PHIL ROBERTSON’S COMMENTS ON HOMOSEXUALS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   If you were asked:  “What in your mind is sinful?” how would you answer?

 

B.    This was the question that was asked by Drew Magary of GQ Magazine to Phil Robertson, one of the stars of the reality show, Duck Dynasty.

1.     Phil’s comments have raised a firestorm of attention in both the media and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

2.     His answer:  “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there.  Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and those men…She’s got more to offer.  I mean, come on dudes!  You know what I’m saying.  But, hey, sin:  it’s not logical, my man.  It’s just not logical.”

a.     There were other comments that were made that were truthful, but very blunt.

b.    He also referenced Bible verses such as I Corinthians 6:9-11 which reveal that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.

3.     Because of his comments A&E which airs Duck Dynasty has suspended Phil from the show indefinitely.  Without Phil, the other Robertson family members will not continue.

 

C.   We could spend the rest of our lesson discussing the Bible’s view of homosexuality and this is important (Lev. 18:22).

 

Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind:  it is an abomination.

 

D.   Our purpose this evening, however, is to look at some of the other issues that have surfaced due to this current news story.

 

I.           SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS A REALITY

 

A.   All of us know that the Bible presents a picture of Christians being at war with the world (I Tim. 1:18).

 

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophesies that went before thee, that thou by them mightiest war a good warfare.

 

B.    Most of the time, we see the fight on a personal level.

1.     We wrestle with personal temptations and sins.

2.     We strive against false doctrine from time to time.

3.     Ungodly family members and friends mock and ridicule us every now and then.

 

C.   Occasionally, we see the battle rage on a national level.

1.     One Christian answers a question about sin honestly, bluntly, and Biblically.

2.     His comments enrage the enemy.  Media outlets, divers and sundry organiza-tions, and numerous celebrities immediately go on the offensive.

3.     For them there is only one option:  completely shut this man’s mouth and get his program cancelled.  I am reminded of I Peter 5:8.

 

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.

 

II.         WORDS MATTER

 

A.   Verses

1.     Proverbs 18:21

 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue…

 

2.     James 3:8

 

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 

B.    When the words of truth are spoken, they have the power to do several things.

1.     Convey a divine message from the mind of God (I Cor. 2:13).

 

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

2.     Change the hearts of good and honest men (Acts 2:37).

 

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

3.     Challenge those who are evil (Acts 5:33).

 

And when they heard that, there were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

 

C.   Phil’s words went forth and challenged the opposition.

1.     They shook with fear and anger as they heard a man say that homosexuality is a sin and those who practice it will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2.     They retaliated with name-calling, the call for the removal of his Second Amendment rights, and the removal of the television program Duck Dynasty.

 

III.       THE TOLERANT ARE THE LEAST TOLERANT

 

A.   The left proclaims such things as open-mindedness, acceptance, a broad circle of fellowship for all, no hate, and no condemnation.

 

B.    These things, however, are not to be extended to those who oppose their beliefs and behaviors.

1.     The “tolerant” become intolerant.

2.     Note also their inconsistency:

 

Christian                                                                    Radical Islamic terroist

Phil Robertson                                                           Mahmoud Admadinejad

Gays will not inherit the kingdom of heaven               Orders gays to be beheaded and stoned

Liberals demand censorship                                        Invited to speak at Columbia University

 

C.   Christians are not surprised by this stance by the world.

1.     John 3:20

 

For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

 

2.     John 15:19

 

If ye were of the world, then the world would love his own:  but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 

IV.        FALSE BELIEF:  IT IS NOT RIGHT TO JUDGE

 

A.   When individuals make comments like Phil Robertson made, some cry out:  “It is not right to judge!”  They will then quote Bible verses in an attempt to prove their position.

1.     Matthew 7:1

 

Judge not… (notice that they do not complete the verse)

 

2.     Romans 14:13

 

Let us not therefore judge one another any more…

 

3.     I Corinthians 4:5

 

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come…

 

4.     Colossians 2:6

 

Let no man therefore judge you…

 

B.    Things to consider:

1.     It is interesting that those who have no regard for the Bible when it teaches about the sin of homosexuality turn to it to condemn judging.

2.     There are passages of Scripture in the Bible that condone judging.

a.     John 7:24

 

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

 

 

 

 

b.    I Corinthians 5:12

 

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?  Do not ye judge them that are within?

 

c.    I Corinthians 11:13

 

Judge in yourselves…

 

3.     Every passage in the Bible that teaches about judging needs to be kept in its context (Ex., Matt. 7:1-5)

a.     Jesus is teaching about hypocritical judging.

b.    We should not judge others when we are involved in the same sin.

c.    Before we judge, we need to clean up around our own doorstep first.

d.    Notice Jesus tells us that once we have taken care of our sins, then we will see clearly to remove the mote out of our brother’s eye.  This action would involve some form of judging.

4.     We must be able to judge.

a.     Amos 5:15

 

Hate the evil, and love the good…

 

b.    We must be able to judge truth versus lies, sound doctrine versus false doctrine, greed versus generosity, kindness versus cruelty, and works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit.

c.    We must be able to judge between the lost and the saved.  If we cannot, we might as well never take the gospel to the world (Mark 16:15-16).

d.    We must be able to judge between the strait and narrow way versus the broad and wide way.

 

V.          CHRISTIANS MUST STAND

 

A.   Verses:

1.     I Corinthians 16:13

 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

2.     Ephesians 6:13-14

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.  Stand there…

 

3.     II Thessalonians 2:15

 

Therefore brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

 

B.    There are some who try to tell us where we can stand and what we can and cannot stand for.

1.     You can stand at home, in your church buildings, and in some media outlets.  You cannot stand in public/government places such as schools.

2.     You cannot talk about gays, lesbians, and those who are transgender.

 

C.   We either stand, and made a difference, or, we lie down and get rolled over.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   There are many timid, weak, and ignorant Christians when it comes to the issues of the day.

1.     They will not personally stand against the evil.

2.     They will not support others who do.

3.     They believe that homosexuality, abortion, social drinking, etc. are acceptable.

 

B.    Isaiah 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.