The Letter of James - 2:1-5

Welcome everyone. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Welcome everyone. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

We’re continuing our study of the letter of James. If you have your bible, paper or digital, go ahead and turn to James chapter 2. Otherwise the verses will be on the screen to follow along with.

Quick recap on chapter 1.

The half-brother of Jesus is writing a letter to Jewish believers that have been scattered from Israel during heavy persecution against the church from the Romans and Jewish religious leaders.

James challenges his readers to conceder the trials of life as an opportunity to produce perseverance in those who patiently endure testing.

He gives a warning to not be a double-minded person with divided loyalty. And riches and achievements will soon fade. Never say that “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do evil and will never tempt one to evil. Temptation is from our own desires. But God has chosen to give birth to us through his true Word and believers have become God’s prized possession.

Next, James transitions to the topic of listening and speech. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Don’t just listen to the word of God but actually do what it says. Don’t fool yourself by thinking you’re right with God if you don’t control your tongue. (We saved that to study later in the letter)

James ends chapter 1 of his letter to the 12 Tribes scattered abroad with a pure definition of what it means to be right in the sight of God; to care for the neediest members of society and to refuse the influence of the world system on our values, beliefs, and morals.

Up until now, James has been setting general principles in place. In chapter 2, he starts working out the details in a practical manner. Caring for the needy is on of the marks of true faith and James digs deeper into this though throughout chapter 2.

Please follow along in

James 2:1–5 NLT

1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?

(NLT)

How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is you favor some people over other?

Favoritism

How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is you favor some people over other?

James is asking a rhetorical question setting up the scenario he’s about to share. This is much more of a statement then a question because the obvious answers, “you can’t.” He’s basically saying, “do not practice your faith in Jesus with an attitude of favoritism.” Discrimination against people, know matter what the reason, is inconsistent with the life and teaching of Jesus.

“favoritism” is to “receive the face.”

It’s interesting that the literal meaning of “favoritism” is to “receive the face.” Favoritism is rooted in making judgments about others based on external appearance. Since God looks at the heart rather then the outward appearance of a person, shouldn’t we imitate him in this respect? Jesus’ reversal of this idea comes to mind.

(NLT)

Matthew 23:27 NLT

27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.

27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.

The religious leaders seemed to have it all together on the outside. They fit the part. They looked religious. They knew the lingo. They go through the motions, looking as though God was pleased with them, all the while, the were spiritually dead on the inside with all sorts of impurity.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover”

We’ve all heard it and have probably said it from time to time. We are not to make decisions about people on any external factor. This is guided by evil motives.

Deuteronomy 10:17–18 NLT

17 “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. 18 He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.

(NLT)

17 “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. 18 He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.

And

Leviticus 19:15 NLT

15 “Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

(NLT)

15 “Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

Let’s read James’ hypothetical scenario starting in verse 2.

James 2:2–4 NLT

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

(NLT)

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Distinctions

Okay, if two people are first time guests at our church service, who gets preferential treatment? The one who looks like they might have something to offer? That’s human nature. It’s easy to do. But James is saying no. We must not behave like that, believers.

We need to have adopt God’s divine perspective of people.

James’ scenario seems to connect the rich person to an asset, someone that can offer material gain. And he connects the poor person to a liability, someone who will become a possible financial burden. This aut not be so.

Do not neglect or ignore those in need!

This is not disconnected from James thought in 1:27. We are to care for those in need and not let the world corrupt us. This can happen if we show favoritism to the rich. I believe James is saying, Do not neglect or ignore those in need!

Luke 6:31–34 ESV

31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

(ESV)

31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

James 2:5 NLT

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

(NLT)

the Kingdom

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?

Let’s talk about the Kingdom for a moment. The Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of Christ are all interchangeable. In the gospel according to Matthew, Matthew usually writes Kingdom of Heaven instead of kingdom of God because his intended primary readers were Jewish. He used the word heaven as an euphemism for God because many Jews would not dare utter the name of God out loud for fear of using God’s name in vain. Thus, he substituted Kingdom of God for kingdom of heaven.

What is a kingdom?

A kingdom is a realm. A region that is under rule of one who holds a preeminent position.

The kingdom of God is where God’s will is carried out.

In the New Testament, we see the word gospel many times. Gospel comes from the greek word euangelion.

euangelion

The root of the word is angelion, which is typically translated as angel. Angel means messenger. Eu means good. So euangelion is sometimes translated as good news. The word gospel comes from the anglo-saxon word godspell which means “good story.” Like other old English words that have morphed overtime into our modern day language, godspell became gospel. But gospel doesn’t refer to any good new. In ancient roman culture, the world gospel was closely related to an announcement of the reign of a new king. We see this thought in the old testament such as with the death of Saul.

1 Samuel 31:9 NLT

9 So they cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his armor. Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul’s death in their pagan temple and to the people throughout the land of Philistia.

(NLT)

9 So they cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his armor. Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul’s death in their pagan temple and to the people throughout the land of Philistia.

There is a connection between gospel and kingdom. The gospel summarizes all that Jesus taught while proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom.

The kingdom of God is a realm under the authority and rule of God.

The kingdom of God is where God’s will is carried out. The only problem is that, at the time of Jesus ministry, many thought that the Messiah would usher in this kingdom through political or military means. I don’t think the disciples completely understood the kingdom of God until after Jesus resurrection.

Matthew 20:20–21 NLT

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

(NLT)

Jesus Teaches about Serving Others

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

I don’t know why, but I see humor in this next passage.

Luke 22:47–53 NLT

47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

(NLT)

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

So here the disciples were ready to fight. I think they were probably thinking, “Okay, the time has come. Let’s bring in the kingdom.” The leading priests who came to capture Jesus were thinking there would be some resistance as well.

Now Judas, I always feel bad for him. I wonder if he was under the impression that Jesus was going to lead a revolt to establish the kingdom of God by military means. Maybe he was trying to speed up the process thinking if I turn Jesus in, he’ll be forced to begin his earthly reign of the kingdom of God.

Matthew 27:3–5 NLT

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

(NLT)

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

I wonder what would have happened to Judas if at the moment he was filled with remorse, he repented. That’s the difference between Peter’s reaction to his sin and Judas reaction.

At any rate,

The kingdom of God was not to be established by political or military means.

While the disciples expected the kingdom to appear durning their life time, Jesus dies and all seems lost. That is until his resurrection.

Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God were in dualistic form. Sometimes it seems as if Jesus declared the kingdom of God was a present reality.

Luke 6:20 NLT

20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.

(NLT)

The Beatitudes

20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

“God blesses you who are poor,

for the Kingdom of God is yours.

Other times it seems as if he declared the kingdom was a future reality.

“The kingdom of God is “already/not yet.” God’s kingdom has a dual dimension. Jesus initiated the kingdom on earth, and wherever God’s will is carried out, the kingdom is a reality. The kingdom, however, had not been fully manifested in Jesus’ day—nor has it in ours. We do not yet live in a world where God’s will is a complete reality. We feel the tension of experiencing God’s kingdom in our lives and communities before it is fully realized. We still see unbelief, brokenness, and sin, telling us God’s will is not yet fully expressed.”

The kingdom of God is already, but not yet. It’s here, but not fully.

During his crucifixion, Jesus was crowned with a crown of thorns, given a royal robe, and was “lifted up,” not on a throne but a cross. He was hailed, “king of the Jews!” That was all part of the plan. God’s kingdom is upside down according to ways and patterns of this world. Jesus is the king who defeated death with his love.

Believers are now citizens of a new kingdom, the kingdom of God. It is our duty to uphold the constitutions according to this upside down kingdom. The people we come in contact with should notice that their is something different about us. That our actions are different. Not that we look down on others because of their sinful lifestyles, or they way they dress, or the amount of or lack of money. Our actions should be different by they way we approach difficult times in our lives. How we don’t pass judgement based on any external factor. How we care for those in need. How we consider others as just as important as ourselves if not more important. And how believers show a supernatural compassion for each other. This is the new kingdom we are citizens of.

As we come to a close, I ask that you will

Pray that God would show you how your interactions with others can be improved.

I‘ll leave a few moments of silence and then close our service in prayer.

is a temple creating pockets of heaven where God can be experienced in a sinful world. Jesus is the temple sacrifice.

Lord = authority, king

Heaven = Gods space

Earth = our space

Different in nature but not always separate. Different dementions that can overlap.

Garden of eden is where the two overlapped.

Jesus is a temple creating pockets of heaven where God can be experienced in a sinful world. Jesus is the temple sacrifice.