Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Equality
- The world has tried to strive for equality and to end discrimination – this has not worked
- In society – we look in the wrong direction
- The problem is with the human heart – examples
- Our human heart needs to be changed … by God
- The Church should be a place where there is no discrimination
- Example between Jew and Greek
- All are equal/made in the image of God
- However, at times there were problems with division and discrimination (Paul and James write about this)
- Is this a danger for us? – examples
- James addresses these matters
- v1-4 do not show favour to the rich
- v5-7 question this practice
- v8-13 remember all will be judged
Do not favour the rich (v1-4)
- James gives an obvious example
- Example from Brazil
- If you favour the rich you have become a judge
- v1 – Jesus is the Lord of glory
- He humbled Himself to step down from heaven and mix with the poor and lowly
- If the Divine Son should humble Himself, so should we
- Why was this happening?
- Roman society was a class society
- The landowners, the equestrians, the common roman citizen, the freemen (who were once slaves), the slave
- This was their mindset
- Christians ought to think differently
- "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" by the word of God – Rom 12:2
- Is it society or the Bible that is influencing our thinking?
- How much is the word of God transforming our mind?
- v4 – judges with evil thoughts
- That their worth is dependent on their social status
- Demeaning and putting down such a person
- Causing divisions
- The application:
- Looking out for others
- Example of John Blanchard
- The word of God is challenging – do we really care?
- Follow the example of Jesus
Question the practice (v5-7)
- 4 questions:
- The Holy Spirit prompts us to question ourselves
- Our ‘theology’ is challenged
- Why were we chosen?
- God has chosen the weak and poor things (1 Cor 1:27)
- Though the rich and poor are alike in their sin
- God is a God who chooses – examples
- Jesus choose His apostles
- If God has chosen the poor, why would we show prejudice against this?
- Do not the rich oppress?
- Who brought Jesus to court?
- Who accused the apostles?
- Who took Paul to jail?
- It is the rich and poor – why show them favouritism?
- Do we judge our heart?
Remember all will be judged by God’s perfect standard of love (v8-13)
- Fulfil the royal law
- If you break the law at any point – you have broken the whole law – in the eyes of God
- Be those who are judged by the law of liberty
- All will face the final judgment
- The standard is the royal law of love – loving God and your neighbour
- If you love, you fulfil the law
- Mercy is not shown to those who do not show mercy
- Yet mercy triumphs over judgment – for the Christian, through the cross
Closing Remarks
- Society has failed to tackle discrimination
- The gospel of Jesus Christ can change society
- Pray that God will help us
- Christ transforms lives