Bible Text: James 2:1-13 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | Intro: Ilust: Mahatma Gandhi

Are you able to identify prejudice or favoritism in your life? Before you answer this question, I want to suggest that prejudice and favoritism can creep into our lives without really knowing it. It tends to reveal itself when we are faced with a situation. Then, it becomes rather personal.

Can we identify specific kinds of prejudice or favoritism?

In the early church, God had to deal with this issue to correcting wrong thinking and actions. I would like to suggest God is still dealing with prejudice and favoritism in the church today in our country.

In this passage, James tells us that we sometimes need correction in how we view people.

1. We Must Not Show Favoritism
1. The example of the rich man and the poor man coming into the church
2. A real and personal situation will reveal prejudice and favoritism in our hearts
2. We Must Learn to Look At People As God Sees Them
1. Many time God chooses the poor of the world to be rich in faith
1. Look at 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
2. Look at Matthew 5:3
2. God takes prejudice and favoritism very seriously
1. He see this as a major sin
2. He demands we repent of it and confess it
3. We Must Show Mercy and Grace
1. We are all equal at the cross of Christ
1. Illustration: General Robert E. Lee
2. Be empowered by the Word of God
1. Matthew 5:43-44
2. Matthew 22:34-40

Closing: Look up the story of Charlotte Elliott who wrote, “Just As I Am”. We need to be reminded and remember that the salvation is offered to everyone without favoritism or prejudice. We all come to Christ as sinners, no matter how we look, how much money we have or don’t have. our physical abilities or inabilities, no matter if we are a man or woman, or our family or religious background. At the cross, we are all equal!