Hebrews 11:32

The period of the judges was roughly 1380-1050 BC.

Judges 2:7-19 - summary of the period of the judges

Judges 17:6 - Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. The people were not relying on God!

Israel calls for help.

Judges 6:1-10 - The Midianites afflict the Israelites.

The angel visits Gideon.

Judges 6:11-24

Gideon s. Baal

Judges 6:25-32 - God gives Gideon his first mission: cutting down his father’s idol.

I Corinthians 1:17-29

“It contradicts science!”

Genesis 1

I Corinthians 15:3-4

Job 38:2-38 - There is much about the world that we don’t understand.

“It violates what we know is right!”

Romans 1:24-27 - Homosexuality must be put away.

I Timothy 2:11-15 - Women must be in subjection.

“It values gullibility and a lack of intelligence!”

John 20:29

Hebrews 11:1-3

I Peter 3:15 - We must have a reason for our faith!

“It forbids things that aren’t evil!”

Romans 1:28-2:2

Matthew 19:9

I Corinthians 15:13-19

Romans 2:12 - God’s word defines good and evil.

“It preys on the crushed and the hopeless!”

Matthew 11:28-30

Acts 2:36-39

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

“It is egocentric!”

Ephesians 1:3-6

Romans 8:26-30

Ephesians 2:4-10 - It is not anything special about us - God sent Jesus to die for all of us!

Luke 15:4-7

“I am the Way!”

John 14:6

I Corinthians 1:25-2:16

Genesis 30:22-24

Joseph maintained his faith:

In the face of temptation

Genesis 39:6-12 - Joseph escapes from Potiphar’s wife

II Peter 2:4-11

Proverbs 1:10

Over the long haul

Acts 7:9-15

Genesis 37:23-24

Hebrews 11:13

At the time of death

Hebrews 11:22 - Joseph knew God would fulfill His promises even after his death.

I Corinthians 15:35 - We don’t know all the details of the afterlife.

Genesis 1:27 - God creates man and woman.

I Corinthians 6:9-10 - Homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Arguments for a genetic link

Study #1 - Simon LeVay: “A difference in hypothalamus structure between heterosexual and homosexual men exists.”

Problems:

AIDS may have skewed results

Orientations were uncertain

INAH-3 may be irrelevant

No proven cause-effect

Hasn’t been repeated

Study #2 - Michael Bailey and Richard Pillard

Problems:

Skewed sample

Weak results

Hasn’t been repeated

Study #3 - Dean Hamer, et. al.

Problems

No control group

Xq28 absent on some homosexuals

Xq28 present on some heterosexuals

Xq28 may be irrelevant

Skewed sample

Bad math

Hasn’t been repeated

Arguments against a genetic link

Genetics don’t dictate behavior

James 1:13-15 - God does not tempt anyone Himself.

Ephesians 4:19

A “gay gene” would soon disappear

Genesis 6:19 - How would a “gay gene” be carried on? Those who had it would tend to not reproduce.

Many homosexuals have changed (I Corinthians 6:11

There is a strong correlation between environmental influences and homosexuality (Genesis 18:32.

What about homosexuality in animals? Titus 1:12

The bottom line

Genesis 19:7

Romans 1:24-27

Mark 16:9-20 include these verses.

Mark 16:17 - This is specifically referring to the apostles, although it may also refer to those who believed and had been given spiritual gifts by the apostles. It certainly does not refer to all believers up to the present time, as we know from other passages.

Conclusions: points to remember

The Gospel of Action

This was written to a people under persecution. It shows why people should risk persecution to follow Jesus. Mark concentrates on the miracles of Jesus to show His power.

Less is more

Mark gives a much shorter telling of the story than the other gospels. He is brief in his writing and skips details in order to get to the main point quickly.

Jesus is Lord