WEBVTT

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 Don't judge a book by its cover.

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 This is what my primary school teacher in my class told me time and time again

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 every time we had a library lesson.

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 Does anyone remember library lessons back in primary school?

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 You have like one morning every single week

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 and we would go to the library to read a book.

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 Our teacher would read a book to us, a classic children's book,

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 and she would encourage us to read it together

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 and tell us how great this book was

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 and the importance of not judging a book by its cover.

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 My teacher constantly hammered this idea to us as kids, as children,

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 because she said that it was important that we realise

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 that what's important is the content of a book, not its cover.

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 You can't judge a book or base a book on its cover.

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 It has to be on its content.

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 Now this didn't really work for me.

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 I always judged a book by its cover because I hated reading.

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 So anything with words in it didn't really work for me.

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 And so to me, if a book's cover was very exciting and very colourful,

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 plus if it was very big,

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 it most likely meant this book had less words and more pictures.

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 See, I didn't mind books with lots of pictures in them.

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 It was just the words I didn't like.

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 And so whilst my primary school teacher is telling me and telling our class

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 about books and about the importance of reading a book,

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 not judging it by its cover,

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 I'm eyeing off the Where's Wally book in the shelf across from her

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 and looking forward to reading it

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 because Where's Wally was a fantastic cover,

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 very exciting, very colourful,

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 and also it was very big.

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 So, you know, put the four of them together,

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 a big book, exciting cover,

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 most likely not many words.

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 And in this case, no words in Where's Wally,

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 and just pictures.

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 It was fantastic.

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 And so I would go and borrow the book after class,

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 after reading with the teacher,

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 and my teacher would come up to me and go,

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 oh, again, James, with the Where's Wally.

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 Far out.

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 When are you going to learn?

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 And that's where I told her,

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 don't judge a book by its cover, okay?

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 This phrase, don't judge a book by its cover,

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 is not just one we use in regards to books.

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 It's a lesson that we learn as children growing up

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 in regards to many areas of our life.

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 We're taught to not judge something based off its appearance,

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 that therefore we should give people a chance

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 and that we should give jobs a go

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 and give that sport a try.

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 We're taught not to make judgments off the appearance,

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 but to actually see for itself and explore for itself

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 if it's worth it by the content.

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 But being taught to think this way is one thing.

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 The question is,

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 do we actually live in a world that practices this idea

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 where we don't judge a book by its cover,

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 but by its content?

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 We don't judge something on its appearance,

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 but by our experience and our exploration into what it is.

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 I'm not sure if we do.

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 And I think, and I imagine most of you would agree with me.

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 You don't need to look very far to see this.

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 I mean, most glossy magazines have story after story

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 about how to lose the most weight the fastest,

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 what celebrity look will look best for you this summer,

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 how to get that bikini body ready for summer,

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 how to get those ripped abs in four weeks,

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 how to grow that perfect beard,

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 which I am beginning to perfect, as you can see.

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 You don't see many articles on how to shed greed in 10 weeks

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 or 10 easy steps,

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 how to become a man of integrity in four weeks,

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 the top 10 secret tips celebrities don't want you to know about

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 to become a more compassionate and patient person.

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 The world is not interested in the content of a person's character.

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 What matters to the world is a person's image.

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 We might exist in the world that teaches children not to judge a book by its cover,

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 but the reality is our children are growing up in a world that teaches them the exact opposite.

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 We are in the middle of a series titled The End of Hypocrisy,

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 a series going through the book of James

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 as he deals with one of the most prominent issues in Christianity,

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 hypocrisy.

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 James writes his letter to believers scattered across the world

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 because he is convicted that the gospel message impacts us in a profound way,

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 that when someone is confronted with the resurrected Lord Jesus as he was,

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 it changes everything and transforms our lives forever.

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 And here in chapter 2, we once again are confronted with this reality.

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 It reads in verse 1,

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 Glorious is the key word here.

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 Whenever in the New Testament someone speaks of Jesus' glory,

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 most of the time they are referring to his resurrected state.

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 When Jesus was on the Emmaus Road,

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 he meets two people and he walks with them,

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 and he says to them,

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 did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?

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 Talking about his resurrection.

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 Paul, in Philippians 3,

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 describes Jesus' resurrection body as literally the body of glory.

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 And so James is making the point explicitly

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 that no one who holds faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus,

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 no one who has been impacted by the resurrection of Jesus,

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 the glorious Lord Jesus,

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 shows favoritism

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 or judges a book by its cover.

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 James provides us with a corrective

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 saying those who have been impacted by the resurrection

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 don't show favoritism.

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 Those who have been saved by grace

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 have been enabled by God's Spirit

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 to live the life God has called them to live.

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 The whole point of this chapter

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 is to point towards the fact that

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 people who have been saved by grace,

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 people who have been impacted

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 in a profound way by the gospel,

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 by the resurrection of Jesus,

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 do not show favoritism.

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 So as we look at this,

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 let's now dive into the text

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 and see how James unpacks this idea.

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 First, he sets up a scene in verses 2 and 3.

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 I'll read it out for us.

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 Suppose a man comes into your meeting

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 wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,

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 and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.

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 If you show special attention to the man

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 wearing fine clothes and say,

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 here's a good seat for you,

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 but say to the poor man,

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 you stand there or sit on the floor by my feet,

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 have you not discriminate among yourselves

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 and become judges with evil thoughts?

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 James provides an example of favoritism

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 that might take place in the local gathering.

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 Believers here are measuring

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 people based off their appearance

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 and social status.

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 They are judging a book by its cover,

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 not its content.

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 They are drawn to those with money,

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 with social power,

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 and are indifferent or even repulsed

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 by those who walk into the meeting

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 wearing rags and filthy clothes.

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 What we have here in this example of religion

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 is a live example of religion

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 that is totally opposite to that of James 1.27,

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 which says,

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 The believers in the example here

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 have obviously failed at this.

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 They have neglected the poor,

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 the widow,

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 the orphan,

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 and decided to show favoritism

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 towards the rich and wealthy

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 who look like they can contribute

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 to their church more beneficially.

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 In so doing,

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 they've shown and proven

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 that they are polluted

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 by the world's influences,

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 that their church has become worldly

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 instead of godly,

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 instead of being impacted

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 by the resurrection of Jesus.

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 He, James, describes a church

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 that has become polluted,

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 whose religion is worthless

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 and unacceptable.

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 It is contradictory to a faith

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 that is in the Lord Jesus,

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 the glorious Lord Jesus.

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 And so he concludes in verse 4,

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 Have you not discriminated among yourselves

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 and become judges with evil thoughts?

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 For James,

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 you really can't get worse than this.

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 Being a church that treats the poor

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 and outcast with disdain

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 in order to keep the rich

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 and powerful happy

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 is considered evil.

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 To measure someone's wealth

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 and value

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 when the church has been bought

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 with the precious blood of Christ,

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 which we are told in 1 Peter,

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 is more precious than gold

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 or any material thing,

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 is evil.

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 It is sickening.

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 And no doubt,

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 this problem exists

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 in the church today.

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 The moment we see someone among us

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 who is a bit awkward,

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 a bit odd,

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 and we avoid them,

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 in that moment,

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 we've become judges

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 with evil thoughts.

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 People who have been polluted

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 by the world.

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 The moment we see someone

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 who looks really nice,

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 maybe quite attractive,

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 someone who looks competent socially,

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 whether new or not,

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 and we make an effort

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 to serve them

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 and to meet their needs

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 over and above

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 the other person

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 who's awkward,

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 in that moment,

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 we become judges

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 with evil thoughts.

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 We've become polluted

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 by the world.

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 It's a strong conclusion

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 to make about us.

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 Because we might do this

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 every single time we meet.

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 And the conclusion James is making out

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 is that if you do this,

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 if you're showing discrimination

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 amongst the poor

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 and the rich,

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 then you've become

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 a judge

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 with evil thoughts.

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 James responds to this scene

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 in two ways.

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 To help us see

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 how favoritism

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 does not belong

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 in the place of those

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 who have been impacted

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 by the resurrection.

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 He points out,

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 he does this in two ways.

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 He firstly points out

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 the irony

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 of the whole situation

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 and then he points out

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 the hypocrisy

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 in a much broader way.

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 So firstly,

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 the irony.

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 Verse 5 says this,

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 Listen,

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 my dear brothers and sisters,

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 has not God chosen

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 those who are poor

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 in the eyes of the world

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 to be rich in faith

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 and to inherit the kingdom

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 he promised

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 those who loved him?

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 But you have dishonored

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 the poor.

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 It's not the rich

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 who are exploiting you.

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 Are they not the ones

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 who are dragging you

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 into court?

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 Are they not the ones

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 who are blaspheming

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 the noble name of him

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 to whom you belong?

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 James firstly points out

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 the way God views the poor

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 and if he wasn't clear enough

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 back in chapter 1,

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 he is very clear here.

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 God has chosen the poor

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 in the eyes of the world

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 to be rich in faith.

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 He has saved them

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 so they can enjoy

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 a relationship with him forever.

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 And he has chosen them

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 out of the world

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 to have that privilege.

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 We can note

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 a couple of things here.

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 Number one,

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 poor people

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 becoming Christians

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 is evidence

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 of God's big heart

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 for them.

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 No one can come

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 to saving faith

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 on their own.

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 And indeed,

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 in a worldly sense,

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 if anyone is so unable

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 to save

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 or help themselves,

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 it's the poor.

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 And so therefore,

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 God choosing

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 to save them

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 shows his profound

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 care and love

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 for the poor.

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 Number two,

00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.000
 he points out

00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.100
 the measure

00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.700
 of one's true wealth.

00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:40.820
 That it's not

00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:42.059
 in material things.

00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:43.340
 But as we saw

00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.379
 back in chapter 1,

00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.059
 when we are impacted

00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:48.320
 by gospel wisdom,

00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.419
 we see that true value

00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.259
 and true wealth

00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:53.059
 is found in faith.

00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.599
 it's found

00:12:54.599 --> 00:12:55.759
 in eternal,

00:12:56.219 --> 00:12:57.019
 heavenly things,

00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.339
 not material,

00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.099
 temporary things.

00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:02.459
 And we are told here,

00:13:02.579 --> 00:13:03.679
 the poor are now

00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:05.279
 considered to be rich

00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.159
 in these heavenly things.

00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:07.500
 That is,

00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.199
 rich in faith.

00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.459
 James is pointing out

00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:13.199
 the ironic

00:13:13.199 --> 00:13:14.859
 and tragic reality

00:13:14.859 --> 00:13:15.559
 that believers

00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.599
 of the glorious

00:13:16.599 --> 00:13:17.939
 Lord Jesus Christ

00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.680
 would show favour

00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:21.740
 towards the rich

00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.100
 and dishonour

00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:24.000
 the poor.

00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:25.680
 It's ironic

00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:26.940
 that we could have

00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:27.580
 a faith

00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.340
 in a Lord

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.300
 and Saviour

00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:31.280
 who is immeasurably

00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:32.080
 more valuable

00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:33.040
 and glorious

00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:33.660
 than us,

00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.380
 who indeed

00:13:34.380 --> 00:13:35.020
 is the one

00:13:35.020 --> 00:13:36.360
 who gives us value

00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.560
 by shedding

00:13:37.560 --> 00:13:38.300
 his blood

00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:39.520
 for us.

00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:40.580
 And yet,

00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:42.500
 we show favouritism.

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:45.120
 How dare we

00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.480
 make ourselves judge

00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.700
 and decide

00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:48.639
 who is valuable

00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.000
 and who isn't

00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.019
 when the judge

00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:52.539
 himself

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.159
 was the one

00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.559
 who died for us

00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:55.500
 not showing

00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.179
 fairitism

00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:57.659
 that we would know

00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.679
 our true value,

00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.519
 that we would be saved.

00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.440
 How dare we

00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:03.559
 decide that we are judges?

00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.320
 And the tragic irony

00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.000
 continues.

00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:08.919
 It gets worse.

00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.679
 Verses 6-7,

00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.639
 focusing on how

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.659
 the rich respond.

00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:13.839
 Is not the rich

00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:15.339
 who are exploiting you

00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:16.419
 and the ones

00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:17.379
 who are dragging you

00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:17.819
 into court,

00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:19.159
 are they not the ones

00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.099
 who are blaspheming

00:14:20.099 --> 00:14:20.799
 in the noble name

00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.239
 of him

00:14:21.239 --> 00:14:23.099
 to whom you belong?

00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.019
 When we act

00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:26.379
 in a worldly way,

00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.279
 judging people

00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:30.579
 by a worldly standard,

00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:32.199
 we should expect

00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:34.279
 worldly consequences.

00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.279
 The rich here

00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.199
 in James' time

00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:38.139
 were worldly.

00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.479
 These aren't

00:14:39.479 --> 00:14:40.579
 necessarily rich

00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.259
 Christians.

00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.820
 These are rich people

00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.240
 who are not transformed

00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.639
 by the gospel

00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.300
 and the wisdom

00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:46.940
 of the gospel.

00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:48.259
 They thought of themselves

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.259
 very highly

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:51.440
 because of their wealth.

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.000
 They felt entitled.

00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.400
 They did whatever

00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:55.139
 they wanted,

00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.480
 being motivated

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.420
 by their wealth.

00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.960
 And the thing is,

00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:00.120
 the believers here

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.560
 in the letter of James,

00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.200
 presumably poor believers,

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.420
 perpetuated this idea

00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.700
 of their importance,

00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.780
 of their entitlement.

00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:10.799
 by favouring the rich

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.879
 and powerful,

00:15:12.839 --> 00:15:13.779
 they treated them

00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.740
 in the same way

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.679
 the rest of the world

00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.620
 treats them.

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.480
 They sucked up to them.

00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.720
 They gave them

00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.519
 whatever they wanted.

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:23.819
 And therefore,

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.679
 it invited upon themselves

00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.379
 the same kind

00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.059
 of treatment

00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:28.799
 the rich

00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:30.039
 gives to the rest

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.480
 of the world

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.819
 and to the poor.

00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:36.360
 And so,

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.160
 pointing out

00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:38.020
 this irony,

00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:39.360
 James is pretty much

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:39.720
 saying,

00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:41.140
 stop favouring

00:15:41.140 --> 00:15:42.060
 those who are

00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:42.940
 making your life

00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.520
 difficult.

00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.200
 Stop treating

00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:46.140
 people on a

00:15:46.140 --> 00:15:47.540
 worldly scale.

00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.900
 It's doing you

00:15:48.900 --> 00:15:49.480
 no good.

00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.260
 Look,

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.200
 the poor are left

00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:51.960
 uncared for

00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.680
 and unloved

00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.680
 and the rich

00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.700
 are exploiting you.

00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.940
 They're blaspheming

00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:57.000
 the very God

00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.900
 that you worship.

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.360
 it's not working.

00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.819
 It can be tempting

00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.919
 for us as a church

00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.579
 to not see this,

00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.759
 to miss the irony

00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.939
 where we can favour

00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:10.500
 the rich

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:12.159
 and influential people

00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.379
 in very

00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.779
 inconspicuous ways.

00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.220
 Rich people,

00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.519
 being the ones

00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:17.980
 with money,

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.939
 are able to fund

00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.759
 all kinds

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.699
 of different ministries,

00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.259
 ensure the staff

00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.819
 are paid

00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:24.720
 and contribute

00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.779
 to building projects.

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.339
 And so it's tempting

00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.639
 to think,

00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.459
 at least I think,

00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:31.439
 that we might want

00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:32.079
 to ensure

00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:33.579
 that these people

00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.860
 who could have

00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.699
 a very significant

00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:37.019
 influence on our church

00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.939
 to ensure

00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:39.039
 that they are happy

00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.339
 and they are content

00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.819
 and they are getting

00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:42.980
 what they want.

00:16:44.339 --> 00:16:45.740
 But at what cost

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.039
 do we do this?

00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.019
 Do we neglect those

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.179
 who don't

00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.819
 have as much influence

00:16:51.819 --> 00:16:52.600
 or money?

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.899
 Who are really able

00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.519
 to contribute

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.220
 in any kind

00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.039
 of significant way

00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:58.259
 to church life?

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.220
 To do that

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.679
 is favouritism.

00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:05.440
 And as James concluded,

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.660
 it's evil.

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.440
 It's evil.

00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.619
 It's hard

00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.700
 being up here

00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.759
 to talk about this stuff.

00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.500
 It's full on.

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.500
 And I don't want

00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.460
 you guys

00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.319
 to leave here today

00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.799
 thinking that being rich

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.559
 is evil

00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.480
 or being rich

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.119
 is sinful.

00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.259
 James is not necessarily

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.779
 having a go at rich people

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.980
 at all.

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.099
 But in showing

00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.839
 the irony

00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:31.079
 of favouritism,

00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.440
 James challenges us

00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:35.279
 that we as a church

00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.960
 must perpetuate

00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.660
 a worldview

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:39.079
 that is based

00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.779
 on faith

00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:42.099
 in our glorious

00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:43.259
 resurrected

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:44.259
 Saviour,

00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:45.119
 Jesus Christ,

00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.660
 that helps both

00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.519
 the poor

00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.319
 and the rich

00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.619
 to see that in Jesus

00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.359
 they are rich

00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.199
 in faith

00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:52.259
 and enjoy

00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.079
 every blessing

00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.599
 that comes

00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.579
 from Him.

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.159
 Receiving

00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.979
 every blessing

00:17:57.979 --> 00:17:59.039
 in Him

00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.679
 which is worth

00:17:59.679 --> 00:18:00.459
 way more

00:18:00.459 --> 00:18:01.179
 than the world

00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:02.519
 could ever offer us.

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.059
 And when we do that,

00:18:05.719 --> 00:18:06.259
 the poor

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.079
 are embraced,

00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:07.740
 loved,

00:18:07.939 --> 00:18:08.799
 and cared for.

00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.599
 They receive

00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.359
 dignity

00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:11.619
 and value

00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.419
 that is theirs

00:18:12.419 --> 00:18:13.039
 in Christ

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.699
 which the world

00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:14.319
 would otherwise

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:14.959
 try

00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:16.299
 and rob them of.

00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.299
 and the rich

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.700
 when they are impacted

00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.720
 by the wisdom

00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.399
 of the gospel,

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.399
 when they are impacted

00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.319
 by the resurrection

00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:23.480
 of Jesus

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.180
 are able to

00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.460
 humbly serve

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.259
 and be generous

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.379
 with what they have.

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.299
 Not as a measure

00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.519
 of how great

00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.059
 they are

00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:32.980
 or how important

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.099
 they are to our church

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.399
 here,

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.579
 but as a measure

00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.579
 of how gracious

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.680
 God has been

00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.700
 to them

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:40.379
 to enable them

00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.059
 to live

00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.359
 in such

00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.539
 a generous way.

00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.599
 James'

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.859
 first response

00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.379
 is to point out

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:48.959
 the irony

00:18:48.959 --> 00:18:50.379
 that showing

00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.579
 fairytism

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.859
 is not achieving

00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.339
 for them

00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:53.959
 what they had

00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:54.659
 wanted

00:18:54.659 --> 00:18:55.339
 or had hoped.

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.179
 And his second response

00:18:57.179 --> 00:18:58.659
 points again

00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:59.439
 to this scene

00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:00.099
 pointing out

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.019
 and highlighting

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.639
 even further

00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.679
 the hypocrisy

00:19:02.679 --> 00:19:04.059
 behind showing

00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.659
 fairytism

00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.219
 and again

00:19:05.219 --> 00:19:06.139
 to show us

00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:06.980
 that it ought

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.599
 not to belong

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:10.500
 this fairytism

00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.639
 it ought not to belong

00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:13.019
 as part of our lives

00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.419
 as part of people's lives

00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:16.160
 who are impacted

00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.560
 by the wisdom

00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:18.340
 of the gospel

00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.480
 who have been impacted

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.600
 by the resurrection

00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:21.700
 of Jesus.

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.460
 So verse 8

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:41.180
 James points the believers

00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:43.000
 towards the royal law

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.579
 of scripture

00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.759
 which every single

00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.480
 Jewish

00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.640
 or even non-Jewish

00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:46.960
 believer

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.740
 would have known

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:49.319
 especially because

00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.200
 it received

00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.299
 its royal status

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.740
 from Jesus himself

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:54.319
 who tied it with

00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.639
 as one of the most

00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:57.099
 important commandments

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.399
 that all the law

00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:58.919
 and the prophets

00:19:58.919 --> 00:19:59.639
 hang off.

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.859
 This is a pretty

00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:01.720
 big commandment.

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.259
 However

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.839
 in showing

00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.759
 fairytism

00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:06.099
 we break

00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:06.899
 that commandment.

00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.579
 It contradicts

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.700
 that very law

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:11.039
 that these people

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.220
 and we

00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.119
 might so

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.159
 very passionately

00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:15.059
 and zealously

00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.659
 hold to.

00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:16.879
 And so James

00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.619
 points out

00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:19.519
 the blatant hypocrisy

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.719
 with this

00:20:20.719 --> 00:20:21.419
 one law.

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.019
 You cannot say

00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.879
 that you love

00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.439
 your neighbor

00:20:24.439 --> 00:20:25.279
 as yourself

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.159
 and then show

00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:26.839
 fairytism.

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.359
 That is hypocritical.

00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:31.439
 To do so

00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:32.139
 is to break it.

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.000
 And therefore

00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.879
 in doing so

00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.959
 we become

00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:36.679
 a lawbreaker.

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:37.859
 And as James

00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.739
 shows

00:20:38.739 --> 00:20:39.500
 by breaking

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.319
 this one

00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.019
 law

00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.019
 we become

00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.479
 accountable

00:20:42.479 --> 00:20:43.399
 to all of it.

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.399
 Verse 10

00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.080
 whoever keeps

00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.759
 the whole law

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.259
 but fails

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.019
 in one point

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.259
 has become

00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.120
 accountable

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.400
 for all of it.

00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:51.860
 If we

00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:53.400
 defy God

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.580
 in one point

00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.140
 of the law

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.420
 then we've

00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:56.720
 broken

00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:58.120
 the whole law.

00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.820
 Saying that

00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:00.380
 it's just

00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:01.120
 one law

00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:01.860
 how much

00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:03.280
 harm can be

00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:03.580
 done

00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:03.940
 breaking

00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.860
 just one law

00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.640
 is to

00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.220
 totally

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.320
 disregard

00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.820
 the God

00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.540
 that we serve

00:21:09.540 --> 00:21:10.420
 who is behind

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:10.940
 the law.

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:11.920
 You see the law

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.840
 is not just a list

00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.820
 of rules

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:16.099
 or it's a way

00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.839
 of life

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:18.639
 given by the grace

00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.419
 of God

00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.099
 when the people

00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:20.500
 of God

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.639
 came out of Egypt

00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.779
 he gave them

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.200
 the law

00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.899
 that they might

00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.919
 dwell with him

00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:25.960
 and he with them

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.980
 in the land

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.639
 to live

00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:28.919
 in prosperity

00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.700
 and to live

00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.679
 faithfully

00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.539
 serving him.

00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.460
 And so to break

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.539
 one part of it

00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.460
 is to compromise

00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.879
 that entire life

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.740
 that God

00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.700
 has given them

00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.279
 to enjoy.

00:21:38.419 --> 00:21:39.399
 It's to reject

00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.419
 that life

00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.599
 that God wants

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.419
 for them.

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.480
 That is the purpose

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.059
 behind

00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.779
 the law

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.160
 given.

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.339
 It's not just

00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:46.819
 a list

00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.559
 of rules.

00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.000
 And so

00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.259
 if this is the case

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.880
 always

00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.480
 with the law

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:54.519
 how much more

00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.319
 does this apply

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.819
 to the royal law

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.420
 of scripture?

00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.039
 If we show

00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.940
 favoritism

00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.519
 we are not only

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:01.940
 breaking

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:03.220
 just one command

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.779
 but all

00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.339
 of the law

00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.019
 and indeed

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.880
 if we are breaking

00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.480
 not just

00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.700
 any particular

00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.819
 law

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.500
 but the very

00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.259
 royal law

00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.720
 of scripture

00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.640
 that the whole

00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:12.920
 law

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.400
 of prophets

00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:13.940
 hang off

00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:16.299
 in short

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.600
 what James

00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.259
 is then saying

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.860
 is that if we say

00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.279
 we love our

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.860
 neighbor as

00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.400
 ourselves

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.819
 but in our

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.279
 actions

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.460
 don't show it

00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.920
 in our actions

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.180
 show favoritism

00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.860
 then we've missed

00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:30.120
 the entire

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.120
 point

00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:32.100
 of scripture.

00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:55.740
 we've missed

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:57.179
 the very work

00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:57.919
 that Jesus

00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:58.939
 did for us

00:22:58.939 --> 00:22:59.719
 on the cross

00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.960
 where he chose

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.680
 not to show

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.339
 favoritism

00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.480
 and died

00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.319
 for all people

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.819
 that we all

00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.360
 might come

00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.000
 to know him.

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.720
 This calls

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.519
 a serious

00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.440
 reflection

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.680
 on our part

00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:14.059
 as a church.

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.680
 James says

00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.339
 showing

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.559
 favoritism

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.600
 is

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.680
 evil.

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.500
 It's a tough

00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.339
 message to hear.

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.259
 When we show

00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.799
 favoritism

00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.500
 towards one

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.759
 another

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.339
 we stink

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.899
 of hypocrisy

00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:34.299
 as we engage

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.039
 in a worldly

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.759
 and unbiblical

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.419
 and unlawful

00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:39.180
 act.

00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.059
 It's totally

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.639
 opposite

00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.659
 to being

00:23:42.659 --> 00:23:43.359
 impacted

00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.799
 by the divine

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.839
 and heavenly

00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.279
 gospel

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.680
 by the resurrection

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.899
 of Jesus.

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.700
 It just

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.899
 doesn't belong

00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:52.480
 in those

00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.399
 people's lives.

00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.039
 James responds

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.659
 to the issue

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.560
 of favoritism

00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:58.620
 by showing

00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.240
 its irony

00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.040
 and its

00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:00.740
 hypocrisy.

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.180
 He does

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.640
 this

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.120
 again

00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:03.420
 as I'll

00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.019
 keep repeating

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.600
 to show

00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:05.040
 us that

00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:05.519
 it has

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.300
 no place

00:24:06.300 --> 00:24:07.040
 in the lives

00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:07.519
 of those

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:07.779
 who have

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.940
 been impacted

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.960
 by Jesus'

00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.700
 resurrection.

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.100
 That is something

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:12.480
 we're going to

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.320
 keep drumming

00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:14.080
 in this series.

00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.340
 It's the

00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:15.800
 resurrection

00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:17.040
 of Jesus

00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:17.920
 that impacts

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.580
 the way we

00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:19.060
 live in a

00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:20.040
 profound way

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.119
 and that's

00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.500
 the reason

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.659
 why hypocrisy

00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.220
 ought to

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.779
 not be

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.759
 existent

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.960
 in people's

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.339
 lives.

00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.720
 In verses

00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.399
 12 to 13

00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.240
 he informs us

00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.779
 how we should

00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.220
 live

00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.619
 in light

00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.319
 of this

00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.659
 issue.

00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.139
 How we

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.440
 should

00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.700
 begin to

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.059
 live

00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.879
 in regards

00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.519
 to responding

00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.879
 to our

00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.500
 hypocrisy.

00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:39.519
 He says

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:39.839
 in verse

00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.259
 12

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:55.680
 Verse 12

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.000
 is a

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.440
 humbling

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:56.920
 reminder

00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.660
 pointing us

00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.440
 forward to

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:58.879
 the end

00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.519
 time coming

00:24:59.519 --> 00:24:59.819
 when we

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.339
 will all

00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.259
 be judged

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.559
 our actions

00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.079
 weighed

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.980
 and measured.

00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.119
 The point

00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.680
 is to be

00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.240
 careful

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.140
 as we

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.579
 speak

00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.400
 and act

00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:08.660
 that we

00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.160
 should

00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.200
 do so

00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.660
 knowing

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.000
 that we

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.160
 are

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.480
 under

00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:11.700
 the

00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:11.940
 law

00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.180
 of

00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:12.620
 liberty

00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.580
 lest

00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:13.779
 we

00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:13.920
 should

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.259
 speak

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.620
 and act

00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:14.819
 like

00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.380
 judges

00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.319
 with

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.640
 evil

00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.140
 thoughts

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.019
 showing

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.759
 favoritism.

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.000
 Now

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.799
 this isn't to say

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.120
 that our

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.980
 salvation is in the

00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.720
 balance depending

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.100
 on our

00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:23.600
 actions.

00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.279
 As we

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.740
 looked at

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:25.960
 in the

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.660
 very first

00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.420
 week

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.500
 chapter 1

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.860
 new birth

00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.680
 in Christ

00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.440
 salvation

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.460
 that is found

00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.880
 in Jesus

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.620
 is the most

00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.500
 perfect

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.319
 gift that has

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.799
 come from

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.240
 above.

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.220
 It's been

00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.059
 given to us

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.960
 freely by

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.360
 God

00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:39.839
 and so

00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.039
 our

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.639
 salvation

00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:40.979
 is not

00:25:40.979 --> 00:25:41.339
 dependent

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.740
 upon

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.319
 our

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.699
 works

00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:42.959
 and what

00:25:42.959 --> 00:25:43.179
 we

00:25:43.179 --> 00:25:43.339
 can

00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:43.679
 do

00:25:43.679 --> 00:25:44.319
 but

00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.419
 it's

00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:44.659
 dependent

00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:44.979
 upon

00:25:44.979 --> 00:25:45.479
 God's

00:25:45.479 --> 00:25:45.919
 gracious

00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:46.359
 gift

00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.339
 to us.

00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:48.699
 And the

00:25:48.699 --> 00:25:49.219
 thing is

00:25:49.219 --> 00:25:50.159
 that's exactly

00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:50.939
 what James

00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:51.779
 wants us to

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.599
 have in mind

00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.399
 when we read

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:54.119
 this phrase

00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:54.719
 the law

00:25:54.719 --> 00:25:55.579
 of liberty.

00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:56.559
 You see

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.879
 it's the

00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.439
 law of

00:25:57.439 --> 00:25:58.019
 God

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.740
 as it is

00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:00.119
 reinterpreted

00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.139
 by Christ.

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.139
 It's not

00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.779
 the same

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.319
 law that we

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.759
 see in the

00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.419
 Old Testament

00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.019
 the one that

00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.819
 Moses gave

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.199
 in the

00:26:06.199 --> 00:26:06.619
 Mosaic

00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.079
 law.

00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.379
 We are

00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:08.960
 not under

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.480
 that law.

00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.119
 We're under

00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.000
 none of it.

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.779
 We are under

00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.799
 the law of

00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.339
 liberty

00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.699
 which in

00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:17.399
 practice might

00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:17.919
 look very

00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:19.419
 similar to

00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.199
 the Mosaic

00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.819
 law, to the

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.299
 Old Testament

00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.639
 law, but in

00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:24.039
 reality it's a

00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.559
 completely

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:26.240
 different law,

00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:27.019
 a new

00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.740
 covenant

00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.699
 but with one

00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.579
 major difference.

00:26:31.919 --> 00:26:32.599
 Whilst the

00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.519
 Mosaic law was

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.339
 a standard by

00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.220
 which we

00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.899
 had to

00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:37.119
 live by, we

00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.659
 had to

00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:38.579
 meet, otherwise

00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.059
 we'd be

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.220
 condemned, the

00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.759
 law of

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.459
 liberty has

00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:42.279
 already had

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.899
 its standard

00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.220
 met in

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.740
 Christ.

00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.099
 And it's in

00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:47.679
 him we now

00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.240
 enjoy the

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.220
 ability by

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.079
 God's spirit

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:51.059
 to serve and

00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.759
 to love those

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.779
 around us no

00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.279
 matter who

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.819
 they are.

00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.879
 As one

00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.419
 particular

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:57.619
 commentator put

00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:57.799
 it,

00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:59.220
 no longer is

00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.099
 God's law a

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.419
 threatening and

00:27:01.419 --> 00:27:02.559
 confining burden

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.799
 for the will

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.899
 of God now

00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:06.039
 confronts us as

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.679
 a law of

00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:07.399
 liberty, an

00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.259
 obligation we

00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.879
 discharge from

00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.419
 the joyful

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.500
 knowledge that

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.679
 God has both

00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:13.099
 liberated us from

00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.859
 the penalty of

00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:15.079
 sin and given

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.819
 us in his

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.960
 spirit the power

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.919
 to obey his

00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.220
 will.

00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.159
 Again, as we

00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:21.899
 keep coming back

00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.599
 in this series,

00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.980
 James' purpose is

00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.319
 to implore us to

00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.740
 live in response

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.980
 to the resurrection

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.279
 of Jesus, to

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.480
 live lives that

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.639
 are genuine with

00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.419
 our speech and

00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.140
 our actions.

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.220
 As he points

00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.640
 out the hypocrisy

00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:36.440
 he sees in this

00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.519
 church, indeed in

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.800
 our own church, he

00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.880
 is not doing it to

00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:41.759
 condemn us, to

00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.800
 drum fear into

00:27:42.800 --> 00:27:43.340
 us.

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.440
 And that's not

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.759
 why I'm here

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.600
 preaching tonight,

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.539
 to drum fear

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.240
 into us.

00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:50.180
 James writes

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.060
 his letter and

00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:51.920
 we preach this

00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.720
 message that we

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:55.019
 might truly live

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.019
 lives that reflect

00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.000
 the glory of

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.100
 Christ whom we

00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:59.039
 hold faith to,

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.200
 that we wouldn't

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.960
 cheapen our

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.420
 faith by

00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.740
 showing

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.819
 favoritism towards

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.799
 those who are

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.880
 rich and

00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.680
 neglecting those

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.240
 who are poor.

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.600
 That we wouldn't

00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.240
 cheapen our

00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.680
 salvation and the

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.259
 life that we

00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.180
 have, but that we

00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.799
 would live it to

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.400
 the fullest,

00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.819
 enjoying what God

00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.980
 has given us by

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.400
 honoring him and

00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.680
 serving those who

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.200
 come into our

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.860
 meeting together.

00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.859
 favoritism.

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:24.979
 And this means

00:28:24.979 --> 00:28:26.359
 rooting out

00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:26.859
 favoritism.

00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.959
 This means

00:28:28.959 --> 00:28:30.039
 realizing that

00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.939
 some of us here

00:28:30.939 --> 00:28:32.139
 need to learn to

00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:33.139
 love those around

00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:34.359
 us who are pretty

00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.719
 hard to love, who

00:28:36.719 --> 00:28:37.799
 aren't really cool,

00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.240
 who are a bit

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:41.740
 awkward, who may

00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.879
 be of no advantage

00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.859
 to you, but the

00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.959
 reality is we need

00:28:45.959 --> 00:28:47.699
 to learn to love

00:28:47.699 --> 00:28:48.259
 these people.

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.319
 people.

00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.400
 And this can be

00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.559
 really hard to do.

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:54.619
 Which is why what

00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:56.640
 is central to this

00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:58.500
 is an understanding

00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.460
 of what is at the

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.839
 heart of this law

00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.059
 of liberty, what is

00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.200
 at the heart of our

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.519
 new life in Christ

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.940
 as we are impacted

00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:08.279
 by the resurrection

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.420
 of Jesus.

00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:11.039
 At the heart of it

00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.480
 is mercy.

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:23.980
 mercy triumphs over

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.400
 judgment.

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:27.059
 At the center of

00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.099
 our life as

00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:29.440
 believers is mercy.

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:31.519
 Life under the law

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.960
 of liberty is one

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:34.019
 of mercy.

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.099
 James here is

00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.860
 reflecting on what

00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:38.299
 Jesus says in the

00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:38.940
 Sermon on the Mount

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.700
 where he says,

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.700
 blessed are the

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.799
 merciful for they

00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.519
 will be shown

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.339
 mercy.

00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.819
 And here he's

00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.619
 turning it around

00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.599
 making it into a

00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.700
 warning by saying

00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.240
 that those who

00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.319
 don't show mercy

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.500
 to one another

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.259
 will be shown

00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.299
 no mercy

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.539
 from God.

00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.680
 This is what

00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.619
 makes the issue

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.779
 of favoritism

00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:59.099
 such an issue.

00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.379
 The fact that

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.359
 it's merciless.

00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.899
 It's totally

00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:04.599
 contradictive

00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.460
 to the life

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.519
 lived under the

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:06.839
 law.

00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.859
 A life which

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:09.000
 has mercy

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.539
 at the very

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.359
 center of it.

00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.259
 Favoritism

00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.339
 gets rid of

00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:12.920
 that idea.

00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.299
 When we show

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.400
 favoritism towards

00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.039
 one another,

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.079
 we are stripping

00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.779
 away the mercy

00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.900
 that rightly

00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:22.119
 belongs to each

00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:22.819
 of us in

00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.299
 Christ.

00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.619
 We cast judgment

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.519
 over the person

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:27.259
 instead of embracing

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:28.359
 them as our

00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.200
 brother and

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.599
 sister.

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.680
 And so here

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.960
 James warns us

00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.559
 to be merciful

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.920
 in all our

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.819
 actions and

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.160
 speech lest we

00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.379
 end up like a

00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.920
 judge with evil

00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.460
 thoughts.

00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:42.080
 For mercy

00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:43.860
 always triumphs,

00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.940
 always boasts

00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:46.779
 over judgment.

00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.320
 It's a bit of a

00:30:48.320 --> 00:30:49.019
 strange phrase.

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.220
 It's hard to know

00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.880
 what it exactly

00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.759
 can mean.

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.380
 I think it's

00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.940
 trying to say

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.640
 that those who

00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.740
 show mercy in

00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.640
 this life

00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.960
 show that they

00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.900
 are true

00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:00.580
 recipients of

00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:01.340
 God's grace.

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:03.259
 Mercy, as we

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.019
 begin to show

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.380
 it in our

00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:05.200
 speech and

00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:05.800
 our actions,

00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:07.400
 is the evidence

00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:08.660
 that we are

00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.259
 God's people,

00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.580
 that we are

00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:11.300
 different to the

00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:11.660
 rest of the

00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:11.960
 world.

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:13.460
 And it's the

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.500
 antidote to the

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:16.019
 hypocrisy of

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:17.420
 favoritism that

00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.580
 we might otherwise

00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.320
 show instead.

00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:21.400
 When we show

00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.220
 mercy to each

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.420
 other, judgment

00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.840
 loses its

00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:25.500
 power.

00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.280
 Our church ought

00:31:27.280 --> 00:31:28.280
 not to be known

00:31:28.280 --> 00:31:28.960
 as a church of

00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.660
 favoritism,

00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.660
 whether rich and

00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.140
 influential,

00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.320
 whether socially

00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:33.100
 competent and

00:31:33.100 --> 00:31:34.500
 beautiful people are

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.360
 welcomed over and

00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:36.420
 above those who

00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.180
 are a bit awkward,

00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.960
 not very socially

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.779
 competent, who

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.420
 are poor and

00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:41.380
 otherwise can't

00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:42.759
 contribute anything

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.680
 to our church.

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.300
 No, we want to be

00:31:44.300 --> 00:31:45.660
 a church who

00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.940
 shows mercy and

00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:49.140
 mercy to all

00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:51.060
 people, to rich

00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.980
 and to poor.

00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:53.740
 No matter who

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.620
 walks into this

00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.180
 building, we want

00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.560
 to show them

00:31:56.560 --> 00:31:57.640
 mercy and show

00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.400
 the mercy that

00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.180
 God has shown

00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.240
 us in His

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.600
 Son.

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.620
 We want to put

00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.480
 on display a

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.300
 faith that has

00:32:03.300 --> 00:32:03.980
 been deeply

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.380
 impacted by the

00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.640
 resurrection of

00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.440
 Jesus where we

00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.280
 display the true

00:32:08.280 --> 00:32:09.520
 wisdom of the

00:32:09.520 --> 00:32:11.140
 gospel, which

00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:12.480
 shows both the

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.700
 rich and the

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:15.380
 poor that being

00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:17.480
 rich in faith is

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.500
 of far greater

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.000
 value.

00:32:20.020 --> 00:32:21.180
 We want to be so

00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.680
 unlike the world

00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.900
 who shows

00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.960
 patriotism, who

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:26.560
 rejects people and

00:32:26.560 --> 00:32:27.500
 accepts them off

00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.980
 their image and

00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.400
 what they can

00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:29.800
 contribute.

00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.340
 We want to

00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:32.600
 accept all

00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:34.740
 people, knowing

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.379
 that we

00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:36.539
 ourselves have

00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:38.240
 fallen short of

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.179
 God's standard,

00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.719
 that none of us

00:32:40.719 --> 00:32:41.759
 can contribute in

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.959
 any meaningful way,

00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:43.879
 no matter how

00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:44.740
 rich we might

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:46.079
 think we are, or

00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.099
 how important we

00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.740
 might think we

00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:49.019
 are, that we

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.439
 all need to

00:32:50.439 --> 00:32:51.980
 experience the

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:53.619
 wonderful mercy of

00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:53.919
 God.

00:32:54.199 --> 00:32:54.699
 That is the

00:32:54.699 --> 00:32:56.199
 church we want

00:32:56.199 --> 00:32:56.759
 to be.

00:32:57.199 --> 00:32:57.740
 That is a

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.639
 church that

00:32:58.639 --> 00:33:00.500
 shows that it

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.519
 has been impacted

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.619
 by the

00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.980
 resurrection of

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.319
 Jesus.

00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.359
 The question

00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:06.460
 is, are we

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.059
 that church?

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.059
 And what

00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:09.579
 needs to be

00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:11.220
 done to

00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.259
 become that

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.920
 church?