We err in believing we should introduce homosexuals to the opposite sex; we need to introduce them to Jesus Christ. And if they are already believers, we need to make disciples of them.

Will you suggest they “trust the Lord?” Will you repeat that tired refrain “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” which comes across as more antagonistic than evangelistic? Though a true statement, it misses the point. Before God gave Adam a helpmate, God gave Adam Himself, the relationship that precedes all earthly relationships.

Alternative Approaches

In dealing with this topic, address the issue in a message on “all forms of sexual immorality” – pre-marital sex is sin, too. Touch on the issue in the context of a “group of sins” as Paul does in 1 Cor. 6.  F.B. Meyer wrote that a good sermon should be like a good portrait – in which the eyes make contact with every viewer regardless of where he stands.

Take a reverse approach. Rather than telling your people what’s wrong with same sex relationships, tell them what’s good about healthy same sex relationships – David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, Paul and Timothy, Jesus and John. Have you ever heard a sermon on the legitimate display of affection between Jesus and John the Beloved during the last supper (John 13:23-25)?

Incorporate part of a person’s testimony into your message. Here is an example: A 19-year-old male from Singapore emailed me this note: “My pastor went on stage and started insulting and joking about homosexuals. Everyone was laughing. I didn’t think it was funny but I followed them and laughed because I don’t want them to think I’m a gay. My shepherd, the person who taught me a lot of things on Christianity when I joined the church, called me ‘aqua,’ meaning gay. I was really hurt by that word. Quite lot of people call me that but I didn’t expect my own shepherd to say such a thing to me. That’s when I decided that I was born without a soul and I was sent into this world to suffer. God never ever wanted me as his child.”

If this young man’s words break your heart, let it break when you preach. If his words don’t break your heart, do anything but preach. Our task in preaching is to radiate God’s love so as to eclipse the artificial love found in homosexuality.