Date: 10/14/2009 Awana Varsity
Resources: John MacArthurs Commentary on James, & a sermon series from Denton Bible Church
Audio: http://eek-71.xanga.com/audio/a5a3c3717869/
How the Christian Relates to SNOBBERY
James 2:1-13
INTRO vs 1-3
• definition: "SNOB" = one who blatantly imitates, fawns over, seeks association with those regarded as social superiors. One who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior. One who has an offensive air of superiority.
• Jesus did not respond to "wrappers", He responded to HEARTS... widows, orphans, poor, children, women, lepers, etc. Jesus made NO room for snobbery.
• vs 1 "favoritism" = partiality, "respecter of faces"
• there is such a thing as proper divisions in church... by spiritual gifts, according to faithfulness, etc. BUT NOT by "wrapper"'
• vs 2-3 James' EXAMPLE...you SIT HERE... you STAND THERE... jewelry & clothes equals "wrapper" ("sit with me, I want people to associate your success with me")
• 4 ways the Christian should view "snubbing" in the Body of Christ...
1. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS EVIL vs 4
• I put myself in a POSITION I don't deserve, bringing a STANDARD that is not Gods, for a REASON that God doesn't sanctify... causes DIVISION because I am in the wrong place, I have elevated myself as a judge
2. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS ERRONEOUS vs 5-7
• just look around, Christianity is a humble, working class faith.
• lookup --> 1 Cor 1:26-28
• Heaven will not be a Country Club or Miss America pageant. Followers of Jesus are not the most talented or most beautiful, we are a middle class people... few millionaires, few rocket scientists, few all-stars.
• Being a snob is INCOMPATIBLE with the Gospel... I am Lost, needing Mercy, needing Grace, an unworthy, needy, guilty, rebel!
3. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS DISOBEDIENT vs 8-11
• Gods law is fulfilled in loving your neighbor. If you don't you break ALL the law!
• To treat someone differently based on their "wrapper" is SIN!
• vs 10 the law is a UNIT, a pane of glass, break a portion and you break the whole thing. The law is not a "THING"... it flows from a PERSON, it emanates from the very character of God Himself.
• BIGOTRY violates the character of God b/c it fails to love His people as he does, it makes some people worthy of His love and some not. God instead chooses people from every tribe, tongue, people, & nation (read Rev 5:9-10)
• James reasoning... we think that when we hurt "little people" that its of little consequence... BUT you have violated God, He's big, so its a BIG deal!
• God identifies Himself with the "little guy"... Pro 17:5, 19:17; Exo 22:21-27; Lev 19:9-10, 14;
4. SNOBBERY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS DISASTROUS vs 12-13
• because it might indicate that you ARE NOT SAVED?!?
• read 1 Jn 4:7-8, 11,... 20-21 IF you are born of Him you should be loving
• vs 13 the Judgment Seat of Christ is for believers... WHO should FEAR the Judgment Seat?... the one who has not shown mercy (snob, bigot, harsh)
• My love for others verifies that I belong to God. My love for others shows that my faith is REAL...
CONCLUSION
• How do I know my faith is real? I am more loving, compassionate, not a snob, I love others. Mercy triumphs over judgment
• being a snob is INCOMPATIBLE with the Gospel
• Snobbery in the body of Christ is a BIG DEAL. It is a WICKED, EVIL, SIN. lookup Acts 2:44-47 to see how it is supposed to be
• Illustration: do you believe serious news if its in "The Enquirer"?...no... the world will not believe our "good news" if we place it alongside the ridiculousness of our bigotry!
Comments (1)
Excellent material, I've gone through the CD's from Denton Bible church and this one was GREAT!
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