James 2:1-13 (2)

Intro:

Introduction of the Main Point

Finding the Audience Situation

History: Feudal System in 12th century Britain, Kings, Lords, Knights, Peasants

Movie Example: Lord of the Rings

Historical Backgrounds Explanations

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.

Main Point: Christians must not show favoritism

James 2:1 ESV

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Partiality: A word that literally means receiving someone according to their face

Connection made: If you have faith in Jesus Christ, show no partiality

Ex. Race, Sex, Class, Wealth

Two Glaring Modern Day Examples

Partiality based on skin color

History of Race Relations in America

Partiality based on age

Currently, in our country, the majority feel that only humans who have been born

Specific Example in the Jewish Churches

James 2:2–4 ESV

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?

Illustration: Rich and Poor

Having a Rich Friend: Benefits Today, Not the most lifechanging. Personal Example: Having rich friends who had parents who owned a ranch and had expensive off road vehicles

Historical Context:

Roman Empire: Being poor meant your family potentially dying of starvation, having to sell your family into slavery, or not having the money to go to a doctor.

Scott Ardavanis Story: My prof church disciplines a woman who was living with another man.

Reasons:

It goes against God’s choice

This actually begins in verse 4 which says

James 2:4 ESV

4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

When you show partially, we take the place of God as judge, deciding someone value as if we were God.

James 2:5–7 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?

God’s choice of the poor

It goes against God’s law

James 2:8–11 ESV

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.

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.

It goes against the Gospel

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.

Conclusion:

James 2 Style Call

If you consistently show partiality towards other people, you are not a Christian.