Tuesday, May 3, 2016

A Ministry For Gay People?

Really? Why?

I Corinthians 12:25, 26

25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

We do not need to be segregated and we should not self segregate within the church. We are all part of the body of Christ and there is so much we can learn from each other and about each other. How will we ever resolve the things that may be separating us if we do not minister to each other whether straight or same sex attracted or whatever. We must accept each other in full fellowship, ministering to each other, sharing victories and suffering. We are one Body, the bride of Christ.

Do you remember the the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:38-44. 

John 11:38-44
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Jesus goes to the tomb of Lazarus. Though Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus commands that the stone be rolled away, even after objections over the potential odor of decay. He commands that Lazarus rise and come forth alive and so he did, well and wrapped in strips of cloth like a dead man. Jesus then calls for his friends to unwrap the grave clothes binding Lazarus to free him from death's restraint and death's stench.

We are all new creations in Christ my brethren. He has raised us from death to life so that He can lead us home. He commands us to help each other get free of the grave clothes and the stench of sin and death, so we can move on to life together as one body, His bride, His Church. There is no need for separation or separate ministries or special ministries. 

Would you set up a special ministry for fornicators, adulterers and pornophiles? Would you have a covetousness ministry or maybe gossipers anonymous? Maybe one for the haters?

Come on people. Let's do this Church thing together. All have sinned and fallen short right? We can maybe help each other with that and Jesus can guide us.

What did Paul tell the Colossians?

Colossians 3:1-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is the way to go friends. We must walk this path together. Come on! I dare you! Admonish me already! 

Love Y'all. See ya in Church!