Favoritism in the Church

JAMES 2

1. The Forbidding of Favoritism ^{_{(vs. 1)}}
   • Favoritism is to give preference to one person or group over others with equal claims.
   • James is reminding us that the problem of favoritism is a family problem
   • By showing favoritism inside the church, we are not living as people who have Jesus as our Master, Messiah, and Judge
2. The Example of Favoritism ^{_{(vv. 2-4)}}
   • Favoritism undermines our gospel witness and the gospel
   • The sin of favoritism is based on evil motives that come from unfounded opinions or beliefs that are contrary to God’s Word
3. The Dishonor of Favoritism ^{_{(vv. 5-7)}}
4. The Foolishness of Favoritism ^{_{(vv. 8-11)}}
   • When we show favoritism, we are not living up to God’s royal law
   • Showing favoritism is a sin
   • If we break any part of God’s law, we are violators of the whole law
5. The Defeat of Favoritism ^{_{(vv. 12-13)}}
   • Favoritism is overcome with mercy
   • It should not be a strange thing to find Christians who treat everyone with equal value