Favoritism in the Church: Living the Upside Down Kingdom

Nov 02, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Glory of Jesus Outshines All Earthly Status

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Lord of glory, every earthly marker of status, wealth, or prestige fades into insignificance. The world may obsess over credentials, appearances, and outward success, but in the presence of Christ’s everlasting dominion, these things are revealed as fleeting and ultimately unimportant. As believers, we are called to see others through the lens of Christ’s glory, not by the shallow standards of the world. When we truly behold the ascended and reigning Christ, our hearts are freed from the need to compare, compete, or show favoritism, and we are drawn instead to honor Him above all. [48:17]

James 2:1-7 (ESV)
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself valuing others—or yourself—based on outward achievements or possessions, and how might beholding the glory of Christ help you see people differently today?

Day 2: Favoritism Has No Place in the Church

God’s command is clear: favoritism is incompatible with genuine Christian faith. The church is called to be a counterculture, a place where the world’s standards of status and partiality are overturned by the radical love and equality found in Christ. When we show favoritism, even in subtle or hidden ways, we betray a lack of trust in God’s provision and a misunderstanding of the gospel’s power to unite all people. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and every believer is equally precious in God’s sight, regardless of their background or resources. [45:40]

Romans 2:11 (ESV)
For God shows no partiality.

Reflection: Is there someone in your church or community whom you tend to overlook or treat differently? What is one concrete step you can take this week to show them Christlike love and honor?

Day 3: Outward Appearances Can Be Deceiving

It is easy to judge others by what we see on the surface, but God looks at the heart. Jesus Himself, during His earthly ministry, was not esteemed for His appearance or status, but was despised and rejected, even though He was the very Son of God. The world’s standards are often upside down from God’s, and we are called to resist the temptation to make distinctions based on wealth, fashion, or influence. Instead, we are to remember that true glory is often hidden beneath humility, and that God’s ways are not our ways. [53:28]

Isaiah 53:2-3 (ESV)
For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Reflection: When have you been tempted to judge someone by their appearance or social standing? How can you ask God to help you see others as He sees them today?

Day 4: God’s Kingdom Is an Upside Down Kingdom

In God’s kingdom, those who are poor in the world’s eyes are often rich in faith, and those who have much may be in greater spiritual danger. Material abundance does not guarantee spiritual blessing, nor does lack mean spiritual poverty. God’s grace is not distributed according to worldly standards, and His people are called to value one another as heirs of the kingdom, chosen and loved by God. This upside down kingdom challenges us to examine our own hearts and to rejoice in the ways God’s grace levels every distinction. [01:00:29]

Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection: Think of a time when a season of need or weakness drew you closer to God. How might you embrace dependence on Him today, regardless of your circumstances?

Day 5: Our Identity in Christ Transforms How We See Others

The most important thing about any person is not their wealth, status, or achievements, but whether they bear the name of Christ. If you are in Christ, you have been redeemed, forgiven, and given a new identity that surpasses every earthly marker. This truth frees us to love others without calculation or self-interest, to serve rather than exploit, and to see every person as someone for whom Christ died. As we remember our own need for grace, we are empowered to extend that same grace to others, living out the radical love of the upside down kingdom. [01:08:42]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: How does remembering your identity in Christ change the way you interact with people who are different from you? What is one way you can intentionally show the love of Christ to someone outside your usual circle this week?

Sermon Summary

In the presence of our gracious God, we are reminded of the deep comfort and mercy He extends to us in every season of life. As we lift up the needs of our congregation—those battling illness, facing surgeries, or awaiting test results—we do so with confidence in the God who is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, abides with us, assuring us that we are never alone, even in our most trying moments. We are called to persistent prayer, trusting that God’s love and power are greater than any circumstance we face.

Turning to the book of James, we are confronted with a clear and searching command: show no favoritism. In the church, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. The world may operate by outward appearances, status, and wealth, but the kingdom of God is radically different. James calls us to see with new eyes, to recognize that the glory of Jesus Christ far surpasses any earthly glory. When we are captivated by the Lord of glory—crowned now in heaven, yet once veiled in humility on earth—our tendency to judge by appearances is exposed as foolish and unworthy of our calling.

James illustrates the danger of favoritism with a vivid picture: two visitors enter the assembly, one wealthy and one poor. The temptation is to honor the one who appears important and to disregard the one who seems insignificant. But this reveals a heart that trusts in human power rather than in God’s provision. The church is to be a counterculture, a place where all are received as equals, not because of what they can offer, but because of who Christ is and what He has done.

God’s kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. Those who are poor in the world’s eyes are often rich in faith, more aware of their dependence on God. Wealth and poverty are not measures of spiritual worth; rather, they can either draw us closer to God or lead us away from Him. Our true identity is not found in what we possess, but in the name by which we are called—Christian. The Lord of glory gave Himself for us, and in Him, we have all we need. Freed by His grace, we are called to love and serve others without partiality, reflecting the heart of our Savior.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Comfort in Affliction God is not distant from our suffering; He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. In every trial, His Spirit draws near, reminding us of His faithfulness and sustaining us with hope. Our prayers for one another are not empty rituals but acts of faith in a God who hears and responds with compassion and power. [32:19]
2. The Glory of Christ Destroys Favoritism When we truly behold the glory of Jesus—the Lord of glory, reigning now in heaven—every earthly distinction fades into insignificance. Outward status, wealth, or influence cannot compare to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Fixing our eyes on Him transforms our hearts, making favoritism unthinkable for those who follow such a King. [47:03]
3. Hidden Glory and the Danger of Outward Appearances Jesus’ earthly glory was veiled in humility, reminding us that true worth is often hidden from the world’s eyes. Favoritism is rooted in judging by appearances, but God calls us to see as He sees. We must resist the temptation to value people for what they can offer us and instead honor the image of God in every person. [52:44]
4. The Church as a Countercultural Community The church is called to be a place where the world’s hierarchies are overturned. At the foot of the cross, all are equal—rich and poor, powerful and weak. Our treatment of others reveals where our trust lies: in human resources or in God’s provision. We are to welcome and love without calculation, reflecting the radical grace we have received. [56:44]
5. True Riches and the Upside-Down Kingdom God’s kingdom values are not the world’s values. Often, those who are poor in material things are rich in faith, more attuned to their need for God. Wealth is not a sign of God’s favor, nor is poverty a sign of His displeasure; both can shape our hearts for good or ill. Our identity and worth are found in Christ alone, who became poor for our sake, that we might become rich in Him. [61:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:26] - Prayer Updates for the Congregation
[32:19] - God of All Comfort
[33:41] - The Power of God’s Love
[35:05] - Prayers for Healing and Guidance
[37:45] - Praying for Leaders and the Global Church
[39:58] - Opening God’s Word: James 2:1-7
[41:15] - The Command Against Favoritism
[43:43] - Favoritism Contradicts the Gospel
[45:04] - Outline: Command, Illustration, Kingdom
[47:03] - The Glory of Jesus vs. Earthly Glory
[50:10] - A Story of Credentials and True Worth
[52:44] - Hidden Glory and Outward Appearances
[54:41] - James’ Illustration: Rich and Poor Visitors
[56:44] - The Church’s Heart Revealed
[59:13] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
[61:49] - True Riches and Spiritual Dependence
[64:20] - Martin Lloyd-Jones: God’s People
[69:22] - Freed to Love Without Partiality
[70:41] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

James 2:1-7 (ESV)
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

Observation Questions

According to James 2:1, what is the main command given to believers regarding how they treat others in the church?
In the illustration James gives, how are the two visitors—one rich and one poor—treated differently by the assembly? ([54:41])
What does James say about God’s choice of the poor in verse 5? How does this challenge the way the world often values people?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is revealed about a church’s heart when it shows favoritism? ([56:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why does James connect favoritism with a lack of understanding about the “glory of Jesus”? How does seeing Jesus as the “Lord of glory” change the way we view others? ([47:03])
The sermon describes the church as a “counterculture” where the world’s hierarchies are overturned. What does this mean practically for how we relate to one another? ([56:44])
The pastor mentions that both wealth and poverty can shape our hearts for good or ill. How might having a lot or having little affect someone’s relationship with God? ([01:01:49])
The sermon says that our identity is found in “the name by which we are called—Christian.” Why is this identity more important than any outward status or possession? ([01:08:42])

Application Questions

The sermon says that favoritism is “unthinkable” for those who follow Jesus. Can you think of a time when you were tempted to treat someone differently because of their appearance, status, or what they could offer you? What was going on in your heart at that moment? ([54:41])
The pastor shared a story about being a church planter and noticing who drove nice cars in the parking lot. Are there subtle ways you find yourself valuing people based on what they have or what they can do for you? How can you catch yourself in those moments? ([58:38])
The sermon says that the church should be a place where “all are received as equals, not because of what they can offer, but because of who Christ is and what He has done.” What are some practical ways our group or church can make sure everyone feels equally welcomed and valued? ([56:44])
The pastor talked about how those who are poor in the world’s eyes are often “rich in faith.” Have you ever learned something about faith or dependence on God from someone who had very little? What did you learn? ([01:01:49])
The sermon reminds us that our prayers for one another are “acts of faith in a God who hears and responds with compassion and power.” Is there someone in our group or church who needs comfort right now? How can we pray for them and support them this week? ([32:19])
The “upside-down kingdom” means that God’s values are not the world’s values. Is there an area of your life where you feel pressure to measure up to the world’s standards? How can you remind yourself of your true worth in Christ this week? ([01:01:49])
The pastor said, “When you behold the Lord of glory, your favoritism should melt away.” What is one step you can take this week to fix your eyes more on Jesus and less on outward appearances? ([52:05])

Sermon Clips

“Favoritism might fly in the world. You probably can think of examples of favoritism in your workplaces, in your neighborhoods, in the way the world works. But it shouldn't be that way in the church. Favoritism in the church contradicts the basic truth of the gospel. Favoritism is blind to the glory of Jesus Christ.”

“With this king and this kingdom, favoritism should be unthinkable. Let me say that again. With this king, King Jesus, the Lord of glory and this kingdom, the the upside down kingdom of God, favoritism should be unthinkable. And this passage shows us why.”

“In other words, favoritism and genuine Christian faith are completely at odds with each other. And to prove that point, James makes two arguments. He makes one argument about our king and he makes another argument about his kingdom. So first about our king.”

“If you claim to trust in Jesus, if you follow Jesus as your king, if Jesus is your Lord of glory, then favoritism has no place. It makes no sense. It should be unthinkable. And that's for a few reasons. And the first is this. Favoritism is unthinkable for Christians who follow King Jesus because Jesus glory far outshines any earthly glory.”

“His glory should dazzle us so much that earthly comparisons matter less and less. That's likely the reason why James uses an uncommon title for Jesus here. Jesus is not often in the Bible called the Lord of glory, but James uses that here because it's so foolish to judge other people by outward appearances.”

“Just imagine if all the rulers of the earth from every age, all the kings and queens, emperors, if they were gathered together and if they were then joined by every world leader today, every billionaire, every celebrity, if they all lined up not just with themselves with all of their wealth and prestige and power.”

“If all of that were lined up, all of it would look shabby at best compared to the glory of Jesus Christ. As Daniel reminds us, outward earthly glory comes an expiration date. Outward earthly power will always pass away, but Jesus glory will never end. His kingdom has no end.”

“Here we are obsessing over each other's credentials, whatever they might be. All the outward standards that we use to measure who is worthy of our attention when the Lord of glory has called us to himself. And so when you behold his glory, your favoritism should melt away.”

“Favoritism considers the outward appearance, the things that we can see about people on the surface. But James reminds us throughout this passage that looks can be deceiving. What seems outwardly glorious often isn't. And outward humility can hide great glory. All that is gold does not glitter.”

“The ground is level at the foot of the cross before the face of a holy and just and merciful God. We are all equal as creatures and in Christ. We are all equal as brothers and sisters. But as verse four shows, this church by favoritism had revealed their own hearts and their hearts were judgmental and evil.”

“We can have hearts that calculate how valuable someone could be to us and that then we base our treatment of them on that calculation. I know that this is true because I know that I am guilty of it. You know, before coming to Redeemer, I was a church planter and church planters have on their minds, this church needs to succeed and to move forward and to be established.”

“There are subtle ways this happens and sometimes it happens so deep in our hearts that other people might not know but you know when you are treating someone a certain way based on what you think they can do for you. You and I so often lack a heavenly perspective.”

“We need to see what the kingdom of God really is. It really is an upside down kingdom. And we see that when we take on that heavenly perspective that James gives us here in these last few verses. James pulls everything away. Takes off the masks and shows us what's really going on with rich and poor.”

“Those who are poor in the world's eyes are actually often rich in faith. Look at verse 5. James asks this question. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. Isn't this upside down from what we expect?”

“We tend to think that outward prosperity and power means God's blessing. And so if God's blessed someone material in materially in this world, then he must have blessed them spiritually as well. But James challenges us to remember that's not always the case. We should not equate plenty with spiritual riches and we should also not equate lack with spiritual poverty.”

“If your poverty draws you uh closer to God, that's a great blessing. If your riches draw you away from God, that's a great peril. Now, most likely the Christians who James wrote to were mainly poor by worldly standards. But the good news is that God does not elect a salvation based on worldly riches.”

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