HOFC Sermon Archive: Book of James Part 9: Sin of Partiality

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction to the Book of James

2. Trials and Temptation

3. Gaining Wisdom

4. Poverty & Wealth

5. Dealing with Temptation

6. Slow to Anger

7. The Implanted Word

8. Pure & Undefiled Religion

9. Sin of Partiality

INTRODUCTION

Today is Sunday. July 14^th, 2024

Over the last couple of months, we have broken the first chapter of the Book of James down into detailed studies of the trials and temptations we face as believers, how we can persevere through these with the wisdom of God’s word, and count it joy as we endure, knowing that once we do persevere, we will be stronger, more spiritually mature Christians.

We looked at some of the various sins we may face, such as wealth and poverty, the importance of being quick to hear the Word, slow to speak about the Word and slow to get angry about the Word. Last week, we addressed what Scripture says is the pure and undefiled religion, which is action on our part to live out the instruction of God’s Word.

Today, we examine the sin or partiality, which means to have an unfair bias toward a person compared to another. Favoritism.

In the first century, society was very polarized, much like the developing conditions here in America over the last two decades.

When I was growing up in Flint, in Utley, you were a smart kid, a jock, or a stoner—three classes who were friends with each other. If two people did not like one another, it was because of something other than them being of a different class.

In the first century, these polarized conditions governed society far beyond this. People were either rich or poor, slaves or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek or Barbarian (not Greek). This became even more divisive once Christ gained followers, and Christians were another class altogether. Jews would lose their Jewish clout among their friends and family if they converted and were ostracized and not allowed to own land or run a business.

Part of the Good News of the Gospel is that, in Christ Jesus, these social barriers have lost their potency.

Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.”

And in Colossians 3:11b “…there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all and in all.”

From the second chapter of the book of James, we can see partiality among the Christians had not yet died off, and some were receiving better treatment than others. In fact, you can see in Scripture some Jewish Christians felt they were better than Gentile Christians.

James had to point out this sin, the sin of partiality. This message is becoming more relevant today as society has become more divided. Religious, cultural, racial, and political runs deeper than culture. We are seeing division among sub-cultures as well. Religious denominations turn against themselves to the point of dividing into new denominations, for example.

Why is this happening, and why does the knowledge of Christ help in this matter?

Gaius Julius Caesar, who lived 100-44BC, said, “Divide and conquer.”

Even earlier, Sun Tzu, who lived from 544 BC – 496 BC, said in his writings, The Art of War, “Managing a large force can be made like managing a small force by the use of dividing up the numbers.”

Satan loves division, especially among the churches, because it makes conquering that much easier. There is strength in numbers. Scripture even says so.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one because they have good wages for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not a second one to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”

If we, who belong to Christ Jesus, will look beyond partiality and seek unity in Christ, then we too will become stronger, and so will the presence of The Body of Christ on Earth.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

James 2:1-13

“My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in bright clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and they themselves drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called?

8 If, however, you are fulfilling the law of our King, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.

13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy.

Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

I. THE SIN OF PARTIALITY

a. In James’ day

i. There was a lot of partiality being shown, especially to Jewish Christians, by other Jewish Christians.

ii. In James, we read (James 2:2-4) that partiality was shown between the rich and poor.

iii. Sometimes, the rich expect special treatment.

1. We read of the dangers of sin found in wealth in the previous chapter

2. Having an abundance of money can bring all sorts of evil and sins, including pride, arrogance, and even thinking you are better than another because you “have.”

b. Today

i. Some are guilty on the part of having money and falling into sin

ii. Some are guilty of expecting special treatment because they have

iii. Some are guilty of giving special treatment to those who have

In my life, I have known a few millionaires. One of my first friends in school growing up was one. We met in kindergarten and remained friends to this day. In those fifty years, do you know how many times I asked for something from him, money, or even to let me borrow money? ZERO.

He knew we were friends because we were friends. I never asked him for anything other than his friendship, and I had nothing he could possibly need, other than be a friend who was a true friend because of who he was, not for what he had.

Another friend I met in Junior High, and the situation was the same. They were a wealthy family, and I never asked or borrowed anything.

Since then, as an adult, I have known a few. Some were humble, some were not.

Some flaunted their wealth and expected special treatment; others never let anyone know.

I treated them all the same in each case, as we should.

1 Timothy 6:7-11 “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils, and some by aspiring to it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness.”

You see…you came into this world with nothing, and you shall leave the very same way, with nothing. We are all the same, fallen, broken creatures in need of a savior, Jesus Christ.

II. WHY CHRISTIANS CAN NOT SHOW PARTIALITY

a. We reflect Christ Jesus

i. As Christians, we cannot show partiality because Christ died for ALL

1. And ANYONE who calls on His name shall be saved

ii. Our actions may be seen as a reflection of Christ’s teachings and desires.

1. Does Jesus only want the rich?

2. Do more riches = a closer relationship to God?

3. Prosperity preachers would have you think so…But that’s NOT scriptural

a. This teaching was born in the 1950’s

b. Was not taught by Jesus or disciples

c. It was not even discussed in the early church councils.

iii. If we are not careful, the Glory of God can be tainted by our partiality!

ILLUSTRATION

When I was an Elder at the Baptist church, years before I served as pastor, an elderly couple with a lot of money called me. They were upset with something that was taking place in the church.

They were both on the phone with me, expressing their displeasure and anger about some situation in the church.

I told them that the Board of Elders had already resolved this matter, but they were unhappy with the results and wanted more done. In fact, they demanded it.

Then the man said, “Do you know how much money I give the church each week?”

I replied, “No, I’m not the treasurer, and I couldn’t care less, to be honest.”

He angrily replied, “If you don’t do something, I’ll stop giving my money!”

I told him, “So. Stop giving. I don’t really care because that will be between you and God. You will not control myself or the Board of Elders with threats or money.”

He hung up on me.

Years later, he grew to love me, and I gained his respect. Then, a few years later, he detested me again, then loved me again, and so on.

His feelings toward me were always based on whether my words and deeds aligned with his desires rather than the Word of God, so it was always hot or cold with him.

Either way, I never allowed him to control or manipulate me. I stayed focused on the Word of God and pressed on regardless of how many haters I collected.

I genuinely do not care.

b. We become judges with evil thoughts.

i. When we show partiality, the Scripture says we become judges with evil thoughts.

ii. God hates unjust judges.

iii. Jesus warns about judging unjustly in Matthew 7, and points out we must be sure to make righteous judgments in John 7:24.

iv. Yes…we are called to judge.

v. Not only can we sin by showing partiality to those with money, but if we judge against the poor, due to our prejudice against them, we will find ourselves fighting against God!

Psalm 109:31 “For He stands at the right hand of the needy, To save him from those who judge his soul.”

Listen all you prosperity preachers. When you say being rich is a sign you are a saved child of God, you are also saying if you are poor you are not! You are judging the soul of the poor! And God stands at the right hand of the needy to save them from YOU!

c. We despise those God has honored

i. The gospel was proclaimed to the poor in Luke 7:22

ii. God has chosen the poor and those without in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

iii. God chooses to honor ALL

1. Acts 10:34-35 “I most truly comprehend now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the one who shows reverence to Him and does righteousness is welcome to Him.”

iv. When we show partiality to the rich, or because of a person's race, or ANY SOCIAL DISTINCTION, we despise those who God honors.

v. Who wants to face God and answer for this?

d. We will one day be judged by the Law of Liberty.

i. The Law of Liberty, also called the Law of Christ or Law of Love, is The Gospel!

1. A law that has set us free from the bondage of sin through the mercy shown in Christ - John 8:31-36

2. And a law that sets us free from man-made restrictions - Colossians 2:20-22

ii. But if we:

1. Apply man-made restrictions upon others (like showing partiality)

2. Or, do not show mercy toward others

3. ...then NO MERCY will be shown toward us!

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive people for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive people, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

CONCLUSION

So, do you show partiality towards or against others?

James 2:1 “My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.”

Romans 15:5-7 “Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

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