James 2:1-13 The Subtle Church Killer

Scripture: Mark Esola

Intro: Dallas Church in court

I shared a story awhile ago that fits perfect with what we are talking about today

There was a church in Dallas that made front page news, on the evening news, and caused quite the gossip

The church was in court battling over the building

There had been a major split and the sides were arguing over who had the right to keep the building

The bruhaha had started a couple of years earlier when a dispute arose between some leaders in the church

Pretty soon it spread to the congregation and every one was taking sides

People started lodging accusations, rumors were spread, and eventually the pastor left

The denominational leaders couldn’t help and when they decided who got the building the other side filed a lawsuit

The judge who had the case was a wise old country boy very versed in the church’s ways

He rebuffed all the theatrics and cut through all the accusations and got to the heart of the matter

He finally figured out what started the ruckus

An 80 year old elder in the church got upset because a child had gotten a bigger piece of ham than he did at the potluck

Today we are going to talk about the subtle church killer

It has felled thousands of church over the centuries

It is still prevelant today

It is the sin of partiality

The church was revolutionary because it looked at everyone as equal

Show No Partiality vs. 1-4

The first way we combat the subtle killer is to show no partiality

The very first pastor of the very first church is telling his people to stop showing favortism

The people were giving the favored seats the the wealthy and making the poor sit on the floor

When we do that we put ourselves in the position of being a judge

Only God judges

The church is to be different than the world

Everyone is to be equal

WE live to a different standard

Marriage is to be honored

Wealth is to be a stewardship issue, not a place of priviledge

The early church was getting excited when a wealthy person came in and they were getting preferential treatment

What James point out is a subtle killer of many churches

Partiality can take the forms of things like cliques and positions

It alienates people and causes division

When we show partiality we tell people sublty the Gospel isn’t for everyone

Leviticus 19:15 ESV

You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

Everyone is welcome in our church

The past doesn’t matter

Its what the transforming power of the Gospel can do to their future

It doesn’t mean we lower our standards

It means you’re welcome but we have a certain way we act and if you want to be a part of our community you need to adhere to those standards

Rich in Faith vs. 5-7

The second way that we combat the subtle killer is to be rich in faith

WE see a segway in scripture here when James says listen up

He is making a point

God has made those who are poor, rich in faith

Those who love him are heirs of the kingdom

God sees the plight of the poor and takes care of them

They may not become rich, but he showers them with his favor

Mercy over Judgment vs. 8-13

The final way that we combat the subtle killer is to show mercy over judgment

You’re doing well when you fulfill the law

One misstep and you’re guilty

That is why we need mercy

You’re sinning when you show partiality

So we need to speak and act as those under the law of liberty

WE are not bound by the law

Jesus fulfilled the law so we can live under mercy

Since that is the case we need to act that way in how we treat people

If we encounter people who need mercy we are to act

If we don’t show mercy we wont get mercy

Proverbs 21:13 ESV

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

Mercy triumphs over judgment