Faith Alone
James 2: 1 - 10
Intro: There is a wonderful story about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and others of Boston’s first families. His recommendation was given without hesitation. Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: "We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work."
I George Hall writes articles for the Restoration Herald in S. Parkersburg, WV about why small churches stay small. He calls them “Ingrown Churches” who say they want to grow; but, only want to attract people like them.
A VS. 1 – “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (The GK word is a compound word that means “to receive” and “face”. It literally means “to receive someone because of what you see.”
B There are many ways we show favoritism or partiaility: Gender, appearance, ancestry, race, age, achievement, wealth.
II James gives us an example in VSS. 2 – 4 There are 3 basic problems with favoritism:
A It is ungodly – Jesus accepted everyone. Faith and favoritism are incompatible.
B Favoritism is unreasonable (VSS. 5 – 6)
C Favoritism is unloving. (VSS. 8 – 9)
Concl: The ways in which we relate to people shows how much we really love God. We must love people and I don’t mean just shaking their hands on Sunday morning or smiling a friendly smile. Three ways to show love: ACCEPT EVERYBODY BE A HOSPITAL FOR SINNERS, APPRECIATE EVERYBODY FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE AND ADMIRE ABOUT EACH PERSON, ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY BE AN ENCOURAGER NOT A COMPLAINER. Faith alone in Christ Jesus will make all this possible.
