Sermon Central
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The Diamond Engagement Ring
Contributed by Joe Rowland on Jan 19, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Men, many times looks at what they see and they judge according to the flesh, the good news is God looks at the heart.
The Diamond Engagement Ring
James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
In verse one James is saying, “My Brethren you have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
In other words, the ones that James was writing to were not conducting themselves as the Lord.
We have all heard the saying, “What Would Jesus Do?” If Jesus would not act that way then we ought not either.
If the Lord does not show respect of persons, then we should not as well.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Have we ever seen someone show favortism to someone who has more than someone else?
What this proclaims is a terrible attitude and spirit.
Jesus did not look on the outside of man but He looked on what was on the inside of man.
Remember when Samuel was about to annoint David King.
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
What the Lord was saying was…don’t look at what you see with your physical eyes.
God does not always see things the way we see them, God looks on the heart.
A lot of times money will attract. If someone walked in here with a big golden ring and dressed real nice and someone who was a bum walked in, who would most people flock to?
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
This demands a positive answer.
Not many mighty and not many noble, we have to be willing to answer the call.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
God will take people that this world will say no way to and He will use them for His glory.
James was telling the people according to James 1:6, they have despised the poor.
This refers to the fact that some Christians had despised those whom God had chosen.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
I have entitled this today:
The Diamond Engagement Ring
Here is the reason why:
Dream 12-31-08
I dreamed that a rich man walked into an office and he was showing off a great big diamond engagement ring. A woman who was working there was admiring the ring. She was longing for a ring like that. She told the rich man that her mother wanted her to marry a man like the boy across the street or the boy next door. The boy next door walked in and asked the woman to marry him. He pulled out a diamond ring that was not nearly as big as the rich man’s ring. The woman put on the ring and she was in awe. The man next door walked out towards the elevator. He saw the rich man offer her the big diamond ring. He saw her put it on her wedding finger. He was now discouraged thinking that she was going to marry him. He had jumped the gun. She loved him for what he was, which was the boy next door.
