It Is Tough to be Rich (James 2:1-4)
Gary McManus, 02/25/2018Part of the Words that Divide, Words that Unite series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
February 25, 2018 Second Sunday in Lent
James 2:1-4 (p.1196-7 / p.1217)
We return to the Book of James today.
The theme for this season begore Easter
here at DCC is “love in action.”
James mentions a test in the church
before worship. And, apparently, sometimes ,
people failed the test.
“Double minded:
--no action with words
--infrequent action to back up words
--unable or unwilling to control our words
James mentions the rich. (James 1:10)
It is tough to be rich.
It is tough to be spiritual and rich.
Jesus spoke woes to the rich.
(Luke 6:24-26
James noted that .people at church
were willing to give rich people privileges.
It is easy for rich people to start expecting it.
(See Luke 16)
But .there are no privileged at Jesus’ table.
(1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:28)
Jesus himself refused privilege.
(John 13:5-17, especially verse 8)
See also 2 Corinthians 8:9
We are to be like Jesus (Mark 9:35 and John 13:15)
In the ancient world the rich could be nasty and
cruel.
Jesus humbled himself Philippians 2
“Have the same mindset. . .”
Love in action is doing for those
who cannot do for you
—pay for those who can never repay you.
(Luke 14:12-14)
And it doesn’t have to be money.
The ancient church became known for
taking care of the poorest of the poor.
Love in action can be as persuasive as
publishing the gospel.
DCC affirms our faith from Titus (2:11-14)
“our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness
AND to purify for himself a people
[that are his very own], eager to do what is good.
Amen
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