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MONDAY NIGHT BIBLICAL STUDIES The Folly of Favoritism James 2:1-13 Lesson 4 Rev. Maurice A. Bates, M.T.S., Senior Pastor 1 The Epistle of James Series Faith That Works!

Faith That Works! Series

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The Folly of Favoritism - James 2:1-13

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Page 1: Faith That Works! Series

MONDAY NIGHT BIBLICAL STUDIES

The Folly of Favoritism James 2:1-13

Lesson 4

Rev. Maurice A. Bates, M.T.S., Senior Pastor

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The Epistle of James SeriesFaith That Works!

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James gives us very practical principles for a "faith that works." A "faith that works" shows up in how we ______________ people. Surveys have shown the number one reason visitors return to a church is they feel ______________. Every church thinks it is friendly because its members are friendly to their _____________. However, being friendly to the same people at church every Sunday forms a ______________. Few churches are really friendly. This passage from God's Word explains the folly of favoritism.

I. FAVORITISM IS _________________. (vv. 1-4)James writes: ‘My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” (2:1).

Favoritism is acting like a snob. A snob is A snob is: ___________________________________________________________________

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James illustrates snobbery by telling the ______________________ story of two strangers arriving at church at the same time.

HOW DOES VERSE 2 DESCRIBE THE TWO VISITORS?

Visitor #1: _________________________________________________

Visitor #2: _________________________________________________

NOTE: James is not criticizing this person for being wealthy or dressing up; he is pointing out the ________________. When people come to The Mount, we should look at them as God does. What does the last part of 1 Samuel 16:7 tell us? ___________________________________________________________________

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In verse 3, How does the church -- in this hypothetical illustration-- respond VISITOR #1?________________________________________________________________ What’s their responds to VISITOR #2?________________________________________________________________What this response basically infers is that he should stand over in the corner or sit on the floor where no one could see him. God's Word evaluates this behavior with this question: Are ye not then partial in yourselves (2:4a), meaning they are judging people based on __________ status. The wealthy man might be a _______________ or __________.

As believers in the LORD Jesus Christ, we must never forget what truth found in Galatians 3:28?_________________________________________________________________

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By judging people based on __________ class, we become judges of evil thoughts (Jas. 2:4b). If a judge in a court of law were to make his decision based on how people dressed rather than the facts of the case, everyone would agree such a judge was evil and his decision a gross miscarriage of justice. It is no less evil for us as believers to base our treatment of people on such superficial things as dress, economic status, sex, education, or race. James first tells us favoritism is snobbish and...

II. FAVORITISM IS _________________. (vv. 5-7)

In case James hasn't convinced us of the folly of favoritism, he writes: “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? But ye have despised the poor...” (2:5-6a). Let’s all make sure that we understand that this doesn't mean God is ___________ toward the poor. How does Romans 2:11 verify this? _________________________________________________________________

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However, the poor are generally more __________ to Christ and the __________. Usually the more a person _______—whether it is money, education, or status—the more _____________ that person feels and the more __________ to see his or her need for Christ. It was true in Jesus' time, and it's still true today. Even in our country, often the more prosperous we become, the more we _________________ from God.

To further show how irrational favoritism is, James asks three penetrating questions: QUESTION #1: Do not rich men oppress you? (James 2:6b).

In James' day many of the rich and powerful were Sadducees. Let’s look at a couple of passages in Acts to see if we can identify their actions against the church. (Acts 4:1-4; 5:17-18). The problem thus becomes that unless believers were careful, they could be giving special attention to their own ___________________.

QUESTION #2: Don't they draw you before the judgment seats? (2:6c).

In NT times it was common for a poor person needing a loan to borrow from a rich person at exorbitant interest rates, such as 50% APR or more. The lender would then show no _____________ if the loan were not paid on time. They could legally take the man, his wife, and children to be sold as slaves, possibly separating them so they would never see each other again. The Jews did this even though God forbade charging interest to fellow Jews (Ex 22:25). Also, what principle found in Proverbs 14:31 were they violating?_________________________________________________________________

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QUESTION #3: Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? (2:7).

This could also refer to the Sadducees who ______________________ Jesus while He was on earth and slandered and persecuted the early church. Like James' original readers, we too should be very careful not to give special attention to the ___________________ of Christ. Favoritism is snobbish, favoritism is silly, and...

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III. FAVORITISM IS _________________. (vv. 5-11)James continues: If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well (2:8). Favoritism is notoriously ____________ because it breaks the royal law, the supreme law governing human relationships: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. How does Galatians 5:14 describe the importance of this command?_________________________________________________________________

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James continues: “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (2:9). Showing favoritism to the ____________ and ___________ for the ___________ is not just a lack of courtesy or poor manners, it breaks the second greatest commandment of all (Mt 22:37-40). James emphasizes the seriousness of such behavior by writing: “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.” (2:10-11). This means no matter which command we break, we are breaking God's law. The God who told us not to commit adultery or murder is the same God who gave us the ___________ law.We only ____________ as much of the Bible as we ____________. If we fail to obey the second most important commandment in the Bible, what does that say about our real ____________ concerning the rest of God's Word and our love for Jesus Christ? How does Jesus answer this question in John 14:23a?_________________________________________________________________

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IV. FAVORITISM IS _________________. (vv. 12-13)James concludes this discussion with a solemn warning about the short-sightedness of favoritism: So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (2:12). As Christians, we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8), but we will be judged by the law of liberty. While no true believer will be condemned (Rom. 8:1), we will be judged. How does 2 Corinthians 5:10 reveal this fact?_________________________________________________________________

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There are ________ judgments. One is the judgment ____________ of ___________ at which all Christians will be judged. The other is the ________________________, where all ___________ people will be ____________ and ____________ their degree of ___________________ (Rev. 20:11-15). The ____________________ of Christ will be a time of ____________ for Christians, but it will also be a time of solemn ____________.

How does 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 summarize the works of the saint?_________________________________________________________________

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What will happen to all of our bogus works, represented by wood, hay, and stubble, according to 1 Corinthians 3:15?_________________________________________________________________

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Some people will get into heaven by the skin of their teeth, like a person fleeing his burning home to watch the accumulated possessions of a lifetime turn to ashes. Jesus warned us about a bogus faith that does righteous acts, such as going to ____________, being ____________, etc. just to be ____________ by others. What did He say would be the result in Matthew 6:1b?_________________________________________________________________

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James concludes: “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (2:13). A deeper evil is revealed in this verse: favoritism is evidence of an ______________ heart. At the judgment seat of Christ we will be judged by how we ____________ others (Mt 7:1). If we are merciful and do not show favoritism, what does Jesus promise us in Matthew 5:7?_________________________________________________________________

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The book of James is a "journey into faith that works" because it cuts through all the sham and snobbery, going beyond beliefs to what is really important—behavior. In this lesson we have seen the folly of favoritism because favoritism is snobbish, silly, sinful, and short-sighted. What can you do to avoid favoritism and better obey the royal law, beginning tonight?

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