me”
• “If you don’t believe what I believe then we can’t be in relationship”
• “If you believe in absolute truth, you are closed minded”

We should not be surprised by this…Jesus told us this would happen:

Matt 24:10-14 (ESV) And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

GOD’S DESIGN FOR GENDER AND SEXUALITY. HERE IS WHERE WE HAVE TO START.

It’s “God’s Design” Not “God’s Suggestion”
Gen 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
God is the one who created everything out of nothing (Latin – Ex Nihilo) therefore God gets to determine original purpose and design of His creation. There are implications to believing that God is the creator.

THE WORLD IS SENDING A DIFFERENT MESSAGE ABOUT GENDER AND SEXUALITY

(Worlds View) Gender – “Gender fluidity is how I identify myself in a social construct at any specific time. I feel like a male today therefore I am a male today. I feel like a female today therefore I am a female today. I feel like neither of these today therefore I am neither of these today:

(Worlds View) Sexual Orientation “Your biological makeup does not determine whether you are male or female or other….You can be whatever you feel like or want to be”

The problem with this…It flies directly in the face of what we are Christians hold to be true!

Gen1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness

Gen 1:27 (ESV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Psalm 139:13-14 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Remember: God is the Creator and Designer therefore He alone gets to determine what His creation is.

So how did we get here? The problem hasn’t changed. Sin distorts the truths of God and we are seeing the manifestation of this brokenness in a new way but the core issue is still the same…

3 GENDER LIES THAT ARE BEING HAMMERED INTO THE MINDS OF OUR CHILDREN (AND ADULTS) TODAY

1 – “You are what you feel like you are” – Not true! You are what God has designed you to be.

Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
“Their God is their stomach” = Their God is their feelings.

2 – “You need to do what makes you feel good” – Not True! We are called to do battle with our fleshly desires because our flesh will always lead us in the opposite direction of God’s will for our lives

2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ

3 “You can always change your mind later” – Not True! The damage done from pursuing and completing Sexual Reassignment can have lasting emotional, mental and physical implications.

SO WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS?
• Pray – Seek God’s face on these issues
• Do the research – Don’t be ignorant of what is going on around you. Know the conversation!
• Be slow to speak and quick to listen – Listen well and try to understand without compromising truth
• Don’t walk in fear – God is not surprised by what is happening.
• Take advantage of the opportunities that you have to MAKE DISCIPLES of Jesus!

TO DO THIS WEEK:
• Write out Psalm 139:13-14 every day this week. Write it on a sticky note, in your journal, in your “notes app” on your phone. Memorize this Truth!

Psalm 139:13-14 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Questions to discuss:
1. From the sermon, what was meaningful and/or challenging to you?
2. What truth from God’s word to his people do you want to investigate more? What will this look like for you?
3. Read Genesis 1:1, 26-31& Psalm 139:13-16. What do these passages say about who God is and who humans are? What does this mean to you personally?
4. Read Philippians 3:17-21. What are appetites that could draw your focus away from God and what he says life is about? How do you want to respond to that awareness? What are challenges you see for your family and close friends?