Transgenderism

Thinking Clearly About Gender
Transgenderism
John 13:34-35

We want to learn more, love better, and consider what God has to say about sex and gender.

The challenge in approaching this issue is to avoid extremes. To think, speak, and act in ways that are biblically sound and exhibit both the love and truth of God’s good design.

Review:

Key Question: If someone experiences incongruence between their biological sex and their internal sense of self, which one determines who they are – and why?

Gender Roles describe the social and cultural aspects of being male or female – in other words, all things related to masculinity and femininity. This is largely influenced by culture and can change as culture does.

Gender Identity has to do with the psychological aspects associated with being male or female – someone’s internal sense of self as male, female, both or neither.

Gender Dysphoria describes the psychological distress or impairment that some people experience as a result of their experience of gender incongruence.

Transgenderism is an umbrella term for the state or condition of identifying or expressing a gender identity that does not match a person’s physical/genetic sex. Someone who identifies as transgender may experience incongruence between their biological sex and their gender identity.

Some More Groundwork Three Levels of Transitioning:

• Social 
• Hormonal 
• Surgical

A Recent Social Phenomenon:

Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)

What Happened To Our Hearts?

We now live in a Genesis 3 world with a Genesis 1 Blueprint

“We are broken actors living on a broken stage, and we do not stand on the stage for very long.” Andrew T. Walker

The effects of the fall are not only around us, but within us.

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11, ESV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)

Our particular brand of brokenness will vary from person to person, but there are Moral Choice that flow from how we respond to our brokenness.

Experiencing a feeling doesn’t mean feeding it and acting upon it is best, or right.

Key Question: How am I going to live considering my brokenness? Will I honor Christ or dishonor Christ?

Encouragement and A Calling

“a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;” (Matthew 12:20, ESV)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28–30, ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24–25, ESV)

“Christ’s call on your life is to get the help you need to manage your gender dysphoria in light of a relationship with Christ, and to surround yourself with people who will serve you, helping you live in accordance with your sex. In a healthy psychology, there is unity between your biological sex and your sense of self. Jesus wants to bring you to that unity.” James Emery White

The Call To Love

1. Love promotes Dignity (Genesis 1:27)
2. Love requires Empathy (Galatians 6:2)
3. Love shares Truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)
4. Love produces Compassion (Colossians 3:12)
5. Love has Patience (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Questions For Reflection

1. How is God calling me to think differently?
2. How is God reordering my heart’s affections – what I love?
3. What is God calling me to do as I go into this week?

Ready to take your Next Step? 

• See Pastor Jeff after the service today 
• Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box
• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”