Don't Dishonor Christ & His People

Secular -

A Sunday School Teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to "Honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

Historical/Cultural Context -

The book of James was written by the half-brother of Jesus. The Son of Joseph and Mary. Written in the early 40s. He wrote to primarily Jews who were Christians, as at this time it was so early in the spread of Christianity that it had not been widely adopted by non-jews, also known as Gentiles. James encouraged his readers to live consistent Christian lives in the midst of persecution for their faith in Christ.

Biblical Text -

James 2:1–13 NKJV

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Don’t Show Favoritism, Don’t Dishonor Others, Because The Price Is Too High.

Life Point- Don’t Dishonor Christ By Showing Favoritism

Exegetical -

James 2:1–4 NKJV

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Homiletical -

Here God gives us a command.

“Do not hold the faith of our Lord jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

The term used for partiality can be translated as favoritism. Do not show favoritism.

Luke 20:21 NKJV

Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:

Romans 2:11 NKJV

For there is no partiality with God.

To us today, we don’t see this as a sin. favoritism is a sin, we will see this later.

Think about what partiality causes. It causes division and fighting amongst the brethren. It causes factions within the church. It is evil with evil intentions. It causes the “haves and have-nots” to become separated in the church and the “have-nots” get angry and leave.

We see this distinction most clearly in larger churches, but it is in smaller churches as well. Did you know it happens in denominations amongst pastors too.

James give us an example that had become a problem for the brethren in his day.

James 2:2–4 NKJV

For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

In this example, people would come in for a meal. Now it was Jewish custom that the person with the most social standing would sit closest to the head of table, next to the person hosting the meal.

If you were at the head of the table and someone shows up, either expected or unexpected, who was perceived better than you; you had to get up and move to make room for them.

This kind of thing was being carried over to the believers. James tells us this is wrong.

You see, this was often done because it was thought that if you treat the rich person, or the person with the highest social status, that is the rich person, well. You might actually get something from them. Something like status or a contribution to your work or, dare I say it, to your ministry.

This is, unfortunately, the same thing that happens in churches today. It definitely happens in secular society today.

Thus James calls them judges with evil thoughts. You know what? They are. It is all about selfishness and what I can get.

This is why the “health and wealth gospel” is so popular today. It feeds on people’s desires. It creates the “haves” and “have-nots.” So much so that people will lie about each other to get next to the so-called “minister.”

This is evil. This, according to the scripture, should not be tolerated.

We need to keep in mind our actions. Are we doing something because of what we can get out of someone? If so, then we need to repent immediately of that in our lives.

Illustration -

I am about to let you in on a poorly kept secret.

This happens in our Southern Baptist Denomination all the time.

The quickest way to black-balled in our denomination is to break the denomination 11th commandment.

“Thou shalt not call out a Southern Baptist Leader’s evil actions or false teaching.”

We all know it, yet very few will talk about it.

Calling someone to task as Paul did Peter in his hypocrisy will get you completely and utterly black-balled, so much so that you will not receive help for your church in times of need and you definitely will not ever progress up the political ladder.

Let’s, quickly, look at what happened between Paul and Peter.

Galatians 2:11–16 NKJV

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

I have even seen this kind of favoritism in Pastor’s Breakfasts in an associational meeting at a restaurant.

We small church pastors would meet once a month for breakfast. We were there, talking and having a good time. We were talking about where God was leading in messages and stepping out in faith and maybe some joking around. Then, all of a sudden the pastor from the larges church in the area walks in.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. These men went out of their way to make sure this pastor sat right across from the Director of Mission for our area. The conversation stopped and he became the center of attention. These men of God stopped sharing with each other and giving each other advice and hung the big church pastor’s every word, like it was gold.

When he would speak there was no effort made to give advice or even scripture. There were men there who had been pastors for over 30 years, but they couldn’t speak in this man’s presence. He has only been pastoring about 10 years at this point, in comparison. Those that had been so firm on the scripture, no matter their experience a moment ago, no longer spoke up.

I soon found out why. He said something, what it was I don’t remember, I tried to bring up a scripture. You know what happened? Where once I was listened to, even though I was the youngest and least experienced pastor in the room. Now, I WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED as though I didn’t even exist.

When we show partiality we have become judges with evil thoughts.

Life Point - Don’t Dishonor Christ By Dishonoring Others

Exegetical -

James 2:5–7 NKJV

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

Homiletical -

Here James gives his readers the idea that the poor are as important as the rich or those that are held in high esteem.

Through the shed blood of Christ each and every Christian are heirs of the kingdom of God.

That said, Paul said:

Philippians 4:11–13 NKJV

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We have all been in spots where we have to decide between eating, paying bills, medications etc. The key is to learn contentment which can only come through our faith in Christ.

There is a special kind of provision that God has for those that are financially strapped. It isn’t fun, but it increases our faith. We see God’s miracles in our times of need, quite clearly.

When you are abased and don’t know where your next meal is coming from, that is the time to double down with God. Do what you can, but much more than that, trust God.

Psalm 37:25 NKJV

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

God has a way of taking care of us in these times. When they come, God strengthens our faith as we see him provide. Time and time again.

James 2:6–7 NKJV

But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

How was the poor man dishonored during this time?

because he was made to either sit in the worst spot during their meals or he was told to stand and even sit on the floor. At this time, floors weren’t very clean.

The man who is poor in this situation, as James says, should be given honor because he is rich in faith toward God.

James reminds them that the rich folks are the ones who oppressing them. They blaspheme Jesus and drag them into court.

The courts during this time were perverse, often it was the one who was the most connected or who payed the bigger bribe that got things judged in their favor. Because you know, this doesn’t happen today in our courts right?

Did you know that because of this situation Paul taught that believers shouldn’t sue one another, but they should meet together with another Christian that both parties agree upon to bring resolution to the situation, and if one can’t be found then perhaps they should just drop the matter entirely.

1 Corinthians 6:1–8 NKJV

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

Life Point - Dishonoring Christ & Others Has A Large Price Tag

Exegetical -

James 2:8–13 NKJV

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Homiletical -

James says something absolutely mind boggling. How do we not dishonor Christ in dishonoring others?

The second Greatest Commandment. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:25–28 NKJV

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Can anyone do this perfectly?

The answer is no. That is why we need a saviour to remove our sin.

Now, looking back at James:

James 2:9 NKJV

but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Showing favoritism is a sin. Capital S..I..N.

But someone will say, “Pastor, everyone does it. It aint that big-a deal.”

Let me say something that your momma probably told you a long time ago. “If everyone jumped off the bridge, does that mean you should?”

You are going to say to the God of the universe. “God, everyone sins it aint that big-a deal.”

Yes, yes it is a big deal. Because He said don’t, you don’t.

Even one sin is enough to send you to Hell.

James explains this to us following this verse:

James 2:10–13 NKJV

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

If you are guilty in just one small part of the law, you are guilty of all.

You may say, “Well that aint fair!”

My answer is, “Well I aint God, He said it! You want to take it up with Him?”

As Paul said:

Romans 9:19–20 HCSB

You will say to me, therefore, “Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?” But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”

But thank God, that we will no longer be judged by the law. We are judged under the law of liberty in Christ.

Which in all honesty make it even more egregious for us to show favoritism. Why?

Because we have the Holy Spirit inside of us. We have been regenerated and His law is written on our hearts.

So let’s make sure we deal fairly with everyone, not showing partiality to anyone, but giving honor to the least of those around us.

Did you know that during this time, and increasing more so today, children were not necessarily taken care of properly or seen as someone to give honor.

Children were seen, especially orphans, as non-contributing members of society and a drain on other’s resources. You wouldn’t waste an important person’s time dealing with children.

However, Christ’s teaching was the opposite. Take the least of those around you and show them honor.

Matthew 19:13–15 NKJV

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Life Principle– Don’t Show Favoritism, Don’t Dishonor Others, Because The Price Is Too High.

Call to Action – altar call….