Bible Text: James 2:1-13 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Living Godly Lives
Don’t Show Favoritism
James 2:1 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?
Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism
The church today can be one of the most segregated institutions in America
ALFC has an on-going mission to be an united diversified church
Mark 3:1-3 He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand,  Step forward.
The Bible Teaches Us
All people of any kind of color, age, socioeconomic, religious, gender, education, deformity, nationality, vegetarian, meat lovers, regional, political, etc.
ALL really matter to God!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 4:7-9 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Give Me a drink. For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.  Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Luke 15:1-3 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, This Man receives sinners and eats with them. So He spoke this parable to them, saying…
A shepherd, a woman, and a father:
Lost a sheep
Lost a coin
Lost a son
Common themes to these three parables of Jesus:
Something of great value winds up missing and whatever is missing really matters to somebody
What is missing matters enough to warrant an all-out search effort
Retrieval brings rejoicing!
Luke 15:10 There is joy all across heaven when a single sinner repents.
The thief on the cross next to Jesus wondered what if someone like me, after all that I’ve done, still mattered?
So he turns to Jesus, with just that mustard seed-sized faith, and he asks if there is any chance you’d remember someone like me when you come into your kingdom?
Jesus said yes you do really matter and today you will be with me in Paradise.
On the basis of our humility and our faith, our repentance, God declares WELCOME HOME!
This ought to motivate us to celebrate our unity in the midst of our awesome diversity and be people who tell people that they really matter to God.
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment!
Exodus 34:6 The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness
Deuteronomy 4:31 Because the LORD your God is a merciful God
Psalm 103:8,13 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. . . . As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him