Overcoming Discrimination (James 2) Overcome Series

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Overcome Series (James 2)
Overcoming Discrimination
Intro

• Why is the life of Christ not always seen in His followers?  Why do Christians fail in being a good witness?  Why do so few believers evangelize and minister healing and deliverance to others?
• We are a work in progress, perfection does not happen over night.  We all have issues that did not just disappear when we were born again.  
• God is working out of us one issue at a time.  The more these issues are removed our heart becomes more receptive to the truth of His Word.  
• We see in the parable of the sower the different grounds, the goal is to become good ground, in which Christ is deeply rooted in our lives, His fruit manifesting, and His life being multiplied in the lives of those around us.
• The hope behind the Overcome Series is to bring to the surface the issues of our heart, giving opportunities to surrender and experience healing and deliverance.  As we except this challenge and overcome together, we will being to walk in the greater works of Christ. 
• The issue that James 2 brings out is Discrimination which is seen in many forms.  The bible says we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.  Throughout this series I am going to have different members of the body share how they have overcome.  The testimony releases grace to those who are facing similar tests with the answers to the questions they are facing.  Every test faced is passed by standing on the truth in trust.  A test passed is a testimony created

1. Do You Treat Everyone Equally?

James 2 1My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting Greek your synagogue. dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3If 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, 4doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

1. 1. Our faith in Jesus is seen in how well we treat one another.
   2. God does not favor one person over another.  
   3. Discrimination is evil.  
      1. The only way to get free from the sin of discrimination is repentance.
      2. Only when one is tested do they know if they have changed.
   4. When someone discriminates they are putting down the Creator of mankind.
      1. God loves, Satan hates, God unites, Satan divides.
      2. God punishes those that do His children harm.

James 2:8Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.  12So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13There 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.


Galatians 3:26For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.n 28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, of slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.


II.    Back It Up!
James 2:14What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

1. 1. If you say you love God, back it up by loving others.
      1. Say what you want but it don’t mean anything unless it is backed up by action.
   2. Faith without work is dead.
      1. Something dead is useless.
      2. Am I a useless or useful Christian?
   3. No room for excuses!
      1. “I am no longer under the law,” or “I am saved by grace,” isn’t going to cut it on the day of judgment.

1 Cor. 9: 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

1. 1. 1. What do we have to offer God in return for saving us?

James 2:18Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”19You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.  Some manuscripts read that God is one; see Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

1. 1. Working with God not for Him.
      1. You can not say you are a friend with someone and never do anything together.
      2. Examples:  Abraham and Issac and Rahab the prostitute.

The Charge

1. Repent of any discriminatory behavior.
2. Repent of faithless Christianity.
3. Make a covenant with God to love others and to back it up with acts of love.