Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement
James 2:8-13 – Victory Fellowship
August 8, 2021 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
1) INTRODUCTION: In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. "If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher's prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior. (Our Daily Bread, March 6, 1994.)
a) We joke about telling strangers not to sit in our seat at church. If that has ever happened to you – you know it’s not very funny.
b) It doesn’t matter where we sit in the Sanctuary or who we are. What matters is WHO we come to worship and WHOSE we are.
c) Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
2) RELATING THE TEXT:
a) Here in chapter 2, James is talking about not showing partiality to church members and about letting mercy lead us in our interaction with others.
b) James goes right to the obvious – warning about favoring the rich over the poor when we gather for worship. (vv. 1-7)
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well,4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
c) He reminds his reader whose side GOD is on.
Matthew 5:3-10: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
d) He cautions that if we seek to live by the LAW we must observe ALL OF IT.
i) Despite all of our good works and intentions, to discriminate is to sin against God
e) Like the Gospel of Matthew does about forgiveness, James binds God’s mercy toward us with the manner in which we show mercy to others.
3) APPLICATION:
a) The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. As God’s Holy church we are to…
b) …proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God
c) …preach good news to the poor
d) …bind up the broken-hearted
e) …proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
f) …to comfort all who mourn
i) give to them the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
g) Rather we are rich or poor – we all need these things. We are to offer them without prejudice or partiality, without judgment or exclusion - but with mercy.
4) CONCLUSION:
A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son.
(Luis Palau, Experiencing God's Forgiveness, Multnomah Press, 1984.)
a) Let us show mercy to everyone because mercy triumphs over judgment.
PRAYER
SONG: Red Letters
James 2:8-13 NLT 8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. 12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
