Sermon Central
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To Show Any Respect Of Persons (Lesson 3) Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on May 17, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: To establish that there are some things too impossible for God to do. One thing is: to show respect of persons. This lesson reminds all believers who practice such: are guilty of breaking the "Royal Law" of love and are condemned as sinners.
a. What was the warning? It is that religious leaders should judge without respect of persons; and to neither takes bribes, nor gifts, to influence their rulings or judgment. Amazing!
b. Maybe our Courts and leaders should read and understand this warning?
c. That they might remember Jehovah's advice to the priests, Levites, and the chief fathers of Israel. The law of God, in this regard, has not changed.
2. Further, Solomon wrote:
a. First, “It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment,” Proverbs 18:5.
b. Second, “It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment,” Proverbs 24:23.
c. Third, “To have respect of persons is not good: for (even) a piece of bread that man will transgress,” Proverbs 28:21; Exodus 23:8.
3. Next, Paul wrote:
a. To the Romans, “For there is no respect of persons with God,” Romans 2:11.
b. To the Galatians, “But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person :) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me,” Galatians 2:6.
1) This phrase: “God accepteth no man’s person,” takes on a different meaning when read from another Interlinear.
2) This phrase is translated: “The face of a person God does not accept,” The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament, Page 656. Exciting rendition isn't it!
a) “The face of a person, God does not accept.” The words "do not accept" in Gr., is lambano or läm-bä'-no, which means one does not:—accept, obtain, or receive, or take (up). God, cannot practice “respect of persons,” Galatians 2:6.
b) His holiness and righteousness; cannot permit this, for such, is sin.
4. Additionally, Luke wrote of Peter’s words. Let’s look at his words from The New Greek-English Interlinear: “Peter having opened his mouth, He said: I understand truly that God is not one to show partiality. But in every nation, the one fearing Him and working righteousness is acceptable (dektos) to Him,” Acts 10:34-35. Reference: The New Greek English Interlinear, Page 452.
a. God does accept those that: “fear him and worketh righteousness,” Acts 10:34-35. It matters not to Him what “their faces looks like.” The word “accepteth” here in Gr., is dektos or dek-to's, which means to approve; to be propitious (favorable):—accepted(-table). The Lord approves of those that “fear Him and worketh righteousness.”
b. God justifies and saves all people: “through the faith in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:11-13; Philippians 3:9.
c. Conclusion: There is no respect of persons with God. Our heavenly Father, “Maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust sendeth,” Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17.
NOTE: Illustrate Jehovah’s Promise to Joshua: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee...Only be strong and very courageous...that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest,” Joshua 1:5-9.
