Order of Worship Gathering Song Your Name Welcome and Annoucements Songs of Praise Raise a Hallelujah Unbroken Praise Scripture Message Offering Communion The Table Closing Song Wha a Beautiful Name it is Benediction Scripture James 2:1-17 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show . Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “ as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no ? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is . Message Learning the Pecking Order The Hard Way Question Think back when you learned the world had a pecking order? What emotion does that memory create in your heart? God does not play favorites James builds on a long tradition from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the teachings of Jesus to argue that God does not play favorites. He argues it primarily in terms of the rich and the poor. In fact he argues that the poor have been chosen to inherit the kingdom because of their rich faith. Question Do you treat people differently (even if it is just in your estimation of people) if they are rich or poor? What assumptions do you make about a rich person? What assumptions do you make about a poor person? We like favorites We like the idea that God would play favorites. We like idea that we can get “away” with things, that he knows our heart and our intentions. James is clear, however, that God is not partial in his judgement. James is clear that we should expect mercy only if we ourselves are merciful. Question How does the idea that we must show mercy to receive mercy make you feel? The Path of Mercy Christians are secure in God's love. Our path is the path of mercy. Our focus is not on success in the eyes of others, but on walking humbly with Jesus. We navigate our lives by taking steps of mercy, love and forgiveness (compassion). Question Who is a great example of daily compassion and mercy for you? Question Do you have anything you want to remember or take away from this message?