Witnessing to a Gay Friend

In today's day and age of gay equality rights and in a culture that is affirming of homosexuality, most of us know someone who identifies themselves as gay or lesbian.  This person may be your closest friend or perhaps a neighbor or co-worker. One question that is often asked of those whose ministry is to work with the issue of homosexuality is, “How do I witness to the gays and lesbians that are in my day to day life?” The answer here is quite simple: You witness to the gay or lesbian in your life the same way you would witness to anyone else in your life. You witness by sharing God’s truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Here are some thoughts to consider:          

• See beyond their self-labeling of “homosexual.” See this person as your friend, be they woman or man, who, just like you, has fears, hopes, and needs.
• Be willing to listen to your friend. Let them see that you are not going to be like all the other “Christians” they have encountered who have deeply wounded them.
• Since there is no hope for your friend to come out of homosexuality without the power of God in their life, introduce them to Jesus Christ, not heterosexuality! It is through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that the healing begins.
• Remember that you cannot argue your friend out of their homosexuality.
• Once the discussion starts on their homosexuality remember that you do not have to be an expert on the subject matter. If you do not know an answer say so, then tell them you will come back with an answer; then do it.
• Be as gentle and loving as you would want to be treated.
• Allow God’s love to shine and work through you, and be patient. Change will come!

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Charlene Hios is a licensed minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is also the founder and president of Bridging The Gaps Ministries which provides direction both corporately and individually to those affected by homosexuality.  

Charlene can be contacted through Bridging The Gaps Ministries. Phone:  415.465.0517

Email:  Charlene@BridgingTheGapsMinistries.org

Check out Charlene’s on-line book here at the Earthen Vessel Journal. Follow Charlene as she shares with us her life-changing experience out of homosexuality.

Lesbian No More:  One Woman’s Life Changing Experience

• Introduction to the book:  Who Are You To Speak To This Matter?
  
• Chapter One:  I Once Was Lost But Now Am Found
  
• Chapter Two:  Wrestling With God
  

Buy Charlene's DVD--a discussion with Kent Philpott:
Homosexuality from a Christian Perspective

From 
Witnessing to a Gay Friend
by blogger Charlene Hios

Is it Wrong to Judge?

The Storm of God's Wrath

. . . The wrath to come.

Matthew 3:7

It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself--to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight.

That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon His Savior's head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distill from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction.

But how terrible it is to witness the approach of a tempest--to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it grows black, and to find the sun obscured, and the heavens angry and frowning! How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane, to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind rushes forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man!

And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have fallen as yet, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. So far the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the floodgates will soon be opened: The thunderbolts of God are still in His storehouse, the tempest is coming, and how awful will that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury!

Where, where, where, O sinner, will you hide your head, or where will you run to? May the hand of mercy lead you now to Christ! He is freely set before you in the Gospel: His pierced side is the place of shelter. You know your need of Him; believe in Him, cast yourself upon Him, and then the fury shall be past forever.

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg.

How Do I Know I'm Saved?

The following resources are also compiled on our True and False Conversion Resources page: 

True and False Conversion Bible Study - Living Waters Ministry 

True and False Conversion Bible Study Guide - Living Waters Ministry

How do I Know I'm Saved? (Quick questions for newer believers)

Evidence of Saving Faith: Fruit (From 1 John)

How Do You Know You are Saved - Paul Washer Video Message

How Do You Know You Are Saved? by Paul Washer

Free Audio Bible Downloads - Many Versions, Languages, & Dialects | Faith Comes By Hearing

Free Audio Bible Download | Faith Comes By Hearing 
Here you can download free New and Old Testament audio files in hundreds of languages and dialects. Some are "dramatized" readings with music; others are for children.  You can even join Faith Comes by Hearing ministry as an "Audio Ambassador" to help share the Word of God to those seeking it throughout the world. 

Debates for Skeptics

The Fixed Point Foundation features excellent resources for defending the Christian faith, including videotaped, full-length debates between some of the most famous atheists and Christian apologists. These are available to view online or to purchase. Debates are generally of a high intellectual calibre, so some previous exposure to topics in apologetics would be helpful, but not necessary, to be equipped by these debates. These would also be excellent for sending to or viewing with skeptics, because the debates are very civil and respectfully conducted. Free, downloadable study guides are also available. Debate topics include:

• God or No God? 
• Does Atheism Poison Everything? 
• The God Delusion Debate 
• God and the Problem of Suffering  
• Can There Be Morality Without God? 
• Has Science Buried God?  
• Is God Great? 
• God on Trial  
• Can Atheism Save Europe?