Those paying attention to the drama over a BuzzFeed article published last week about “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines and their pastor, Jimmy Seibert, likely know that the piece primarily focused on Seibert’s views on homosexuality.
Considering the Gaineses haven’t spoken publicly about their stance on same-sex nuptials, the bulk of the BuzzFeed report targeted Seibert’s Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, apparently attempting to tie his views to the HGTV stars.
In particular, the report was based on a sermon the pastor delivered in June 2015, titled, “A Biblical Response to the Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage” — uttered just days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage.
In that nearly-45-minute sermon, Seibert said he wanted to communicate with the church about the then-recent legalization of gay unions, proclaiming that the law did nothing to alter God’s standards.
“This law does not change God and his word, but it does give us, as the people of God, an opportunity and a challenge to learn how to love God at a deeper level than we ever have,” he said. “To learn how to love people with God’s heart of compassion at a level we never planned on, and to be on mission together like never before.”
Seibert continued, “I believe that Jesus is not only the way, the truth and the life, but his way of life, his way of living is best for all mankind.”
Watch the sermon in question below:
In the end, the pastor preached that he believes God designed marriage and sexuality and expressed those sentiments in both the Old and New Testaments.
“No dialogue should ever move us from what God designed, because I didn’t sign up for my opinion,” Seibert said. “I signed up for his.”
As Faithwire previously reported, Seibert has spoken out in the wake of the controversy, telling activist Tony Perkins that he’s at least glad the discussion is pointing people toward scripture.
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