September 23, 2018

​

​

Making Faith Reality

1. With real faith we won't discriminate based on external appearances. Don' t show favoritism.

2. Look at the underdog with compassion

3. Treat others with the same mercy we desire to be treated with

 

Main Verse:

​

James 2:1-13

My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, 3 if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” 4 haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 Yet you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the rich oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Don’t they blaspheme the good name that was invoked over you?

8 Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 9 If, however, you show favoritism,you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

​

​

Supporting Verses:

​

2 Timothy 3:16-17

​

 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

​

Hebrews 11:1

​

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

​

2 Peter 1:16

​

For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

​

1 Samuel 16:7

​

 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

​

John 12:8

​

For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

​

Luke 6:20

​

Then looking up at his disciples, he said:

Blessed are you who are poor,
because the kingdom of God is yours.

​

Philippians 2:3-4

​

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

​

Galatians 3:28

​

There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all onein Christ Jesus.

​

Psalm 41:1

​

Happy is one who is considerate of the poor;
the Lord will save him in a day of adversity.

​

Proverbs 24:23

​

These sayings also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

​

Proverbs 28:27

​

The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away
will receive many curses.

​

Proverbs 14:31

​

The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,
but one who is kind to the needy honors him.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Read more at Bible Gateway

​

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.