James 2 1 4 My brethren do not

James 2: 1 -4 “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place, ’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there, ’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool, ’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ”

Visitors to the Assembly 1. We should “pay attention to” visitors (Jas. 2: 3). • “Pay attention to” (NKJV, ESV) • “Have respect to” (KJV); “have regard to” (ASV); “pay special attention to” (NASB) • Literally “look on” (GLT, LO); “look upon” (YLT)

Visitors to the Assembly 1. We should “pay attention to” visitors (Jas. 2: 3). • • Take notice and speak to visitors. Let them know they are welcome. Don’t only visit with friends and members. It’s not just the job of elders, deacons, or preachers. • Send them a note to follow-up.

Visitors to the Assembly 2. Don’t do this with “partiality” (Jas. 2: 1). • • “Partiality” (NKJV, ESV) “Respect of persons” (KJV, ASV, GLT) “Personal favoritism” (NASB) “Worship of rank” (TCNT); “take a man’s position into account” (BBE)

Visitors to the Assembly 2. Don’t do this with “partiality” (Jas. 2: 1). • The attention we show should not be selective. • Don’t consider appearance, but value all as souls equal before God. • If we want the church to grow, it harms growth if visitors feel ignored, or unappreciated. • Don’t be too caught up in your own worship, troubles, friendships, or family that you show partiality or indifference.

Visitors to the Assembly 3. If we do, we act as “judges with evil thoughts” (Jas. 2: 4). • • How do we do this? It is an insult (Jas. 2: 5 -6). It is sin (Jas. 2: 6 -9). Do we do this only by attention paid to the rich or attractive? • We can do this by refusing to “pay attention” to visitors in general (cf. Matt. 25: 41 -46).

1 Corinthians 14: 23 -25 “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you” (NKJV).

Visitors to the Assembly 4. We should strive to help visitors understand what we do (1 Cor. 14: 24). • “Convinced by all”—”convicted by all”—We can all have a role in this. • Help visitors understand what’s happening. • Make lessons and classes understandable. • Don’t assume they understand. • Don’t do things that distract from our focus (playing, not paying attention, not participating).

Visitors to the Assembly 5. True worship challenges the heart of the visitor (1 Cor. 14: 25 a). • Secrets of the heart are revealed. • Scripture is what does this (Heb. 4: 12 -13; Jas. 1: 22 -25). • This is not “bait and switch, ” nor scratching “itching ears” (2 Tim. 4: 3 -4). • Nor is it calloused (Jude 20 -23). • Make worship meaningful, substantial, and real.

Visitors to the Assembly 6. True worship leads visitors to see God among us (1 Cor. 14: 25 b). • How can this happen? • God is with us when we keep Christ’s word (John 14: 23) • Christ is with us when we act in His name— within His authority (Matt. 18: 18 -20). • When we follow Christ through the example of His apostles God will be with us (Phil 4: 9).