Sunday Sermon

Rich Man, Poor Man Dave Shaner July 20, 2003

Introduction: We tend to judge by the wrong criteria in nearly all arenas.

Text: James 2:1-13

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 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," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 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? 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? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 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. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

I. James insists that ______________ & ______________ are incompatible.

A. Acts 10:34

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism."

B. Favoritism is evil because it does not reflect the character of God.

II. James instructs that:

A. Favoritism misrepresents the ____________ of God.

1. Jesus preached the ____________ of God.

2. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household.  - Ephesians 2:14-19

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:26-28

B. Favoritism misrepresents the ____________ of God.

1. How do we herald the grace of God? ______________

2. 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? - James 2:5

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. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. - I Corinthians 1:26-29

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." - James 4:6

C. Favoritism misrepresents the _____________ of God.

1. Do you have a "not so bad" list?

2. James 2:10

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

3. Loving your neighbor as yourself is the royal law.

a. It rules or reigns over all the other laws.

b. Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

III. James' insight: How you __________ others echoes the __________ you can expect from God.

A. James 2:12-13

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

B. Jesus taught this principle first.

1. Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

2. Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

3. Matthew 18

Conclusion: How can you expect grace if you never reflect grace? Would people come to this church because they have seen grace reflected in you?

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