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The Folly of Favouritism (James 2:1-13)

Mark BarnesMark Barnes, October 28, 2007
Part of the James series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

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https://www.bethel-clydach.co.uk/sermons/?show&file_name=2007-10-28-am.mp3 Download
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« John 7:37-8:11 Joshua 2 The Christian and the Law of God »

James 2:1–13 (Listen)

2:1 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? 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. 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. 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.

(ESV)

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Children and youth
There's plenty in Bethel for children of every age. There's a Sunday school with classes for nursery, infants and juniors. On Sunday evenings there's an after-church meeting for teenagers. In the week there are children's clubs after school: Adventurers for children in nursery and infants, Discoverers for juniors, and Impact for those in High School.
More about Children and youth…
Colin’s story

“Unlike alcohol, success or sport, turning to Jesus has brought me true and lasting happiness”

Being Detective Sergeant in the Drugs Squad was challenging work and I spent a lot of time in pubs and clubs where the drug users were. I knew the drug users never found happiness through taking drugs — indeed, many ended their lives. It was such a contrast to the young people at Bethel, whose faces radiated such joy and happiness. Then at a New Year’s Eve service, I heard these words of Jesus: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest". I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour there and then, and became a new person. My life had changed. I used to drink and I enjoyed smoking but I no longer wanted to do those things and gave them up immediately. What God had given me was so much more wonderful than anything the world had to offer. I went for a walk on the first morning of 1978 and I remember breathing in the pure fresh air and thinking how wonderful creation was. It was a new year and I was a new person.
Read more of Colin’s story

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