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By Geri Gibbons The Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE — The Restored Church concluded its month-long series of sermons dealing with sex with a service that included an invitation to the area’s LGBT community on Sunday.
 
Approximately, 175 people turned out for Pastor Dan Nichols’ sermon, including members of the LGBT community.
 
“Disagreement does not equal hatred,” Nichols told the group.
 
He presented a video featuring Dr. Ravi Zacharias in response to the question, “Can one truly live as a gay Christian?”
 
The film seemed to answer yes to that question, but also said that “as people grow in their Christian faith, they will be increasingly motivated to live by the Biblical standard of sex being limited to the marriage relationship between a man and woman.”
 
Nichols called the subject “one of the most controversial topics in our nation.”
 
The church’s position was not without opposition from some of those who attended.
 
Floyd Merritt, who attended all four of the series’ sermons, said he disagreed with the “one man, one woman,” definition of marriage presented by Pastor Tim Walker at the previous week’s service.
 
“I believe marriage could also include two women or two men, as long as they love each other and are in a committed relationship,” he said.
 
Nichols emphasized the importance of building relationships with others in spite of significant differences of opinion, asking for respect for the LBGT community.
 
He referred to Colossians, a book of the New Testament, which directs Christians to be gracious in speaking to others, seasoning answers to spiritual questions “with salt.”
 
“We need to be known for what we stand for and not simply what we stand against,” said Nichols.
 
Since opening its doors on South Franklin Street a year ago, the church has aggressively sought to reach out to area residents. It has included a variety of demographics in that effort, including college students, teenagers, those with substance-abuse problems and families.
 
Merritt said he would listen to the final sermon of the series with an open mind.
 
“Today’s sermon will determine whether I continue to attend,” he said, “I definitely want to continue to attend church somewhere.”
 
Nichols believes the church’s commitment to prayer, thankfulness, sharing the Gospel message and gracious speech will keep people coming in the door, which he said, “Is always open to anyone.”