WEBVTT 00:00:00.060 --> 00:00:08.220 Well, good evening everyone. Let me echo Graham's welcome to you tonight, whether you're here with us in the building or tuning in online. 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:14.120 As has been said, my name is Stuart and I'm one of the Christians that meets here at Brunsfield. 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:19.879 And it's my privilege to be taking us through the first half of James chapter 2 tonight. 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:25.140 I want to kick us off tonight with just one word. Equality. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:34.679 I suspect in the last week, for many of us, this will not be the first time that we've heard, read or spoken this word. 00:00:35.760 --> 00:00:40.679 For me this week, it was when I was watching Scotland thump England nil-nil at the Euros. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:47.799 And during the break, there was an advert that was repeated again and again, promoting football as an equal game. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:51.880 It goes far beyond sport though, doesn't it? 00:00:51.880 --> 00:01:00.340 And in terms of issues being raised by our society right now, you may not find another hotter topic. 00:01:01.440 --> 00:01:04.620 Is the issue current? Yes. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:07.879 Is the issue new? No. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:14.560 In our passage tonight, James directly addresses the issue of equality. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:21.180 Not in sport, or in workplaces, or in society in general, but in the church. 00:01:22.540 --> 00:01:24.000 It's remarkable, isn't it? 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:28.980 To so many people, the Bible is just an outdated and irrelevant book. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:34.060 And yet, here we are tonight with a passage like this in front of us. 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:42.560 I fully believe that what God has to say through James in these verses is as current and as relevant to us tonight 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:47.359 as it was when it was written to these churches over 2,000 years ago. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:54.659 Tonight, as we look at the issue of equality in the church, we're going to split our passage into three sections. 00:01:54.659 --> 00:02:00.420 And as we go through each one, we're going to see three very different ways of seeing other people. 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:04.739 Seeing from the perspective of the world in verses 1 to 4. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:09.400 Seeing from the perspective of God in verses 5 to 7. 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:14.620 And then seeing from the perspective of the law in verses 8 to 13. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:21.539 I trust that as we go through this together, we will all be challenged as we consider the question, 00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:26.460 from what perspective do we see other people in the church? 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:34.259 So in our first section, in verses 1 to 4, we see the perspective of the world. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:39.900 It's clear from these verses that the attitudes of the world and the wisdom of the world, 00:02:40.480 --> 00:02:43.280 it hadn't taken long to creep into the early church. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:46.219 James uses an example to prove this. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:49.819 So here we have two men walking into the church. 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:56.840 We don't know if they were Christians, but we do know that one is paid attention to and the other is not. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.420 One is given a seat in a good place, the other is not. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.439 He's told to stand or to sit at someone else's feet. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:09.920 What point is James trying to get across here with this example? 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:14.639 Is it that the church needs to change who's on the rota for making the seating plans? 00:03:15.619 --> 00:03:15.899 No. 00:03:17.459 --> 00:03:19.539 The seats, they weren't actually the issue here. 00:03:20.119 --> 00:03:24.739 The issue is the way that these two men were treated and the attitude behind it. 00:03:25.839 --> 00:03:28.739 He's making the point that they both walked into the church, 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:31.900 and yet they've been treated completely differently, 00:03:32.760 --> 00:03:39.180 simply because one was rich and well presented and the other was poor with filthy clothes. 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:42.020 James asks him in verse 4, 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:45.600 Have you not shown partiality amongst yourself? 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:50.680 Partiality carries with it a similar thought to favouritism, 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:54.139 or to use another very current word, discrimination. 00:03:55.639 --> 00:03:59.219 Let's stop for a minute and just examine why this was going on. 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:04.419 There may have been a number of motives behind why this man was treated so differently. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:07.519 We aren't told very much about the men. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:11.359 The rich one, he may have been a prominent figure in the area, 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:12.839 a successful businessman, 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:16.219 or from a family of great influence perhaps. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:18.819 Whoever he was, 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:21.419 the congregation, they quickly worked out 00:04:21.419 --> 00:04:24.479 that it was in their interest to treat this man well. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:28.759 Maybe they thought if they treated him well, 00:04:29.339 --> 00:04:32.060 he would be extra generous with a collection box 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:33.379 when it came round at the end. 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:36.800 Or maybe they thought he would be able to promote them 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:39.459 and use his influence in the local area. 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:43.259 These are pretty logical thoughts, are they not? 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:46.040 Here's someone who can benefit us, 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.199 so let's make sure he is well looked after. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.659 Let's roll out the red carpet, so to speak. 00:04:53.899 --> 00:04:57.219 The problem is that this is exactly how the world thinks, 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:59.180 and its motive is selfish. 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:03.019 I'm sure in our lives we've all heard sayings like, 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:05.740 you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:07.839 Or, you owe me one. 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:11.899 The idea of course is that after we do a good thing for someone, 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:15.699 then we expect them to do something good back in return. 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:20.120 This worldly perspective, 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.399 it seems to have been the mindset of the churches here 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:26.959 when deciding how to treat people when they walk through their doors. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:30.259 What can they give us if we treat them well? 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:33.120 Unfortunately for the poor man, 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:35.620 because he had seemingly little to offer, 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:38.860 he was treated as a second-class citizen. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:40.460 And the mindset was, 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:43.540 why would we waste one of our best seats in the house 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:45.660 on a man like this? 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:51.800 To give the lack of seating situation a wee bit of cultural context, 00:05:52.300 --> 00:05:54.000 as we know from our studies so far, 00:05:54.520 --> 00:05:55.840 the letter of James, 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:58.460 it was written to Jewish Christians. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:00.460 Now these early Christians, 00:06:00.580 --> 00:06:02.400 they were steeped in Jewish traditions, 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:05.399 and so many of the things that went along with Judaism 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:07.959 had crept in to the early church. 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:09.839 This was a big issue, 00:06:10.339 --> 00:06:12.939 and it's addressed in many passages throughout the New Testament, 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:14.479 and even a whole book, 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:15.339 the book of Hebrews, 00:06:15.859 --> 00:06:18.179 is dedicated to showing the people 00:06:18.179 --> 00:06:21.379 that the new covenant through the blood of Jesus 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:25.479 had superseded the old covenant through Moses and the law. 00:06:27.299 --> 00:06:28.679 In this particular case, 00:06:28.679 --> 00:06:32.120 the thing that had crept in was preferential treatment. 00:06:33.359 --> 00:06:34.859 In synagogues back then, 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:36.079 and I believe in some today, 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.019 there were places of honour 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:39.959 given to the people of importance. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:44.399 These would be benches right at the front and centre of the synagogue. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:47.120 So to use here as an example, 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:49.939 we'll keep the two benches in front of me here, 00:06:50.299 --> 00:06:52.179 and then we'll just strip the rest away. 00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:53.959 And then next week, 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:56.779 the welcome team can have the job of deciding 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:59.079 who gets to sit on the benches 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.819 and who gets to sit on the floor. 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:03.180 So here we have, 00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:04.079 quite literally, 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:06.279 everyone walking into the church, 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:08.040 getting judged at the door. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:09.439 Were they worthy, 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:11.099 or were they not worthy? 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:14.159 This is what is going on here. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:14.920 In James, 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.139 he doesn't hold back 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.100 with what he says 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:18.899 in the second half of verse 4. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.600 He doesn't say, 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:22.560 this isn't a kind of way to treat people. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.100 He tells them, 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:26.399 in unmistakably clear language, 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:29.339 that they become judges 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:31.139 with evil thoughts. 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:33.539 Telling the churches 00:07:33.539 --> 00:07:34.979 what they were doing was evil. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:36.939 Strong words indeed. 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:38.659 But we have to see 00:07:38.659 --> 00:07:39.819 that God treats 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:41.439 the subject of equality 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:42.459 in the church 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:43.659 very seriously. 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:45.239 And so for us, 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:46.279 as the children of God, 00:07:46.739 --> 00:07:47.859 we ought to do the same. 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:50.480 This world, 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:52.319 it can so easily influence us 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.879 with the way that it thinks. 00:07:54.840 --> 00:07:55.060 You know, 00:07:55.080 --> 00:07:55.580 when you go into 00:07:55.580 --> 00:07:56.560 a large enough plane, 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.139 when you either turn left 00:07:59.139 --> 00:08:00.639 if you have a first class ticket, 00:08:01.160 --> 00:08:02.400 or for most of us, 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.360 we'll turn right 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:05.439 and go into the economy class. 00:08:06.280 --> 00:08:07.480 When you go to a football 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:08.520 or a rugby stadium, 00:08:09.020 --> 00:08:09.860 in the main stand, 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:10.680 right at the centre 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:11.800 of the pitch, 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:13.080 you'll see the corporate section. 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.240 This will be 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:14.900 where all the family 00:08:14.900 --> 00:08:15.600 of the players, 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:16.860 the people high up 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:17.360 at the club, 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:19.240 the gold season ticket holders, 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:19.860 etc. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.439 This will be where they sit. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:22.840 And then you look up 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:23.980 far high 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:25.300 into the stands, 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:26.680 right up in the corners, 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:27.939 and the seats 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.020 where you can hardly see 00:08:29.020 --> 00:08:29.480 the players, 00:08:29.580 --> 00:08:30.280 you're so far away 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:30.840 from the pitch. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:33.120 Or, 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:34.580 you maybe go to a concert 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:35.639 or the theatre, 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:37.060 and you have the seats 00:08:37.060 --> 00:08:37.580 that are right 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:38.279 at the front row, 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:39.960 or you maybe even have 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:40.620 the boxes, 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.039 and you have the seats 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.060 then at the back 00:08:44.060 --> 00:08:45.399 that are behind the pillars 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:46.639 with the obstructed view. 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:49.419 In so many situations 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:49.899 in life, 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:51.440 we experience people 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:52.860 not being treated equally. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:54.980 The seemingly most important 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:56.480 are those that have 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.100 paid the most 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:58.659 receive the better treatment 00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:59.720 than everyone else. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:01.460 This is the way 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:02.639 that the world operates. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:05.159 What James is saying here 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.460 is that when it comes 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.080 to the church, 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.139 there is not to be 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:11.680 a first class section 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:13.580 or a VIP area 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.399 in sight. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:16.480 everyone is to be treated 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:17.120 the same way, 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:18.340 as equals. 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.240 Friends, 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:21.240 we must always remember 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:23.079 that when we come together 00:09:23.079 --> 00:09:24.100 as a people of God, 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:25.659 we need to be so careful 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:27.100 to leave the perspective 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:27.899 of this world 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:29.340 the way that it thinks, 00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:31.539 the way that it treats people, 00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:32.939 outside the door 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:34.220 where it belongs. 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:38.840 Let's now move on 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:39.560 to see what God 00:09:39.560 --> 00:09:40.320 has to say 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:41.000 on the matter. 00:09:41.800 --> 00:09:42.700 In our next section 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:43.980 in verses 5 to 7, 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:45.540 if we've just seen 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:46.500 the selfish perspective 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.160 of the world, 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:48.620 let's see what the perspective 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.840 of God is. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:51.740 If you read with me 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.720 the words of verse 5, 00:09:54.420 --> 00:09:55.160 it says, 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:56.579 has God not chosen 00:09:56.579 --> 00:09:57.679 the poor of this world 00:09:57.679 --> 00:09:59.120 to be rich in faith 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:00.539 and heirs of the kingdom 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:01.740 which he promised 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:02.759 those who love him? 00:10:03.719 --> 00:10:04.879 But you have dishonoured 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.799 the poor man. 00:10:07.439 --> 00:10:08.279 Throughout the Bible, 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:09.759 God very often chooses 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:11.379 the weak and the poor 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.339 to do his work. 00:10:13.199 --> 00:10:14.039 We'll only have to look 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.139 at the story of King David 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:16.159 as an example. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:18.179 The prophet Samuel, 00:10:18.299 --> 00:10:19.220 he asked David's dad, 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:19.600 Jesse, 00:10:19.699 --> 00:10:20.659 to bring all his sons 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:21.279 before him 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.500 so he could anoint 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.220 the one that God 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.439 had chosen to be king. 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:26.880 Out the seven sons came, 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.180 no doubt all strong 00:10:28.180 --> 00:10:28.860 and able men. 00:10:29.660 --> 00:10:30.780 But one by one, 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.400 God said to Samuel, 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:34.240 nope, it's not him. 00:10:34.880 --> 00:10:36.360 Nope, not him either. 00:10:37.520 --> 00:10:38.500 Samuel says to Jesse, 00:10:38.640 --> 00:10:39.300 is this them all? 00:10:40.260 --> 00:10:41.120 And Jesse says, 00:10:41.540 --> 00:10:42.580 well no, there is one more, 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:44.080 my youngest son David. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.460 Jesse had left them out 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:46.880 in the field 00:10:46.880 --> 00:10:47.780 to look after the sheep, 00:10:48.380 --> 00:10:49.520 not thinking for a second 00:10:49.520 --> 00:10:51.100 that God would have chosen 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.020 the young lad David 00:10:52.020 --> 00:10:52.600 to be king. 00:10:53.300 --> 00:10:53.700 And yet, 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:54.660 that's exactly 00:10:54.660 --> 00:10:55.379 what God had done. 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.780 A few chapters later 00:10:57.780 --> 00:10:58.640 and we see 00:10:58.640 --> 00:11:00.020 this same young lad David 00:11:00.020 --> 00:11:01.600 defeating a mighty giant, 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.180 Goliath, 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:03.580 in front of both 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:04.600 the armies of Israel 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.140 and the Philistines, 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.560 proclaiming the name 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:08.259 of God. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.920 This is just one example, 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:12.620 but time and time again, 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:13.980 God does this. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.460 He chooses the seemingly 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:17.640 most insignificant people 00:11:17.640 --> 00:11:19.540 and he does great things 00:11:19.540 --> 00:11:20.360 through them 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.680 for his glory. 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:23.959 So no matter how, 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.120 no matter who you are, 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.500 listen to this tonight, 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:28.000 how insignificant 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.239 you may feel, 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:30.899 God is able 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:32.399 and God is willing 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.859 to work through you. 00:11:34.699 --> 00:11:35.479 Not only that, 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:36.579 God loves you 00:11:36.579 --> 00:11:38.139 more than you can 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.120 possibly imagine. 00:11:40.479 --> 00:11:41.859 There's no one too poor, 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.459 there's no one too weak, 00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:45.239 there's no one too bad, 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:47.099 there's no one too unimportant 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:48.899 for the love of God. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:51.879 The Bible makes it very clear 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.000 that the love of God 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.820 goes out to all. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.040 A verse in 1 John 00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:57.060 says this, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.820 this is love, 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:00.980 not that we love God, 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:03.360 but that he loved us 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.240 and he sent his son 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.899 as an atoning sacrifice 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.220 for our sins. 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:10.360 If you're a Christian, 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:11.120 then I hope that is 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:11.980 an encouragement to you. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:14.200 This world may beat you down 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:14.800 and tell you 00:12:14.800 --> 00:12:15.899 that you're nobody, 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:18.060 but in God's eyes, 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.779 you're someone 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:20.019 and you're someone 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.980 special to him. 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:23.580 If you're not a Christian, 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:24.879 then I pray that you would come 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.080 and experience 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:27.139 the love of God 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:27.980 for yourself. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.720 A love so great 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.639 that it caused 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.160 the Lord Jesus 00:12:31.160 --> 00:12:32.160 to go to the cross 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:33.460 and take the punishment 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.560 that we deserved 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:36.180 so that you could have 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.000 your sins forgiven 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.279 and you could be made 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:39.279 right with God. 00:12:41.099 --> 00:12:42.439 Going back to our passage, 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:44.519 why is it that God 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.139 is so angry 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.079 with what's going on 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:47.239 here in the churches? 00:12:48.199 --> 00:12:49.039 It's because 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:50.359 these poor people 00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:51.299 who are being treated 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:53.000 like second class citizens, 00:12:53.579 --> 00:12:54.939 they are loved dearly 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:55.739 by him. 00:12:57.959 --> 00:12:59.459 And God demands 00:12:59.459 --> 00:13:00.599 that those that are loved 00:13:00.599 --> 00:13:01.479 dearly by him 00:13:01.479 --> 00:13:02.299 are treated 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.819 as they ought to be. 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:06.320 For us today, 00:13:06.400 --> 00:13:07.020 that means that 00:13:07.020 --> 00:13:07.520 no matter 00:13:07.520 --> 00:13:09.160 who comes into 00:13:09.160 --> 00:13:09.940 our church building, 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:11.340 we are to treat them 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:12.520 as Jesus would have done, 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.379 with love 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.500 and with care. 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.379 The service 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:18.420 of the welcome team 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.600 is a very valuable one, 00:13:20.040 --> 00:13:21.320 but this can't 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:21.840 just be left 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.440 for the welcome 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.620 or leadership team 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.000 to do. 00:13:24.760 --> 00:13:25.580 Showing the love 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.379 and care of God 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.620 to those who he brings 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.340 amongst us 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.500 is all of our 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.260 responsibility. 00:13:31.780 --> 00:13:32.660 The Lord Jesus, 00:13:32.780 --> 00:13:33.420 when he was here, 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:34.519 he was called 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.939 the friend of sinners 00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:37.019 because he used to 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.979 spend so much time 00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:38.759 with people 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.740 that society 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.500 wanted nothing 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.339 to do with. 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:43.199 A tax collector 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.620 who was the most 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:46.759 despised profession, 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.479 tax collector 00:13:47.479 --> 00:13:48.759 was the most despised 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.219 profession 00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:51.439 in Jewish society. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:52.759 A tax collector 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.519 was chosen 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:55.240 to be a disciple 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.699 of Jesus. 00:13:56.839 --> 00:13:57.339 He was called 00:13:57.339 --> 00:13:57.719 Matthew 00:13:57.719 --> 00:13:59.159 and he wrote 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:00.439 the first book 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:01.399 of our New Testament. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:03.919 Jesus was here 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.919 to save the lost 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:05.899 and that meant 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.360 everyone, 00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:07.939 whether they were rich 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:09.059 or whether they were 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:09.340 poor, 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.759 from the rulers 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.259 to the beggars 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:12.919 in the street. 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:15.480 The Lord Jesus himself, 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.159 he was born 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:17.120 into a poor family. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.600 Mary and Joseph, 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.340 they weren't people 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.079 of any wealth 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.100 or great influence. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.759 As well as being known 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.939 as the carpenter's son, 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.740 Jesus also grew up 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.279 in a place 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.139 called Nazareth. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:29.379 Nazareth was a place 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.000 that we're told 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.340 it was despised 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.139 and it was looked 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:32.759 down upon 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.799 by other people 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.580 in the region. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.559 Jesus knew then 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.639 and he knows now 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.240 exactly what it's like 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.340 to be treated poorly 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.439 because it had been 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:44.139 from humble circumstances. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.699 It's no wonder then 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:47.319 that it brings 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.500 such sadness 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.799 to God's heart 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:50.980 to see 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.220 discrimination 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.279 against the poor 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.039 going on 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.120 in his church. 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.159 The poor 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.199 and the lowly 00:14:59.199 --> 00:15:00.000 undoubtedly 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.299 they have a special place 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.539 in the heart of God. 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.379 But those that are rich 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.960 and have power 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.100 they are loved by him too. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.120 But the rich 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.960 they certainly don't get 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:09.559 a good mention 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:11.120 in verses 6 and 7. 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.059 As we know 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.039 these Jewish Christians 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.600 have been driven 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.439 out of their country 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:17.000 because of the ongoing 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.759 persecution 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.879 from those in power. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.460 James, 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.080 he makes the point 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.740 in these verses 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.399 that they're pandering 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.120 to the rich 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.819 and the powerful 00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:26.080 at the expense 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:26.639 of the poor 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.799 and yet 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.799 at the same time 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.980 it was the rich 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.539 and the powerful 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.779 that were persecuting them. 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.620 I also 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.840 it is true 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.500 that there are 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.559 comparatively few 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:41.819 rich and powerful people 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:43.379 who come to follow God. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.319 However, 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.379 we are thankful 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.699 that there are some 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:47.279 who are saved 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.840 and just like the poor 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.899 God loves 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.000 and God is able 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.939 to work mightily 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.720 through them. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:56.800 I also need to say 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.279 at this point 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:57.879 that what we are 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.620 looking at tonight 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.820 treating people 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:01.120 equally in the church 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.639 is not just applicable 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.519 to rich 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.300 and to poor. 00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:05.840 Churches, 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:06.620 they have an amazing 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.800 mix of people 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.899 so different 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.980 in so many ways 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:11.560 and yet brought together 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:12.980 by a shared love 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.899 for Jesus. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.679 whether it's 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.600 wealth 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:18.279 or appearance, 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.539 education, 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:20.919 age, 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:21.860 race, 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.079 gender, 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.779 political views, 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.919 whatever differences 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:28.019 we may have, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.919 we must always remember 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.840 that in God's eyes 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.939 we are equals 00:16:31.939 --> 00:16:32.720 as brothers 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.860 and sisters. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:36.080 our differences 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.720 there should never 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.279 be a reason 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.340 to drive us apart. 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:39.980 In fact, 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.279 they should be celebrated 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.560 as they give us 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.080 an opportunity 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.279 to show to the world 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:46.180 what being a church family 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.220 really means. 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:49.120 A community 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.659 where people 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.519 of all ages 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.740 with many different 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.960 backgrounds and interests 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.100 come together 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.379 to worship God 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.060 united as one 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.700 in our love for him. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:02.100 Jesus said, 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.700 a new commandment 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.299 I give you 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.700 love one another 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:07.720 as I have loved you 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.380 so you must love 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:10.200 one another. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.779 By this 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.120 everyone will know 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.740 that you are my disciples 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.140 if you love 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.299 one another. 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.680 This doesn't mean 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.259 that we aren't 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.200 without distinction 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.480 in the church family. 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.700 There are many 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.319 other passages 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.000 that talk about 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.779 the different gifts, 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.600 roles and responsibilities 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.980 within the church. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.120 I think the image 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.000 of the body of Christ 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.559 is particularly useful here. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.799 A hand 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.899 has a different role 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.459 to an eye 00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:41.279 and yet 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.439 both are equally 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:42.879 important 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:43.479 for the body 00:17:43.479 --> 00:17:44.139 to function. 00:17:45.739 --> 00:17:46.459 So it is 00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:47.039 with the church. 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.639 Many different parts 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.719 but we're all 00:17:49.719 --> 00:17:50.739 equally part 00:17:50.739 --> 00:17:51.579 of the body 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.399 of Christ. 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.219 Before we move on 00:17:55.219 --> 00:17:56.079 to our last section, 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.399 as we've considered 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.019 the perspective 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.539 of God, 00:17:58.920 --> 00:17:59.879 we have to conclude 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:01.359 that the selfish 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:01.900 perspective 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.059 of this world 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:04.200 has no place 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:04.900 in the church. 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.480 In fact, 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.579 we are to think 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.400 the complete 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.480 opposite way. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.799 Lord Jesus, 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.460 he tells us 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.379 in the Gospel of Luke 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.660 that if we treat 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.359 someone well 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.779 hoping for good 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.579 to be done back 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.339 to us in return, 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.700 then that will be 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.500 our only reward. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.200 However, 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.139 if we do good 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:23.700 to others 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.359 hoping for nothing 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.000 in return, 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.259 then we will be 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.659 rewarded by God 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.759 for our actions. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.979 So not only 00:18:31.979 --> 00:18:32.779 are we to avoid 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:34.179 seeking out those 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:35.219 who will repay 00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:35.740 our goodness, 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.399 but we are to 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:38.379 cherish the opportunities 00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:39.119 to do good 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.079 to those 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.459 who cannot repay us. 00:18:43.719 --> 00:18:44.899 We do find it easier 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.659 to show love 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.240 and care 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.219 to those people 00:18:47.219 --> 00:18:47.959 who we get on with 00:18:47.959 --> 00:18:48.159 though, 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:48.919 don't we? 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.519 It's to those 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.179 who we don't 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:53.099 get on with as well 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:54.419 that we can sometimes 00:18:54.419 --> 00:18:54.819 struggle 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.839 to show God's 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.000 love and care to. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.299 Let's be open here. 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.419 We're not going 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:02.700 to get on equally 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.740 as well with 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.200 everyone in the church. 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.519 There will be 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.139 some people 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:07.659 who we will 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:08.179 naturally 00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:09.319 be more friendly 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.419 with than others. 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:11.740 However, 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.220 if we only show 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.279 love and care 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.139 and do good 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:16.399 to the people 00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:17.539 who we get on with 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.519 then, 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:19.740 and not to others, 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.639 then we are 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.500 showing favouritism 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.799 and we're not 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.399 treating people 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:23.859 equally 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.799 as God 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.419 would have us. 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.439 The same passage 00:19:28.439 --> 00:19:28.919 in Luke, 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.939 it says 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:31.179 that even sinners 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:32.000 show love 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.679 to those 00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:33.319 who love them 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.019 in return. 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.719 As Christians, 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.519 we're to be different 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.899 and to love 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.079 in an unconditional way 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.059 just like 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.939 the Lord Jesus did. 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:44.079 Dear friends, 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.839 since God 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.759 so loved us, 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.979 we also 00:19:46.979 --> 00:19:48.139 ought to love 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:48.879 one another. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:51.660 when we think 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.500 of fellow Christians 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.300 who we may find 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:54.200 it harder to love, 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.240 I think 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.540 this saying 00:19:56.540 --> 00:19:57.340 sums it up well. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.020 If God the Father 00:20:00.020 --> 00:20:00.680 chose him, 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:02.560 if God the Son 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.780 died for them, 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.860 if God the Spirit 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.960 lives in them, 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.980 then I can love them. 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:13.019 what a contrast 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.799 to the thinking 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.519 of the world. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.940 This is the challenge 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.860 for our heart tonight. 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.640 Do we see others 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.759 in the way 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.360 that God 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.140 sees them? 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:25.380 Our final section 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.120 from verses 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:27.839 8 through to 13, 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:29.259 we see the perspective 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.799 of the law. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.559 So if you read with me 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.160 in verses 8 and 9, 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.519 it says, 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.700 if you really 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.819 fulfill the royal law 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:39.119 according to the scripture, 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.720 you shall love your neighbour 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.519 as yourself, 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.799 then you do well. 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.759 But if you show 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.599 partiality, 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.799 then you commit sin 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:48.059 and are convicted 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.779 by the law 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.240 as transgressors. 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:53.059 So here, 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.200 James tells the churches 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.519 that if they show 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.160 favouritism, 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.160 then they're breaking 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.720 the command 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.660 to love their neighbour 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.660 as themselves. 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.859 Jesus himself, 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.720 he spoke at length 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.119 about what it means 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:05.379 to love our neighbour. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.579 When his disciples, 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.799 they asked him directly, 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.839 he told them the story 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.720 of the good Samaritan, 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.039 the one who looked 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.160 after the Jewish man 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.859 who was attacked 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.839 by the thieves. 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.480 The Samaritan, 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.859 he had no reason 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.779 to show love 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.879 and to show care 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.019 to this man 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.740 and yet that's 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.920 exactly what he did. 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.639 He treated him 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.819 the same way 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.619 that he would wish 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.980 to be treated himself. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.480 That's exactly the point 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.539 that James is making here. 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.579 How can you say 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.660 you're loving your neighbour 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.339 as yourself? 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.240 How can you say 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.480 that you're treating people 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.480 the way in which 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:39.980 you would wish 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.519 to be treated 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.420 when you're judging others 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:44.000 based on their wealth 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.720 and based on their appearance? 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.460 The religious Jews, 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.359 they loved going 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.019 through the law 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.000 and telling God 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.980 how righteous they were 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.660 because of the laws 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.639 that they managed to keep. 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.980 You shall not murder. 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:57.980 Well, 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.220 no problems there. 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:01.420 You shall not commit adultery. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.120 Yep, 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.140 find me that one too. 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:05.480 You shall not steal. 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:05.900 Wow, 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.600 three out of three. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.039 God must really be pleased 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.420 with me. 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.560 Well, 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.200 we have to realise 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.740 that the law 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.200 is not some sort of 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.560 school exam 00:22:14.560 --> 00:22:15.940 where seven out of ten 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.660 gets you an A, 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.620 six out of ten 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.220 gets you a B. 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.960 It doesn't work like that. 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.700 The law required 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.860 that every single thing 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:24.559 was to be done perfectly 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.120 or else the whole law 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:26.700 would be broken, 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.340 even something 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.980 as seemingly small 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:31.460 as partiality 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:33.180 or favouritism. 00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:36.320 We can sometimes 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.000 be like that, 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.740 like the religious Jews 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:38.920 though, 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.320 can't we? 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.220 We can put emphasis 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.120 on what we see 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.000 as more important 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.380 teachings to follow. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:45.860 Surely, 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.759 if I'm telling others 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.340 about Jesus 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:49.100 and reading my Bible 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:49.620 and praying, 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.840 then a small thing 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.960 like a bit of favouritism 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.279 will be overlooked. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.039 There's a saying, 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.560 isn't there, 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.220 when someone gets 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.060 pulled up for something 00:22:59.060 --> 00:23:00.160 that they think 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.620 there's been an overreaction for. 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.720 They say, 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.000 well, 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.360 I haven't killed anyone, 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:04.779 have I? 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.980 Well, 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.680 if that's our attitude, 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:09.900 then, 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.819 when it comes to 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.759 treating people equally, 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.900 then we need to ask ourselves, 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.920 why has James put this section 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.140 about the law in here? 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.799 I believe it's because 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.980 he wants his readers then 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.680 and he wants us here tonight 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.839 to see that in the eyes 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.319 of the law, 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.700 we were all the same. 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:29.559 Whether you'd broken 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.799 only one or two commandments 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.660 or whether you'd broken them all, 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.880 it all resulted 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.680 in the same thing, 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:36.779 that he had broken 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:38.100 the law of God. 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.220 As Christians, 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:40.740 it's true 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.779 that we are no longer 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.920 under the law of Moses. 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:43.980 However, 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.920 apart from the fourth commandment 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.839 regarding the Sabbath, 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.380 all the other ones 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.200 are repeated 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.319 in similar forms 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.500 in the New Testament 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:53.299 as teachings of Jesus. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.240 So for us today, 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.220 the law still has 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:56.980 the same effect 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.240 that it shows us 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.519 just how far short 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.120 of God's perfect standard 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.720 we are. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.799 In the context 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.940 of our passage tonight though, 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.380 James is saying that 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.799 since we have all 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.940 fallen short, 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.680 how can we possibly 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.460 justify 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:13.079 seeing some people 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.099 as better than others 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:15.279 and some people 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.500 as worse than others? 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.619 In terms of our standing 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:19.379 before God, 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:20.919 it is impossible 00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.959 for any of us 00:24:21.959 --> 00:24:23.099 to have been made 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.059 right with God 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.199 if it wasn't 00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:26.079 for the Lord Jesus 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.539 and what he did 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.439 for us. 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:30.539 It doesn't matter 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.599 how rich 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.559 or how powerful 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.439 someone might be, 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.879 they're a sinner 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.519 just like the beggar 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.539 in the street. 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:40.379 If we are a Christian, 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.500 then the law 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.240 reminds us, 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.799 no matter who we are, 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.200 that we were once 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.839 equally lost 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:48.279 and we're now 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.700 all equally 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.619 saved. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.559 So as we draw 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.200 to our close, 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:57.059 let's re-ask ourselves 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.920 the question 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.420 that we had 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.180 right at the start. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.980 From what perspective 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.779 do we see 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.700 other people 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.619 in the church? 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.420 The world? 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:07.119 Think on what we can get 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.539 in return 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.479 for our good actions? 00:25:09.979 --> 00:25:10.419 God, 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:11.819 a love that goes out 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.959 no matter who they are? 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.000 Or the law? 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:17.359 That we are all sinners 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.339 and fall short 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.179 of God's standard? 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.399 We've seen how seriously 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.379 God takes the issue 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:23.879 of equality 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.579 in the church 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.719 and that there's 00:25:25.719 --> 00:25:26.500 no justification 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.639 for treating people 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.059 differently 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.679 because of any 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:31.039 distinctions between us. 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.599 On a personal note, 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.399 it does, 00:25:34.479 --> 00:25:35.299 it makes me sad 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:37.099 that so many people 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.519 including some of my 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.839 friends and colleagues 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.019 feel that they would 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.539 be judged 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.799 the second they walk 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.000 through a church door. 00:25:46.219 --> 00:25:46.699 Regrettably, 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.819 in some cases 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.699 they would be correct. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.899 However, 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.980 in my wife Amy 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.079 and I's experience, 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.559 churches, 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.599 including this one, 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.759 have been some of the 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.259 most welcoming places 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.359 we've ever been in. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:02.179 I believe that 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:04.439 if we strive 00:26:04.439 --> 00:26:05.419 to see others 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:06.419 as God sees them, 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.699 then our churches 00:26:07.699 --> 00:26:08.619 will be places 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:10.039 where no matter 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.839 who walks through 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.199 the door, 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.559 they will feel 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.519 the love of God 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.899 shown towards them 00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:17.199 and that amongst 00:26:17.199 --> 00:26:18.479 the church family, 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.479 there will be 00:26:19.479 --> 00:26:20.639 a wonderful unity 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:22.179 as part of the 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:23.079 body of Christ 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.419 and as a gathering 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.059 of people 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.639 saved only 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.860 by the grace 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:28.759 of God. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.640 Let's pray. 00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:36.300 Our God and Father, 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.960 we come before you 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.280 tonight 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:39.300 and we just want 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:39.880 to thank you 00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.420 once again 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:41.320 for the Lord Jesus. 00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:43.320 We recognise fully 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:44.280 that there was nothing 00:26:44.280 --> 00:26:45.500 we could have done 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.500 to ever merit 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.460 favour with yourself. 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.520 It was only because 00:26:48.520 --> 00:26:49.740 of the Lord Jesus 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.540 and what he did 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:52.200 that we can sit here 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.960 and be called 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.619 the family of God. 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.000 We thank you 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.920 for that privilege 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.440 that it is 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.319 that we can be 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.700 brothers and sisters 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.240 and we can address 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.039 you as Father. 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.200 We thank you 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.399 for what we've been 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.619 looking at tonight. 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.099 We thank you 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.740 for what you've brought 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.440 before us 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.779 and we do pray 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.399 for ourselves 00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:14.079 that we would not 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.700 be influenced 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.500 by this world 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.119 and that the way 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.680 it thinks, 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.259 we pray that 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.019 our motives 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.740 would not be selfish 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.279 when we look 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.720 to others. 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.559 We pray that 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:24.059 we would be filled 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:26.960 with your thinking 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:28.160 and we pray 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.559 that we'd have 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.079 that desire 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:30.359 to think more 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.720 and more 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:32.120 like how you think 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.700 God and Father. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.079 We just pray 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.799 that we would see 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:36.519 others in the way 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.519 that you would 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.279 have us see them 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.660 as those that are 00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:42.180 loved dearly 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.880 by you. 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.500 And so we just 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.440 ask this for ourselves 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:47.120 that you would 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:48.420 leave this on our hearts 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.840 that we would all 00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:50.440 each and every one 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.100 have to examine 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:53.120 where we stand 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:53.560 on this 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:54.740 and that we might 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.220 be challenged 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.600 by what has 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.140 been said. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.759 And we just 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.660 thank you 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.920 once again 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.240 for your goodness 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.779 to us 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:05.019 and your Son 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.640 and what he has 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.300 done for us. 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.240 We just thank you 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.600 once again 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.259 for this time 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.720 in Jesus' name. 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.279 Amen. 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.420 Amen. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:10.779 Amen. 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:33.640 Amen. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:33.880 Amen. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.080 Amen. 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.160 Amen. 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.259 Amen. 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.300 Amen. 00:28:34.300 --> 00:28:34.700 Amen. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:34.800 Amen. 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:35.800 Amen. 00:28:35.800 --> 00:28:36.600 Amen. 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:36.960 Amen.