Opener:
Well Good Morning Church! We are so excited that you have decided to join us here this morning. What a blessing to be here worshiping the Lord together!
We also want to take a moment to welcome our online community as well. Thank you for taking the time to watch and allowing us to be a part of your spiritual journey!
Last week, we were introduced to the new sermon series that we will be discussing in the next four weeks. Last week, we learned some of the important background information on the book of James. We talked about counting it all joy when we face difficult situations in our lives. We also discussed a biblical solution to conflict resolution and closed with the kind of religion that God is looking for from us.
When we look at chapter two on a whole, we see two pre-dominate themes that come through. The first theme is really dealing with favoritism in the church, while the second part is talking about faith without works is dead.
In the first century, the people were acclimated with a polarized society. One that saw people were either wealthy or poor. There really was not a middle class of people during this time period. Also, during this time, slavery was an accepted practice. So we see that people were either free from slavery or they were slaves. During this time, we see different kinds of people: Jewish people, Gentile people which included all the people groups that were not Jewish. So society at this time, there was a great disparity of peoples.
James teaches us that Jesus not only came to save us, but also to break down these social barriers that society put in place. There is a story that I found written from Precept Austin:
In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, “Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship.”
“We were thinking of something more substantial than that...perhaps a building,” the woman replied. In a patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside the idea as being too expensive and the couple departed.
The next year, Eliot learned that this plain pair had gone elsewhere and established a $26 million memorial named Leland Stanford Junior University, better known today as Stanford!
You know I love my old school saying and there is one that fits our sermon well today. That is: the saying, “Never judge a book by it’s cover.” Meaning one should not pass judgement on someone or something based solely on what you see on the outside. This morning, our first main point is that we should not show partiality and should we participate in that, it is a sin.
I. Showing Partiality is a sin
A. Partiality
a. Let’s jump right in to our text this morning. The bible says in James chapter two starting in verse one: My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
B. Addressing the issue
a. James does not hold back any punches here. We know from other bible passages that Jewish Christians would often show partiality to the Gentile believers.
b. This partiality was real and it was a big problem in the early church.
c. What was happening in the early church was that these Jewish Christians were giving preferential treatment to the rich by giving them better seats while ignoring the poor that came in their midst.
d. By showing preferred treatment for one over the other or by showing disdain for people of other races or ethnicity is a sin! Let me say that again!!
e. The really sad part about all of this, is the fact that this is still happening today in our culture and society.
C. Through God’s eyes
a. The way God sees people, is very different than our own natural eyes. We are called to see everyone through God’s eyes which sees all of us all as equals.
b. The bible is very clear about this, not only in our text this morning, but also in the book of Colossians 3:11 which says (NKJV) 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
c. God loves us all equally, whether you come from an African American mom, a Japanese mom, a German mom, whatever your origins.
d. God does not discriminate among people groups and there is no place for this in the kingdom of God!
D. Honor all men
a. In fact, God calls us to honor others even higher than ourselves.
b. The bible says in Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
c. When we look down at others because of their financial position, social status, race, we are actually dishonoring the God.
d. As God created them, God has also called them.
e. Let me say this, “Heaven will be a place that is filled with people for every nation, every tribe with every tongue. “
II. Having an Active faith
A. Faith
a. In the second part of chapter two we switch gears a bit.
b. We begin to learn about having an active faith in our lives. Turn your bibles with me starting in verse fourteen :What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
B. What is faith?
a. Since we are talking about faith, let’s first talk about what faith is.
b. The book of Hebrews gives us some wonderful insight in to this area.
c. The bible says in Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
i. Faith is something that you believe in your heart or a persuasion of something which has not yet manifested in the natural realm.
ii. While faith is not something that we can physically see, it is something that we believe is going to happen even though we may not see it.
iii. Faith is powerful! So powerful that it only takes a little to move mountains! Amen!
C. Famous quotes
a. This topic of faith versus works has drawn the attention of many pastors and theologians for hundreds of years now;
b. Dietrich Bonheoffer said, “Faith without works is not faith at all, but a simple lack of obedience to God.”
c. Charles Spurgeon said, “Faith and works are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith.”
d. And C.S. Lewis put it this way: “Regarding the debate about faith and works; it’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important.”
D. Saving Faith
a. Now that we understand what faith is, we need to understand what it does.
b. First and foremost, our faith saves us from a life from eternal destruction.
c. The bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
d. Faith is not something that we place in ourselves, but it is in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
i. In fact, Romans 5:1 (NKJV) shares with us: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
ii. Because of faith in Christ work on the cross, we are now righteous in the sight of God. Therefore, we have peace with God.
iii. Somebody Praise Him!!!!!
E. Faith gives us victory
a. Our faith in Jesus Christ not only saves us, but also affords us the victory over our enemy.
b. The bible says in1 John 5:4(NKJV) 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
c. So faith is a powerful force, the enemy knows this, thus he tries so hard to get people to doubt that God even exist.
i. As you go outside this morning, just look around, look at the trees, grass, and all the birds, How can there not be a Creator?
ii. Impossible! There is a Creator , and He loves you tremendously!!
F. Walk by faith
a. Learning that faith saves us and gives us the victory. We further delve into this that we need to walk by faith. Truly, this is where the rubber meets the road.
b. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7(NKJV) 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
c. Faith is knowing that God is in control, and He will work it out. God is omnipotent meaning that He is all powerful and He has no limitations to His power!
d. Last week, we talked about having a taxi cab religion, we talked how this religion goes and does what it wants when it wants.
e. Faith says, yes I will go regardless of what it looks like, trusting and knowing that God has our best interest at heart.
f. There is a wonderful song entitled “ I Will Follow” that has some really powerful lyrics: ” Where You go, I'll go- Where You stay, I'll stay- When You move, I'll move- I will follow You- Who You love, I'll love- How You serve I'll serve- If this life I lose, I will follow You
G. Works
a. When we are walking by faith, we will produce good works in our lives.
b. I believe that the bible is very clear in teaching us that good works do not save us, they are a result of us already being saved and serving the Lord.
c. It is only our faith in Jesus Christ and the work on the cross that saves us.
d. Absolutely nothing else! Jesus died to save us!
H. A dead faith
a. The text this morning here in James chapter two really gives us a warning about having a dead faith.
b. A dead faith is one that is based on a casual relationship with Jesus.
c. A dead faith is one that the person has an intellectual knowledge of God and the things of God, yet they have never really submitted to the Lordship of Jesus in their lives.
d. In other words, they know all the right words to say, yet their lives do not line up with their words.
e. A dead faith, is dangerous as it gives the person a false confidence that they are saved and have eternal life.
I. Faith that pleases
a. As we close this morning, we are reminded by the fact that if we want to please God in our lives, then it is imperative that we have faith.
b. In fact, the bible says in Hebrews 11:6(NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
c. A life that is lived by faith will never disappoint. It will not disappoint you, and surely it will not disappoint the One who has called you.
d. Therefore, do not take half measures in your walk with the Lord, as He will reward you immensely for your faith in Him.
*Invite Worship team
Closing:
As we close this morning, James teaches us that we are not to show partiality to others because that is a sin. Let me say this, heaven is a place that is filled with people from every tribe, and from every nation. Therefore, put aside any difference or partiality and esteem others more highly then yourself. If you do this, then you will not have a problem.
As James shifted a bit, we learned this morning how having an active faith in our life is vital to our success as a believer. We learned that not only are we saved by faith, but we have victory that is a result of our faith. The faith that we have in the Lord will cause us to produce good works. These good works do not save us, rather, they are a result of us wanting to please our Savior. Living a life of faith, will never disappoint, it will always produce something magnificent in our lives.
Next week we will be talking about James Chapter three, feel free to peek ahead.
Closing Song: I will follow
