Bible Readings:
Luke 1:1-25
James 2:1-13
Sermon Outline:
James 2:1–5 (NKJV)
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 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,
3 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,”
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
I Consider the Gospel
II The Lordship of Christ
III The choice/election of God
Poverty
There is no sin in poverty.
J. C. Ryle
The Saviour of sinners knows what it is to be poor.
J. C. Ryle
We never need be ashamed of our poverty unless our own sins have brought it upon us.
J. C. Ryle
Wealth is no mark of God’s favour. Poverty is no mark of God’s displeasure.
J. C. Ryle
Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride.
Richard Sibbes