3 Impartial Faith
Put On Your Grown-Up Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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· 15 viewsBig Idea: Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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Introduction
Introduction
– review author, audience, theme maturity in faith and practice. Put on your grown-up faith.
– trials, external = suffering, internal = temptation, dig deep in the written word and live out what it says = being the living word.
Promises = wisdom when we ask, eternal life as we endure, new birth/life
Read James 2:1-13
Say No to Favoritism
Say No to Favoritism
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
Say No to Favoritism
v.1 introduce partiality/favoritism
v.1 introduce partiality/favoritism
appeal to example and authority of Jesus - the One we claim to follow
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Begins with this statement on favoritism and partiality, ends v.13 with mercy. Sandwiched between these is the Royal Law.
Look at examples first - What does he mean? How is he applying this?
Read v.2 compare and contrast
boast that the poor is exalted and the rich is humbled. But here, the believers are exalting themselves and allowing pride in their faith to judge others.
v.3 example of contrast on economic situation and outward appearance
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
v.4 discriminated, distinguished, judge
discriminated, distinguished, judge
Judge with evil thoughts = elevated yourself above others to judge them - James talks more about this later in the letter.
Whether we realize it or not, we are all guilty of this. All of us. You are. I am. It takes an intentional effort to bring this kind of attitude captive and obedient to the teaching of Jesus.
Inner thought life: treat this guy right maybe he’ll stay and begin giving to the church. ugh why is that guy showing up here looking like that?
Or maybe this - ugh, they’re going to mess up our space and not take care of it like we want.
we give them the old, run down space and equipment and keep the best for ourselves...
Do not judge. Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. 1 Samuel Samuel choosing king among Jesse’s sons.
Review James 1:9-11
Review James 1:9-11
boast that the poor is exalted and the rich is humbled. But here, the believers are exalting themselves and allowing pride in their faith to judge others.
Jesus taught humility in - picking the best seats, inviting the best guests vs. humble, take low seats, invite lowly
The point of this statement is: true faith in the amazing/glorious/exalted Jesus Christ is inconsistent with treating others as greater than or as less than.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
This is, once again, a theme of humility.
Do we acknowledge someone simply because they look like us? Do we lift up or exalt someone who seems to have a higher status? Do we neglect or reject someone who does not look like us? What about someone who doesn’t speak our language well.
Do not show favoritism. Do not be caught up in partiality.
vv.5-7 logical connection to example, you do this like others do to you.
v.4 discriminated, distinguished, judge
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?
v.5
Do not judge. Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. 1 Samuel Samuel choosing king among Jesse’s sons.
Listen = pay attention here and receive this truth.
- beatitudes v.3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs
vv.5-7 logical connection to example, you do this like others do to you.
to those who love him = we’ll see in a minute.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
add YOU into the statements above
…that are nothing to make nothing the things that are something.
Equality in Christ. The lowly made great. The great brought down.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Read vv.6-7 you are doing exactly what those over you are doing to you.
Say no to favoritism, to partiality, do not lift yourself up as a judge over others.
James now gives his basis for this command.
The Royal Law
The Royal Law
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
James 2:vv.8-9 keep the royal law or be a law breaker
Holding up the law (royal law) as the standard and guide. showing how that law is to be applied here.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
vv.8-9 keep the royal law or be a law breaker
BUT...
vv.8-9 keep the royal law or be a law breaker
in Scripture – love your neighbor as yourself. You do well/right.
v.1 says partiality/favoritism is inconsistent with faith in Jesus. Here it is called sin.
If not, Sin. you are convicted by the law. you are a lawbreaker.
vv.10-11 example of guilt.
Read :10-11
breaking any law means guilty of all.
Break one law, you are a lawbreaker, transgressor, sinner.
Jesus went even further to say the sin begins in your heart. To hate your brother is murder. To lust is adultery.
Do not judge others by their appearances. That is sin, and you are found guilty.
Now James shows us another way
Judgment vs. Mercy
Judgment vs. Mercy
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
v.12 judge yourself by the law of freedom. Live out of the understanding you will be judged by the law of freedom.
v.12 judge yourself by the law of freedom. Live out of the understanding you will be judged by the law of freedom.
Literally, obey the law. and he tells you which law.
Example – state law for driving – speed limit, registration, insurance, seat belts. Drive as those who will be judged by the law of PA.
Law of freedom – in some ways, maybe easier? Love others. Love. Care. Give. Help. Lift up. Respect. Honor.
Judged by law of freedom (Royal Law) – judged if you show favoritism. Judged if you do not love others. Show love.
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
v.13 judge with mercy or be judged without mercy. Partiality = judging based on outward appearance. Mercy means loving and respecting others.
(remove last part for later)
judge with mercy or be judged without mercy. Partiality = judging based on outward appearance. Mercy means loving and respecting others.
judging others. You obviously do not understand God’s mercy for you if you do not show mercy to others.
Example of parable – unforgiving servant. you should have had mercy on fellow slave as I have had mercy on you.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
(highlight the last part)
Conclusion
Conclusion
James concludes this section
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
(highlight the last part)
Mercy triumphs = is more powerful than, conquers, defeats, comparative superiority to
You have been shown mercy - show mercy to others.
Summary of this passage: Reject favoritism, stop judging appearances, show mercy and the keep the Royal Law of freedom.
Big Idea: Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Big Idea: Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
What About You?
What About You?
How are we doing with favoritism? partiality? judging others?
Do we need to confess our attitudes now to Jesus and receive forgiveness?