Prizing The Imperishable
Wisdom From Above
June 13, 2021
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Using the Susan Boyle story and James 2, the sermon warns against human prejudice and favoritism, urging Christians to treat all people—especially the poor—as God’s chosen, building a unified worshiping community based on Christ’s sacrifice rather than worldly distinctions.
Summary
The sermon opens with the Susan Boyle example to show how visible appearances can hide true worth, then draws on James 2 to expose the human tendency to show partiality and judge by perishable qualities. It warns that favoritism divides the church and dishonors those God has chosen—particularly the poor, who are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. The preacher challenges listeners to consider how they would want to be treated if they were poor or marginalized, calling believers to abandon worldly standards of esteem and to embody the one faith and one Spirit made possible by Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice. The message closes with an appeal to use the emblems of Christ’s body and blood to renew the resolve, by the Spirit, to love without partiality.
Key Points
- Susan Boyle anecdote: appearances can mislead; what was invisible became visible when she sang.
- Prejudice is a common human failing; judging by sight reflects the fallen condition.
- James 2 command: show no partiality while holding faith in Jesus Christ.
- Favoritism divides the church and reflects sinful, evil reasoning.
- God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith; dishonoring them robs God of glory.
- Reflect: any of us could be poor or marginalized—treat others as you would want to be treated.
- Christians must reject worldly checklists for belonging; the church is built on Christ’s sacrifice, one faith and one Spirit.
- Communion/emblems used as a call to strengthen our commitment to love without partiality by the power of the Spirit.
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