Two Lives, Two Paths

The first section presents Abraham's life as an important biblical figure. Abraham is the first person in the list of heroes of faith and is mentioned multiple times in Hebrews for his faith. When he heard God's call, Abraham obeyed, leaving his homeland, relatives, and father's house without knowing where he would go. He believed God's promise even though he had to wait a long time, even 25 years, to receive the promise of a son. Lot also traveled with his uncle from when Abraham was 75 years old, but Lot believed in Abraham more than in God Himself.

The second section develops the contrast between the two paths chosen by Abraham and Lot. After both became wealthy, since the land could not support both their livestock, Abraham offered Lot first choice. Abraham chose with spiritual eyes, turning toward God, and built altars to worship Him. Lot chose with physical eyes, seeing the fertile plain of the Jordan River like the Garden of Eden, and decided to move his tent near the city of Sodom. Although Lot did not immediately know that the people of Sodom were wicked and committed grave sins against God, he and his family eventually moved into the city to settle there. Scripture reveals that Sodom's sin involved same-sex sexual relations, as described in the accounts in Genesis 19 and Judges 19.

The third section applies the lesson to contemporary society and the Church. The sermon references two significant events in May 2019: Taiwan officially legalized same-sex marriage, and the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill expanding civil rights protections for the LGBT community. The sermon explains the differences between terms like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex, as well as the distinction between "sex" (biological sex) and "gender" (social and personal gender identity). The sermon emphasizes that Scripture clearly condemns same-sex sexual relations, from Leviticus to the epistles of the Apostle Paul in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy.

The fourth section focuses on the Church's attitude and approach toward those with same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria. The sermon notes that such individuals are often ridiculed, despised, and ostracized, sometimes even rejected by their families. They suffer guilt, shame, and have higher rates of depression and suicide than the general population. The pastor emphasizes that Scripture condemns not only same-sex sexual relations but also many other sins such as adultery, greed, lying, and cursing. He warns that it is easy to condemn others while forgetting that we ourselves are sinners. The sermon reminds us that Jesus forgave many sinners but condemned the Pharisees most harshly for thinking themselves more righteous than others.

The final section encourages the Church to practice both love and truth. The pastor declares that the Church will welcome those with same-sex attraction, gender dysphoria, and those who change their gender, listening to and sympathizing with them without always agreeing with them. The pastor encourages those with such internal struggles to make Jesus their focus, carry their cross, and await Jesus wiping away every tear in the new Heaven. The central message is that the Church must speak the truth about sin while practicing love toward those who are being tormented by society and psychological suffering.