Review
Week before last we started our series of messages called “Raising the Standard.”
The first message was entitled “What’s Your Standard.”
We found out that things like lying, living together, stealing, murder, abortion, hatred, and all sorts of other things that the Bible condemns are all right for most people so long as they think it to be so.
The Bible has taken a back seat to some other standards.
You can call sin what you want to call it, renaming it does not change the fact that it is sin.
God’s Word certainly points out for us what sin is and names it clearly, but God’s Word also helps us to make right decisions about life.
God’s Word teaches us how to live our lives pleasing to God.
The problem is that there are so many accepted standards in our world today for making decisions and for deciding what is right and wrong that it is up to you to decide what standards you are going to follow.
We found out that there are basically, three standards that all of us face in our lives.
1. The Standard of Popular Opinion
The standard of popular opinion preaches to believers “just go with the flow.”
2. The Standard of Feeling and Emotion
The standard of feeling and emotion says; “It just feels right!”
3. The Standard of God’s Word
The standard of God’s Word is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Then Sunday night we found out how to “Finding the Standard in a Nonstandard World.”
We found that within the Ten Commandments. God’s Standards for a nonstandard world.
In every persons life there is always areas that could use improvement.
If we would just pause for a few moments and reflect upon our lives we would begin to see those areas that need improvement.
Those improvements come only when we are willing to “Raise the Standard” in our lives.
It doesn’t matter weather you’re a bookkeeper, carpenter, house- wife, lawyer, or doctor, all of us could make improvements in our lives.
Isn’t it so true that all of us could stand a little “Raising the Standard” in our lives, weather it is our loyalty, integrity, obedience, attitude, or our health?
So for the next several weeks we will be going through a series of messages entitled “Raising the Standard” in hopes of understanding God and what God really desires of us.
Last week we entered into our second week of our series of messages “Raising the Standard” our message was “When We’re Tested.”
We found out that in every person’s life there comes a time when we’re tested. We considering five steps of understanding concerning testing.
1. The Testing
2. Who Does the Testing?
3. Joy in the Midst of Testing.
4. Patience through the Testing
5. The Rewards
We are assured that when we come through the testing in our lives, we will receive the “Crown of Life.”
This morning we looked at “Seven Sounds of Counterfeit” that covered seven areas.
1. Conversion without Change
2. Compassion Without Involvement
3. Commitment without Priorities
4. Convictions Without Obedience
5. Church Citizenship Without Loyalty
6. Confidence Without Peace
7. Companionship Without Togetherness
Now this evening we will look at James 2:1-13 “God Doesn’t Play Games.”
Introduction
Shortly after the close of the Civil War, a former slave entered a fashionable church in Richmond, one Sunday morning at the beginning of a communion service.
When the time came, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar.
A rustle of shock and anger swept through the congregation.
A distinguished layman immediately stood up, stepped forward to the altar and knelt beside this Christian Brother.
Captured by his spirit, the congregation followed.
The layman who set the example: Robert E. Lee.
Here is a monument that should be erected, Lee and an ex-slave kneeling in prayer at the alter of Christ.
When anyone walks in to our church, that person must feel like the only one who is getting the honor is Jesus Christ.
We must “Raise the Standard” in our worship services.
No matter what background, personality, or race, weather a Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, or Pentecostal, that person must feel and know that will respect the fact that God is center focus in our church and not people.
We need to embrace that old spiritual hymn that says:
It’s not my brother
It’s not my sister
But it’s me O’ Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.
In the first century, A.D., polarized conditions governed society; people were either rich or poor, slaves or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek, Barbarian, or/and from pagan religions.
However, part of the good news of the gospel was that in Christ Jesus social barriers lost much of their strength.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. James 2:1
We must “Raise the Standard” in our worship services.
"God Doesn’t Play Games" Especially, in The Sin of Partiality.
Is still prevalent in some form today.
The early church experienced this problem and in James 2:1-13 we see that partiality comes in many forms.
Consider, first of all, exactly what is...
1. The Sin of Partiality
A. As Manifested in James’ Day…
We know from other scriptures that Jewish Christians
often showed partiality in regards to the Gentiles.
Remember unless your of Jewish decent then you’re a Gentile.
However, in this epistle, the problem was one of showing
Partiality between the rich and poor. (James 2:2-4)
This morning I would like you to consider that "God Doesn’t Play Games" Especially, The Sin of Partiality.
When we refuse to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to share the love of Christ to others are we not displaying partiality?
Are we not judging the lost?
Do we feel uncomfortable around them?
Do you thing that James had that problem also in the early church?
Is not James saying that there is a need to “Raise the Standard” in our worship services.
B. Today, we can also be Guilty of Partiality…
By showing partiality between appearance, race, social status, or religion could it be that we have forgotten that Jesus said that he came to seek and save those that were lost.
This may not be something that we consider even being a problem in our church.
However if someone was to enter our services with wrinkled, soled, and wore out clothes how would we respond?
On the other hand, a Nun came in and sat down in one of our pews, how would we respond?
By showing partiality between people of different races (again, this can easily go both ways).
Again, this may not be a problem in our church, but if a Muslim entered into our services wearing their clothes of custom, how would we respond.
Even by showing partiality between friends and visitors to our services.
We may not notice that we are even doing it, but when we spend more time visiting our friends than visitors, are we not showing partiality?
Sadly, the sin of partiality is probably just as prevalent if not more so than it was in the days when James wrote his epistle!
Because when we think of partiality, we focus on being biased, prejudiced, or racist.
When really we can display partiality through our facial actions, in our lack of friendliness, or lack of concern.
This makes the words of James very relevant and worth our consideration.
Let us therefore notice...
2. Why Christians Can’t Show Partiality
A. Jesus Christ is a “Glorious:” Lord! (James 2:1)
What does OUR partiality have to do with the LORD OF GLORY?
As Christians, we profess being Christ's disciples, or followers, whose goal is to imitate Him. (Luke 6:40)
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
As such, our actions are likely to be considered by others as a reflection of what Christ teaches.
If we show partiality as Christians, we leave the impression that Jesus Himself is partial (prejudiced, biased, racist)
Therefore, if we are not careful, the glory of the Lord can be tainted by OUR partiality!
We must “Raise the Standard” in our worship services.
How did Jesus respond to the leper?
Before we look, act, or speak, should we not say to ourselves, “What would Jesus Do?”
How would he respond to this person?
What would his facial expression be like?
These are things we need to consider.
B. We Become Judges with Evil Thoughts (James 2:4)
God has always hated unjust judges, Jesus Himself warned about:
The dangers of judging. (Matthew 7:1)
"Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1
The need to make righteous judgment. (John 7:24)
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24
You may say that you do not judge, but may I say that we all become guilty of this when we run down our leaders.
We could be closing the door of opportunity to witness to someone that may have a different view than we do.
C. We Despise Those God Has Honored (James 2:5)
Did not God place those leaders in office? Is not He in charge.
Unless a person goes against the principles of what God says, then we are to obey those in authority over us.
Do we want to face God on the Day of Judgment guilty of such a crime?
D. We Honor Those Most Capable and likely of
Oppressing Us (James 2:6-7)
The rich were doing this to the Christians in James' day
Who are the ones most likely to oppress Christians today if it ever came down to "push and shove"?
Those who have the resources to do so, those that have places of authority in the church and be responsible or those that have influence with others.
When someone seems to always be in the middle of a problem in the church, should we continue to show favoritism toward them?
E. We Break “The Royal Law” (James 2:8-11)
When it comes to partiality where our downfall is?
Is in fact that we have broken “The Royal Law?”
Which is "You shall love your neighbor as your self"
We must “Raise the Standard” in our lives.
This is one of the most fundamental laws that God has ever given!
As proclaimed by Christ. (Matthew 22:36-40)
As taught by Paul. (Romans 13:8-10)
And, as emphasized by James, by breaking one law,
we become guilty of ALL the Law!
F. We Will One Day Be Judged by “The Law of Liberty”
(James 2:12-13)
Aren’t you glad that God isn’t Partial!
Is not it pleasant to know that he is not that way and that grace abounds.
The Law of Liberty refers to the law of Christ, or the gospel.
A law that has set us free from the bondage of sin
through the mercy shown in Christ. (John 8:31-36)
And a law that sets us free from man-made restrictions. (Colossians 2:20-22)
