BUILT DIFFERENT – BUILT FOR PEOPLE

BUILT DIFFERENT – BUILT FOR PEOPLE

LET ME STATE THE OBVIOUS:

Faith is never just , it always shows up .
You can’t love God and treat people .
We can’t claim faith and show love.

JAMES IS WRITING TO BELIEVERS WHO ARE:

• .
• .
• .
• .

HARSH REALITY: James calls out not as bad manners but as faith.

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? ² For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. ³ If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, ⁴ doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

James 2:1-4

GUIDING TRUTH: If love isn’t into our faith the whole thing .

NOT PLAYING FAVORITES

1. love is a failure.

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

James 2:1

         2. Don’t what God .

• God has always towards the .

But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

James 2:9

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

Acts 10:34

God isn’t impressed by:

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• .
• .
• .

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: If a person values people based on what they bring instead of who they are—James says that’s not built , it’s built .

         3. Love is not when it comes to people.

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: Love your neighbor as yourself.

James 2:8

THE WORD ROYAL MEANS:

• .
• .
• .

You don’t get to opt out of love and expect to have strong .

Because faith without love is faith without .

          4. is a true of our maturity.

…Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:12-13

Mature faith doesn’t rush to but leans toward .

         5. The world is our faith in .

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16

A shaky world doesn’t need Christians they need more Christians.

JAMES IS DECLARING: If your faith only works for people who look like you it doesn’t work at all.

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I Samuel 16:7

STRONG FAITH NOT FAVORITISM

• Patience with .
• Grace in our .
• under pressure.
• not condemnation.
• Assume the not the .

CLOSING CHALLENGE: Who is the hardest for you to love ?

How can you your to them this week?