Sermons by Ken D. Trivette
SERMONS FROM THE BOOK OF JAMES
ANYBODY & EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY
James 2:1-13
|
1. In His autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered becoming a Christian. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby Church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. However, when he entered the sanctuary, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his how people. Gandhi left the Church and never returned. He wrote, “If Christians have caste differences also, I might as well remain a Hindu.” (Our Daily Bread, March 6, 1994) 2. When we come to the James 2:1-13, we find that the subject of discrimination is addressed. You find in verse 1 the phrase, “respect of persons.” In verse 3 you see the phrase, “And ye have respect to him,” and in verse 9, “But if ye have respect to persons.” As well, you have the phrase, “Are ye not partial in yourselves” in verse 4. These phrases speak of showing favoritism and being discriminatory. 3. When we think of discrimination we usually think of racial discrimination. The subject of racial discrimination is one that touches practically every page of history and embraces practically every nation of the world. Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama; George Wallace blocking the entrance of the University of Alabama to black students; the student sit-in at a Woolworth’s diner in Greensboro, N.C.; the murder of three students in Mississippi; the marches of Martin Luther King all find their roots in the fight against racial discrimination in America. Racial discrimination is still a hot subject in America. Today, the terms “hate crimes” and “racial profiling” has become a part of the American vocabulary. 4. In my opinion the group that is the greatest victims of discrimination in America is Christians. Anti-Christian bigotry is accelerating at a rapid pace in this country. It has come to the place where anyone and anything can have a voice in America except the Christian. 5. I think of an organization called Lambda that advertises itself as a non-profit, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender agency with the mission, “to create social change and achieve fill civil rights, dignity, and self-respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals through education, youth advocacy, anti-violence efforts, and fighting discrimination of all forms, to achieve full participation in society of persons belonging to a sexual minority.” (Lambda Web Page, http://www.lambda.org/main.htm) 6. I know this is not popular, but I want to say that there is nothing dignified or self-respecting about a lifestyle that is immoral, sinful and clearly condemned by the Word of God. When I make that statement I am not being homophobic or discriminatory. I am simply being Biblical. 7. Groups like Lambda can promote their agenda, champion their cause, and have a voice in public life and woe be to the one that challenges them. However, if you are a Christian you are told that you must divorce your faith from all public life. During the past presidential elections, the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) condemned the presidential candidates for talking about their religion. How Berkowitz, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham Foxman, ADL National Director, said, “Public profession of religious beliefs should not become an elemental part of our political campaigns.” (Article entitled, “ADL to Presidential Candidates: Keep Emphasis on Religion Out of Campaign” December 20, 1999, ADL Web Page) 8. I think of a case in New York that involved a first grade teacher that refused to allow a six-year old student from reading a Bible story to his class. The mother of the first-grader sued the school and a New Jersey federal district judge ruled in the schools favor. The mother appealed on the ground that the boy’s rights to the free exercise of religion and free speech and been violated and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument, noting that public schools should have discretion “regarding what subjects are appropriate for elementary school classroom discussions.” In other words, a Bible story is inappropriate for elementary school children. 9. I could go on and on and what is so tragic is that this anti-Christian bigotry is all done in the name of the constitution and the separation of Church and State. Discrimination in this country is not just a racial issue. It is also a religious issue. 10. In case before us in the book of James, it is not Christians that are being discriminated, but the ones that are being discriminatory. Let’s notice what James has to say about discrimination. First we see that: 1.
Discrimination Is A Dishonor To Our Faith! 1. We read in verse 1, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” James tells us that discrimination on the part of a Christian is a contradiction and a dishonor to our faith. When he speaks of faith he is speaking of the relationship we have with the Lord Jesus because we have put our faith in Him as Saviour. Why is discrimination a dishonor to our faith? Notice first of all because of: A.
Who We Are
1. He calls us “brethren.” When we were saved we became a part of God’s family. As believers, we are brothers and sisters in the Lord. The Bible often speaks of saved people as children of God, which implies that we are brethren (spiritual brothers and sisters). Regardless of our race, skin color, occupations, vocations, or backgrounds, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. 2. In the 1800’s, a German
anthropologist, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, divided the human species into five
races: Caucasian (European), Mongolian (East Asians), Malayan (Southeast Asians
and Pacific Islanders), Ethiopians (sub-Saharan Africans), and Americans (Native
Americans). (15,000 Illustrations by Paul Lee Tan) 3. However, when God looks at his children He does not see Caucasian, Mongolian, Malayan, Ethiopians, and Americans. He sees us as His children. He sees us as brothers and sisters in Christ. 4. I think of a little story I read about two apples up in a tree that were looking down on the world. The first apple said, “Look at all those people fighting, robbing, and rioting. No one seems willing to get along with his fellow man. Someday we apples will be the only ones left. Then we will rule the world.” The second apple replied, “Which of us—the reds or greens.” 5. Unfortunately, people tend to look at people based on their race or the color of their skin. But God does not see black or white, red or yellow. He sees us as a redeemed people that comprise a spiritual family. 6. When we consider the fact that we are brethren, discrimination of the part of any Christian is a dishonor to our faith. Secondly, we see: B.
Whose We Are
1. We belong to the, “Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” We belong to the glorious one, the Lord Jesus Christ. When you think of Jesus you think of one that showed no favoritism or discrimination. You think of one that loved the whole world. He died for all men, regardless of who they were or what they had done. 2. The Bible often speaks of a lack of favoritism or discrimination on the part of God. We read: Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Acts 10:34, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” Ephesians 6:9, “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” 3. Thank God He is no respecter of persons. If God had shown favoritism, there are some of us that I am sure would have been left out of His offer of salvation. If Jesus had been discriminatory, He would not have died for the sins of the whole world. I am part of God’s family because God is no respecter of persons. 4. God loves the world—all colors, all conditions, all circumstances, all climes, all castes, and all classes. He does not discriminate. When you consider the fact that we belong to One who never showed favoritism or discrimination, it is a dishonor to our faith when we are discriminatory. 5. Secondly, notice that: 2.
Discrimination Is A Disgrace To Our Fellowship! 1. Beginning in verse 2, James takes us into a Church service. We find the word “assembly” which indicates that what he is about to say involves discrimination being found in the Church. At the very beginning let me say, there is one place discrimination should never be found and that is in the Church. 2. David Jeremiah in his book on James tells a story about a Sunday morning in the Bel Aire Presbyterian Church where Ronald Reagan and Nancy attended Church when he was governor of California. When in attendance, the Reagan’s usually sat in the same seats just off the center aisle about two-thirds of the way into the sanctuary. On this particular morning the governor and his wife were late and by the time they got there, two college students were sitting in those seats. An usher came down the aisle and asked the students if they would take different seats. They moved, and the Reagan’s were brought in and seated. The pastor of the church, got up and left the platform, walked down and over the college students and said, “As long as I am pastor of this Church, that will never happen to you again.” (Turning Toward Integrity by David Jeremiah) 3. I applaud that pastor because I don’t care if it is the president of the United States; the church is not a place to show favoritism or discrimination. In the church, anybody and everybody should be somebody. 4. Rick Warren said that there are at least five areas where we as believers can be tempted to discriminate:
5. In the case before us in James, the church discriminated on the basis of appearance and affluence. Notice with me: A.
A Illustration Of The Practice Of Discrimination
1. In verses 2-3 James describes the discrimination this church was showing. We read, “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool.” 2. James describes two different people that came into the church. He seems to suggest that they were visitors to their services. One was dressed in fine clothing and jewelry. The other was dressed in shabby clothes. The one that was dressed in fine clothes and jewelry was give the royal treatment. He was ushered to the best seat in the building. Yet, the visitor dressed in shabby clothing was even offered a seat, but was told to stand or sit in the floor. 3. Guy King titles his chapter on this passage, “The Short-Sighted Usher.” It was simply a case of showing favoritism to one and being discriminatory to the other based on how appearance and affluence. 4. Notice secondly: B.
A Condemnation Of The Presence Of Discrimination
1. What does James say about how they treated one above the other? He says in verse 4, “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” He condemns their partiality and discrimination. 2. First he condemns how they treated the one as somebody. They gave the one visitor the royal treatment just because he was dressed in nice clothes and wore expensive rings. He had the appearance of affluence and they treated him as such. 3. Furthermore, he condemns how they treated the other as nobody. The fellow that came in wearing shabby clothes was treated as if he was nobody. Instead of offering him a seat they told him to stand and if he wanted to sit down, he could sit in the floor. They treated him as a nobody simply because of his appearance. 4. James says they had “become judges of evil thoughts.” The word “thoughts” speaks of motives. Maybe they thought, “We are in a building program and if we treat this fellow right, he drop a nice check in the offering plate.” When they saw the other shabby dressed fellow, they saw one that could not help them. It may have been a case where they did not care if his kind came to their church. Whatever the case, their motives were wrong. 5. If a judge that sits on a bench allows what a defendant looks like or dresses like affect his decision, it would be a terrible injustice to justice. To render a verdict in favor of the defendant just because they are rich, popular, or affluent would be a verdict rendered with the wrong motive. James says, “You have become like a judge that renders a decision based on appearance and affluence.” 6. I can
only speak for Temple Baptist Church, but everyone is welcome here. There is no
member more important than another. We have people from all walks of life that
attend here. But when people walk through the doors into this auditorium, they
leave their titles and reputations outside. The person that has nothing is just
as welcome here as the person that has everything. God forbid that we ever treat
someone above another just because of who they are or what they have. As long as
I am pastor here, there will be no restrictions of who can attend here
regardless of race or riches and all will be treated equally. 7. After condemning their discrimination, James reminds them in verse 5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” They treated the poor with disrespect, but James tells them that God has special interest and blessings for the poor. 8. Throughout the Bible, we see that God shows special concern to those that are poor. In the Old Testament, God made special provisions for the poor when it came to the sacrifices. If a person could not afford to bring a bullock, goat, or sheep, they good offer a turtledove or pigeon. God made it possible that even the poor could offer a sacrifice. 9. Also, every seventh year all debts would be cancelled in order to help the poor. When the fields were harvested, the corners of the field were to be left so the poor could glean food for themselves. The poor were never to be charged interest on a loan. If they had to sell their property, a kinsman was to redeem it for them. God established certain provisions and protections for the poor. 10. When it came to their faith, they may be poor materially and financially, but they were rich spiritually. They were rich in faith and were heirs of the kingdom of God. God did not favor the poor over the rich nor love the poor more than the rich, but He did look on their circumstances with great interest and care. 11. James says in verse 6, “But ye have despised the poor.” The word “despised” speaks of how they dishonored and mistreated the poor. James says, “You have mistreated and acted discriminatory toward the very people God treats with special blessings.” He was showing them how disgraceful was their discrimination. 12. He adds in verse 6 and 7, “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” James asks, “Is it not the rich that oppress you?” The word “oppress” mean’s to tyrannize, to exercise inordinate power over others. James reminds them that the very people they are showing favoritism to is the very class of people that had been running roughshod over them. 13. He says, “The very class of people they are catering to is the very class that is dragging you into courts to sue you of what you have. On top of that, they are the ones that depreciate your faith and blaspheme the name of your Saviour, by which you are called." They very class of people they were showing favoritism was the class that was abusing them. 14. Again, James is showing how disgraceful discrimination is in the Church. As I said earlier, the church should be the one place that is free from discrimination. In the Church anybody and everybody should be somebody. Rich or poor, new suit or old clothes; no one should be treated as a nobody but everybody as somebody. 15. Finally we see that: 3.
Discrimination Is A Disservice To Our Future! 1. For a moment skip down to verse 12, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James reminds them that one day they will be judged. He reminds them that one day the Lord will judge them. He reminds them that one day the Lord will judge discrimination. 2. The fact that discrimination will one day be judged of the Lord makes us look at discrimination in a different light. Someone might say, “Well, preacher, I can’t help but feel the way I do for it’s the way I grew up. Where I grew up, everybody felt that way.” My answer to that would be that it may have been what you grew up in but you better grow out of it. Why? Notice: A.
The Sinfulness Of Discrimination
1. We read in verse 8, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” James calls the command to love your neighbor as yourself the royal law. He no doubt called it that based on what Jesus had said. 2. In Matthew 22, a Pharisee, had asked Jesus the question, “Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law” (Mt. 22:36). The purpose of the question was to trip Jesus up, but the answer He gave is classic: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mt. 22:37-38). 3. What Jesus did in that answer was give a summary of the Ten Commandments. The first four of Ten Commandments are covered in the statement, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” If a man loves the Lord in such a way he will not put any other gods before him, he will not worship idols, misuse the name of the Lord and will keep the Sabbath holy. 4. The rest of the commandments are summarized in the statement, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” If a man loves his neighbor as himself, he will honor his father and mother. He will not commit murder or steal. He will not commit adultery or give false testimony against his neighbor and will not covet what his neighbor has. 5. James says if a person will love his neighbor as himself, that is treat him with respect and without favoritism, he does well. But if not, we read in verse 9 “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” Shooting straight from the hip, James says discrimination is a sin. It is a violation of God’s Royal law. 6. In case someone might say, “Well, I know I should not feel this way about others, but it is not as bad as some sins I could be guilty of,” James says in verses 10-11, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” 7. All sins are not in the same category and have the same magnitude, but if you break one law, any law, you still are guilty of breaking the law and have sinned. Just because you don’t break certain laws doesn’t excuse you when you break others. Whatever law you break is sin. Since the Royal Law of loving your neighbor as yourself covers all the Commandments that relate to our relationship with others, to break one is to break them all. It is sin! 8. Since we know that God will not condone sin, then secondly you consider: B.
The Seriousness Of Discrimination
1. Again I bring you back to verse 12, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” One day God will judge our sins. James says we need to speak and act as people that one day will face God with what we say and how we behave. This makes discrimination a very serious matter. 2. In fact, notice verse 13, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James says that if we do no show mercy, we will be shown no mercy. But if we show mercy, mercy will triumph or we will be able to rejoice in the Day of Judgment. 3. How does discrimination affect our future? It will not cause us to lose our salvation but it will affect our reward and what our reaction will be when we stand before the Lord. 4. To sum it all up, there is no place for discrimination is either our personal lives or our churches. It should not matter to us who a person is, where they are from, or what they have. For the Christian and for the Church, anybody and everybody should be treated as somebody. |