Bridge Church Madisonville
Connect with God, with Friends, with a Mission Greater than Yourself. Join us at 10am on Sunday's at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum in Madisonville to make your life changing connections.
This Fall, we're taking on an extended study of the Book of James called Pressure Points. In our history, Bridge Church has done whole book studies of Nehemiah, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John. James is a great book for people at all levels of Spiritual Maturity. Looking forward to digging in this Fall.
Background:
- Written by James, the brother of Jesus around AD 45
- James may have not been a believer in Jesus as Messiah until after the resurrection
- Written to counteract a belief that Christians had no responsibility to grow and serve.
- Definitive description of the relationship between faith and works in the Christian life.
- James was martyred in AD 62.
James’ concern was Real Faith vs. Dead Faith. And he gives us 11 key what I’m calling pressure points to tests our faith.
How Does Your Faith Respond to Certain Pressures and Conditions? Our hearts response determines spiritual life and maturity and a path to spiritual health.
In Spiritual Growth, the needle is the word of God and the will of God, and it probes our hearts and souls to create the conditions for life and spiritual health.
Some of the challenges: Is my faith real, alive, active?Am I maturing, growing, moving forward in faith? Does my life demonstrate the character of someone who Christ indwells? If not, how can I get on track for spiritual growth?
Pressure Point #4: FAVORITISM - James 2:1-13
How Do You Respond to the rich & poor?
James 2:1-13 ESV
What is Favoritism?
1. Favoritism is making a distinction in VALUE based on specific STANDARDS. verse 2-4
-Am I judging people based on worldly standards?
2. Favoritism is a SIN. verse 9
-The seat isn’t the problem. The problem is the value we’re communicating with our actions.
-What I believe about my value is displayed in the way I treat others.
-Where I find my value, is where I find value in others.
What is the effect of favoritism?
1. Our MOTIVES are revealed. verse 4
-The hope of favoritism is reciprocity.
What does the way I treat others say about my motives??
2. Favoritism leads to DIVISION. verse 2-4
-A diverse church, without unity in their purpose (the gospel), is a church that can expect division.
-If we want to protect ourselves from being a divided congregation. We’ve got to protect our unity.
What is the antidote to Favoritism?
-LOVE your neighbor as yourself. verse 8
-This has been God’s standard from the beginning
-Choose MERCY over JUDGMENT. verse 13
-If you want to fight against favoritism, be a person of mercy.
Next Steps:
>>Are you judging people based on your own standards? On the standards of the world around you?
-Who’s eyes are you seeing people through?
>>Where do you find your value? Riches, education, beauty?
-What you believe about your value is displayed in the way you treat others.
>>What does the way I treat others say about my motives??
-Do I help others because I want other people to think highly of me?
-Do I help others because I’m hoping that they will return the favor?
>>Am I promoting unity around the gospel? Or am I a person that’s creating division?
>>What is your response to the mercy that’s been given to you?
-Are you a person of mercy? Extending compassion through action to those in need?
