James 2:1-13 NLT: My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Big Idea #1: I Must Embrace the Principle of Full Acceptance
James 2:1 NLT: My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
1. Why Acceptance Matters(MULTILINE)
2. How Partiality Sneaks In(MULTILINE)
James 2:2–4 ESV: For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘Sit here, in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Big Idea #2: I Must Repent of the Problem of Favoritism
James 2:8–9 ESV: If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
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Acts 10:34 ESV: So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality…’(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
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James 2:5–7 ESV: Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom… But you have dishonored the poor man… Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name by which you were called?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
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1 John 4:20 ESV: If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar…(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Big Idea #3: I Must Treat People Right
1. Everyone(MULTILINE)
Romans 15:7 ESV: Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Action step: Greet guests and regulars alike—no preferential greeting, treating or seating,(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
2. Everyone(MULTILINE)
Philippians 2:3–5 ESV: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Action step: Ask two people you wouldn’t normally notice how God’s been at work in their lives.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
3. Everyone(MULTILINE)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Action step: Write a note or speak a word of encouragement to someone you rarely compliment.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
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