SERMON NOTES
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James 2:1-13
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
1. When you size up people, practice equity. (v. 1-9)
2. When you size up people, measure carefully. (v. 10-11)
3. When you size up people, show mercy. (v. 12-13)
GROUP STUDY
MEMORIZE
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13
READ
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REVIEW
What led James to discuss the topic of showing partiality in the churches he was addressing?
Which standard of measurement is the only acceptable guideline for us to use when we self-evaluate our ownspiritual development?
How does James’ explanation of mercy compare to Jesus’ declaration in Matthew 5:17 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
REFLECT
How does Galatians 3:26-29 correlate with James 1:1-9?
How does the practice of spiritual equity differ from the presence of equal opportunity?
Why should we only self-evaluate and not make attempts to determine someone else’s spiritual progress?
How or why does mercy triumph over judgement?
RESPOND
Do the words of James 2:1-13 point out to you any misguided judgments you make about people of another economic status, religious belief, or ethnicity?
What are some practical ways you can demonstrate mercy in your relationships with those who are very close to you and/or those who are strangers to you?