Who’s God’s favorite?

Intro

Good morning everyone! My name is Matt and I’m the Minister of Students and Recreation here at Gilliam Springs, and we are so glad that you are here! James Chapter 2 is where we will be this morning.

While everyone is turning there, If you are a guest with us we would love for you to text the word GSBCConnect to the number 94000, This will give us a record of your visit and allow us thank you by sending a special gift.

Over our past few meetings, we’ve seen:

(Wednesdays main point)

(Previous Sunday’s main Point)

(Wednesdays main point)

So with all of that in mind, Let’s jump into James Chapter 2

James 2:1–13 ESV

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

In some of your Bibles you’ll notice that different sections of scripture will be separated by a bold title. My Bible calls this passage “The Sin of Partiality”. Now what does James mean when He uses this word?

The Greek word that He uses here is Lemma which means to have an “inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives.”

Antioch Toboggan Story

Years ago, I found myself in a bit of a situation. It was a normal Sunday morning, nothing out of the ordinary. However, for some reason a new group of students showed up. I was so excited! I had seen several of them at different school functions i had attended while supporting others students, but didn’t know them personally. While in worship, a church member approached me. Are you gonna tell that boy to take his toboggan off in church?

Fortunately, i had recently read a book that had talked about these types of situations, so i was more prepared than i would normally have been.

“Do you know that boy’s name? I do not.” “You know, i don’t either” “”Do you know his background or what type of family situation he comes from? I don’t” You know I don’t either.” John, Do you know if He knows Jesus?” “I have no idea” Well then if you think that hat is worth causing a young man to leave the church and never come back, then you are more than welcome to go say something to him.”

Unfortunately, there are many people in the church who believe that ,for whatever reason, they are entitled to certain special treatment.

But God’s word tells us that:

CIT:

All Believers stand on equal footing in the Kingdom of God

James’

Rebuke of partiality (Statement on Partiality)

(James 2:1–4)

James 2:1–4 ESV

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Contextually, it’s important to understand James’ Audience. James 1:1 says that this letter was written to the “12 tribes of the Dispersion”. What we need to know for today is that James was writing to Church people. He was writing to those who knew that He was referencing the Old Testament book of Leviticus in verse 1.

That this was not something that He was just coming up with out of thin air. Leviticus 19:15 says:

Leviticus 19:15 ESV

15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

James is Challenging the believers of His day, and those of today, to be very mindful, even careful, of whom we Glorify and in how we assess where true Value comes from.

 The

Result of partiality (Side effects of Partiality)

(James 2:5–11)

James 2:5–11 ESV

5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

         1.      The inconsistency in their conduct (James 2:5–7)            a.      The divine choice of the poor (James 2:5b–6a)            b.      The hostile actions of the rich (James 2:6b–7)          2.      The breach of God’s law (James 2:8–11)            a.      The relations to this law (James 2:8–9)              (1)      The commendation upon its fulfillment (James 2:8)              (2)      The sin in its violation (James 2:9)            b.      The breaking of this law (James 2:10–11)              (1)      The principle stated (James 2:10)              (2)      The principle illustrated (James 2:11)

The

Reality of Partiality (Solution for Partiality)

(James 2:12–13)

James 2:12–13 ESV

12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

1.      The statement of the appeal (James 2:12)          2.      The vindication of the appeal (James 2:13)

Cross References

James 2:8 - Matthew 22:39James 2:10 - Matthew 5:19James 2:13; James 5:7 - Matthew 6:14-15