Aging Gracefully part 5 (2)

The Book of James: Marks of the mature Christian.

I. The mature Christian is patient in testing.

II. The mature Christian practices the truth.

Statements of faith and church covenants are good and useful, but they are not substitutes for doing God’s will. As a pastor, I have heard believers read the church covenant and then come to a business meeting and act in ways completely contrary to the covenant.

James wanted to help us practice God’s Word, so he gave us a simple test.

He sent two visitors to a church service, a rich man and a poor man; and he watched to see how they were treated.

The way we behave toward people indicates what we really believe about God!

James commands us to accept others.

Courtesy to all (2:1-4)

James 2:1–4 NIV

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Don’t show favoritism.

A guy by the name of “Someone” said,

Don’t show favoritism.

“Some go to church to close their eyes, and others go to eye the clothes.”

God shows no favoritism; therefore neither should Christians.

God shows no favoritism (; ; ); therefore neither should Christians.

Romans 2:11 NIV

For God does not show favoritism.

Ephesians 6:9 NIV

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Colossians 3:25 NIV

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

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James condemned prejudice and preferential treatment.

Have you not discriminated among yourselves?

“Have you not discriminated among yourselves?” (v.4)

Have you not discriminated among yourselves?

Discriminatory divisions -cliques, family, theology, popularity, looks, etc.

Most people don’t tell someone they’re not welcome by their words but by their actions.

“Words tell us what is in a persons head, but actions tell us what is in their hearts.”

Judges with evil thoughts of partiality.

James warns us not to be judges with evil thoughts of partiality.

Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me.

Jesus gives a similar warning in the Sermon on the Mount in .

Do not be judgmental or you will be judged in the same way. (v.1)

Correct your self (plank) before you attempt to correct others (speck) (vv. 3-4)

Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me.

James 2:5–9 NIV

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? But 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? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Compassion for all (2:5-9)

James 2:5–9 NIV

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? But 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? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

james 2

James is talking to us, the church.

Why favor the rich or the preferred?

4 questions:

God ignores social differences.

God also ignores social differences.

God ignores social differences.

Masters and slaves () and rich and poor are alike to Him.

It is possible to be poor in this world and rich in the next, or rich in this world and poor in the next

1 Timothy 6:17–18 NIV

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

It is possible to be poor in this world and rich in the next, or rich in this world and poor in the next ().

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Or, you could be poor both in this world and the next, or rich in this world and the next.

It all depends on what you do with Christ and the material wealth He has given you.

God promises the kingdom to “those that love Him” (), not to those who love this world and its riches.

“The doctrine of God’s grace, if we really believe it, forces us to relate to people on the basis of God’s plan and not on the basis of human merit or social status.” —John F. Walvoord

The doctrine of God’s grace, if we really believe it, forces us to relate to people on the basis of God’s plan and not on the basis of human merit or social status.

Get rid of prejudicial favoritism.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Prejudice

Gandhi says in his autobiography that in his student days he was truly interested in the Bible. Deeply touched by reading the Gospels, he seriously considered becoming a convert, since Christianity seemed to offer the real solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. One Sunday, he went to a nearby church to attend services. He decided to see the minister and ask for instruction in the way of salvation and enlightenment on other doctrines. But when he entered the sanctuary, the ushers refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go and worship with his own people. Gandhi left and never came back. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said to himself, “I might as well remain a Hindu.”1070

James 2:10–13 NIV

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

james

James is not saying that if you break one commandment, you are guilty of breaking them all, but rather you are guilty of breaking the commandments no matter which one it is that you broke.

James was aware there would be some who would tend to dismiss their offense of prejudice as a trivial fault.

They would hardly consider themselves as lawbreakers.

They would hardly consider themselves as lawbreakers. James went on to make it clear that this was no small offense.

James went on to make it clear that prejudice or favoritism was no small offense.

Whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. v.10

Whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Total obedience is the key.

Not perfect obedience, but consistent obedience of all of God's commands.

We cannot claim to be OK in one area while we ignore another area of our lives.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Obedience

Selected obedience is not obedience at all; it it merely convenience.

We cannot claim to be ok in one area while we ignore another area of our lives.

“Selected obedience is not obedience at all; it is merely convenience.” —Anonymous

Our goal is to bring all areas of our lives under His control.

Our goal is to bring all of our lives under His control.

One must both habitually speak and act (Gr. pres. tense imper.) as those to be judged by the Law.

One must both habitually speak and act as those to be judged by the Law.

One must both habitually speak and act (Gr. pres. tense imper.) as those to be judged by the Law.

One must both habitually speak and act as those to be judged by the Law.

We only believe as much of the Bible as we practice.

If we fail to obey the most important word—“love thy neighbor as thyself”—then we will not do any good with the lesser matters of the Word.

If we fail to obey the most important word—“love your neighbor as yourself”—then we will not do any good with the lesser matters of the Word.

This love is an act of the will, not an emotion that we try to manufacture.

Aging Gracefully part 5 (2)

Courtesy to all (2:1-4)

Compassion for all (2:5-9)

Consistency in all (2:10-13)

Take this with you...

Take this with you...