All the Poor and Powerless | Jason Ricafranca | James 2:1-7
What makes one person seem more important than another?
We may not consciously rank the people around us, but I think it's pretty easy/natural for us to make judgments about others. For instance... we notice what people wear, how they speak, who they know, what they believe — and sometimes, almost without realizing it, we decide in our hearts who deserves attention and who doesn’t.
This is something that we'll be looking at this weekend in James. In James 2:1–7, we'll look at how the church responded to two specific people who entered the room: One was welcomed with attention and offered a good seat. The other was told to stand off to the side or sit on the floor. And James asks this pertinent question: “Doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?” (James 2:4, NLT)
This Sunday, we'll take a look at the sin of partiality and favoritism and will be challenged to consider the perspective of Christ towards those who are poor and powerless. I'm looking forward to getting into this passage together with you!
- Pastor Jason
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach
James 2:1-7
The Sin of Partiality
2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 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, 3 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,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 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? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?