SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). The Principle Stated (vs 1).
(2). The Principle Illustrated (vs 2-4)
(3). The Principle Explained (vs 5-9)
SERMON BODY
We all have our favourite things in life.
• e.g., Tea or coffee?
• e.g., Mountains or beach?
• e.g., Spring or autumn?
• e.g., Chinese food or Indian?
• e.g., Football or rugby?
• e.g., Tomato sauce or Daddies brown sauce?
• e.g., Dogs or cats?
• e.g., Manchester United or some other team?
• We all have our personal like or preferences.
• They are neither right nor wrong. They are simply our preferences.
• In the little things of life these personal likes and dislikes are fine.
• Because they help define who we are.
• And without these differences’ life would be pretty boring.
Now favourite things are very different to favouritism.
• Favouritism is the dark side of personal likes or dislikes.
• Favouritism can easily lead to hurt feelings,
• And a feeling of inadequacy by those who are wronged.
• As it goes deeper it can lead to complete exclusion, sexism, racism,
• Injury and even death.
• Favouritism at its worst is pretty-nasty.
TRANSITION: Do you know that God does not show favouritism?
Ill:
• This was a tough lesson that the apostle Peter had to learn,
• He was a Jew (God’s chosen people) and did not want to mix with those Gentiles.
• But in Acts chapter 10 verses 34-36 he learnt an important truth.
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”
• Favouritism is showing a bias or partiality for one person or people group,
• Over another person or people group,
• Even when they have equal claims.
• The Bible teaches that God has created all people equal in worth.
• A person's physical appearance, gender, possessions, skills, intelligence level,
• Or even religious affiliation does not determine his/her value.
• All human beings were created in his image,
• Therefore, the Bible instructs us to "show no partiality”.
• TRANSITION: Now God shows no favouritism.
• But unfortunately, too many of his followers do!
Ill:
• In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days.
• He read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity.
• He believed that in Jesus Christ.
• He could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India.
• So, one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church.
• And afterwards talk to the minister about becoming a Christian.
• When he entered the sanctuary, however,
• The usher refused to give him a seat.
• And suggested that he go worship with his own people.
• Gandhi left the church and never returned, he said:
• “If Christians have caste differences also, I might as well remain a Hindu.”
• That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus Christ,
• But also turned a person away from trusting Him as Saviour.
So, the apostle James deals with the issue of favouritism in this section of his letter:
• First, he introduces a principle in verse 1,
• Second, he illustrates it in verses 2-4,
• Third, he explains it in verses 5-11,
• Fourth, he applies it in verses 12-13.
• I have been asked to speak on verses 1-9,
• So, we will keep with the first three points of that outline.
(1). The Principle Stated (vs 1).
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism.”
Notice the description James uses for his readers, ‘brother and sisters’:
• He is reminding them by that simple description that ‘in Christ’ they are family.
• The Church is never a club you attend, it is a family you belong to.
• Maybe James is reminding these Christians that you can choose your friends.
• But you are stuck with your family!
• I think the point he is making is very clear,
• The world in which we live may live and act one way,
• Quote: “Birds of a feather will flock together”
• But in the Church of Jesus Christ we are to be different!
• We are a like the sweets, ‘liquorice allsorts’ we come in all shapes and sizes!
• From various social backgrounds etc.
• And of course a greater mix of people, will result in a greater mix of problems,
• And one of those problems can be favoritism.
• Remember the early Church was a strange mixture of people,
• It was made up of both men and women,
• Both Jews and Gentiles and both slaves and free.
• Quote:
• “The only place a slave and their master were equals was in the Church!”
ill:
• Romans chapter 16 verse 22-23:
“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.”
• Verse 22: Tertius was the secretary who wrote down Paul’s dictation,
• Notice he "Sends his greetings".
• Question: What was unusual about that?
• Answer: Tertius (means 3) was a slave (a living tool, somebody who had no rights!)
• In Bible times you named or rather you numbered your slaves, “1,2,3 etc.”
• Quartus in verse 23 (means 4) Notice he is called "Our brother".
• Not the slave, but an equal with the others.
• This is the early church where "All" meant "All".
• Christians practised what they preached.
So, in the family of God, we are to act and live differently to the world!
• The world in which we live may live and act one way,
• But in the family of God, we are to act and live differently!
• And one of the ways we should be different to the world in which we live.
• Is in the area of relationships.
• In the area of accepting people, valuing people and befriending people.
So, the apostle James is dealing with the topic of favouritism:
• In fact, our word ‘favouritism’ here comes from two words in the Greek language.
• Which, when put together, mean "to receive by face."
• It's the idea of judging others solely on external face values.
• Externals such as clothes, money, social standing etc.
Ill:
• Do you remember the incident in the Old Testament (1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 7).
• When God chose a new king.
• Samuel the prophet lined up Jesse’s boys,
• Who were all physically impressive?
• Yet God rejected them all one by one.
• Samuel was puzzled and so God explained to him why they had been rejected.
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
• TRANSITION: God is not impressed by externals.
• By how a person looks or dresses.
• Rather when he judges, he judges the heart!
(2). The Principle Illustrated (vs 2-4)
• Now having stated the principle (vs 1)
• James does what all good preachers do, he uses an illustrates to drive the point home.
THE SITUATION (VS 2).
“A man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes.”
• James says, imagine you are the ‘meeter & greeter’ at a Sunday morning service.
• When two people come in through the front doors.
• First comes Mr. Have and he is followed by Mr. Have-Not.
• Mr Have, is wearing a nice suit, an expensive watch.
• And you noticed he pulled into the car park in a very luxurious motor.
• Mr Have-Not however is unshaven, wearing shabby jeans, and an un-ironed T-shirt.
• He looks like he cannot afford a bike never mind a car!
THE REACTION (VS 3).
• James says, if you pay special attention to Mr Have.
• (the one who is wearing the fine clothes)
• And give him preferential treatment by saying, "You sit here in a good place,"
• And to Mr Have-Not (the poor man,)
• You show Second-rate treatment by saying.
• “You stand over there, or sit down on the floor at the back,"
• James says, by showing that type of double standards,
• You are practicing clear discrimination,
• And God says that is wrong!
THE MOTIVATION (VS 4).
• Question: Why would we treat people differently?
• Answer: Because we are flawed, sinful people. Our motives are wrong!
“Have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?”
The apostle James highlights our sinful motives:
• We might do it consciously or we might do it unconsciously,
• But by giving Mr Have preferential treatment over Mr Have-Not,
• We are really hoping for a payback.
• We are out to impress, and win his approval,
• We are hoping that in the long run,
• Any friendship with Mr Have will somehow benefit you.
(3). The Principle Explained (vs 5-9 but really to vs 11)
• James now presents three reasons why prejudice is wrong.
• Three explanations why we should seek to treat everybody as equals.
FIRST: Favouritism is inconsistent with what the Bible teaches about God’s love (vs 5).
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: 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?”
• James tells his readers to look at the situation from God’s perspective,
• As we have noted already,
• God bases his choices on the heart, not the wallet.
• Don’t misread the verse, James is not saying that all poor people are saved,
• No, of course not.
• The verse informs us that God has given those who are poor in money,
• The opportunity to be rich in faith.
• ill: If you travel to the poor places of the world you always find a Church!
• Their social poverty does not have to make them spiritual paupers as well.
• In fact, they can be rich in Christ and rich in the things of God!
• Even though they are poor financially.
Ill:
• In the Old Testament as well as the New Testament,
• The Bible consistently emphasizes that the Lord cares for the foreigner, the stranger,
• The outcast and the unprotected, particularly the fatherless and the widow.
• And God challenges us to share that concern.
• Because God has imparted his nature and his compassion to you and me,
• We are going to have to show the same kind of care,
• The same kind of concern, that God has shown.
• He cares, and we need to care.
SECOND: Favouritism is wrong because we often end up helping the wrong person (vs 6-7).
“But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?”
• James reminds his hearers that the ones they are showing special favoritism to.
• Are the very ones who were exploiting them.
• We know the saying; “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”
• That is what was happening in this society at the time James wrote this letter.
So, the apostle James reminds them of fact asking a series of three questions.
• Question 1. Who is exploiting you?
• Question 2. Who is dragging you into court?
• Question 3. Who is blaspheming the name of Christ?
• The answer to all three questions is the same.
• It is the rich,
• And he goes on to say they are often also the unbelievers who blaspheme Jesus Christ.
• Sadly, this Church was mixed up:
• They were helping those who exploited them.
• And ignoring the people who needed them!
THIRD: Favoritism is wrong because the Bible says so (vs 8-9).
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’[a] you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law-breakers.”
• What James is saying in these verses is nothing new.
• In fact, centuries before James wrote this letter,
• Moses had already issued a commandment from God (Leviticus chapter 19 verse 18),
• "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
• That was the law then, and it is still the law today.
Ill:
• On one occasion Jesus was put on the spot and asked some questions.
• He reminded those listening that the greatest commandment is to love God with everything.
• And the second greatest commandment; "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
• (Matthew chapter 22 verse 39)
• TRANSITION: Therefore, whenever we show favouritism, we break this law.
• In fact, we sin, and we become a lawbreaker.
Now, for some of us, James' condemnation of partiality may seem a little too harsh.
• We know we are not perfect,
• But at least none of us are murderers (I hope not) or adulaters or thieves etc!
• The apostle James knew some of us would react this way,
• So, notice what he says in verse 10.
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point.
is guilty of breaking all of it.”
Ill:
• The Law of God is not a checklist.
• Where we tick what we have kept and what we have broken.
• It is more like a pearl necklace.
• If it snaps in one place, then who necklace is lost.
• Now obviously some sins are more heinous than others,
• But we need to realise that showing favouritism is a big deal to God!
(4). Principle Applied (vs 12-13).
Well come back next week, same time, same place etc.
Ill:
• Feels like a cookery programme where I have showed you the recipe and ingredients,
• Popped it in the other,
• And left you waiting to see what it looks like and to taste it.
• Well come back next week, same time, same place etc.
• And someone else will do that bit.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=EVbwpNsrVOqadwH7lF7y5o9ZljkGEoJG
