May 5, 2019 - Pastor Josh Weisbrod

Key Idea: Embrace our God-given value and treat others according to the value God places on them.

Key Passage: James 2:1-13

SUMMARY: We attach value to differences we see in others who are not like us, which leads to factions and divisions, and destroys unity. We divide ourselves up and then fight against each other. We judge others’ value based on our own fleeting emotions (i.e. sports, politics, music, race, gender, socio-economic status, etc.) We no longer see the God-given value in others. Every person possesses the same God-given value and should be treated accordingly, including having equal access to the Father. We lock ourselves into categories, but Jesus wants to bring unity. (Ephesians 2:14-22)

Partiality

Partiality cares more about the outward appearance than the inward substance.
- Partiality is judging someone’s worth based on what we can see. (James 2:2-4)
- Reject partiality and treat people according to the value God places on them.
- The Lord looks on the heart, not the outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7)
Partiality misses what is truly important to God because we value appearance over substance.
- When we decide who gets access to the Father based on what we see on the outside, we become judges. (James 2:4)
- When we become judges, we take the place of God, which is sin.
Partiality stirs up selfishness based on what we can receive.
- Jesus chose not only to be with the poor, but also to be poor. (James 2:5)
- We begin to view others as the value I get from being around this person.
- We cannot receive validation of our value from other people, only from God.

Application:

Christ values the wealth of your heart over the wealth of your hands.
- God lavishes his love on us and calls us His children (1 John 3:1)
- Jesus went to the cross so we could have access to the Father.
- Salvation is not graduation; it is an invitation that brings transformation.
- We don’t try to transform ourselves or others before we’ve experienced the love of God. It’s only God, not what we do.
Your value is found and founded in Christ alone.
- No one can take your value from you. It is rooted in the cornerstone of Jesus Christ.
- Psalm 139:13-16
- He already gave you your value. You can’t earn it. You can’t buy a gift already given.
God sees sons and daughters, not the world’s labels. (Romans 8:15-17) When you know your value, you will more fully value others.
- We cannot truly value others from a deficit. How we pour into others is in direct relation to how we are filled by God.
- When we embrace our value, it changes everything, including how we value others.
- Our job is to help establish the value of others based on God’s valuation.

Reflection:

Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

1) How do others try to categorize me? How does that affect how I feel and what I believe about myself? How does it affect how I see God and what I believe about God?

2) How do I try to categorize others? How does putting people into categories make me feel more ‘safe’ or more ‘okay’? How easy or hard is it for me to see others the way God sees them?

3) “Salvation is not graduation; it is an invitation that brings transformation.” Why do you think it’s important to experience God’s love before experiencing transformation? Whose job is it to bring transformation?

4) Is it easy or difficult for you to believe that you are valuable and worthy simply because God created you and assigned you value as His child? Read Psalm 139:1-18. What verse sticks out to you that might help you embrace the value God has already given to you? Are you willing to begin thinking about the truth that God sees you as a son or daughter, not according to others’ labels?

5) How we pour into others is in direct relation to how we are filled. Do you ever feel like you are trying to love and serve others from a deficit? Ask God to show you how He sees you. Then listen and allow Him to fill you up with all that He has for you.

6) Evangelization might feel intimidating for some people. How does thinking of evangelization as instilling God’s value in others change how you think about sharing the Gospel with others?

FAQs:

What if I struggle with believing that my value is based on how God sees me as a son or daughter?

Everyone struggles at times with believing they are valuable sons and daughters of God simply because God said so. God is always present and always listening. He knows you better than you know yourself. Take your struggle to Him and ask Him for help. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group.

I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible.

If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of John in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.

Full Podcast Episode: https://banner.church/podcast/2019/5/6/follow-james-2