James Pt. 4: Judgement/Mercy

Hope Fellowship Church Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2018 ========== James: Judgement / Mercy James is a book of timeless wisdom for practical living. It tackles real issues and struggles, that we will face in life, like temptation, wisdom, self-control, anger, arrogance, suffering, and so much more. James challenges our character and calls us to action directed by our faith. James takes principles and makes them practical. ========== James is about trusting in progress, not perfection. · Progress results from a deeper understanding of the nature and character of God. · Progress results from a deeper understanding of how God sees us. · Progress results from a deeper understanding of the power of the Gospel to transform our lives. James 1:26-27 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. The law of love, and the law of liberty. 1. The What James 2:1-3 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," The what - Don't show partiality. Partiality in the text is not so much about favoritism as it is discrimination. 2. The Why James 2:4-5 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? The why - We dishonor God and our brother, thus revealing that we don't understand the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. We were not saved because of how awesome we are; thus, our demand that others meet our criteria of awesomeness is anti-gospel. James 2:6-7 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? 3. The Better Way James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. God's not trying to flex His might against us; He's inviting us into a better way. James 2:9-11 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. James 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith without mercy towards others isn't genuine faith. The better way – Remember the victory of God’s mercy in your own life and be merciful to others. Let mercy reign among us. Generosity You can give online by clicking the link below. We thank you so much for all of your generosity! http://www.hopeinanderson.com/generosity Thanks for Joining Us! Thanks for being with us this week. To find out more about Hope, check out our website. http://www.hopeinanderson.com