Untitled Sermon (5)

James 2:1-8

Intro: I read an article some months ago that discussed the discriminatory practice of favoritism by a particular church in California where members of the Church were being mistreated. Treated less than equal based on an surface level because That article immediately grabbed my interest and raised 2 question in my mind.

1) Why does favoritism exist in the Church, & how can it be quickly eradicated body of Christ?

a. Which lead to my favorite book of James, which discusses favoritism in the sacred assembly of God’s people.

b. Where, the rich & fancy are being catered to by the Church, while the poor are being discriminated against…

c. And All of this is taking place in a God’s sacred assembly, but more specifically in the place known as the synagogue for the Jewish community.

d. A synagogue simply being a building that was used as the house of worship but also served as a community court of law.

e. Now, I mention that simply because historians argue if James is righting to those in worship type setting or legal type setting.

f. But no matter if this assembly was centered on worship or legal matters, it doesn’t change this timeless principle that favoritism has no place in the house of God…

g. However, for the sake of this sermon, I’ll discuss this scenario as though it’s centered around a time of worship…

2) What James immediately presents at the beginning of this passage is a hypothetical argument to combat the very evil practice of favoritism in the assembly of God.

a. He gives an example of a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and also a poor man in filthy old clothes both entering their sacred assembly.

b. The rich man is showed special attention, “Here’s a good seat for you,”

c. “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”

d. So, because of this heinous act of discrimination, they were operating as judges with evil thoughts.

e. And according to James, in vs 9, states that anyone who shows favoritism has sinned and is convicted by the law as transgressors.

3) But what is favoritism?

4) By favoritism, by definition, literally means =To accept/judge according to face

a. To accept or judge someone on their outward, external appearance.

b. It’s a superficial, surface form of judgement that’s unconcerned with a person’s moral character, but only their looks.

c. Meaning, that someone of great character & quality could be overlooked, despised, & rejected.

d. While the snobby, self-centered egotist would be gladly received and accepted simply based on appearance.

e. And it’s that type of surface level judgement that James was looking to eradicate from the Holy assembly of God’s anointed people.

5) Now the question that should be considered is why was this shallow form judgment in the D.N.A of this 1st century church?

a. May I suggest to you that it was primarily societal influence.

b. That they were taught this way…

c. In this 1st century context, face-based judgement was a common cultural custom that was embraced & practiced in that particular society.

d. A society plagued by prejudice and hatred based on class, ethnicity, nationality, and religious background.

e. So, it to no surprise that people were routinely & permanently categorized into opposing groups such as Jew or Gentile, slave or free, rich or poor, Greek or barbarian. This was the norm for society.

f. And unfortunately, these human lines of distinction & division were all too common in the church as well…

Transition: So, James, developed this carefully crafted argument rejecting favoritism, stating that, “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”

1) What we see immediately in the argument of James is not looking to correct a practice in society, neither is he writing a letter to the local politicians.

a. But James directing this message to his spiritual brothers & sisters, who holds the same faith in Christ.

b. And since Jesus is Lord, then He sets standard.

c. The standard that cannot be readjusted according to the broken logic & reason of a fallen society because the Church lives according to Heaven’s standards rather than society.

d. So, for any believer in Christ to demonstrate favoritism, was considered a sinner & transgressor of the law, according to James in vs 9.

e. Why, because favoritism is the stands in direct contrast to the holy nature & perfect character of God.

f. For there are countless times in scripture, NT & OT, where it is explicitly stated that GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORTISM.

g. Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality.”

h. Romans 2:11 “For God does not show no favoritism.”

i. That is just who He is.

2) But how does Jesus fit into this picture according to James?

a. Jesus is the Lord of Glory, a title normally associated with YHWH GOD.

b. For Jesus is God…

c. He the light, the radiance, the fullness of God wrapped up in human flesh.

d. Who, in His righteous judgments God does not show favoritism.

e. So, for anyone who submits to the person of Christ must also align their hearts with purpose of Christ.

f. But what is Christ purpose? Well, let’s look to the apostle Paul for that answer in Eph. 2:15

g. Eph. 2:15 = 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. 15 His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.

h. Gal. 3:27-28 = 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

i. Church, isn’t that great news that every human line of distinction and division has been abolished through the work of Christ on the cross?

Transition: Unfortunately, this 1st century Church, drastically failed to grasp this Christ centered reality. Now, in the 21st century we, the universal church, know a little something about special seating arrangements.

a. There’s something special and unique about where we choose to sit…

b. So much so, that our seating arrangements help us determine who is attending Church service that that.

c. For me I know how many teens will be attending my morning class just by quickly examining specific areas of the church. (Parnell, Gilkeys, Reese, Marcy’s, Nichols, Reichenbergers, Bakers, Padens).

d. But no matter how special our seating arrangements are, we know that our seats are not an indicate our significance because we are all equally important in the House of God.

2) However, in the first century, depending on the seating, a person’s value, worth & significance were associated with a seat.

a. What we see in this text are 2 seats that are polar opposites.

b. The first seat, being the good seat, which is best described as the place of honor and prestige.

c. And according to historians, it was the most coveted & desired place in the house worship.

d. To sit in the “good place” meant that you were the showered with public attention & praise…

e. Constantly seizing the attention of the congregation at large.

f. Now, can you guess the class of people privileged enough to sit in this coveted position of prestige and praise?

g. Those who dressed fancy & appeared to be financially well off.

3) Now, what about the second seat mentioned, the seat by my feet.

a. In worship Footstool = A slightly elevated piece of furniture meant to provide comfort & rest for those who were constantly on their feet.

b. Flipside = the footstool was also symbolic for a victorious defeat over a conquered enemy, who would become the footstool or sit at the feet of their conqueror.

c. And at this lowly position, they would be disregarded & considered inferior in comparison to the one who stood over.

d. So, to say to the poor sit at my feet was to essentially say, “Sit beneath me because you are beneath me…

e. Now, besides cultural customs, what else would fuel God fearing Christians to participate in such a heinous act.

f. Perhaps, it simply boils down to a matter of motivation…

g. For them the poor could do nothing, in their minds, to benefit the Church, so they deserved nothing in return…

h. While the rich were given preferential treatment, with the hope that they would return the favor…

i. But The problem with that way of thinking is that is that it is foolish, faulty, & failed to factor in the abusive practices of the rich towards Christians.

j. Look at vs. 6…

Vs. 6 – You have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

1) The Church was so enarmed infatuated by the possibility of being blessed by the rich that they overlooked the personal abuses received by the hands of

a. Now, this isn’t a passage condemning all those who are rich, but possibly the wealthy & powerful non-believers, who were persecutors of the Church.

b. Who, because of their power & influence, had legal advantages in the court to leverage winning verdicts in their favor.

c. And since they are wealthy, they were most likely were well educated and could craft a well-articulated defense or hire a lawyer to fight on their behalf…

d. They were rich, ruthless, & oppressive, proudly dragged their opponents into the court of law, stripping them of everything.

e. From their personal belongings to their pride and even their dignity.

2) But worse than that, they were blaspheming, the noble name to whom the Christians belonged…

a. Now, this term blaspheme is strong language indicating irreverent, disrespectful, slanderous speech which, in this instance, was directed against the good name of Jesus…

b. Which is the same name that is to be kept holy.

c. Because a name wasn’t just some convenient label, but it served as a symbolic representation of the person’s character, identity, & good reputation.

d. So, to speak irreverently against the holy name of God was not a minor offense but rather a major offense against God’s Holy character.

e. So much so that the outcome of blaspheming devastating & the consequences was grave under the O.T. law.

f. This fact is evidenced in Leviticus 24:15-16

g. 15 Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name, they are to be put to death.

h. The theology enunciated in scripture is clear concerning the dire consequences associated with blaspheming the Holy name of God.

i. And I get that was an O.T. practice for ancient Israel and that the rich being addressed by James & aren’t believers in God, but the ancient principle, found in Leviticus, holds true today for all people in all generations which is this… The name of God should be exalted and given the upmost respect…

3) So, why honor those who insult the good name of Him to whom you belong?

a. That sounds like a backwards way of thinking by the church, doesn’t it?

b. To ignore the abusive practices of the rich towards them & God because they were blinded by personal gain, hoping the rich would somehow bless them in return.

c. And because of their discriminatory practices, they were operating like judges with corrupt moral systems.

d. Determining honor or dishonor, based of appearance…

4) Church, I pray that this is never us as a whole…

a. That the Universal Church refuses to adopt this low standard, superficial form of judgment into our assembly…

b. For it doesn’t belong in the House of God

c. Plus, are you aware of the trickery, & the practice of deception deeply rooted in this generation?

d. Where people will put on a façade, a fake face & post fake image that does not accurately reflect who they are…

e. Example… Have you heard of Rent the Runway?

f. Rent the Runway is a platform that was launched in Nov. 2009 that allows users to buy or rent designer apparel and accessories.

g. When you explore their page, you’ll quickly find the caption, “Explore One-Time Rentals.”

h. And right underneath that you’ll find the words Don’t buy something you’ll only wear once or twice – rent a designer look for less! Reserve styles for upcoming plans for as low as $30.

i. My point is, that there’s no way to accurately assess anyone based off face alone…

Transition: If this 1st century church was operating according to this Godly wisdom, then they would have recognized who was truly rich & who was truly poor in this scenario…

Vs. 5 – Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

1) The poor, not all, but many of them have been personally chosen by God…

a. Why, because the, the poor are completely depended upon God for food, shelter, provisions for the day, & even survival.

b. In contrast to that, you have the rich who are constantly tempted to depend upon their temporary resources to sustain them…

c. Which means money becomes their god…

d. And just like with any other god, the primary purpose becomes pursuing that god on a regular & routine basis…

e. To the point they accumulate more wealth & possessions than one could spend in a lifetime.

f. They literally will gain the whole world…

g. But in the process of gaining the the whole world, they are perpetually bankrupt in Heaven.

h. While on the other hand, the poor possess little to nothing, here on Earth, but in Heaven they are extremely & eternally wealthy, because they are rich in faith…

2) Being able to claim a share of their inheritance as heirs of His Kingdom.

a. Because God, according to his great mercy, he has caused them to be born again to a living hope into to an inheritance that is can never perish, spoil, or fade, being kept & guarded by God in heaven for them, through faith…. (1 Pet. 1:3-5).

b. Yet, despite their royalty & chosen status, they were degraded, demeaned & devalued in the house of God.

c. Being… treated like peasants… Like dirt & were deprived of the honor and the dignity that they rightfully belong to them since they were coheirs and equals in the Kingdom of God.

3) Church how can we, individually, collectively, and universally, eradicated favoritism from the sacred assembly of God? Simply look at vs 8…

a. We remove favoritism by keeping the royal law, the law of King Jesus found in scripture of Loving your neighbor as yourself.

b. That’s it…

c. You love people from various & opposite walks of life.

d. We love those from Ghetto & suburbs, single parent homes & two parent homes, College Graduates & H.S dropouts, upright & disabled because just like our God, we do not show favoritism.

Honor their humanity & their royalty.

Counter cultural to the present society

A common cultural practice embedded into the fabric of society.

Conclusion:

1) Let’s continue to Cultivate an environment of love, where we accept and embrace people not for the color of their skin or what they can do for us, but we love them in the same way we love ourselves…