Last Sunday’s sermon was the most difficult teaching I’ve ever prepared for. Even though I’ve been preparing and delivering sermons for almost 25 years now, this was the one that I approached with the most anxiousness.

The hardest part about this entire process…of preparing and preaching a sermon on how to love those in the realm of the LGBTQ+ world…was burdensome because I absolutely knew how much pain and internal struggle has gone on in our world and in our church in this area.

I knew I had to present truths that aren’t popular and hold up standards that are being personally and culturally rejected.

I knew that those listening to the sermon would either be people who’d struggled in this arena or they would know people in this arena.

My goal was to make a case for truth and God’s authority, but at the same time make a case for building and maintaining relationships with others (of all behavior types) as a platform to share the Gospel with them.

1) Pastor Derick recommended this little gem, Is God anti-gay? (Questions Christians Ask) by Sam Allberry. This book is not only short and to the point, it is personal.

“It's the hot topic of the moment. Christians, the church and the Bible seem to be out of step with modern attitudes towards homosexuality. And there is growing hostility towards those who hold a different view. So is God homophobic? And what do we say, and how do we relate to to both Christians and non Christians who experience same-sex attraction.”

2) I’ve been following Dr. Christopher Yuan on Twitter for years. His testimony and insight are brilliant resources for loving those around you and pushing them towards holiness not just behavior modification. His book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel (Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story) by Christopher Yuan.

“Dr. Christopher Yuan explores the concept of holy sexuality--chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage--in a practical and relevant manner, equipping readers with an accessible yet robust theology of sexuality. Whether you want to share Christ with a loved one who identifies as gay or you're wrestling with questions of identity yourself, this book will help you better understand sexuality in light of God's grand story and realize that holy sexuality is actually good news for all.”

3) This one isn’t a book in traditional sense, but a compilation of short articles on a very helpful spectrum of subjects; from masculinity to transgenderism to singleness and beyond. I guarantee your life or the life of someone you love fits in to one of the articles. It is, Designed for Joy (How the Gospel Impacts Men and Women, Identity and Practice)

“Designed for Joy includes fresh contributions from fourteen young leaders, casting a unified vision for Christian manhood and womanhood. Whether discussing the significance of gender, the truth about masculinity and femininity, the blessing of purity, or the challenge of raising children in a confusing world, this practical resource challenges us to embrace God’s good design—for his glory and our joy.”