Worship service 2/21/21 click here
2/21/2021
Equal Protection
Romans 2:11 …God does not show favoritism.
James 2:1-13
All Of God’s Children Are Valued Equally In His Family
James 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
Jesus Christ Modeled Equality Perfectly
Philippians 2:3-6 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God…
He Lowered Himself To Become Man For Lowly Man’s Sake
Philippians 2:7-8 But He made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross!
The Standard Of Equality Is Set By The Lord
Matthew 23:8-12 …you may not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher the Christ and you are all brothers and you may not call any father on the earth, for One is your Father, Who is in the heavens, nor may you be called teachers, for One is your Teacher—the Christ. The greater of you will be your servant and whoever will exalt himself will be humbled and whoever will humble himself will be exalted.
Equal Concern For All Believers Stops Divisiveness
1 Corinthians 12:22-25 …the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. The parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
Equal Treatment In Employment Is Biblical
Ephesians 6:9 …ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbear threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.
Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Even Holy Angels See Us Equally In Service To God!
Revelation 19:10 …I fell at his feet to worship him. (the angel who gave John the Revelation) But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Look Beyond Outer Appearances To The Value Of Every Soul
James 2:2-4 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes and a poor man in shabby 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 judges with evil thoughts?
1 Samuel 16:5-7
Preference For The Powerful Is Perilous
James 2:5-7 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor 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 insulted 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 slandering the Noble Name of Him to Whom you belong?
To Esteem One Person Above Another Is To Break God’s Law
James 2:8-10 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 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.
Mercy Is The Key To Equal Treatment
James 2:11-13 For He Who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 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!