I Corinthians 13:6, Ephesians 4:15
June 1, 2025
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The text that I have chosen for this morning’s sermon is I Corinthians 13:6, “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
If you didn’t know it already, you soon will, that June is Gay Pride month. Starting today, companies will flood their Facebook and Instagram pages with rainbows and statements of support. There will be commercials and public service announcements, stores will sell merchandise highlighting gay pride, and there will be parades around the country.
As Christians, there are four ways we can view this month and the topic of homosexuality. The first option is not to have any problem with it and to view homosexuality as natural and harmless. I know that some of you fall into this category. Maybe you’ve already folded your arms and closed your ears. Please don’t mentally check out; bear with me as we flesh this topic out.
Another option is to ask God to punish homosexuals and their supporters with fire and brimstone just as He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah thousands of years ago. Or like some of the more radical groups, we can angrily berate and hate the gays we encounter.
Christians can also just ignore what happens this month – divert our eyes until it’s all over. However, just because June comes to an end, that doesn’t mean the end of it. It is an everyday part of the Western world – shows, movies, music, and clothing. The prevalence of sexual imagery ensures we’re constantly subjected to it.
There’s one last option and it’s the right one. We can’t ignore this topic, nor can we approve of homosexuality because God clearly states that it’s a sin. But instead of calling down fire and brimstone, we speak the truth in love, and the truth is that “Love doesn’t rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.”
Before we go too far, I need to acknowledge that homosexuality is a hot button issue. I know not just from public discourse, but my life as well. My sister was gay. I had two college roommates, two bosses, and several friends who are gay. I know the arguments of those who don’t accept it, and I know the arguments of those who do. I understand that feelings can run hot on this topic and that this issue requires a lot of heartfelt discussion and taking the time to listen to others. As with any topic though we begin and end with God’s Word.
God clearly condemns homosexuality and other sexual sins in both the Old Testament and the New Testaments. God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their sexual sin. Saint Jude, the brother of Jesus writes, “Sodom and Gomorrah… which…indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. In Leviticus, God says, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.” An abomination is a detestable act that God absolutely hates. Yes, God hates all sin, but some sins are graver than others, murder is obviously a graver sin than shoplifting, because of their consequences and the severe impact it has a person’s body and soul.
In the New Testament, God says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Paul also says, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body” (I Corinthians 6:18-19). It’s impossible to interpret these verses in any other way than their clear meaning. There are no alternative interpretations. But notice that Paul is not singling out homosexuality, he has a whole list of sins which can destroy an individual’s salvation. Christians are God’s light in the world which means that we don’t hide sins in the darkness by approving of them or taking part in them.
I know this is an unpopular position to hold. There is a lot of pressure to accept homosexuality because it’s become normalized. Love is love is a powerful statement. I understand the arguments and some are persuasive. But for Christians, we must, must, even if we disagree, we must obey God. We cannot compromise God’s Word, even if we don’t think it’s fair or loving. Saint James, another brother of Jesus, says, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). You can go one of two ways: you either accept God’s Word or you don’t. There’s no middle ground. Our love for God requires us to refuse to love sin and wickedness. Not that all homosexuals are wicked or evil. Like in every other demographic, there are the good, the evil, and those in between. But accepting and condoning sins of evil and wickedness is rejecting God. Paul says, “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).
Paul says, “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” and that’s why we speak the truth in love. We don’t want anyone to be condemned to Hell. I want everyone to know the forgiveness of sins that is theirs through the death and resurrection of Jesus. When you condone and rejoice in sinful behavior, you’re not being loving. When you keep silent for fear of being labelled a hater or a homophobe or to keep the peace, you’re not loving. Love is only found in the truth that’s found in the Bible. And that truth is because God loves His creation. The Law and the Ten Commandments weren’t given to punish us but to protect us from ourselves and the consequences of our sin.
I confess that when my sister announced that she was gay, I handled it poorly. I didn’t respond with love and as a result our relationship was damaged until she died. I regret that deeply. We need to respond by lovingly pointing out that their sin, all unrepentant sin puts people on a dangerous path. Those who claim to be Christian and yet revel in their sinful lifestyle, need to hear the Law that warns them of God’s wrath. Ignoring it doesn’t change anything and neither does accepting it.
The power to speak the truth in love and rejoice in it isn’t found within us. By nature, we’re hostile to everything that’s good. It’s only when our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit that we can tell others about the Savior who died for them. And when we do this, we don’t do it judgingly or with arrogance because then we’re sinfully proud ourselves.
We’re not better than anyone else, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. None of us live up to His expectations. The difference is that repentant Christians can look to the cross and know Christ has taken their sin upon Himself. We want everyone to know that Jesus loves them and He wants to forgive them.
Earlier we heard Paul condemn the sexually immoral, the greedy, the swindlers, etc. What followed is a description of those who love Christ and who strive to put their sins behind them. He says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” There is renewal for those who turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. No one is too far gone to be saved. You may not struggle with homosexual leanings, but have you been greedy or drank too much? Of course. We all sin and then we confess our sins. We confess for failing to identify certain behaviors as sin. We confess that we’ve been silent when confronted by all types of sins. We also strive to turn all sinners back to the Lord so that they know what we know – that forgiveness is a precious gift from God. Freedom from sin is found when we are washed in the blood of Jesus. You are not defined by your sins. What we were is gone, what we are is forgiven sons and daughters of the Lord.
Christ calls His church to challenge and resist the sexual idolatry of modern society. Since many voices in our society express the view that homosexuality and other forms of sexual immorality should be regarded as acceptable alternative lifestyles, the Church now, more than ever, must stand ready to challenge and resist the sexual idolatry of our society. The Church is to boldly proclaim the Good News of Christ’s redeeming love to all who so desperately need to hear and believe it. The Gospel transforms people, this is what Paul calls sanctification. It soothes troubled consciences. It purges guilt and shame. It shows us Jesus, the source of forgiveness and change. By the power of the Holy Spirit change is possible. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will take away the homosexual inclinations from someone who wants them gone. Maybe the Holy Spirit will give them the ability to remain celibate when they’re tempted. And this applies to all sins because we never know how God will work.
Some of you may be angry. Some of you may be hurt. I understand, I really do. But regardless of our feelings, all we can do is to go to the Lord. His Word points out our sins and calls us to repentance. It also is His word of grace, the word of forgiveness to all who are trapped in their sins and seek His help. What you need to know most of all is that God’s love is for all and He wants all to be saved. It’s tempting to just keep our heads down, but we can’t reject God’s Word and we can’t remain silent when confronted by the sexual immorality prevalent in our nation because we speak the truth so that love can rejoice.
Amen
Now the peace which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen