Comments on: LetSEXpress Same Sex | Aug 23, 2009

By: Alli Inwards

Alli Inwards — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:16:50 +0000

I’ve just watched this video, mainly because the issue of how church relates to homosexuality is a big one for my sister due to some close friends she has. What I didn’t expect in watching this message was that God would be speaking to my own heart about me and him and our relationship. That to me is the most fab thing about this message – what started out as a potentially controversial and difficult subject to ‘analyse/consider’ turned into (for me at least) an opportunity to connect with God – about the parts of me I hold back, the parts I’m sure he’s disgusted by, the areas of my life that aren’t fulfilled because I’m not letting him in. I’ve been a ‘christian’ for a long time – first making a commitment at 5 years old. Now 33 years later, I’m just learning and discovering who this God is – I’m starting to converse with him (thanks to morph – if you’ve not done it, do it, it’s good!) regularly. He’s made himself ’small enough’ for me to feel safe with him and over this last year, the change that he’s brought about has been incredible – yes a struggle/fight/battle at times but so very rewarding and so worth it! Thank you Gateway for treating people (whatever their orientation) as people and for helping folk like me learn how to let gifts be gifts and God be God. Much thanks, Alli

By: john r

john r — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:20:58 +0000

vince

i get the impression that you have some image as to what love is.

jesus’s act’s of love included flogging the money changers in the temple, and willing submitting himself to torture.

By: Vince

Vince — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:46:36 +0000

@john r // I hope that above all, we communicate love first. Thanks for watching.

By: john r

john r — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:28:31 +0000

sadly the pastor is speaking from mindset and belief system. he is an example of how even those who speak love can still have one foot firmly planted in the old covenant.

jesus didnt say we would know them by how they abided by old covenant regulation. instead he said “we would recognize them by their fruit” the fruit of the spirit that was in their lives.

in regards to romans…………homosexuals never have had women not from their earliest sexual memory. one cannot ABANDON something they never had. and their relationships are not motivated by shamebased lust but are instead motivated by mutual love, devotion, affection, trust, and respect for shared committed life together, the same as heterosexuals.

in essence committed believing homosexual relationships are filled with the fruit of the spirit in the same way that believing heterosexual relationships are.

the tension he talks about is between his mindset and his heart.

By: Emma

Emma — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:32:22 +0000

thank you. this is powerful.

just ended my first lesbian relationship, dealing with my faith now and where it stands. i LOVE this videos emphasis on whole-life submission to christ and what that means for each one of us.

thank you thank you THANK YOU.

By: Daniel M.

Daniel M. — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:16:23 +0000

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of your church, but I’m grateful that you exist. That you have a culture of “come as you are.” I think that it’s very powerful, very effective and very biblical.
I’m an Admin of a private FB group for guys who have unwanted ssa. Unfortunately many (mostly those from the US) of them have a story of how the church has hurt them and let them down. All of them are still choosing to pursue God and many are still choosing to go to church…even if it’s not a good experience.

I completely agree with your closing statement. You’ve never met a heterosexual with so much faith. And this is why I rejoice with my ssa. There are few things more humbling. I think we as a group can have a huge impact on the world, if we can just get over our guilt and shame.

Thank you for taking your own step of faith…to talk about us. May God continue to use your church for His glory!

peace,
daniel

By: Vince

Vince — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:37:39 +0000

@jennifer // thank you for your story

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:10:28 +0000

This is an amazing thing and I so appreciate the opportunity that this church is providing for those struggling and in the faith.

My personal experience was much different however. I grew up unchurch and unspiritual so when Jesus pursued me, healed me, changed me, and called me out of the life style I had already experience so many sinful choices that I was eager to continue my walk with Him.

When I went to find a church, I just went to the pastor and said this is who I am, where I’m at, and where I’m headed and if you cannot deal with that I’ll go some where else. He said that was fine and encouraged me to get involved.

I did and found a body who loved God but one that I could not relate to, not because I had just come out of the lifestyle but because this body was mostly made up of blue collar folks and I was an educated professional and not married. I couldn’t relate to the women (who were all having children) or the men (who didn’t understand the technical world I worked in). They did try to love me as best the could.

So after some seeking I found another church and used the same approach and ended up staying for over 14 years, got married there, had four children there, etc.

I have actually been wounded more by the gay community that I left than the church community that I moved into over time.

Blessings to this body who has found this good place to reflect God’s mercy and grace while holding the standard of behavior set by the Word.

By: Randy Thomas

Randy Thomas — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:03:30 +0000

This video is very powerful. Thank you Pastor for your willingness to cover such a difficult subject. The testimonies were incredible and the ending prayer got me all choked up.

I formerly identified as gay and the reason I came to Christ was because of authentic loving Christians who didn’t know all the answers except that Jesus loved me and wanted to be in relationship with me. That was 17 years ago and while it hasn’t been an easy journey, it’s been a very “worth it” journey.

FANTASTIC job on the video, testimonies and sermon. Thank you so much for the encouragement.

By: LetSEXpress Same Sex – Excellent & Powerful Video from Gateway Church in Austin : Exodus International Blog

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:58:53 +0000

[...] perspectives but instead they take the more difficult and truth filled redemptive perspective. This video features three *powerful* testimonies and a Pastor’s perspective of the scriptures. The [...]