Richvale Community Church
Sunday, March 1 2026
- Good morning! We are living in interesting times.. our geopolitics are constantly changing… we saw this again with what is happening in Iran this week end.. Sometimes world events catch us off guard…in times like thiswe need to remember that God is in control ..And conflict is our invitation to pray.. we pray for our services men… pray for those directly impacted by conflict..pray for God win to be done..Regardless as Christian’s we have assurance that God is in control if his History..take to prayer for this conflict..This morning we continuing our series in James,This past week we had our pastors’ cohort with some of our EFCA pastors. Patrick Allen — serves as a pastor to pastors — was there.Some of you have met him; he preached here last year.We were sitting next to each other, and he leaned over and said, “I’ve been thinking about how we view ourselves as the church.”He said, “Often you’ll hear churches describe themselves in certain ways.”“We’re a welcoming church.”He said..What are we really saying? You’re welcome… but does that come with conditions — on our terms?Other churches say, “We’re a friendly church.”What does it mean to be friendly?It may mean we’re willing to sit and talk with you — but that’s where it stays. We’re friendly…But he asked, “Is there something deeper — something more inclusive?”This got me thinking about that question..this question in the light of our text.. but first..- How does the bible describes us a the Church?The apostle Paul described the church is as house hold. As a familyPaul tells us Before Christ we were strangers of Gods covenant.. but in Christ we are part of his family family..Paul says in Ephesians 2:19
Ephesians 2:19 ESV 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,Galatians 3 tells us that the moment we believe in Christ, we became the children of God.Galatians 3:26 ESV 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.When we are born again we are placed in family…or community.. …The family is a beautiful image of what the church should look like.. because in a healthy family..There is Joy and celebrationA family goes through us and downs ..we face challenges together… we celebrate the wins -and commiserate our losses..We are going to see that James address the church as those who are part of God’s family..James is the half-brother of Jesus and pastor of the Jerusalem church.He is writing to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire.These are newly formed communities — small house churches that learning how to live out their faithboth inside their walls and out in the world.James comes to us with practical theology…When your compare James’ theology to Paul’s , there is a distinction of emphasis.Paul breaks down the gospel to show us what to believe. Gives us what theology… what to believe.James deals with the ethics of faith — how to live it out.. James says do just be a hearer be a doer of the gospel..James is interested in applying truth — truth that transforms a d change a us from the in side out..T/s James is going to showi us How to maintain authentic Relationships as a community,..1. By Building a Culture of Trust..I think we have all been there where we have bought some thing where some assembly is required.. ..weeither follow list the directions.. or just ignore them completely… we have to figure it out.. I always get worried when I have extra peices.. James is writing to infant church that isstill trying to figure out what it means to follow Jesus….And he is asking a foundational Question…What does it look like to be the church?That’s not just a theological question.That’s a culture question.Culture operates on multiple levels.At it’s core - culture is our shared beliefs and values—our convictions about what’s right and wrong —Our culture shapes how we interpret the world — view others and make decisions…Healthy Culture is normative and is goodIn James chapter 2James deals with an issue was threatening the health of the Faith community .Remember..these are new Christians. They simplify continued a practice that did synagogue ..That was seating those with privilege or position closer to the front of building where the Torah and other scripture were kept on scrolls, while other “less important” people were seated in the back —James points out the problem ..Let’s look at our text.James 2:1–5 ESV 1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?the problem is partiality… some thing that night recognize …that still I pacts to daybit. James begins with who they are — their identity…let’s break it down.—He saysJames 2:1 ESV 1 My brothers, show no partialityThe word brothers here is interesting because it not gender specific -but rather this a general term means. “sibling believers” —As sibling believes…we are in the same household we share in the communion of Christ… Christ is basis of this relationship.James says… Show no Partiality..… There should be no Prejudice, no discrimination and or favoritism in the church—Why be a use God is impartialRomans 2:11 ESV 11 For God shows no partiality.this comes up several times in scripture..This is the heart of God…—- God doesn’t make distinctions or show favoritism.James says because this is the heart of God this should be our Heart too..Rather.James says…“Hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ… the Lord of glory…”James goes back to identity... Hold on to our faith in Christ…. James uses — the glory of God as the base line of every relationship…We see in Jesus the (Doxa) glory of God… we see in the fullness of Godhead in Christ…all attributes…his Omnipotence..omnipresence his sovereignty.. justice..It is Christ in his glory that unites us.. what have in Christ is greater than what divides us..James is using Contrast…It is Christ that unites us as ‘Spiritual siblings. —- On the other hand -favoritism — fracturestrust.James gives an example.. (one that closer to home) the picture there gatherings.James say...Picture this man comes into your meeting —he is wearing a gold ring and designer clothes… and at the same time homeless mans comes in with shabby clothes…and you usher in the wealthy man to best seat in the house and say to the poor man and say just stand over here or come sit on the floor at my feet..James calls them on this practice..Why doesn’t he call it to their attention?Because the the y not see pre ii ice in their won hears..… it is easier to see prejudice in others than our selves…James always draws us back to the perfect law of liberty..James 2:4 ESV 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?What is the issue…that James is press ing on?The problem is that when you show partiality you make distinctions.. Devalue someones worth…Every person is created in the image of God…we have all received.Common Grace.Common grace is so common..because it is common to all humankind. Its benefits are experienced by the whole human race without discrimination between one person and another.Walter A. ElwellJames says when you discriminate — you degrade someones worth..He calls this Evil..When we say that you are less than….its a problem,,why because we are all created in the image of God.the apostle Paul thaught that the cross is the great EqualizerGalatians 3:27–29 ESV 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.now list would have hit a nerve....these where levels with society.. temple had divisions…Christ is the great equalizer..it’s le le foooting at the cross..Paul says being in Christ …changes our distinctions… we need remember is the attitude on the church.. we cant do anything a out how the world,behaves.But in Christ their is no distinction — We all are saved by grace through faith.. all sinners in need of ..T/s How do we maintain authentic Relationships?1. By Building a Culture of Trust..2. By Building Culture of AcceptanceYear ago Andy and Ashely gave us this sign for our Home? Come As You Are! We hung for years in our home — and more recently it was up in fellowship Hall..What I love about that Sign. ..Is that is centers on God’s Radical welcome of people -regardless of their conditions or worthiness…“Come as you are…”When Billy Graham used to give altar calls -He used to emphasize that people didn’t need to reform themself before approaching God…Only God can do that..Each crusade service concluded with an altar call where Graham urged people to come forward and commit their lives to Christ, typically with the hymn (George Beverly Shea)“Just As I Am, Without One Plea”Rather than demanding that people clean up their lives first— it extends an open invitation — to come Christ —THIS IS CHRISTS RADICAL INVITATION..it is Matt 11.28-29Matthew 11:28–29 ESV 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.Here is the be thing Biblical acceptance isn’t based worthiness…it is based on Gods character .. God is impartial … he loves unconditionally….his loves isbased on grace and mercy—Jesus invite was to whosoever…John 6:37 ESV 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.Jesus established an unconditional welcome for all who approach him.We receive this acceptance through faith and through obedience to the gospelJames is dealing with Our view of Acceptance..James 2:5–8 ESV 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.James saysWhen it comes to God’s kingdom it is an upside down Kingdom —What is esteemed in the “world” is not necessary valued by God…James tells … us ,God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom -Now — acceptance and approval —are two different things..Acceptance acknowledges someone’s inherent worth and dignity as a person, treating them with respect and inclusion.But.. Gods’ acceptance is based on Repentance..Jesus modeled this ..in John 8 - where we have the story of the woman caught in Adultery— Jesus is teaching in the temple and the Pharisees and Saducees try to tap him.They brought a woman who was caught in adultaryThey then remind Jesus that the Law commands stoning for such an act…What are you going to do?.Jesus bent down and began to write with his finger on ground…Wouldn’t it be amazing to know what he wrote…He then said ..If there is anyone without sin cast the first stone,one by one the left…begining with the older ones then to the younger..Jesus and the woman are left alone ..Jesus stood up and to her —Where are your accussers?John 8:11 ESV 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”Jesus didn’t pretend her behavior was acceptable; He distinguished between accepting her and rejecting her sin.Building a Culture of Acceptance is one that sees others like God sees us..That God loves all too much to leave us the same……ways we came in…That tension—holding both truths—is where real love and truth intersect..Life in Christ means change..The problem with the early church is the it had accepted — those who seemed to have all together..Jesus came for the poor..Jesus said bless Ed is the poor for the it’s is the kingdom if God..The Irony in this verse is that they honor the very people who use there resources to oppressedChristians….the very ones that are increasing their hardships… at the expense of ignoring the poor… these are Ones who blaspheme the very name of Jesus..T/s How do we maintain authentic Relationships?1. By Building a Culture of Trust..2. By Building Culture of Acceptance3. By Building a culture of mercy.You may heard of Judge Frank Caprio?He was a judge in Providence, Rhode Island, who became a social media sensation for the way he handled everyday cases — traffic tickets, parking violations —He was so kind and had a sense of humor …One of his funniest moments involved a married couple came before his bench..The wife, Linda Fields, walks in with her husband and says, "This is my wonderful husband. I got the ticket;he was driving my car.". She adds, “I’m not guilty — he is!”The courtroom bursts into laughterWhen linda first asked about the ticket, her husband had told her, “Just pay it,” as he claimed he went through a yellow light.so..They fought the ticket — only to find it had actually been a red light.Judge Caprio leans back and grins: “So, you came here to throw your husband under the bus?” Without missing a beat, Linda replies, “I’m not throwing myself under.”But.. It turned out that..: their son had been in a serious accident, and her husband was making trips to the hospital three times a day. what judge Capro saw was..This wasn’t a careless couple — they were under enormous stress. The Judge saw their story, extended mercy, and dismissed the ticket.It’s has been ..Graces is unmerited favoriteJustice is getting what you deserve.. But mercy is not getting what you deserveKent Hughes says mercy is compassion to the miserable. R. Kent HughesAs Christians it’s Mercy that keeps us grounded—Mercy Reminds us where we have come from… that once we were With out Christ we are without hope in this worldBut we received God’s mercy.God desires us to be A community of mercy where compassionand forgiveness are the normal way people treat each other—especially when someone fails or makes mistakes.In a merciful culture, the first response to wrongdoing isn’t punishment but understanding..James goes back to the Law of liberty..James 2:8–13 ESV 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.So..James touches on something that bedrock of the Early Church community..That they were no longer under mosaic law… but under grace…(the law of liberty)—and The perfect liberty found in Christ fulfills the “perfect law” of the Old Testament becauseHe was the only one who could fulfill it completely.Those who come to Him in faith now have freedom from sin’s bondage and are now able to obey God..—- Instead of the obeying the 613 laws found in the Torah — -Jesus taught that the whole law and it commandments were fulfilled in two commandments…Love the lord your God with all your heart soul and mind..and love your neighbor..as youself..This Royal Law was a core part of early church doctrine…James pushes on this foundational belief… in context of the whole law..James says Even if you follow the law of liberty… (loveGod and love others)And you break the very law that it it fulfulls… you still a law breaker..—- James us shows how quickly this kind of faith unravels..James 2:10 ESV 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.what James is saying.. If you’re hanging from a chain off the edge of a cliff, it doesn’t matter which of the links breaks because they’re all connected.The end result will be the same. If you practice discrimination against those made in the image of God, you’re guilty no matter how many rules you follow —James is interested in Faith that Works..He saying to us today..how do we actually love others?Practice it..James 2:12–13 ESV 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.… James is saying their is a new standard in the law of liberty..Don’t judge like those under Law but… judge like those who aee under the law of liberty… with mercy and GraceMartin Luther saidSee that you do not forget what you were before, lest you take for granted the grace and mercy you received from God and forget to express your gratitude each day.Martin Luther (Founder of the German Reformation)When understand Mercy we will naturally extend it to others.There is this wonderful cycle where experience mercy, they show mercy to others, building a community defined by grace instead of judgmentConclusion.James was called “the Just.”Not because he preached well — but because he lived what he believed.He stood for truth. He treated people impartially.Eusebus the Christian Historian —lived in 3 Century — Give the account of James death… He tells us that his opponents told him to renounce his faith..Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers 2.1: Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine Chapter XXIIIBut, contrary to the opinion of all, with a clear voice, and with greater boldness than they had anticipated, he spoke out before the whole multitude and confessed that our Saviour and Lord Jesus is the Son of God. But they were unable to bear longer the testimony of the man who, on account of the excellence of ascetic virtue
James refused to bend God’s righteousness for comfort or popularity…And in the end it cost him his life.He was the own over a Cliff and best en with a club..James the Just was martyred because he would not compromise the character of God.His life — and his death — remind us:The law of liberty is not just to be admired.…it is to he lived out..James calls us to Reflect Christ…Several years ago the The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in space…It wasn’t long before we got these incredible pictures from space.. We saw galaxies we never knew existed before..The James Webb telescope..doesn’t create the light ..it captures light that has traveled for billions of years.— it receives it and sends the signal back so we can see what was always there.That’s what God’s Word does…God word.. reveals His heart to us — His mercy, His justice, His glory…But James says it’s not enough to see the light.The light is reflected back to earth.. . James says Faith opperates the same way..Faith that only listens is incomplete.When we withhold mercy, we block the signal. When we show mercy, we broadcast heaven.So here’s the question:What kind of churchDo we want to be..let’s pray.. Galatians 3:26CSB
James 2:1–5CSB
James 2:1CSB
Romans 2:11CSB
James 2:4CSB
Galatians 3:27–29CSB
Matthew 11:28–29CSB
John 6:37CSB
James 2:5–8CSB
John 8:11CSB
Matthew 5:3CSB
James 2:8–13CSB
James 2:10CSB
James 2:12–13CSB
Richvale Community Church
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