06/21/15 Partiality is an ISSUE!
Father's Day
Life is
a Test Series – James 2:1-4
Intro: “Father testimony” You
may believe you’re not one of those who have partiality issues; I didn’t, so I
thought. My son thought different. You’re often the last to believe the
scriptures are talking about you! I must believe through my own experiences
that partiality is a sin and an action that plagues the church. It must stop
for the church to grow.
Text: James 2:1-4
“My brethren, do not hold the faith
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For 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, 3 and 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," 4 have you not shown partiality among
yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Application: God is
absolutely impartial in His dealings with people.
1. The Practice: (No Partiality)
vs. 1
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory, with partiality.
Being partial is in total conflict with our salvation
and with what Scripture teaches. If we are saved, we are children of God; and
if we are His children, we should emulate Him.
An attribute of God that is not
thought or spoken of so often is His impartiality. Yet that is a serious and
recurring theme throughout Scripture. God is absolutely impartial in His
dealings with people. And in that way, as with His other attributes, He is unlike
us. Human beings, even Christians, are not naturally inclined to be impartial.
We tend to put people in pigeonholes, in predetermined, stratified categories,
ranking them by their looks, their clothes, their race or ethnicity, their
social status, their personality, their intelligence, their wealth and power,
by the kind of car they drive, and by the type of house and neighborhood they
live in.
Partiality: Can be referred to as – Prejudice, Favoritism,
One-sidedness, and Preference. If the Christian understands their role and the
test that come and go, we cannot allow partiality to even be considered!
“Now
therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there
is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of
bribes." 2 Chronicles 19:7
Making a practice of favoritism has no place in
the life of a faithful Christian. James makes clear that favoritism is not
simply discourteous and disrespectful but is a serious sin.
“But if you show
partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” James
2:9
2. The Pattern: (Should Be) vs. 2-4
“For 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, 3 and 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," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become
judges with evil thoughts?”
This is part of the test it can’t be skipped it
can’t be overlooked, how do you treat the attractive woman that walk’s into
your path of vision? How do you treat the not so attractive? How about the
color of the person’s skin? How about their ethnic background?
“By this we know
love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees
his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God
abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but
in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and
shall assure our hearts before Him.” 1 John 3:16-19
To better appreciate
James’s emphasis in this passage, it is necessary to understand that the vast
majority of early converts to Christianity were Jewish and poor.
The pattern
often followed, even amongst Christians is that of favoritism, and it is my
prayer- pastor included that this test of life will follow the leader (Jesus
Christ). “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded
toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one
mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore
receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” Romans
15:5-7
Conclusion: “For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:11
The
gospel is a great leveler, available with absolute equality to everyone who
believes in the Savior it proclaims. Jesus’ promise to all those who trust in
Him is: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden
is light.”
In : Sermon
Tags: "life is a test series" "book of james" "father's day"
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