Should the Church ‘Bless’ Same-Sex Relationships?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 2037
Transcript: www.desiringgod.org/interview...

[@cympimpin20]

Absolutely not.

[@dennisyerger84]

The question is, "should the church bow down to cultural pressure?"

[@MsAuthenticite]

Exactly.

[@devenn4605]

Well said

[@michaelyolch79]

Yes, ladies and gentleman, we live in a time where this is actually a debate.

[@SojiRo23]

So, now we have from the Catholic Church: 1. Works based salvation 2. Blessings on homosexual relationships 3. You can go to heaven if you deny Christ 4. Worshipping saints Let’s pray for all people who are being deceived by the largest cult in the world.

[@ser-Ike]

That was me! I actually thought I'd go to heaven with just my few meagre works! The arrogance I felt! I eventually lost my mind and turned to drugs and fornication! Then God called me back, he introduced me to his people again, and I now drink of his word, pure and true. He showed me again, how to pray. How to fast. And how to confess. And how to repent. I am again blessed, and Jesus lives in my heart, this drives me to works but now, with the knowledge that my works are a side effect of my faith, not a replacement. Oh, there is so much more but... comment limit! It was such a simple message yet so easily ignored/ obfuscated! Leaving the catholic church changed my life and has given me a chance to follow the narrow path. Thank you Father, in Jesus' name!

[@MelissaHam-lm3lm]

Amen

[@coybi]

I think the largest cult in the world may just be Islam, but Catholicism is right up there with it.

[@MarkDiSciullo]

Don't condem us, pray for us. We are your brothers and sisters in Christ. There are millions in the Catholic Church (BTW...founded by Jesus Christ) that are calling out this BS about the "Homosexual Blessings". The TRUE Catholic faith includes NONE of the items you listed above.

[@maxaplin4204]

Those who practise homosexuality without any attempt to repent are firmly on track for hell, as 1 Cor 6:9 clearly teaches. The most loving thing to say to such people is that they need to turn to Jesus in repentance and faith. Any 'blessing' ceremony is surely going to reinforce them in their sinful lifestyles.

[@rpsoltau]

I can't see how this is even a question

[@pandalilpig]

People don't hate God, they just love their sin more

[@adventure20232]

My understanding of "blessing" in the context includes rebuking, correcting, directing, and excommunicating with love. Such is for the purpose of godliness.

[@ser-Ike]

Agree but for the excommunication... that's a Catholic term for separating a person from God... which NO ONE can do under any circumstances. The Lord will decide who is apart from him in the end and only the Lord. But I agree with your overall sentiment, especially doing it with Love, that is our Lord's way, and so it must be ours.

[@adventure20232]

@@ser-Ike Great observation! Excommunication (from my opinion) is to cut off from communion - a separation of association, participation in Church activities on the basis of not professing the same faith, which include words, actions, and values of Christ-like. In this case, you cannot profess Christ by mouth and yet deny Him by action, just as we are reminded in James 2:17. Ideally, our lives should profess what we believe in, Jesus Christ. Now, on separation/excommunication, the Church (the body of Christ) is the unity of all Christ's members with each other as a result of their union with Christ, any member who falls off and is unwilling for the union he/she separated with hope of Lord's abundance mercies. The purpose is for the Church to protect other members from those whose teachings or behaviors contradict the Christian beliefs and teachings, which is an abuse. The affected persons will have an opportunity to recognize their error and repent. Therefore, it is a practice not just for the Catholic community. NB: Excommunication is not throwing someone away and forgetting about him/her. Through effective followup programs, a Church can take note of the affected persons and continue to evangelize to them outside the Church community with the hope of rebuilding them in Christ - that's only when they are willing (just like Christ cannot force Himself on you).

[@ser-Ike]

​@@adventure20232 well clarified, thanks. Your wisdom shines through in your words my brother in Christ. They resonate with me, for too long I professed by mouth and denied him by action most of my life... took me a while (42 years) but now I understand I must live my faith, not just speak it. I would like very much for priests to do as you say, but I fear they will cave in to woke pressure and the idealogues, its sad but its in prophecy, is it not? "The church will deny christ and that will signal the end of days and his return." (Im Paraphrasing somewhat)

[@adventure20232]

@@ser-Ike You're not alone, brother. Many times I find myself off and I cry out for God's mercies. The truth is that it's refreshing knowing that he hears and renews our strength each day to live for Him. Indeed, it is easy to deny Jesus Christ in our deeds, especially with all emerging and misleading ideologies. My prayer is that we don't fall away from the faith and be misled by them and be found wanting or lukewarm.

[@papezcircuit]

Thank you Pastor John.

[@PeaceFan1]

NO, NEVER!! Next Video!!

[@Paige-Turnner]

Easy answer: NO!

[@xavierthomas5835]

The way I see it, blessing anything is simply delivering from God what is due to those who God has blessed. I can do nothing of myself, but what my Father doeth. And God don't bless no mess. Which is what the LGBTQ+ community is.

[@ultimatecanecorsos]

Why on earth do human beings believe they possess the power to change and/or undermine the laws given to us by our Lord the one and only Creator for their own benefit? Leading as many people away from God as possible. What is happening to the world? Perhaps History repeating itself once again, people never learn 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Ozzu-ht5my]

Because of pride and desire

[@mannabschannel]

Being numbed by sin numbs ones sense or inner gut feel of knowing God and goodness

[@phetmoz]

Even if you make a distinction between blessing and affirming, "blessing" alone truly sends the wrong message.

[@sukruoosten]

we must pray not bless these people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we must HELP THEM

[@kengy1991]

What I don’t understand is why would a homosexual couple even want the blessing of a church that does not approve of their relationship?

[@m____w____6981]

I think this move by pope Francis is just an attempt to placate mainstream media.

[@carissaexplainsitall8481]

Why is this even a question

[@ead630]

Because of the Vatican statement

[@jessedphillips]

This would be a five second episode.

[@mattmatt516]

In the world we live in today with so much endorsement of sin, much more needs to be said than a quick no.

[@Tuggwart]

Good advice for we as Christians can not hate, but we can not affirm same sex relationships. The question on how to act if a same sex couple starts attending your gathering is now important. Does your leadership have a plan? Does it make a difference if this couple professes Christ as Lord? Are they committed to their relationship as is? Are they there in your gathering to change, or to change you? With the possibility of the laws changing to call Gods truth hate speech, you might find your church set up for a violation of laws...have a plan.

[@adventure20232]

Great points! It is one of the hardest positions to find yourself as a Church - a thin line of love. I think the guiding question is what would Jesus Christ do. We can learn a lot from John 8.. "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more"... Ideally, we cannot condemn them but we cannot condone their sin. They have to sin no more!

[@angelawilliamson6497]

No blessing that

[@angelawilliamson6497]

Show them the truth

[@g.williams2047]

Any church that does this is an immediate bail by me. But at this point you’ve probably compromised on so many other issues that you should hav elect long ago.

[@nonconformist9991]

No.

[@davidthomspson9771]

No

[@lexyjames6702]

The true Good News of the Gospel and Christianity is "Believe in Jesus for Everlasting life". That is it. Everyone who believes this has eternal life in that moment and will never lose it. Religion which adds requirements to God's free gift of grace is false. Thankfully, as a gay man, I believe this simple message, having left religious Christianity, and am lucky to have been with my same sex partner for nearly 22 years. Praying for other LGBTQIA people to believe in Jesus and receive eternal life, just as they are ✝️

[@BlessWhiteTiger]

In the first part up to 4:30 it seems like Pastor John doesn't understand that the Christian Church and a Christian state/civil government are two different things with different roles and responsibilities.

[@TheLightTLIC]

Obviously and absolutely not!!

[@Hyperbole3889]

Where do you submit a question? I just want to know about David's brothers. Were they with him when Saul wanted to kill him or did I miss it in the text. I ask because David's story is a foretelling of Jesus.

[@oliverman6168]

@ own peril.

[@JesusAlleineRettet]

Is there room for this question or do we have to make some room for this question to be asked. The answer is given without the question even to be asked in the first place.

[@michaelgenova5007]

Not morally acceptable.

[@bbedeschi]

where's the bro who said ain't no thing as stupid questions?

[@Notsotopofthefoodchain]

Sounds unnatural to me but I’m just a lowly human forced into a world of violence and confusion what do I know!

[@j.dieason7527]

What kind of question is that? Lol if you have the slightest knowledge of scripture or the Almighty then the answer is 100% no. It’s against God precepts and detestable to him. Ppl stop bending Gods word to promote your evil wants/intentions

[@saltyolbroad2962]

Based upon the title: No! What is wrong with you?

[@ksteak27]

This video could have been 1 second long. NO!

[@NickGagnon942]

Its fine with me.

[@coybi]

Your opinion doesn't matter, only God's word matters.

[@NickGagnon942]

@@coybi uh...thanks.

[@donny1742]

This is why we can't join ecumenism

[@soloscriptura]

Agree with the second point (on the pope) but not the first. The President of Burundi is not a pastor. He isn't telling the church to kill homosexuals. Therefore Piper's point is off topic. The President is acting as the Civil Magistrate and therefore nothing in the New Testament forbids him executing homosexuals if that's the law of the land.

[@jillianmartin6335]

We are not here to judge. We are all spiritual beings. Our body is a vessel. It is not our place to decide who loves who. Our creator loves us all. No matter what. How about we start practising what is preached. Love and forgiveness. That is why we are here to learn to be better spiritual beings. Earth is test, to see how we develop and grow. Why do people not see this? Be kind

[@Windows-kz4ke]

No one is saying we shouldn’t be kind. Your statement about not judging is foolish as we’re literally instructed to judge. Calling sin ‘sin’ is not being judgemental or unkind, however not speaking the truth in love is forbidden. People like you try to water down the faith which you ought to be very careful of since you risk being a stumbling block for others which Jesus clearly says it would be better for such a person to have a millstone hung round their neck and be cast into the sea than what will happen on the day of judgement. Being nice and kind and loving and gentle does not mean accepting others sinful lifestyles or belittling the holiness of our God and His laws

[@Alex1233192]

i am sorry, but you need to read the Scripture. We cannot fall away from God's design and will. God is holy and we should strive to be as well and guide our brothers towards holiness. If a person sins the unkind thing to do would be to leave him to sin continously without saying anything. In the end God will judge that person acvording to his law so if I don't warn him he will be headed to hell

[@MelissaHam-lm3lm]

Oh no, we are not God. His Word is simple to understand over this and it is not up to us who we love as a marriage partner. Read His Word!

[@MelissaHam-lm3lm]

It is not unkind to speak truth. Do you think Jesus preached about God's love and our need... every person's need for forgiveness and was "unkind"? In warning people of hell? No way. He is the way... no homosexuality, not unkindness, not pride which is the root of all sin... earth is not here to test. We are created to glorify God and sin never glorifies sin. I pray your eyes will be opened.

[@MelissaHam-lm3lm]

And you haven't listened... maybe you should stop and listen again 💕🫂... you may not believe my motive, but I pray so much of God's grace and peace and kindness to you if in fact you are willing to submit to His Word. God's redeemed people will never understand "sin" and that is why so many... why Christian's would disagree with what you said.

[@sukruoosten]

if you stand for EVERYTHING en also want please EVERYBODY you will LOSE the foundation of the faith !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is why im SOOOOOOOOOO GLAD to be a orthodox middle east christen we NEVER accept these sins/demonics laws

[@Jon-eg7xj]

No.

[@phil2768]

No

[@acts-me8xr]

No