Acts 10:34-35
Introduction:
1. Having seen the necessity of providing things honest before God and men (2 Cor. 8:21), today we confront a serious threat to Christlikeness, personal favoritism.
2. This tendency is a universal human problem we must fight with all our might.
Discussion:
I. Facing Our Failures
A. All people tend to show favoritism towards:
1. Those like us: look, talk, eat, play, work, etc.
2. Those who benefit us: gifts, favors, etc.
3. Those who have status, clout, etc.
B. Religious folks in the Bible were not immune:
1. Jewish leaders condemned Jesus for caring for the outcasts (Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 19:1-10).
2. They chided Peter and Paul for taking the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 11; 22:21-23).
3. James and John sought places of honor in Christ’s kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28).
4. The priest and the Levite refused to help a stranger in distress (Luke 10:25-37).
5. The neglect of Hellenist widows (Acts 6).
6. Peter toward the Gentiles (Galarians 2:11-16).
7. A man of stature in the assembly (James 2:1-9).
C. Nor are we as I have seen in my life Christians:
1. Execute discipline unevenly often excusing:
a. Prominent or popular members: big givers, big personalities, preachers, deacons, elders, etc.
b. Family members.
c. Favored church supported schools, programs, etc.
2. Form impenetrable cliques in congregations, leaving some members isolated as shown by:
a. The numbers who remain to encourage after responding to the invitation.
b. Or at the wedding/baby showers.
c. Or how many cards/calls/visits one gets versus another.
d. Or social invitations.
3. Excusing the misdeeds of “our” politicians.
II. Grasping The Gravity of the Problem
A. We must not dismiss this because it such common behavior; lots of sinful practices are common.
B. The Bible is shot through with commands against and condemnations of favoritism.
1. In litigation (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:19).
2. In rebuking sin (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 5:20-21; 2 John 9-11).
3. In family relations (Matthew 10:34-39; 12:46-50; Luke 14:25-26).
4. In our welcome of people from various stations in life to the assembly (James 2:1-13).
C. James left no guesswork; favoritism is sin.
III. Embracing the Standard
A. The sinfulness of the matter flows from the core of our existence, being His own special people.
B. We are to imitate the Lord in all we do (1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:1ff).
C. Because God shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11); neither can we.
D. He executes justice, righteousness, mercy, etc. to all equally (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:16-17; 2:6-11; Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 2:3-5); so must we.
Conclusion:
1. In light of this, we who claim allegiance to the Lord must be diligent to root out any tendency towards favoritism.
2. We must treat everyone with justice, mercy, kindness, dignity, etc.
3. We can bet God will make no exceptions for us if we fail to do so.
Further Food for Thought
1. Did any of the examples of partiality surprise you?
2. What other examples would you add to the list that we should avoid?
3. Have you ever felt the sting of being on the “unfavored” end of favoritism?