Lebanon UMC
The Test of Love
- Father I Adore You
- All Things Bright and Beautiful
James 2:1–10NIV2011
- The Test of LoveThe Test of LoveOutlines for Growing Christians 15. The Test of Love (James 2:1–9)
People love for different reasons: some love for money; others love for fame. Still others love for prestige and position. The true child of God loves God for what he can give—not what he can get. It is easy to love those who love us. But it is hard to love those who take from us and never give.
The Partiality - vs1in the Living Bible puts it this way, “Dear brothers, how can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, If you show favoritism to rich people and look don on poor people?” - LBIt is wrong to judge people by their race.It is wrong to Judge people by their religion.It is wrong to judge people by their riches.”God plays no favorites”In Caesarea… Man named Cornelius, a centurion… devout and God-fearing… gave generously to the poorOne day he was praying and he had a vision… saw an angel… “your prayers and gifts to the poor have been brought to God’s attention.”Send to Joppa for Peter… he sent 3 men.Peter was having his own struggles with a vision he was having…(eating un-clean food) 3 times a sheet came down with instruction to kill and eat… Peter refused… “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”Cornelius servants arrived @ Simon the tanner… Peter was told to go with them.Cornelius tells Peter and those gathered his vision. The Scripture records, “Peter fairly exploded with his good news: ‘It’s God’s own truth, nothing is plainer: God plays no favorites!The Pleasing - vs. 2-4What are our Motives when we show favoritism?Let me share with you what Paul said again in this passage in modern terms: (The Message)If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are judges who can’t be trusted?Loving a person because of riches shows a love for money.Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.In God’s sight all Men are equal.The ProblemProblem of the rich. The rich tend to oppress the poor…they make trouble.. they sue. To treat the rich better than the poor who are Christians is wrong!Further more these rich people that Paul is talking about in vs. 7 often use God’s name in vain; they mock Christianity; they mock Christ , whom we serve. They are not interested in serving Christ.The Practice vs. 8-9As Christians our practice should be to fulfil the Royal law - (vs. 8) To love others as we love ourselves.The problem is if you show partiality your are breaking God’s law.Why do you love God? - for what he gives, or what you can give?...Do you displease God by loving some people while ignoring others?...Are you willing to love when you know it will cost you something? Are you just looking for those who will give something to you in return for your love?...How deep is your love toward God? Real love is more than words. - One Bread, One Body
- O Lord, Hear My Prayer
- Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
- He Touched Me
Lebanon UMC
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