People Matter!

People Matter!

2004053

Topic # 2408 – prejudice/partiality

Introduction:

A. What are you partial to? What do you prefer?

1. Wal-Mart/Target? Speedway/Village Pantry? Marsh/Kroger? Ford/Chevy?

2. What about being partial in our relationships w/brethren? With people we associate with? What about the first impressions we inform on those we meet?

B. Way we treat others is important to God.

1. God expects those who serve Him to act w/o partiality.

2. This was a problem during 1^st century – polarized conditions governed society:

a) rich/poor; slave/free; Jew/Gentile; Greek/Barbarian

3. But..there was good news w/Christianity – Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11

C. Learning to live impartially is a challenge. Consider Peter who had to learn this through the outpouring of HS on Cornelius & household – Acts 10:34-35

D. By time we get to James 2, partiality was being practiced. Its sinfulness needed to be pointed out.

E. Bias, prejudice, and racism are just as prevalent today.

1. Richard Halverson quote

2. How many can identify with this?

3. How many of us believe what we want to believe, look for whatever evidences we believe will reinforce our preconceived conclusions?

4. Few people are open-minded & above prejudice.

F. Scripture gives us principles that help us to become more open-minded and objective in dealing w/our prejudices.

I. 2:1 – the person we worship is impartial.

A. James, in clear & certain terms says that personal favoritism and faith in Jesus are incompatible.

1. Favoritism comes from a word “to receive by face.”

2. Involves judging a person solely on face value.

a) Quick judgment made on person’s social, financial, educational, or physical beauty.

b) After the assessment, preference or a greater degree of consideration is given to the one of higher standing, etc.

B. In NT – we can be assured that God is no respecter of persons.

1. Judges heart – not appearance.

2. Superficial distinctions are classified as sin.

3. Lk. 20:21 – look at what scribes observed in Jesus.

a) Literally: “you do not receive a face.”

b) Jesus did not show partiality or play favorites.

c) Tax collectors, prostitutes, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea all treated the same.

C. There is a consistent theme throughout the NT.

1. Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17; Gal. 2:6

2. Brethren..this quality of God & Jesus should find itself in our character!

D. Lk. 6:40 – what is our goal? If we lax in this area – we taint God’s glory!

II. 2:1b-4 – favoritism was a problem during James’ day.

A. What is/what is not condemned here..

1. NOT condemning discernment that comes through an understanding of someone else’s character.

2. IS condemning prejudicial attitudes & behaviors toward others based on superficial appearances.

B. 2:2-4

1. Ancient world: common to wear a signet ring or fix a piece of jewelry on clothing.

2. Social status determined by quality & # of rings, garments, clothing.

a) Some had clothing w/fine threads of silver woven into bright, white cloth that glistened in sunlight.

3. This would be contrasted with those who lived in abject poverty – filthy clothing.

4. remember..time of extreme have/have not.

III. Dangers of favoritism.

A. 2:4 – we become judges of evil motives.

1. God always hated unjust judges. Mt. 7:1-5

2. Religious leaders in Jesus’ day prejudged people – left the unacceptable ones w/o a chance.

3. Ones James referring to: Distinctions made & differences emphasized for personal gain. This condemned!

B. 2:5-7 – it leads to irrational behavior.

1. FC Christians were dishonoring the poor. But it was the rich who oppressed them.

2. 2:6 – Amplified Bible: But you [in contrast] have insulted (humiliated, dishonored, and shown your contempt for) the poor. Is it not the rich who domineer over you? Is it not they who drag you into the law courts?

3. Favoritism caused them to despise the ones honored by God.

a) Lk. 7:22; 1 Cor. 1:26-29 – majority of those who responded to gospel were poor.

b) Acts 10:34-35 – God has chosen to honor ALL men who submit to Him in obedience!

4. Favoritism can display itself today!

a) Don’t like ethnic background. Uneasy around strangers; have “red flags” about what someone did before they were a Christian.

b) The condition of a person’s soul has nothing to do with money; color; education; class; culture; etc. God looks on the heart!

c) Lk. 16:14-15

1) It is tragic when men feel they can get away with favoritism.

5. 2:6-7 – what was so irrational about this? They honored those who were most likely to oppress them. Is the same principle true today?

C. 2:8-11 – favoritism causes us to break the royal law.

1. Favoritism violates the love of God. 2:8 quote from Mt. 22:39. (Lev. 19:18)

2. One of the most fundamental laws God has ever given. God’s supreme law is the law of love! The summary of God’s total law.

3. 2:9-11 – by breaking one law – we guilty of all the law.

4. Sin is sin is sin. Favoritism/partiality/prejudice places one’s soul in danger!

IV. Practical Applications. How to avoid favoritism/prejudice in the future.

A. 2:11-13 – live daily in the reality of final judgment.

1. One day we’re doing to be judged by the law of liberty.

2. Shouldn’t this humble our hearts & keep us honest w/ourselves?

3. Law of liberty set us free from sin & from man made restrictions.

a) Col. 2:20-22.

b) If we place man made restrictions such as favoritism – we do not show mercy to others-

c) Mt. 6:14-15 – no mercy will be shown to us.

4. John Blanchard: that which a man spits against heaven shall fall back on his face.

B. Identify & change attitudes that promote “special attention” to particular “status groups.”

1. Do you court the favor of some & look down on others?

2. We need a humble honesty to answer this question.

C. Been blessed with wealth? Don’t flaunt it. Point of James’ teaching.

1. Use wealth to glorify God who has blessed you with it to build His kingdom.

2. Don’t use it to measure personal worth of yourself or others.

3. Lay off the garb & put on Christ.

D. Decide “everybody is somebody.”

1. If we play favorites, we can’t claim to have an authentic, personal faith, in Jesus Christ.

2. Determine to go out of your way to be friendly to everyone.

Conclusion:

A. While we may have our favorites about where we buy groceries/gas/items and the vehicles we drive…

1. We must not play favorites when it comes to people. Js. 2:1

B. Rom. 15:5-7

1. We have a glorious God – we serve to do things for His glory.

2. May we never allow the sin of partiality to taint that glory in anyway!

C. Not a Christian?

1. 2:10 – James speaks of the terribleness of one sin.

2. 2:12 – the FACT of judgment.

3. Won’t you accept the mercy God offers & obey the gospel?

4. Rom. 2:4-11 – God is not a partial judge.

D. Accept his mercy! Obey the gospel today!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



People Matter! 2004053 Topic # 2408 – prejudice/partiality Introduction: A. What are you partial to? What do you prefer? 1. Wal-Mart/Target? Speedway/Village Pantry? Marsh/Kroger? Ford/Chevy? 2. What about being partial in our relationships w/brethren? With people we associate with? What about the first impressions we inform on those we meet? B. Way we treat others is important to God. 1. God expects those who serve Him to act w/o partiality. 2. This was a problem during 1^st century – polarized conditions governed society: a) rich/poor; slave/free; Jew/Gentile; Greek/Barbarian 3. But..there was good news w/Christianity – Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11 C. Learning to live impartially is a challenge. Consider Peter who had to learn this through the outpouring of HS on Cornelius & household – Acts 10:34-35 D. By time we get to James 2, partiality was being practiced. Its sinfulness needed to be pointed out. E. Bias, prejudice, and racism are just as prevalent today. 1. Richard Halverson quote 2. How many can identify with this? 3. How many of us believe what we want to believe, look for whatever evidences we believe will reinforce our preconceived conclusions? 4. Few people are open-minded & above prejudice. F. Scripture gives us principles that help us to become more open-minded and objective in dealing w/our prejudices. I. 2:1 – the person we worship is impartial. A. James, in clear & certain terms says that personal favoritism and faith in Jesus are incompatible. 1. Favoritism comes from a word “to receive by face.” 2. Involves judging a person solely on face value. a) Quick judgment made on person’s social, financial, educational, or physical beauty. b) After the assessment, preference or a greater degree of consideration is given to the one of higher standing, etc. B. In NT – we can be assured that God is no respecter of persons. 1. Judges heart – not appearance. 2. Superficial distinctions are classified as sin. 3. Lk. 20:21 – look at what scribes observed in Jesus. a) Literally: “you do not receive a face.” b) Jesus did not show partiality or play favorites. c) Tax collectors, prostitutes, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea all treated the same. C. There is a consistent theme throughout the NT. 1. Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17; Gal. 2:6 2. Brethren..this quality of God & Jesus should find itself in our character! D. Lk. 6:40 – what is our goal? If we lax in this area – we taint God’s glory! II. 2:1b-4 – favoritism was a problem during James’ day. A. What is/what is not condemned here.. 1. NOT condemning discernment that comes through an understanding of someone else’s character. 2. IS condemning prejudicial attitudes & behaviors toward others based on superficial appearances. B. 2:2-4 1. Ancient world: common to wear a signet ring or fix a piece of jewelry on clothing. 2. Social status determined by quality & # of rings, garments, clothing. a) Some had clothing w/fine threads of silver woven into bright, white cloth that glistened in sunlight. 3. This would be contrasted with those who lived in abject poverty – filthy clothing. 4. remember..time of extreme have/have not. III. Dangers of favoritism. A. 2:4 – we become judges of evil motives. 1. God always hated unjust judges. Mt. 7:1-5 2. Religious leaders in Jesus’ day prejudged people – left the unacceptable ones w/o a chance. 3. Ones James referring to: Distinctions made & differences emphasized for personal gain. This condemned! B. 2:5-7 – it leads to irrational behavior. 1. FC Christians were dishonoring the poor. But it was the rich who oppressed them. 2. 2:6 – Amplified Bible: But you [in contrast] have insulted (humiliated, dishonored, and shown your contempt for) the poor. Is it not the rich who domineer over you? Is it not they who drag you into the law courts? 3. Favoritism caused them to despise the ones honored by God. a) Lk. 7:22; 1 Cor. 1:26-29 – majority of those who responded to gospel were poor. b) Acts 10:34-35 – God has chosen to honor ALL men who submit to Him in obedience! 4. Favoritism can display itself today! a) Don’t like ethnic background. Uneasy around strangers; have “red flags” about what someone did before they were a Christian. b) The condition of a person’s soul has nothing to do with money; color; education; class; culture; etc. God looks on the heart! c) Lk. 16:14-15 1) It is tragic when men feel they can get away with favoritism. 5. 2:6-7 – what was so irrational about this? They honored those who were most likely to oppress them. Is the same principle true today? C. 2:8-11 – favoritism causes us to break the royal law. 1. Favoritism violates the love of God. 2:8 quote from Mt. 22:39. (Lev. 19:18) 2. One of the most fundamental laws God has ever given. God’s supreme law is the law of love! The summary of God’s total law. 3. 2:9-11 – by breaking one law – we guilty of all the law. 4. Sin is sin is sin. Favoritism/partiality/prejudice places one’s soul in danger! IV. Practical Applications. How to avoid favoritism/prejudice in the future. A. 2:11-13 – live daily in the reality of final judgment. 1. One day we’re doing to be judged by the law of liberty. 2. Shouldn’t this humble our hearts & keep us honest w/ourselves? 3. Law of liberty set us free from sin & from man made restrictions. a) Col. 2:20-22. b) If we place man made restrictions such as favoritism – we do not show mercy to others- c) Mt. 6:14-15 – no mercy will be shown to us. 4. John Blanchard: that which a man spits against heaven shall fall back on his face. B. Identify & change attitudes that promote “special attention” to particular “status groups.” 1. Do you court the favor of some & look down on others? 2. We need a humble honesty to answer this question. C. Been blessed with wealth? Don’t flaunt it. Point of James’ teaching. 1. Use wealth to glorify God who has blessed you with it to build His kingdom. 2. Don’t use it to measure personal worth of yourself or others. 3. Lay off the garb & put on Christ. D. Decide “everybody is somebody.” 1. If we play favorites, we can’t claim to have an authentic, personal faith, in Jesus Christ. 2. Determine to go out of your way to be friendly to everyone. Conclusion: A. While we may have our favorites about where we buy groceries/gas/items and the vehicles we drive… 1. We must not play favorites when it comes to people. Js. 2:1 B. Rom. 15:5-7 1. We have a glorious God – we serve to do things for His glory. 2. May we never allow the sin of partiality to taint that glory in anyway! C. Not a Christian? 1. 2:10 – James speaks of the terribleness of one sin. 2. 2:12 – the FACT of judgment. 3. Won’t you accept the mercy God offers & obey the gospel? 4. Rom. 2:4-11 – God is not a partial judge. D. Accept his mercy! Obey the gospel today! E. I N V I T A T I O N