How to Treat People Right

Sermon Series

How to Face Our Future! – Part 6

"How to Treat People Right"

Pastor Jerry

James 2:1-13

 

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How many of you get along with other people? I want us to look at what James has to say about "How to Treat People Right." James talks about how to get along with people and he gives us a method on how: the principle, the problem, and the application. I. The Principle: Don’t show Favoritism. (v 1) "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism."  James is saying don't discriminate. Don’t be someone who thinks they're better than others. This morning, in order to deal with this principle of not showing favoritism, we need to look at some common areas of discrimination. Appearance -- We discriminate often because of appearance. We judge people on their appearance -- how they look, how they dress. Ancestry -- We judge people according to their race, their nationality, their ethnic background. Some people can’t get in some churches because of their nationality. Age -- You're too young or too old. Achievement -- Our society gushes over winners and forgets the losers.  Success and status are keywords. We have our superstar Christians -- mostly on TV. Affluence – is the most common distinction. We judge people by their wealth -- whether they're rich or poor -- their economic status. This is the area that James picks out of all the areas we can discriminate in. He talks about economic distinction. (v 2) "Suppose a man comes to your meeting wearing gold rings and fine clothes and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 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 over there' or `Sit on the floor at my feet', have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"  James doesn't criticize the guy for being wealthy; he criticizes the members for being partial to him. And criticizes for the people being less caring for the poor guy. II. The Problem: James says there are three problems with favoritism.

1. Favoritism is unchristian. If you want to be like Jesus you can't play favorites. Faith and favoritism are incompatible -- we're a family. Romans 2:11 "God does not show favoritism…" Jesus treated everybody with dignity. God loves everybody. If there is one place in the world where there shouldn't be any kind of discrimination it ought to be the church.

2. Favoritism is unreasonable. In (vs 5-7) James says it's illogical, it doesn't make sense. "Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom?" He's not saying that it's good to be poor and bad to be rich. He's not saying that only the poor will be saved. Don't confuse your net worth with your self-worth. God chooses the poor. James says, “Don't show favoritism. It's unchristian, and unreasonable.

3. Favoritism is unloving.  That's why you shouldn't do it.  "…`Love your neighbor as yourself...'." Why is it called the royal law? Because if we obeyed that one we wouldn't need all of the rest. Galatians 5:14 "All the law is summed up in one sentence, `Love your neighbor as yourself'." If I play favorites I'm being unloving.

The Bible says that “how we treat other people” shows how much we really love God.         I John 4:20 "If a man says he loves God and hates his brother he's lying. How can you love God whom you haven't seen if you don't love your brother whom you have seen?" How I relate to you proves how much I love God. Favoritism is unloving. (v 9) "If you show favoritism you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." How many laws do you have to break to be a sinner? One. James is saying that people think favoritism is such a small sin. Be careful it's serious business.  Love treats people without discrimination. Love gives people what they need, not what they deserve. That's the problem. It's unchristian, it's unreasonable, it's unloving to show favoritism. How do you treat people? III. THE PRESCRIPTION: HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT How do you have a loving church? Did you know there’s a connection between a loving church and church growth? It’s reported that growing churches are more loving to each other and to visitors than declining churches. It's love that reaches people. You don't convince or argue people into the kingdom of heaven. You love them into the kingdom of heaven. How do you do that? Three steps:

1. Accept everybody.

Have you ever been in a church where you felt not welcomed? Do you know why people have a hard time accepting others? They confuse acceptance with approval. You can accept somebody without approving of their lifestyle. "Accept one another just as Christ accepted you." Romans 15:7. At Boones Mill Church we need to cultivate an attitude of acceptance. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints. It doesn't matter where you've been. It matters where you are now and if you are looking to know Jesus. Jesus is Lord. The Bible is God's word. Acceptance is the key. Accept everybody as Christ does1.

2. Appreciate everybody.

This goes a little bit further than acceptance. Philippians 2:35 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others." Appreciate everybody. Find something you can like, not just accept. Tell them so.

3. Affirm everybody.

Give everybody a lift whenever you can. I Thess. 5:11 "Encourage one another and build each other up." Be an encourager not a complainer, not a condemner, not a judger. You can encourage people just by smiling at them. Let people know that you are glad that they are here and that we want them to come again. What is God saying in James in relationship to this message? The church that accepts, appreciates and affirms people is the church that God blesses. Absolutely nothing can stop the church that's filled with love. It doesn't happen accidentally. It requires an all-out effort by each of us. Everybody needs to contribute to the atmosphere of the church. Love draws outside people in. I want our church to have a reputation for love. Whether you're a visitor or a member of this church, you are welcome here. It was said of the New Testament church, "See how they love one another." "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples that you love each other." You accept, affirm, appreciate. Jesus Christ breaks down all barriers and the ground is level at the foot of the cross. We are all equal in God's eyes. There are no favorites! What do you need to do today? Surrender your life to Jesus—give him your all! When you do – you’ll love God; and you’ll love one another!