define marriage as between one man and one woman, it is assumed and implied.
So Article 41.3 reads from our Constitution,
the state pledges to guard with special care the institution of marriage
on which the family is founded and to protect it against attack.
In fact, our laws that we have within our country define marriage as between one man and one woman
and this has been reflected in legislation.
However, according to the chairperson of the Referendum Commission, Mr Justice Kevin Cross,
he says it's not going to change anything.
All it means is marriage is, and his words, broadened to include two people of the same sex.
So it doesn't change marriage.
All we're doing is broadening marriage so that it includes two people of the same sex.
So it will mean primarily two things.
First, that two people of the same sex will be able to marry each other,
just as two people of the opposite sex may marry.
And secondly, these are the two primary things,
a married couple of the opposite sex or of the same sex will be recognized as family
and be entitled to the constitutional protection for families.
Now, all the main political parties and the majority of the independents are campaigning for a yes vote
because they claim it's all about equality and rights.
So listen to what Ender Kenny said at the Fine Gael Ard Fesh some time ago.
Quote,
As we approach the centenary of the rising,
a yes vote would, I believe, send out a powerful signal internationally
that Ireland has evolved into a fair, compassionate and tolerant nation.
I believe that this is the right thing to do.
I and the Fine Gael party strongly support a yes vote.
And therefore I say to all same-sex couples in our country,
this is about you.
It's about your right to say two small words made up of three simple letters,
I do.
Now this week, if you've been paying attention to the news,
former President Mary McAleese gave her views as well.
She said this,
We want to be a human rights issue.
We want them to be born into a world where if they fall in love with someone,
they can express that love fully.
We believe it to be a human rights issue.
Now I think we all want a fair and compassionate Ireland.
We all want to be treated with equality regardless of our gender.
We want the rights of all people protected,
whatever their orientation may be.
So is it not right and fair and compassionate
to recognise the unique relationship between a man and a woman?
Wouldn't it be a tolerant society to protect the marriage institution
on which the family is founded?
You see, while every relationship,
or while every person,
we'll go back one, that's not right,
while every person should be treated with equality,
not every relationship has the same equality.
Okay?
Every person should be treated with equality,
but not every relationship has the same equality.
So let me explain.
The relationship between a brother and a sister
is different to the relationship of a son and his mother.
And that is different, again,
to the relationship between a husband and a wife.
Each individual in those relationships
has equal value and worth.
But the relationships themselves are not equal.
They're different.
Each relationship needs to be treated differently
and we have laws to protect those relationships.
You see, the marriage relationship of one man and one woman is unique.
Only one man and one woman can make new life.
Only one man and one woman can give a child a mum and a dad.
No two men or two women are ever able to do this.
So in this referendum,
we are talking about two very different kinds of relationships.
Therefore, I think it would be very wrong
to treat them as exactly the same.
In fact, if we are to say it's all about rights and equality,
then why not allow two sisters to marry?
Or why don't we allow polygamy?
Or why not legislate for open marriages
where you can go from one to the other?
Why don't we just broaden the definition of marriage
to include what...
Well, you fill in the blank.
You decide what is right for you
in terms of marriage.
The point is,
marriage is a unique relationship
and it should be treated and protected as such.
Now, as the referendum gets closer,
each side of the campaign
are playing what we call the rights card.
Everybody's saying it's this right or that right.
But I want to ask us all this morning,
who ultimately decides what is right?
Is it our laws?
Is it our politicians who say what is right?
Or is it what the outcome of the referendum says is right?
The majority of people,
will they decide what is right?
Well, ultimately for me,
and it should be the same for you if you are a Christian,
it's not what I think is right
or what you think is right.
But ultimately,
it's what God's word says is right.
That is where our authority comes from.
That is where we must submit ourselves to.
And that's to where we're going to turn right now.
We're going to look at two big questions
or two big statements.
Here's the first one.
What has Jesus to say about same-sex marriage?
What does Jesus have to say?
Not what I say,
not what politicians say.
What does Jesus say?
So, what does he have to say?
Well, nothing.
Jesus mentions or never mentions same-sex marriage.
But, he does have something to say about sex and marriage.
What does he have to say?
Well, listen.
First, sexual immorality.
Have a look at Matthew chapter 15.
Matthew chapter 15.
We're going to be looking at a few different chapters in Matthew.
So, if you've got your Bibles there,
please open to Matthew chapter 15.
And I encourage you to take down any notes or any questions.
And if there's anything you want to talk about afterwards or raise on Wednesday,
that would be a great time to do it.
So, Matthew 15 verse 18.
Familiar words?
Matthew 15 verse 18.
Now, here Jesus is talking about the different behaviours that make us unacceptable before God.
And the phrase there in the middle, sexual immorality is a catch-all term for any distortion on God's design for sex.
So, it includes things like pornography, adultery, premarital sex, prostitution, same-sex, or any distortion or forced sex within heterosexual marriage.
So, in one statement, Jesus is saying, we are all sexually flawed.
Every single one of us.
But notice, he's not just talking about sexual immorality.
He includes things like evil thoughts, slander, false testimony.
In other words, Jesus is setting a standard before every single person that we all fail to achieve, married or not.
You see, it's not just the area of marriage that we need to get right.
Jesus is saying, it's actually bigger than that.
What we need to get right is our whole life.
We need to get our hearts right.
Look at verse 19.
For it's out of the heart that come all of these things.
So, it's not just about defining marriage.
Jesus is saying, it's much bigger.
We need to get our hearts in order.
But Jesus does have something to say about marriage.
Have a look at Matthew 19.
Matthew 19.
And verse 3.
Matthew 19, verse 3.
Some Pharisees came.
They were coming to trick Jesus.
So, some Pharisees came to him to test him.
They asked, is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?
So, the Jews at the time had an understanding that a husband could actually divorce his wife for very petty things like not producing a good dinner.
That was the way their laws worked.
So, verse 4.
Haven't you read?
He replied that at the beginning the creator made them male and female and said, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh.
So, they are no longer two but one.
Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.
Now, the primary issue here is about divorce.
That's what the question is.
But as Jesus addresses it, he defines clearly what marriage is.
So, three things under this.
First, we see that marriage is initiated and provided by God.
So, look at verse 4.
Jesus takes us right back to the beginning.
He says, haven't you read, he replied, that at the beginning the creator.
He takes us right back to Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 which he quotes from.
So, he's saying right up front, marriage is not man's idea.
It's the creator's idea.
Marriage is a gift from God to people.
It's not something that we invent and that we decide what's right or what's wrong.
It's something initiated and provided for by God.
Second thing, marriage, he says, is the union of one man and one woman.
So, let's read verse 4 again.
He says, at the beginning the creator made them male and female and said, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother.
And be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.
So, marriage is about one male and one female.
They leave their father a male and they leave their mother a female and they become one flesh.
It's two people of the opposite sex that define marriage.
Now, the fact that we are created as men or as women means we have this relationship called marriage.
Marriage exists because we are sexually different.
Because we are made differently, we have the marriage institution.
So, marriage is clearly defined by the union of one man and one woman.
The third thing under this that Jesus has to say is that the only alternative to heterosexual marriage is singleness.
The only alternative to heterosexual marriage is singleness.
So, as Jesus goes on to talk with the Pharisees about what it is to be faithful,
what it is to live in a lifelong committed marriage relationships,
it makes the disciples a little bit uneasy about marriage.
So, look what they have to say in verse 10.
The disciples said to him,
if this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.
In other words, the standard that Jesus sets is so high,
he said, what if we can't actually live up to this standard?
Then what are we to do?
So, look how Jesus answers.
He starts talking about celibacy or singleness.
So, verse 11.
Jesus replied,
Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
For some are eunuchs or some are celibate,
because they were born that way.
Others were made that way by men.
Others have renounced marriage.
In other words, Jesus is saying,
if we are not in a heterosexual marriage,
the only alternative to that is singleness.
Jesus doesn't say to the disciples,
look, if that marriage doesn't work out with that person
and it's not going so well,
well, you can go and marry somebody else.
Or he doesn't say,
if your orientation is same-sex attraction,
then go find somebody of the same sex and marry them.
No, he doesn't say any of that.
He says, look,
singleness is the only godly alternative
to heterosexual marriage.
So, Jesus does have something to say about sex and marriage,
and it challenges every single one of us.
It's not just about same-sex marriage.
It's not just about heterosexual marriage.
It's much deeper than that.
It's about our sexuality,
and as we have seen from Matthew 15,
we are all sexually flawed.
None of us live life as God intends.
Every one of us,
whether we identify as gay or straight,
whether we are married or single,
we all need God to change our hearts on the inside,
to clean us up,
so that we live life His way.
But Jesus says something else about marriage
that is more important
than the marriage relationships
that we may find in this life.
This is the third thing He says about marriage.
Have a look at Matthew chapter 22.
Matthew 22.
Here's another group of religious leaders.
We have the Pharisees,
and here's the Sadducees.
If you want to know the difference about them,
you can ask me afterwards.
And here they're trying to catch Jesus out
with another question.
And they're asking about,
well, what about marriage in heaven,
or what about marriage in the afterlife?
What about that?
So, Matthew chapter 22, verse 24.
They come up with this scenario.
Teacher, they said, verse 24,
Moses told us that if a man dies without having children,
his brother must marry the widow
and have children for him.
Now, they say,
there were seven brothers among us.
The first one married and died,
and since he had no children,
he left his wife to his brother.
The same thing happened to the second and third brother,
right on down to the seventh.
Finally, the woman died.
Now then, here's the question.
So, she's married seven times
to seven different people.
They're all brothers.
Now then, at the resurrection,
at the end of life,
whose wife will she be of the seven
since all of them were married to her?
Hmm, good question.
Will she have seven husbands in heaven?
Or does she just have one?
And which one is she going to pick?
What's the answer going to be?
Well, look what Jesus says, verse 29.
Jesus replied,
You are in error
because you do not know the scriptures
or the power of God.
At the resurrection,
at the end of time,
people will neither marry
nor be given in marriage.
Look, says Jesus,
there's something that is much more important
than marriage in this life.
In fact, our married relationships
are all temporary.
What's important is not whether we marry,
but what we will be like.
Look at the end of verse 30.
He says they'll neither marry
nor be given in marriage.
They will be like the angels in heaven.
That is, we will become pure.
However, the intimacy and joy
of human relationships
will be replaced by a new kind of relationship,
an ultimate relationship with God
that the angels now enjoy
with God in heaven.
That is what's important.
Verse 31.
But he continues,
but about the resurrection of the dead.
Have you not read what God said to you?
I am the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob.
He is not the God of the dead,
but the God of the living.
Jesus is reminding them
that God is the one
who enters into a permanent,
faithful covenant with his people.
That quote there in verse 32
is this covenant God
who comes to his people
who said,
I am the God of Abraham.
I am the eternal,
living God
who enters into
a relationship
with my people,
into that ultimate
married relationship.
You see,
the problem with this
marriage referendum is
it's so short-sighted.
It's not about
same-sex marriage.
It's not about
heterosexual marriage.
It's about eternity.
It's about the ultimate,
eternal marriage
between God
and his people.
That's where every marriage
is headed.
So the question is,
not what our view of marriage,
but am I,
and are you,
are we ready
to meet God?
we can have marriage
right,
we can have our definition
right,
but are our hearts
right?
That's the real issue.
You see,
the big thing,
if we can just take this away,
is that Jesus
has been saying
through these different passages
we've looked at so far,
listen,
we are all
sexually flawed.
Our hearts
are all broken.
But get this,
we are so loved,
we are infinitely loved
by God.
So much so
that he sent his son,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave up
all of his rights.
The only one
who did have rights.
He gave up
all of his rights
to come and serve
people like you
and me,
to take on
all our impurities,
to become
and to be treated
as if he
was sexually flawed,
so that we might
have his purity
be accepted
and welcomed
into the ultimate
marriage relationship
with God,
to know him
and enjoy him.
That's the big issue.
And we can go on
and on about
defining and saying,
get this,
but as Christian people,
our role is to
point towards
Jesus
and the relationship
that we can have
with him
and what it means
to live life
under him.
So that's what
Jesus has to say
about same-sex marriage.
The second thing
that we're going
to look at
is what Jesus
has to say
about children's rights.
You see,
in this referendum,
it's not just about
adults saying,
it's my right
to get married.
It's about
the rights
of children
or perhaps
ignoring the rights
of children.
Have a look back
at Matthew 19.
Matthew 19
and verse 13.
So this comes
just after
the teaching
on marriage
that we looked at
just a moment ago.
And in Matthew 19
verse 13
we read this,
Then little children
were brought
to Jesus
for him
to place
his hands
on them
and pray
for them.
But the disciples
rebuked those
who brought them.
Now,
we might get
a bit surprised
there at the reaction
of the disciples.
Why are the disciples
telling all the parents
who are bringing
all the children,
take them away?
You shouldn't be here
is basically
what's going on.
We don't want
any kids around here.
Why would the disciples
react like this?
Well,
we must remember
that children
in the first century
had no rights
or status.
At very best,
they were to be seen
and not heard.
In fact,
under Roman law,
a father
had the right
to kill his child
if they displeased him
or were unwanted.
So children
in the first century
were legally sold
and used as slaves.
That was allowed
to happen.
That was in the laws.
So children
had no rights
and they had no laws
to protect them.
So the disciples
at this point
are expressing
something of the culture
that has begun
to shape them.
It's wrong,
but they're only expressing
what they have been
shaped by.
Jesus, however,
challenges
and confronts
the culture
of the day.
So look at verse 14.
Jesus said,
Let the little children
come to me
and do not hinder them
for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such
as these.
Jesus is making
a bold statement
to the culture
and the people
of his time.
Children are
of equal value
and worth.
They are welcomed
and accepted.
And we have to change it
is what he is saying.
And it was because
of that very teaching
of Jesus
that the Christian community
in the first century
were the first people
who were known
for rescuing
and protecting
vulnerable children
and adopting them
into their own families.
They would make it
their business
to go and take
the children
that the Roman fathers
would want to get rid of
and take them in.
And it's this teaching
that has shaped
many of our laws since.
Interestingly,
our Minister for Health,
Leo Varadkar,
although this is speaking
back in 2010,
who has since identified
himself as gay,
said this.
He says,
Every child
has the right
to a mother and father
and as much as possible
the state should vindicate
that right.
That is a more important right
than that of two men
or two women
having a family.
That is the principle
that should underline
our laws
regarding children
and adoption.
So the rights
of children
matter.
In fact,
they have a right
to a mum
and dad.
You see,
the teaching of Jesus
is affirmed
and built upon
as you go through
the New Testament.
The Apostle Paul
consistently writes
about children's relationship
to a mother and father.
In Ephesians chapter 6,
have a look there
if you like,
Ephesians chapter 6
verses 1 to 3.
Ephesians 6
verses 1 to 3.
So this is all
being built upon
what Jesus has said,
what Jesus had built upon
from what God had said
in the Old Testament.
So chapter 6
verse 1.
Children,
obey your parents
in the Lord
for this is right.
Well,
who are the parents?
Verse 2,
honour your father
and mother
which is the first commandment
and it has a promise.
And here's the promise,
that it may go well
with you
and that you may
enjoy long life
on the earth.
Now isn't it interesting
you're saying,
look,
there's a design here.
This is what family life
is to be like.
Children
in a family
as far as possible
with a mum and dad.
Why?
Because it's going to be
best for them.
You see,
a family consisting
of a mum and dad
is the best environment
for a child
to be raised.
UNICEF,
the worldwide organisation
protecting the rights
of children,
make it abundantly clear
what is best
for the development
and care
of children.
and this comes
from their
early childhood
development studies.
Child development,
they say,
is largely influenced
by the family structure
in which a child
is raised.
Children living
without their mothers
or fathers
or without both
biological parents
are at special risk
of being denied
the care they need
for their physical
and psychological
well-being.
So it's not just
a biblical idea,
it's seen in practice
that that's what's right
and what's best.
Biological parents
are the best.
But let's be real
about this.
Sometimes
our biological parents
are not always
the best parents
and sometimes
they're not always
able to care
for their children.
So sometimes
it is best
and loving
for those children
to be cared for
and to be provided
for by another family.
But that should,
as far as possible,
be a mum
and a dad.
Because if we get it wrong,
then it leads
to all kinds
of terrible experiences.
Listen to this.
This past week
an actress in England
told of her experience
being raised
by her biological mother
and her mum's gay partner.
This is what she said,
far from being
a healthy,
nurturing state
of affairs,
this arrangement
where I was caught
in a destructive,
triangular battle
for my mother's affection
with another woman
while forced
to watch helplessly
as my father
was emasculated
and airbrushed
from our lives
was simultaneously
damaging
and confusing.
So that is
the experience
of one child
in the home
that they were raised.
But the implications
are further.
A website
that I encourage you
to look up
and check out,
Mothers and Fathers Matter.
It's an organisation
campaigning
on the no side
and they spell out
very clearly
what it would mean
if the referendum
is accepted.
It says,
the right
to found
a family
will become
a constitutional
right of any
two men
or two women.
What will that mean?
Well,
for two men
they will be
legally entitled
to seek out
a surrogate.
Two women
on the other side
will have the legal
right to seek
a sperm donation
and create a child.
That means
the child
themselves,
the child
who is born
will have
zero identifying
information
until they reach
the years,
until they reach
18 years old.
So an entire
childhood
will have passed
before their
true identity
and genetic
heritage
can be revealed
to them.
Now that has
medical
consequences
as well
because there may
be something
hereditary
from their
biological parents
that now
they know
nothing about
because they are
now living
with somebody else
and they can't
be told about it.
Not to say
anything of the
psychological damage
that it may cause.
Now from my
understanding
of what all
that means is
that children
just become
made to order.
They are not
only denied
a mother and
father,
they are denied
knowing who
their actual
biological parents
are.
So just as
Jesus sought
to set out
at the very
beginning
the rights
of children
and to
protect them,
so we should
also be on
the side of
protecting the
rights of
children because
the unborn
can't protect
themselves.
So those are
the two big
things that
Jesus has to
say about
marriage and
about the
rights of
children.
So where
does this
leave us
all?
Well I
want to
encourage you
to vote
no.
Primarily
because of
what Jesus
has to say
about marriage
and the
rights of
children.
But that
does not
mean by
voting no
we have to
somehow choose
between loving
and opposing.
We mustn't
split that.
We must
do both.
love.
And I want
to stress
this as
people.
We should
be loving
to all
people and
welcoming of
all regardless
of their
relationship
status whether
they are
married or
single.
We should
be people
who are at
the forefront
of protecting
the rights
of all
people whatever
their gender
or orientation.
it is the
Christian
community who
should be
saying you
have the
right to
say what
you want
to say.
You have
the right to
freedom of
speech and
declare what
your interests
and desires
are.
That is what
we should be
protecting and
we should do
it lovingly but
at the same
time opposing
with gentleness
and care any
change to
God's good
design for
marriage and
the family.
loving to
all but
gently opposing
any change
to God's
good design
for marriage
and family.
Let's pray
together.
this is the
prayer of the
apostle Paul.
He says let
your conversation
be always
full of
grace
seasoned
with salt
so that
you may
know how
to answer
everyone.
Father we
ask that
for each
one of us
here
that we
would be
able to
clearly
explain our
reasons
but that we
would also be
able to
explain the
hope that
we have
that there
is something
of far
greater
significance
and consequence
than our
earthly
relationships
or our
married
relationships
but the
ultimate
marriage
relationship
to come
between God
and his
people
in the
new heavens
and the
new earth.
Father would
you please
forgive us
for we are
all sexually
flawed
we have all
messed up
would you
please
forgive us
would you
cleanse us
afresh
and would
you please
by the
power of
your Holy
Spirit
help us
to live
life
as you
call us
to
protecting
every
marriage
relationship
here
protecting
every
family
unit
here
and that
together
as a
church
family
we would
be loving
and caring
and welcoming
of all
who would
come
we pray
that you
would help
us to do
this well
in Jesus
name we
ask
amen