“NO Playing Favorites” Sunday Worship Service (9:30 AM in the GYM and 9:45 AM Live Stream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the GYM which begins at 9:30 AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 9:45 AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  There are announcement slides and music at the start of the stream while we wait for the right time to join the service in progress.  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org

Title: NO Playing Favorites!

Text:  James 2:1-13

Theme: As much as it lies within us, God wants us to follow His standards in dealing with others.

  1. It honors the ___________ of Christ, the Lord of Glory.
    1. Partiality, favoritism undermine Jesus’ authority and reputation.
    2. Treating people fairly credits our Lord’s Name.
  2. It honors _____________ realities God has established.
    1. God, not man, is the measure of things.
    2. Rather than being conformed to this world, God transforms our discernment & treatment of others by renewing our minds in spiritual realities.
  3. It honors the ________________ of God’s Law.
    1. Just as God is One, so His will is one, vv. 8-12.
    2. Disciples can’t cherry pick which Scriptures we’ll follow, or ignore.

 

Questions for Further Reflection:

  • Name some contemporary examples of partiality, favoritism both as seen in the Church & as seen in our American culture. 
  • James 2:1-13 speaks to racism, classism & a common social & journalistic practice of labeling people so as to generate biased treatment of them. 
  • How does viewing humans as products of evolution promote forms of partiality?  How does viewing humans as God’s image bearers mitigate that? 
  • What do the following Scriptures say regarding partiality?  Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 24:14-15, 17-18; John 7:14-24; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:11-22. 
  • What will we do to ensure we fairly treat others?