Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Text -
James 2.1-4
James 1.8
James’ Arguments
Partiality between the rich and the poor was common among these Jewish Christians
This partiality is commonly practiced by the rich ones.
Partiality (grk.
prosopolemsia) an inclination to favor one group, view, or opinion, resulting in injustice.
God’s Command to Fairness
Justice must be fair to everyone
Deuteronomy 1.17
Deuteronomy 10.17
Justice is a hallmark of the Living God
Job
Partiality is not to be practiced by Christians
James 2.1
partiality is sin
Partiality, especially in judgment, was often practiced by those who can afford to bribe the judges.
The “rich” often bribed the system to their favor
The “poor” usually became the victim of injustice
The Gospel and the Poor
The Gospel is originally intended for the “poor”
Luke 4.17-18
The “poor” - (1) financially impoverished, and (2) the humbled ones due to their physical, emotional and spiritual afflictions
The “gospel” was, in a sense, God’s justice in behalf of the poor.
The Gospel is ‘biased against” the rich
The parables of Christ projected the rich as sinful and worldly
Luke 18.23-
The rich are often seen as not doing their fair share in the economy
Luke 21.1-4
The Gospel warns against riches
Why is the gospel biased against riches?
The problems with material riches
Wealth can enslave a person
Wealth can corrupt a person’s character
1 Timothy 6.9-
Wealth comes with great responsibilities
Christ’s Condescension
Jesus became “poor”
“He was rich” - in glory, not in material things
“He became poor” - He identified with the poor, the afflicted, less fortunate
1
Philippians 2.
The Gospel teaches us to “condescend”
Romans 12.
Paul exhorts the “rich” believers to “level down” to the lowly ones
Note - we cannot find one verse that exhorts the poor to level up with the rich
Conclusion
What is the connection with spiritual maturity?
“Love your neighbor as yourself”
James 2.8
Love - expressed in compassion, concern, favor
God’s Word commands us to give to all people the same compassion, concern and care we give to ourselves.
Luke 14.12-14
The spiritually mature person treats his/her brothers and sisters the same he/she treats himself/herself.
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