Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 6 Series

WHAT’S WRONG WITH FAVORITISM?

James 2:1-13

8 REASONS IT IS WRONG TO SHOW FAVORITISM AS A BELIEVER OR IN THE CHURCH

Favoritism is not consistent with the teaching of Christ.

We need to understand that James is dealing with family business

We need to understand that James is dealing with relational business between us and Jesus Christ

Impartiality is an attribute of God

Impartiality is an attitude of Christ

Impartiality is a concern of the Scripture

Favoritism has evil at its core.

Don’t show favoritism is actually STOP showing favoritism

Favoritism was already prevalent in the local church

‘special attention” (vs. 3) – gaze upon with respect to the rich

Standing room only to the poor

We have discriminated with evil thoughts

Favoritism is an insult to the people made in the image of God.

God made all mankind in His image

God choose the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom

Poor are able to acknowledge their spiritual poverty

The rich have a hard time seeing past their possessions in order to see their poverty

The values of society are not the values of God

The values of society should not be the values of the world!

GOAL IS TO TREAT PEOPLE WITHOUT A “WORTH” STATUS

Favoritism is a result of selfishness.

We will gravitate towards the person we would like to be

We will gravitate towards the power we would like to have

What we ought to be striving to be is to be the kind of influential person in our churches and our communities that never have to use our influence or favors to get something accomplished.

Think like Daniel.

Daniel was higher up in the political pecking order of several administrations and still when something needed to get done GOD did it!

Favoritism is contrary to biblical love.

Biblical love says I honor my neighbor

Jesus taught VERY specifically the neighbor was the one who acted biblically, not looked biblical

I am not a Christian because I wear a suit

I am not a Christian because I wear a tie

I am a Christian first and foremost because of what Jesus has done in my life

Everything else is a reflection of God’s mercy in my life!

Favoritism shows a lack of mercy to those less fortunate than we are.

All throughout the OT, God made provision for those less fortunate than we were -- Widows, elderly, children, orphans

Favoritism revels our ignorance of God’s will

Favoritism is hypocritical.

We are partial to those who exploit us – who attack our LIVELIHOOD

We are partial to those who show us no mercy – they THREATEN OUR SECURITY

We are partial to those who slander us – ATTACK OUR IDENTITY

Favoritism is sin.

WHEN (not if) you sin

God does not view sin on a curve

God does not punish sin on a scale

We need to understand that our struggle as a believer is not with the big things – we can see them coming a mile away, it is with the little things that sneak up on us.

Big or little they have the SAME EFFECT!!!!!!

We need to understand that the only successful weapon we have against this kind of struggle is to have a GENUINE FAITH.

Verse 12 gives us the definition of a genuine faith

1. SPEAK AND ACT – All of my behavior

a. Genuine faith involves me totally

b. I cannot come in and be content with just a shell of Christianity. We need to live, act, and believe as a Christian

2. MAKE THE CHOICE TO DO IT – Speak and act is a present imperative command, meaning do it and do it NOW!!

a. I do not naturally fall into a genuine faith

b. Left to my own desires, even as a believer, I will regress.

Genuine Faith permits us to demonstrate mercy and Mercy is the answer to favoritism

5 RESULT OF THE DEMONSTRATION OF GFM (genuine faith mercy)

GFM is not quick to bring criticism against believers, leaders, and pastors.

Who are you critical of?

Is this criticism warranted or hasty?

GFM does not demand expectations from our spouses.

Merciful people do not demand of others.

We would never have met the expectations of God

GFM is tolerant with others whose habits or manners irritate us

How much do you think our actions irritate God?

GFM show a greater degree of patience and understanding with those who learn slowly and have more difficulties in life.

How often are we put off in this area instead of encouraging in this area?

GFM understands and implements the great commandment.

The only hope for our world is the GC

The only relief for our soul is the GC

The only mercy extended through men is through the GC