Be Mature Rich Man, Poor Man Chapter 5 James 2:1-13

Theme of James – Practice the truth –Immature people talk about faith while mature people live the faith –Hearing or talking about God’s Word is never a substitute for doing God’s Word –Statement of faith and covenant –The way we behave toward people indicates what we believe about God Four Basics Doctrines –The Deity of Christ (2:1-4) Jesus did not respect persons (favoritism) –Jesus looks at the heart, not outward appearance –Poor widow vs. Pharisees –Matthew, tax collector –Look at the potential

Paul lost support from Christians due to his past, but Barnabas barged in to show the potential –We intend to judge people by the past, not their future Human relationship/ divine fellowship Jesus, the friend of publicans and sinners Compassion/ not compromise Jesus was despised and rejected (Isa 53:1-3) Jesus, the glory of God –His presence (John 1:14) –In believers (I Cor. 6:19-20) –In church collectively (Eph. 2:21-22) How do we practice the deity of Christ? –Look at everyone through the eyes of Christ »Christian – Christ lives in them »Sinners – Christ died for them

–The Grace of God God ignores national differences (Acts 10:34) –Jews/Gentiles God ignores social difference –Rich/poor, master/slaves Human point of view – I Cor –God chooses the poor over rich –The Word of God (2:8-11) Our lives and ministries are the best defense D. L. Moody – Every Bible should be bound in shoe leather. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself – Lev. 19:18 Matter of opportunity, not geography To whom can I be a neighbor? Royal law – love thy neighbor

–Given by the King; in law by Father –Son reaffirmed to His disciples (John 13:34) –Holy Spirit filled our hearts with love (Rom 5:5) It rules all other laws; love is fulfilling of the laws (Rom 13:19) Obeying it makes you a king –Out of love, not fear –Hatred makes us slaves while love sets us free from selfishness Respect of persons, or favoritism –Disobedience of all of God’s laws –Christian love always builds up (I Cor 8:1) –The Judgment of God Statement of faith ends with the return of Christ and final judgment

Our words will be judged (Matt 12:34-37) Our deeds will be judged (Col 3:22-25) –God remembers our sins no more (Heb 10-17), but our sins affect our character and works »David Our attitudes will be judged (2:13) –Mercy and justice –Judged by the law of liberty –Law purposes for liberty »Outward discipline/inward discipline »License – do whatever I choose »Liberty – freedom to be all I can be in Jesus Christ »License – confinement while liberty – fulfillment –Word of God is called the law of liberty »Rules/God’s Word Main Point: Our beliefs should control our behaviors