Overcoming Favoritism For Today

Overcoming Favoritism For Today

James 2:1-13

10-18-20

 I. Show No Partiality

James 2:1 – “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”

Deuteronomy 10:17 – “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”

Philippians 2:2 – “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

II. Blessed are the Poor

James 2:5 – “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, which he has promised to those who love him?”

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Matthew 8:19-20 – "And a scribe came up and said to him, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’”

2 Corinthians 11:27 – “…in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

III. The Royal Law

James 2:8 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”

Mark 12:31 – “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

John 14:15 - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

 Going Deeper This Week

1. Read James 2:1-13.  What do you most appreciate about God? Review the truths from Sunday with someone. 

2. How does seeing a homeless person affect you? Did you realize Jesus was homeless during His ministry years? 

3. Do a google search of how many times God makes mention of the poor in the Bible. Do you see the care of them being a concern to Him? 

4. What can/will you do to join God in furthering His kingdom among the poor, destitute, and marginalized? Pray for His guidance. 

5. Will you go?

6. Take communion at home and respond to our Savior’s sacrifice by saying, "Here am I Lord, send me."