The Book of James #4
Text for the Day:
Everyone is Welcome
James 2:1-10 (NIV) 1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord
Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into
your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in
shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the
man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but
say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,"
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges
with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen
those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to
inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have
insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they
not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones
who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If
you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor
as yourself," you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin
and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps
the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking
all of it.
Opening Foundation
 If you believe in Jesus for your salvation, then
you must believe that everyone else must also
have
to salvation.
Everyone is Welcome
Setting the Stage
Ephesians 1:22-23 (NLT) 22 God has put all things under the
authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the
benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full
and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
 The church
Christ. He “owns” it!
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to Jesus
Acts 2:47 (NIV) 47 . . . And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved.
 The parts that are put together to build the
church are
.
Acts 15:9 (NIV) 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for
he purified their hearts by faith.
Acts 10:34-35 (NIV) 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize
how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men
from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
 When God chooses the parts for HIS church, He
shows no
.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) 8 God saved you by his grace when you
believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none
of us can boast about it.
God didn’t choose you based on age, race,
reputation or wealth; He chose you because
you
!
Why Favoritism in the Church is a Sin
James 2:9 (NIV) 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are
convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
 Showing favoritism in the church is a SIN
because God
.
How to Avoid the Sin
Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV) 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness.
 The best way to avoid the sin of favoritism is to
become a
.