Making Faith Credible
PLAYING FAVORITES AND LOSING FAITH
Read: James 2:5-9
Intro: I read a story recently from a woman who said it took her three years to realize what was happening to her family inside their church. At first, they loved it. The pastor was dynamic. The people seemed sincere. The messages felt passionate and alive.
But little by little, she said something began to shift. The joy she once felt walking into church was replaced by a low hum of fear and anxiety. When she disagreed with leadership, she was quietly warned that her “rebellious spirit” was the problem. If she asked questions, she was told she lacked faith. When her husband tried to express concerns, he was accused of undermining the church’s authority. Before long, they were apologizing for things they hadn’t even done—just to keep the peace.
She said, “I used to think church was supposed to be the safest place in the world. But it became the one place I couldn’t breathe.”
And it wasn’t until they finally left that she realized how unhealthy it had become. She described it as waking up from a fog. The people who had promised spiritual family had turned faith into fear and loyalty into control.
That’s not just a bad church experience—that’s spiritual injury. And sadly, her story isn’t rare. You don’t have to look far to find people who’ve been hurt, not by atheists or critics, but by believers who used the name of Jesus to manipulate, shame, or exclude.
And that’s exactly what James is addressing in chapter 2. He’s writing to a church that’s forgotten how to love—a church where favoritism has replaced faith. Where people with money, influence, or status get the best seats, and those without are treated like inconveniences.
James would ask us today: Can you call yourself a church that loves Jesus if people walk out feeling unseen, unheard, and unloved?
What if we’re rolling out the red carpet for the very people God resists—and rejecting the very people He honors? You can believe all the right things and still treat people wrong. James is showing us that it’s possible to be doctrinally sound but relationally cruel. He paints a picture of a church where gold gets attention and brokenness gets ignored. It’s not just a hospitality issue—it’s a heart issue.
"The poor cannot read our minds. They can't examine our hearts. They only know what they see in us."
And here’s the modern connection: How many people today have had a bad church experience because of this very thing? They walked into church hoping for love but found labels instead. Isn’t James addressing that very phenomenon here?
- Who Gets the Crown? (v. 5)
James 2:5 "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?"
James pulls no punches: God chose the poor. And not just poor in dollars. Poor in status. Poor in reputation. Poor in the things our culture idolizes. This isn't just about financial poverty—it's about every kind of poverty the world dismisses but heaven honors.
While the rich man flexed his independence, the poor man cried out in need. And heaven heard him.
Do you think God is impressed with our guest list? He’s inviting the people we’re tempted to ignore.
1 Cor 1:27–28 "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise... and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are."
R.T. Kendall —The poor man is not interested in whether we are sound in our Christology. He wants to know if we actually care."
illus: What if the guy getting all the praise at church is the one who swoops in late, talks business in the lobby, posts selfies with the pastor, and hasn’t served in years? He’s featured on the church’s Instagram for donating a new coffee bar, and everyone calls him “a blessing.” Meanwhile, the elderly widow who slips in early to pray over every empty chair? The single mom folding bulletins with her toddler on her hip? The high schooler who stays after to stack chairs while no one’s watching? They’re not in the spotlight—but they’re wearing crowns in heaven.
James is saying: God sees what we overlook, and He honors what we ignore.
If our churches celebrate the influential while sidelining the faithful, we’re not just being unkind—we’re being un-Christian. We’re playing favorites and losing faith.
James refers to “the poor man” here in the singular, not just as an individual, but as a representative—a composite character.
He isn’t just someone without money; he may also be poor in other ways: overlooked because of his clothes, his skin color, his education level, or his past. He might be someone who’s socially awkward, visibly broken, freshly out of jail, or just inconvenient.
Whatever makes someone easy to exclude—that’s what James is aiming at.
James holds him up as the test case of real religion—not because he’s a project, but because he’s a person.
And if our faith doesn’t work on him, it doesn’t work at all.
This poor man will keep showing up in James. He’s in chapter 1, chapter 2, and indirectly in chapter 5 when the rich are condemned.
God’s heart beats for him. What about ours? Who gets the crown?
- Who Are You Applauding? (vv. 6–7)
James 2:6–7 "But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?"
James gets sarcastic here: “Really? These rich folks you favor—aren’t they the ones suing you and mocking the name of Jesus?”
Why are you siding with those who hurt you?
We may not face the exact lawsuits James’ readers did, but the pull is still the same. It’s easy to be drawn toward the impressive – the polished, the well-connected—and miss the quiet faithfulness sitting right beside us.
illus: It’s like a high schooler ditching their loyal friends to sit with the cool crowd—only to be mocked behind their back. That’s what it looks like when the church chases cultural clout instead of kingdom character.
Is James saying every rich person is evil? No. But he is saying: “watch who you admire.” Because when you crave someone’s approval, you start imitating their attitude.
John Wesley – “When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart."
Partiality isn’t just a preference—it’s a betrayal of the kingdom ethic.
James is calling out a deep insecurity: we think being liked by the powerful means we’re doing something right.
Psalm 1:1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly."
- Are You Loving Your Neighbor—or Labeling Them? (vv. 8–9)
James 2:8–9 "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors."
James calls it the royal law because love is the rule of the Kingdom.
Paul echoes this in Romans 13:10 “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Jesus didn’t say, “Know your theology as yourself.” He said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Partiality is not a passive mistake—it’s an active violation. James says it plainly: If you show favoritism, you sin.
And this is exactly why so many “bad church experiences” sting so deeply. Most people don’t walk away from church because of a theological debate. They walk away because they felt invisible or judged or ignored.
They came expecting family but left with a wound. That doesn’t just turn them off from church – it makes them question the reality of Jesus Himself.
Luke 14:13–14 "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you."
Here’s the plain truth: You can’t love your neighbor while stepping over him to shake the mayor’s hand.
A church will never win the poor man as long as it is aiming for the rich.
That’s why favoritism is so dangerous in the body of Christ – it doesn’t just hurt feelings, it distorts the gospel.
The love of Christ isn’t just for the well-dressed and well-mannered. It’s for the overlooked and overwhelmed.
Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?”
And when we start loving like Jesus, the poor man finally sees the gospel in action—not just in words.
That same woman who once said church had become the place she couldn’t breathe? Her story didn’t end there.
For a long time, she avoided anything that looked like organized religion. Sunday mornings brought anxiety. Worship songs triggered memories of control and shame. But over time, God began to heal what people had broken.
A friend kept gently inviting her to a different church—no pressure, no guilt trips, just quiet persistence.
Eventually, she went. And she said what struck her most wasn’t the preaching or the music—it was the kindness. People looked her in the eye. They asked nothing of her. One woman noticed she seemed nervous and simply said, “You’re safe here.”
At that moment something opened in her. She said, “For the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe again in church.”
Now she helps others who’ve experienced spiritual abuse find healthy community again. She says the same Jesus who met her in her pain also led her back into fellowship. The difference was this: she finally found a church that looked like Jesus.
Conclusion: We dishonor God when we dishonor the people He treasures. The poor man isn’t a problem to fix—he’s a person to love. And when we love him well, we make the gospel visible.
Prayer Ministry:
- Crown Check: Ask the Lord to help you honor those He honors. Pray for a heart that treasures the poor as kingdom heirs.
- Applause Audit: Ask God to reveal if you’ve been seeking the approval of the powerful more than the presence of the humble.
- Neighbor Test: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the overlooked as your neighbors—and love them accordingly.
Come and join us this Sunday at the Great Commission Church for a truly remarkable and uplifting experience. Great Commission Church is a family-friendly church in Olive Branch, MS. Great Commission Church is not just any ordinary place of worship; it's a vibrant community where faith comes alive, hearts are filled with love, and lives are transformed. Our doors are wide open, ready to welcome you into the warm embrace of our congregation, where you'll discover the true essence of fellowship and spirituality. At Great Commission Church, we are more than just a congregation; we are a family united by a common mission – to follow the teachings of Christ and spread His love to the world. As you step inside Great Commission Church, you'll find a sanctuary that nurtures your faith and encourages you to be part of something greater than yourself.
We believe in the power of coming together as a community to worship, learn, and serve. Whether you're a long-time believer or just starting your spiritual journey, Great Commission Church welcomes people from all walks of life. Our vibrant services are filled with inspiring messages, beautiful music, and heartfelt prayers that will uplift your soul. Every Sunday at Great Commission Church is an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and connect with others who share your faith and values.
At Great Commission Church, we believe that faith is not just a solitary endeavor but a shared experience that strengthens and enriches us all. Our church is a place where you can find purpose, belonging, and the encouragement to live a life in accordance with Christ's teachings. Join us this Sunday at Great Commission Church and experience the transformative power of faith in action. Be part of a loving and supportive community that is committed to making a positive impact in our world. Together, we strive to fulfill the great commission to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We look forward to having you with us at Great Commission Church this Sunday, where faith, love, and community intersect in a truly amazing way.
Great Commission Church is a non-denominational, family-friendly Christian church located in Olive Branch, Mississippi. We are a short drive from Germantown, Southaven, Collierville, Horn Lake, Memphis, Fairhaven, Mineral Wells, Pleasant Hill, Handy Corner, Lewisburg and Byhalia. Great Commission Church is conveniently located, making it easy to find and attend. Many people have even called it their go-to “church near me” or the "Church nearby" because of how accessible it is and how quickly it feels like home.
See you Sunday at Great Commission Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi!
