Faith Without Favorites
(James 2:1-13 (NKJV))
Sermon Notes
James 2:1–13 (NKJV)
1My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
4have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
6But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?
7Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
9but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
11For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
13For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
“How do we decide who matters?” – Pastor Billy Johnson
Don’t make an evaluation simply based on observation.
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FAVORITISM AND FAITH DON’T GO TOGETHER
James 2:1 (NKJV)
1My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
“We are impressed by expensive clothing…titles…wealth…influence…” – Pastor Billy Johnson
Put Jesus in His proper place.
“How dare you call your fears discernment.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
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FAVORITISM DISHONORS THOSE GOD VALUES
James 2:2-7 (NKJV)
2For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
4have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
6But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?
7Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
Your actions will reveal your assumptions.
“Treat everybody right, everywhere, before you know who they are.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
People are valuable simply because they are in the image of God.
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FAVORITISM VIOLATES THE ROYAL LAW OF LOVE
James 2:8-11 (NKJV)
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
9but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
11For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
He didn’t say love your black neighbor, your white neighbor, your rich neighbor, etc.
James says that treating people with partiality is sin because it violates the law of love.
“It’s just like God to put the answer in someone you don’t like.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
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LET MERCY WIN
James 2:12–13 (NKJV)
12So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
13For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Speak and do. Let the Gospel shape your words and actions.
“When you understand what God has done for you, it changes how you treat other people.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
Everyone is valuable to God! Receive His mercy!
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The challenge:
- See people through the eyes of Christ.
- Love people according to the law of Christ.
- Treat people according to the grace of Christ.
- Show people the mercy you received from Christ.
Because:
“MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT.”
