Jms 2.1-13
Notes
Transcript
Handout
INTRO
Partiality is wicked it is evil it is vulgar…
How can we put off the perversity of partiality?
5 Things we must seek
PRAYER
MESSAGE
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
We are People Prone to Partiality
We are People Prone to Partiality
Partiality contradicts our faith in Jesus Christ.
Partiality comes from evil thoughts and judgements.
Partiality dishonors God’s image bearers.
Partiality makes you a transgressor of the Law.
Partiality is not mercy yet mercy is required.
We show partiality based on...
Wealth
Age
Gender
Race
Bible Size / Spiritual Gifting / Worship Style
We Serve a God who says Partiality is Prohibited
We Serve a God who says Partiality is Prohibited
We are called to perfect our practice of piety
We are called to perfect our practice of piety
We must be captivated by the glory of Christ.
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
Any good we have is from Him
Any good we do is through Him
All good we have is to Him
We must be gripped by the grace of Christ.
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
God has chosen the poor
Christ has deposited His riches
We must be devoted to the Law of Christ.
9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
Love God with all you are & Love your neighbor as yourself
Royal Law
Leviticus 19:15–18 “15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
Law of Liberty
We must be sober to the judgement of Christ.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
You are free from legalism not free of the law
We still have a righteous standard, we now have freedom / power to cary it out.
Matthew 12:36–37 “36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””
Romans 2:6–11 “6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 “10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Matthew 25:41 “41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
We must reflect the mercy of Christ.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
To whom much has been forgiven...
Luke 7:37–38 “37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” … Luke 7:47 “47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.””
Matthew 6:14–15 “14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Reflect on the depth of your despair… His mercy is deeper still !
Psalm 103:12 “12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
The Letter of James 2. Discrimination Is Wrong Because It Violates the Kingdom Law of Love (2:8–13)
The believer, in himself, will always deserve God’s judgment: conformity to the “royal law” is never perfect, as it must be (vv. 10–11). But our merciful attitude and actions will count as evidence of the presence of Christ within us. And it is on the basis of this union with the one who perfectly fulfilled the law for us that we can have confidence of vindication at the judgment.
PRAYER
Group Questions
What are some ways you have shown favoritism, maybe even unintentionally, to those in your circle of influence?
When has others showing favoritism adversely affected you? Describe the effects it had on you.
How have you seen favoritism play out in church?
How should Christ’s judgment on the last day affect your words and actions today?
Does this contradict God’s grace? Explain your answer.
Why does showing mercy depend on receiving mercy, and how does the message of the gospel fit into this?
What is the difference between discernment and partiality? How can we know the difference?
How does care for the poor in our communities and around the world affect our gospel witness?
List some ways in which James’s teaching mirrors the ministry and teaching of Jesus in the Gospels.