On June 26, 2015 the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision recognizing same-sex marriage and stripping states of their right to decide such matters. This sermon examines the spiritual consequences of the decision in the light of history and Scripture. What does the ruling mean for Americans and what should we do now?

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OUTLINE

I. Supreme Court Decision Recognizing Same-Sex Marriages (June 26, 2015)

• Minority Judge Comments
  1. Roberts: “…as a judge, I find the majority’s position indefensible as a matter ofconstitutional law.”
  2. Scalia: “When the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868, every State limited marriage to one man and one woman, and no one doubted the constitutionality of doing so.”
  3. Thomas: Liberty has “long been understood as individual freedom from government action, not as a right to a particular government entitlement.” Thomas says the Court’s “inversion of the original meaning of liberty will likely cause collateral damage to other aspects of our constitutional order that protect liberty.” He also argues that the decision will threaten religious liberty by creating an unavoidable collision between the interests of same-sex couples and some religious organizations.”
  4. Alito: “By imposing its own views on the entire country, the majority facilitates the marginalization of the many Americans who have traditional ideas. Recalling the harsh treatment of gays and lesbians in the past, some may think that turnabout is fair play. But if that sentiment prevails. The Nation will experience bitter and lasting wounds.” “Today’s decision shows that decades of attempts to restrain this Court’s abuse of its authority has failed.”
• The Big Overstep
  Doug Wardlow wrote,
  “It is the flawed notion that the state does not recognize and protect—but rather creates our fundamental institutions, rights, and relationships. And it is the falseidea that no institution—not marriage, not the family, and not individual rights to life, liberty, property, or the exercise of religion—has any significance or meaning independent from that which the state imparts. But, as the Declaration of Independence makes clear, all people are ‘endowed by their Creator”—not by their government—‘with certain unalienable rights.’ Rejecting this principle carries a sinister implication: if the state bestows our rights, the state can take them away at its whim.”
• Consequences
  1. Wicked Embolden to assert iniquity more aggressively.
  2. Youth Deceived into thinking it is ok because the government approved it.
  3. More redistribution of wealth from the godly to the ungodly.
  4. God’s Judgment on the National Sin.
  5. President-setting usurping of Power by Federal Government

II. Giant Step toward Persecution of Christians

• Persecution under Roman Empire
  Preliminary steps leading up to direct assault: Lies that Christians “hate humankind”—then Nero fire
  Just cooperate with government: 95 AD Jews/Christians refused to pay tax levied to support Jupiter temple.Persecution under Hitler
  1. 1933 forced out of Newspaper & Civil Service Jobs. German boycott Jewish shops.
  2. 1934 banned from Health Insurance.
  3. 1935 Lost German citizenship
  4. 1936 -37 Banned from all “professional” jobs, or working any political or gov. role
  5. 1938 Night of Broken Glass (violence) and forced to sell businesses.
  6. 1940 Warsaw ghetto sealed off in Poland
  7. 1941 First death camp

III. What to do about it?

• Wake up Now rather than later
• Action to Take
  1. Seek God for Wisdom
  2. Love the Gays; the Politicians; All
  3. Get as Right with God as you know how to get.
  4. Do Not Panic
  5. Expect to be Used by God

  QUESTIONS

  1. What do you think the significance of the Supreme Court decision to recognize same-sex marriage is?

  2. What is the difference between a government that recognizes and protects unalienable rights “endowed by their Creator’ verses a government takes it upon itself to create/endow rights and relationships? Why is this issue perhaps the most important issue at stake?

  3. What consequences do you think this decision may have?

  4. Do you think the preliminaries to direct persecution recorded in Roman and German history have any application in America? How does the passing of laws that increasingly empower government endanger liberties?

  5. What do you think Christians should do in response to this ruling? To the general state of America?