Grace City Eugene
Forbidden Favorites | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 3)
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Favoritism and partiality are not just mistakes but sin that contradicts biblical principles.
- The kingdom of God values all people equally, especially those overlooked by society.
- Grace is the foundation of equality—no one earns their way into God's grace, and this should shape how we treat others.
- Believers are called to reflect God's mercy by loving and serving everyone, especially those who can do nothing for us.
- Living out faith means demonstrating love and mercy through our actions, not just our beliefs.
Summary
Introduction and Conviction in Faith
Pastor Chris Zauner begins by reflecting on the ongoing James series, 'Show Me Your Faith,' emphasizing the deep conviction that comes from engaging with God's word. He encourages the congregation to persevere in their faith journey, highlighting the importance of personal engagement with scripture beyond Sundays. The theme centers around the transformative power of God's word to reveal areas where believers may not be living in accordance with their faith.
Cultural Tendencies toward Favoritism and Valuing People
The pastor discusses how culture often measures value through preferences and favorites—be it coffee shops, sports teams, or brands. He warns against the dangerous tendency of allowing these preferences to influence how we evaluate and treat others, especially in terms of worth based on wealth, appearance, social status, or influence. He critiques the subtle ways favoritism infiltrates the church and emphasizes that such behavior contradicts the faith in Jesus, who does not value people based on worldly standards.
Biblical Teaching on Partiality and Value in the Kingdom of God
Using James 2:1-13, the sermon explores how favoritism is sin, directly contrasting worldly valuation with Jesus' example. James condemns Christians for making distinctions among people based on external attributes, which leads to injustice and dishonors the dignity of all as God's image-bearers. The message underscores that God's kingdom often overturns worldly values—highlighting how God chooses the overlooked, the humble, and the marginalized. The analogy of Jesus' table illustrates how all are equally loved and invited, regardless of social status or wealth.
Grace and the Foundation of Equality in the Gospel
Pastor Chris emphasizes that salvation and entry into God's kingdom are rooted in grace, not personal merit. Jesus' sacrifice was made knowing our flaws and shortcomings, making it clear that no one earns their place at God's table. The gospel reminds us that we are saved because of grace, which destroys favoritism, and calls believers to extend that same mercy to others. Recognizing what we have received from Christ motivates us to love all people equally, reflecting His mercy and humility.
Living Out Faith: Reflecting God's Mercy and Loving Others
The final section challenges believers to demonstrate their faith through actions—by loving their neighbors and treating everyone with mercy, just as God has shown us. James 2:8-13 outlines that obeying the royal law of loving others is non-negotiable, and favoritism is sin. Christians are called to show mercy lavishly, extending grace without regard to status or benefit. The image of Jesus at the table, sharing life with diverse individuals, reinforces that at His feet, all are equal. The message concludes with a call for the church to embody this radical, inclusive love, and to show their faith in tangible ways.
Sponsors
- None mentioned
Show notes
What does our faith in Jesus reveal about the way we value and treat other people?
In Week 3 of our series, Show Me Your Faith, Pastor Chris Zauner teaches from James 2:1–13 in a message titled “Forbidden Favoritism.” James gives the church a direct command: followers of Jesus must not show partiality or assign greater value to people based on wealth, influence, appearance, status, background, or what they can offer us.
Favoritism may seem like a small issue, but Scripture calls it sin. When we begin viewing relationships through the lens of usefulness, influence, or personal benefit, people become opportunities to leverage instead of neighbors to love.
The gospel calls us to something radically different.
Jesus moved toward the people the world overlooked. He welcomed outsiders, touched the untouchable, dignified the dismissed, and extended mercy to people who had nothing to offer Him. And that same mercy is the reason any of us have a place at His table.
In this sermon, Pastor Chris challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask:
Who do I naturally notice—and who do I overlook?
Who do I move toward—and who do I avoid?
Do I value people based on what they can do for me?
Has the gospel actually changed the way I see the person in front of me?
James reminds us that genuine faith must change more than what we believe—it must transform how we live.
Three truths guide this message:
1. Reject the world’s way of valuing people.
People are not opportunities to leverage. They are neighbors to love.
2. Remember what you have received.
Jesus welcomed us when we had nothing to offer Him. We did not earn our place at His table; we received it through grace.
3. Reflect God’s mercy to everyone.
People who have received extraordinary mercy should become people who extend extraordinary mercy.
There are no VIPs at the foot of the cross. Our income, influence, accomplishments, social status, political identity, appearance, or connections do not determine our worth. Every person bears the image of God, and the ground at the foot of the cross is level.
James 2:8 says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” And James closes this passage with a powerful reminder:
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13
The question is not simply whether we understand that truth. The question is whether our lives demonstrate it.
Will we show our faith in who we welcome?
Will we show our faith in who receives our attention?
Will we show our faith by moving toward people who can do absolutely nothing for us?
May we become a church that sees the lonely, the overlooked, the successful, the struggling, the wealthy, the poor, the put-together, and the falling apart—and extends the mercy of Jesus to everyone.
📖 Scripture: James 2:1–13
🎙️ Message: Forbidden Favoritism
👤 Speaker: Pastor Chris Zauner
📚 Series: Show Me Your Faith
▶️ Week: 3
If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone, subscribe for more sermons, and continue walking with us through the book of James.
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