To Show Any Respect Of Persons (Lesson 3) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

3. To show any respect of persons

Remarks.

1. This is lesson three, in the lesson-series entitled: "Things too impossible for God." Our scripture lesson declares: "With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible," Matthew 19:26. And Paul wrote: "That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, that we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us,” Hebrews 6:18. It would appear right out that we have a conflict in this lesson. Beloved, we are not arguing, what God can or cannot do: but we are discussing, the Supreme, Divine, and Sovereign will of God. What He has willed or chosen to do: to save, forgive, or impart His favor unto the believer.

2. In this lesson, we will investigate how God can't show any respect of persons. The Lord sees and will judge all men alike, Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6. Luke wrote: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said: Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him,” Acts 10:34-35. God can't show respect of persons, to any man. God’s children must never show respect of person, to anyone. To do so is to commit sin and "transgress the Royal Law: to love thy neighbor as thyself,” James 2:8-10. With this brief introduction, let’s consider our last lesson: “God can't show any respect of persons."

BODY OF LESSON

III TO SHOW ANY RESPECT OF PERSONS

A. God shows no respect of persons. The God of heaven can't show respect of persons, unto any man. James, the Lord’s brother, gives us a critical look into this subject. He presents the evils of acting with “respect of persons.” He wrote: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons, etc.” James 2:1-10. Observe—

1. James wrote: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons,” James 2:1. This is the basis of his message. We cannot have the faith of our Lord with the “respect of persons.”

a. James, charges the brethren, not to have faith that permits them to show: “respect of persons,” unto a brother or sister, in Christ.

b. The words “respect of persons” in Gr., is prosopolempsia or pro-so-po-lam-pse'-ä, which means to show partiality, i.e., favoritism:—respect of persons.

c. Jesus' teaching and example. Luke wrote: “And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.” Consider--

1) First, “And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign (pretend) themselves (to be) just men (righteous), that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.”

2) Further, “And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

3) Next, “But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them: Why tempt ye me? (And Jesus said :) shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.”

4) Finally, “And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace,” Luke 20:20-26.

d. Conclusion: Christians must be like Jesus. They must be men and women, which say and teach rightly; and, neither accepteth any man’s persons. We must do justly unto all, love mercy, and walk humbly before God and men, Micah 6:8.

2. James’ example. James gives us two examples of showing respect of persons. He used the assembly in these examples. I will not use the language describing these two examples, as outlined in the text. I will use similar cases that are reflective of our days and times. Observe—

a. Illustration one. If there comes into your assembly a prominent white man and his family, dressed in fashionable clothing; and, you say: follow me, and I will sit you and your family in an excellent place, to be seen by all the members of the church, and we will recognize you, at the appropriate time.

b. Illustration two. If there comes into your assembly, a black man and his family, dressed in suitable clothing; and, you say: follow me, and I will sit you and your family in the back of the auditorium, so you may view all that are in the assembly. Time permitting we will recognize you and your family.