‘Preach the truth without fear’: Folau urges churchgoers to be bold
Former Wallabies star Israel Folau says Christians must “stand up and preach the truth without fear” after suggesting Australia’s devastating bushfire crisis was God’s punishment for legalising same-sex marriage and abortion.
NSW
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Sacked rugby star Israel Folau has urged a Sydney congregation to have the boldness to “preach the truth without fear” in the wake of his latest controversial comments which outraged the nation.
Last Sunday the former Wallabies fullback used a church sermon to suggest drought and bushfires are God’s punishment for legalising same-sex marriage and abortion.
This Sunday the 30-year-old, who was dumped by Rugby Australia for warning that homosexuals and other sinners will go to hell unless they repent, told parishioners to trust God’s message in the face of challenges.
“We must have that spirit within us to be able to stand up and preach the truth without fear,” he said.
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During the 15-minute sermon at the Truth of Jesus Christ Church in Kenthurst, Folau urged churchgoers not to doubt or question the lord when he gives them a task, no matter how big it is.
Folau, whose wife Maria also read a bible passage on Sunday, said scriptures order believers to ignore their own understandings.
He said Christians mustn’t make excuses such as not being eloquent public speakers “when God calls you to do something.”
“Your faith is going to be tested, whether at work or at school … make sure that you stand up and do what’s right by God,” he said.
Scott Morrison last week blasted Folau’s “appallingly insensitive” comments which the prime minister insisted do not reflect the religious community.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese also rejected Folau’s comments as “rubbish” amid widespread condemnation in the aftermath of fatal bushfires which devastated Queensland and NSW.
But in a video sermon posted to the Truth of Jesus Christ Church Sydney’s Facebook page, Folau quoted bible verses saying God chose the foolish things in the world to confound the wise.
“Every single day we must continue to rely on what God says, and what his word is. Because that’s final, that’s authority,” he said.
RA tore up the dual international’s $5.7 million contract when he refused to back down over his homophobic social media posts, insisting his message “came from a place of love.”
Folau is now suing the governing body and NSW Waratahs over what he believes is religious discrimination and unfair dismissal as he seeks nearly $10 million in compensation.
In his sermon last Sunday Folau said gay marriage and abortion were “evil in the eyes of God” while in June he took aim at transgender children.
After being sacked from rugby union, it was reported he was considering a return to rugby league.
But that was quickly shut down by incoming Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys earlier this month, who said he had zero tolerance for Folau’s anti-gay messaging.
Originally published as ‘Preach the truth without fear’: Folau urges churchgoers to be bold
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