Lection: James 2

September 8, 2024

James 2:1-9; 14-17
Mark 7:24-37

Children’s Message

Last Sunday, some of you will remember that we were talking about the wonderful Creation that God made. And I asked you what was your favourite animal, or plant, or place in the Creation.

This morning I want to find out what other favourite things you have:

What’s your favourite colour?
What’s your favourite food?
What’s your favourite activity?
What’s your favourite subject in school?
Do you have a favourite person? Maybe a best friend?

I wonder… Do you think that Jesus had favourite things too?
Do you think Jesus had a favourite person?
Do you think Jesus had a best friend? (Maybe Peter?)

There were people that Jesus spent more time with, for sure. His disciples who decided to leave their homes and go out on the road with Jesus spent lots of time with him, listening to his teaching and learning his ways. And I expect that Jesus loved them a whole lot!

There were other people Jesus met who maybe caused him more trouble – the Pharisees who challenged what Jesus taught, and other leaders who didn’t like how so many people were following Jesus.

And Jesus met people who were very different from him. He met people who lived in different towns, who had … Read more »

September 6, 2015

James 2:1-17

“Hospitality without Partiality”

Perhaps you have seen this message on a church sign, as I have: “God shows no partiality, but the sign guy does… Go Riders, Go!” Although the biblical quote, “God shows no partiality” comes from Paul’s letter to the Romans, it is a concept that appears elsewhere, including today’s passage from the letter of James.

Rooting for a particular football team or voting for a particular political party or leader is fine, but James is telling the Christian communities that they need to treat each other, and their guests, and their neighbours without distinctions. There are no VIPs in the Church! Or to put it another way, everyone is a VIP in the Church.

I came across a story some time ago about a pastor who tested his congregation on the very matter that James is addressing. When the people expected their pastor to be on holidays, he dressed up in a disguise with a beard and some old dirty clothes, and he came to Sunday worship to see how he would be received by his own congregation.

I can’t remember exactly how it turned out… whether they welcomed the down-and-out person in their midst, or just awkwardly coped with … Read more »