EXTREME MAKEOVER – PART FIVE
“A NOSE JOB”
JAMES 2:1-13 - ©DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2004)
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here’s a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? [5] Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? [6] But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? [7] Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? [8] If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. [11] For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. [12] Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:1-13)
Introduction:
Many years ago, shortly after I had introduced the vision for our church; “To be an international community of Believers, glorifying Jesus Christ together by building radical relationships for life” I was invited to dinner from a very influential man in our church. He told me that he wanted Cynthia and I to come to his home and he would “grill.” I had no idea he was actually talking about grilling me! In one of the most uncomfortable conversations I have ever had in my life the gentleman said, “I like you but why do you think you have to change our church?” After assuring him that I never intended to change the church but simply allow the church to follow the leadership and direction of God’s Spirit. Then he asked me, “Have you seen the kind of people that have joined since you’ve been pastor? You’re not going to meet your budget bringing in those kind of people. I know because if it doesn’t change I’m leaving.” He did leave and it was terrible…we had to trust God and guess what, we continue to make the budget and God continues to be glorified in a church that realizes the value of EVERY SINGLE PERSON who walks through these doors regardless of their age, culture, race or socio-economic status. I thank God we are a GLOBAL fellowship.
The problem with my brother was simple. He needed an EXTREME MAKEOVER and he should start with a NOSE JOB since his was so out of joint. Interesting, isn’t it, the way we really see ourselves. Let’s go to today’s EXTREME EXAMPLE entitled, “The Christian Dating Service!”
Webster dictionary defines “prejudice” as “an adverse opinion formed without just grounds and prior to sufficient knowledge.” It comes from the two words “pre” and “judge.” James warns the church that prejudice and partiality are serious problems if they are displayed in the Body of Christ. I have told you before that James is the most practical book in the New Testament and nothing validates that more than the tremendous exposition in James 2:1-13. (READ TEXT)
There is a natural outline that is provided by James in dealing with this issue. It is so simple that all of our children can understand this truth and in live in obedience to the directive.
I. THE PRACTICE OF PREJUDICE (v.1)
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”
James confronts this practice of prejudice directly in verse 1, indicating that those who have a genuine faith in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ while embracing a spirit of favoritism or demonstrating prejudice is contradictory and incompatible to the life of a Christian!
James understands that if we are true Christians then we are children of God; and if we are His children, we should emulate Him. Paul declares categorically: “For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 (NIV)
The word, “Favoritism” in the Greek is prosoôpoleômpsia, (pros-O-pole-ape-see’-ah) and carries the idea of the literal meaning of “lifting up someone’s face,” with the idea of judging by appearance and on the basis of appearance then give special favor and respect. James is rebuking the church for not following the example of their God. God doesn’t judge by the face or the externals of man; God judges the heart of man.
It is a tragedy when Christians or churches do not treat all their members the same. Frequently, those who are of a different ethnic background, racial, or financial standing are not fully welcomed into fellowship. This behavior should NEVER occur in the Body of Christ. Favoritism is a TRANSGRESSION of God’s divine law and a MOCKERY of His divine character.
We should rejoice that God has chosen us here at First Baptist, to model a new paradigm for the 21st Century Church; a church where all believers are welcome; it is truly our training ground for Heaven and it is one of the facts I treasure about First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale.
II. THE PICTURE OF PREJUDICE (v.2-4)
“Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here’s a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
James gives a description of what you may see in our church on any given Sunday. As a matter of fact it is no secret that Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s came to First Baptist often before his death and was a very dear and personal friend of mine. Dave told me the main reason he was sold on First Baptist occurred on his first Sunday to visit. He sat on the end of the pew, Cynthia sat next to him and shortly before the service began a homeless man came and sat next to Cynthia. Dave said he watched to see the reaction of our people and he noticed that our people welcomed the homeless man as much if not more than the world famous founder of Wendy’s.
In the early days of Christianity the vast majority of new converts were poor. If not before they converted to Christianity, certainly afterward as many were rejected by family. Historians point out that in 178 A.D. the Roman philosopher Celsus verbally attacked Christians to a large extent simply because most of them were poor and uneducated. He severely criticized the commonness of believers. In his writings this is how he portrayed Christians: “They are vulgar, like a swarm of bats or ants creeping out of their nests, or frogs holding a symposium amid a swamp, or worms in a convention in a corner of mud.”
James points out a real danger in the church that when a person of prominence or wealth attends the usher gives them the best seat in the house while he directs the poor to the floor in the back. In Matt. 23:6 Jesus speaks of the “chief seats in the synagogue” and He blasted the religious leaders because they loved the chief seats.
Clarification: There is nothing wrong or sinful about being wealthy and there is nothing holy about being poor; nothing wrong with sitting on the front pew and nothing wrong with sitting on the back pew, I personally like the front because I am less distracted by activity and I can keep my focus and thoughts. But both rich and poor are equal in God’s sight, and partiality must not be shown to either!
James brings the truth home in verse four: “Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
In both instances, the sin is prejudicial; the usher is discriminating by showing special favor to the wealthy man and showing discourtesy, if not contempt, for the poor man. To do either is a serious sin, and those who are guilty of it “become judges with evil thoughts!”
Three times in the book of James he uses the word evil. However, all three words have different meanings and this is by far the strongest of the three; the one used here is poneôros (pon-A-ros) the strongest, and carries the idea of “vicious intentions that have a destructive and injurious effect on everyone.”
There is only one type of partiality that God allows in His church and it is found in Phil. 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
III. THE PERSPECTIVE OF PREJUDICE (v.5-11)
James now provides us with three simple yet profound reasons why prejudice is wrong and must be avoided.
a. A THEOLOGICAL Perspective (v.5)
“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”
A James point out from a theological perspective prejudice is inconsistent with the actions of the Father. God doesn’t look in a man’s wallet and say, “You’re my kind of man.” Nor does he look at the poor and say, “You’re dirty enough to be really spiritual.” James knows that God does not look at the circumstances or the externals of man’s life but he looks at the heart.
Read: I Cor. 1:25-26: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. [26] Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.”
When God picks, he picks the ones the world has picked over! That is great. I say this from a humble heart…there is no reason I should enjoy the wonderful privilege of pastoring this church other than God delights in using the common people of this world. God builds his trophies out of what the world has discarded.
Illustration: Told by Gary Lower of FCA: Stevie Dutchindorf Story at University of Arkansas. Pastor witnessing to starting QB and interrupted continually by a mentally challenged young man that worked with the football team. In frustration that evening the pastor prayed, “God why do you allow this Stevie Dutchindorf to continually interfere with my ministry. Surely Lord you know what this is like?” Pastor said he paused and felt the Spirit of God speak, “Yes I know exactly what it is like…you’re my Stevie Dutchindorf.”
Aren’t you thankful that the Father doesn’t look at our face, our finances or our failures as a basis for eternal life? If we were to unzip the past of all of us in the congregation today we would cry out, “God how could you possibly love us?” Praise God, the Father does not love by SIGHT…He loves IN SPITE!
b. A LOGICAL Perspective (v.6-7)
“But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? [7] Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?”
James reminds us it is not simply theological to avoid prejudice but it is also logical! With simplistic thought he reminds the Christians, “you don’t see the poor taking you to court, taking advantage of you and slandering the name of Jesus.”
Prejudice denies the universality of sin! Prejudice says, “I am something and you are nothing.” James implies that the church was looking to the rich to help them. I can tell you from thirty years of ministry that seldom do you have wealthy people that are fully committed to God’s plan of economy. Many give only when it is convenient for them to be recognized, not faithfully participating in systematic tithing as God demands.
James says, Do not give honor to one who is not worthy of honor.
Illustration: C.A. Chickasha
c. A BIBLICAL Perspective (v. 8-11)
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. [11] For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”
James gives a hypothetical response from the usher in the church: “I’m only showing the law of love to this man and in doing so I am fulfilling scripture.” However, James reminds him of the poor man he placed on the floor in the back of the room. “If you show favoritism you sin and are convicted by the law…”
The usher was justifying his actions by proof-texting the scripture: “I am directed by the law to love my neighbor.” It is true. The law does instruct us to love our neighbor in Lev. 19:18. But guess what else the law instructs us to do? Look three verses up to Lev. 19:15:
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” Leviticus 19:15 (NIV)
It matters not whether it is the law of the Old Testament or the love and grace of the New Testament, the biblical perspective is simple: Prejudice is inconsistent with scripture!
We need to be careful that we don’t compartmentalize our prejudices. We may say, “We’re not prejudice to people of different cultures or races but what about the person who has several failed marriages; or the individual with hair that is longer than the norm; or those with a mental or physical handicap; or political beliefs that are different; or those who have different doctrinal beliefs? Charismatics ought to be allowed to jump a pew just as much as Baptists are allowed to sleep in them.
All I’m saying is please recognize that we all have prejudices in our life and we need to be very careful that we do not allow our personal favoritism or partiality keep us from living in obedience to biblical truth. We all so very fickle, just like the young man in this poem:
Paul’s girl is rich and haughty…my girl is poor as clay.
Paul’s girl is young and pretty…my girl looks like a bail of hay.
Paul’s girl is smart and clever…my girl is dumb but good.
But would I trade my girl for Paul’s…You bet your life I would!
The problem is that our love is full of reservations. “I love you if…” It is conditional love. The tragedy in the church in America is that most Christians see Jesus as a 33 year old White Baby Boomer Republican that doesn’t speak in tongues and never reads anything but the King James Version of the Bible. Then we say, “We will accept all those who are just like Jesus!” God must change our hearts.
Listen, according to verse nine if you show partiality, if you live with the bondage of prejudice in your heart, JAMES MAKES IT CLEAR THAT YOU LIVE IN SIN! Quit trying to give sin an excuse by saying, “That’s just the way I was raised…” In light of scripture do you really believe God is going to give you a pass on that excuse?
IV. THE PRINCIPLE TO DEFEAT PREJUDICE (v.12-13)
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James instructs us of: Three simple principles the Christian can employ to defeat prejudice in your life. Let’s get these down. We won’t go into great discussion here because they are actually very simple and self-explanatory.
a. Let SCRIPTURE be our Source (12)
Let your speech and your actions be directed by ONE SOURCE…SCRIPTURE. If your life or lifestyle is contrary to scripture then you have a serious problem that James calls, SIN.
b. Let LOVE be our Law (12)
We live today, not under the law but under the love, the grace of God who loved us unconditionally and demonstrated that love by allowing His son to die for us. NOT BECAUSE WE WERE GOOD ENOUGH, RICH ENOUGH, SMART ENOUGH…because we were sinners and He still loved us. Let LOVE be our Law in dealing with people who are different…regardless of their differences.
c. Let MERCY be our Message (13)
As we have received mercy we must give mercy to others. Think of the woman caught in the act of adultery. The religious leaders said, “We caught her in the very act of adultery.” Do you see anything prejudicial in that statement? Where’s the man if they caught her in the very act of adultery? Jesus reminded the religious leaders, “Go ahead and stone her…if you have never sinned yourself…the rocks fell silently to the ground. Jesus didn’t say, “It’s okay to live in sexual immorality.” He said, “Go and sin no more…” but in his dealing with the woman, He demonstrated mercy, love and grace. That is our model for this hour and in this ministry.
Conclusion:
Close with Mr. Looney story.
