Luke 19:1-10

The First Steps in witnessing are the hardest – but once we start walking we’ve committed ourselves to reaching out; those first tentative steps become faith-filled steps.

Jesus began the process when he stepped from heaven into our place – once here his life was marked by the way he consistently walked across rooms, market-places, cultures, and societal norms to reach out to others – complete strangers normally, women and men, often those from the wrong side of town; often those that good folk would prefer not to be seen with.

Zacchaeus, one man amongst a crowd, one man – probably the least likely to receive special attention; but when Jesus saw Zacchaeus precariously perched in his sycamore tree he seemed to see something that most of us miss.

We see a crook, a swindler, a greedy little man, a sinner. Someone to be avoided.

Jesus sees a child of God, a heart open to grace, a broken needy man. Someone to be loved. [...Full item]

1. FRIENDS NOT LOVERS (8:10-12)

1. Heterosexual gender is a divine creation;

2. Heterosexual marriage is a divine institution; and,

3. Heterosexual fidelity is the divine intention.

Scripture defines place for sexual relationships as within heterosexual monogamy. Scripture envisages no other kind of marriage or sexual intercourse, for God provided no alternative. Any sexual behaviour outside of this definition, whether heterosexual or homosexual, is displeasing to God.

And since that order was established by creation (Gen 2:24), not culture, its validity is both permanent and universal. There can be no ‘liberation’ from God’s created norms; true liberation is found only in accepting them.

Treating homosexuals with rejection, hatred and discrimination is morally wrong. Yet we must distinguish between true discrimination and what is often labelled as homophobia.

"If. the ‘wrong’ or ‘injustice’ complained of is society’s refusal to recognise homosexual partnerships as a legitimate alternative to heterosexual marriages, then talk of ‘justice’ is inappropriate, since human beings may not claim [...Full item]