This exposition of James 2:1-13 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 24, 2019.
Intro:
I suppose it is natural to make judgments about people based on appearances. Let’s face it – it is hard not to. Don’t tell me you’ve never done that!
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On the way home from church or some other public place you’ve said, “Did you see what she was wearing? I don’t know why she would wear something like that. If I had hips like that I certainly wouldn’t wear something to call attention to them!” Or you see a man in a fine suit and you think, “I wonder who he is – he must be important.” A man in shabby clothes causes you to assume that he is some kind of bum. When we lived in Masham, I was at the mail box one afternoon when an old man came by in a beat up, rusted out 1965 model Chevrolet pickup. He stopped to talk for a few minutes. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in about a week. His coat was torn and his overalls had about a decades worth of grime on them. Later that afternoon I was talking to one of my deacons. I described the old man and ask if he knew him. The deacon said, “So you met Gilbert.” I asked if there was something we as a church could do to help the old man out. The deacon began to laugh. “Pastor, Gilbert made about a million dollars last year off of his oil wells.” I know that it is a cliché but “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
But we are all prone to snap judgments. We are all prone to make decisions based on assumption and then allow that assumption to dictate our treatment of individuals. It is this tendency that serves as the backdrop for our study this evening. Tonight I want us to consider the opening verses of James chapter 2.
Text: James 2:1-13
Chapter one ends with James admonishing his readers to be “doers” of the Word and not hearers only. In other words live out your faith.
Read James 1:19-25 – the folly of “believing” without “doing.”
1:26-27 – “worthless” faith.
This is the dominant note in James’ letter – real, genuine faith produces corresponding actions. Real faith works. The first 13 verses of chapter 2 illustrate that very point.
One thing is certain about this text – James “done quit preach’n and gone to meddl’n.”
Thesis: Genuine faith is no respecter of persons.
Genuine faith does not make distinctions among people.
It does not treat people differently based on perception.
Genuine faith reaches out to all with love and respect regardless of race, social standing or economic condition.
- The Principle Stated (2:1)
- The Principle Illustrated (2:2-4)
- The Sermon (2:5-11)
Conclusion:
A true and genuine faith is no respecter of persons.
What should you do?
Examine your life and relationships.
Do your part in making this a place where all people are welcome.
Reach out to those who are different from you.
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