Be MatureRich Man, Poor Man

Chapter 5James 2:1-13

• Theme of James – Practice the truth– Immature people talk about faith while mature people

live the faith– Hearing or talking about God’s Word is never a

substitute for doing God’s Word– Statement of faith and covenant– The way we behave toward people indicates what we

believe about God

• Four Basics Doctrines– The Deity of Christ (2:1-4)

• Jesus did not respect persons (favoritism)– Jesus looks at the heart, not outward appearance– Poor widow vs. Pharisees– Matthew, tax collector– Look at the potential

• Paul lost support from Christians due to his past, but Barnabas barged in to show the potential

– We intend to judge people by the past, not their future• Human relationship/ divine fellowship• Jesus, the friend of publicans and sinners• Compassion/ not compromise• Jesus was despised and rejected (Isa 53:1-3)• Jesus, the glory of God

– His presence (John 1:14)– In believers (I Cor. 6:19-20)– In church collectively (Eph. 2:21-22)

• How do we practice the deity of Christ?– Look at everyone through the eyes of Christ

» Christian – Christ lives in them» Sinners – Christ died for them

– The Grace of God• God ignores national differences (Acts 10:34)

– Jews/Gentiles• God ignores social difference

– Rich/poor, master/slaves

• Human point of view – I Cor. 26-27– God chooses the poor over rich

– The Word of God (2:8-11)• Our lives and ministries are the best defense• D. L. Moody – Every Bible should be bound in shoe

leather.• Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself – Lev. 19:18• Matter of opportunity, not geography• To whom can I be a neighbor?• Royal law – love thy neighbor

– Given by the King; in law by Father– Son reaffirmed to His disciples (John 13:34)– Holy Spirit filled our hearts with love (Rom 5:5)

• It rules all other laws; love is fulfilling of the laws (Rom 13:19)

• Obeying it makes you a king– Out of love, not fear– Hatred makes us slaves while love sets us free

from selfishness• Respect of persons, or favoritism

– Disobedience of all of God’s laws– Christian love always builds up (I Cor 8:1)

– The Judgment of God• Statement of faith ends with the return of Christ and

final judgment

• Our words will be judged (Matt 12:34-37)• Our deeds will be judged (Col 3:22-25)

– God remembers our sins no more (Heb 10-17), but our sins affect our character and works

» David• Our attitudes will be judged (2:13)

– Mercy and justice– Judged by the law of liberty– Law purposes for liberty

» Outward discipline/inward discipline» License – do whatever I choose» Liberty – freedom to be all I can be in Jesus Christ» License – confinement while liberty – fulfillment

– Word of God is called the law of liberty» Rules/God’s Word

• Main Point: Our beliefs should control our behaviors