Outer Banks Community Church

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.”