(Clip) Do You Show Respect of Persons in the Church
Mack Tomlinson emphasizes that every believer in the church, regardless of their spiritual maturity or status, is valuable and deserving of equal respect, warning against favoritism.
This sermon emphasizes the value and importance of every believer in the church, from the most marginalized and struggling to the leaders and mature ones. Paul's message to the Corinthians highlights that no one is less or dispensable in the body of Christ, and respect of persons should not be shown based on popularity or status. Jesus identifies with the least of these, emphasizing the need to love and care for every believer as if we are doing it for Him.
Full Transcript
All the saints are in Paul's heart. The most carnal, the weakest, the neediest, the most marginalized on the fringe of the church, the one who feels like a shrimp every time they go to church and they're around the mature ones. All the saints from the leaders to the struggling believer, all are valuable and important to Paul.
And Paul says to the Corinthians some remarkable things. Remember, he says this, to those who seem to be less, you're not less. And to those who feel I'm not a hand, I'm not an eye, so I'm less, they're not less in any way, Paul says.
And those members who seem to be less are not to be viewed by anyone as being less, but rather as indispensable and necessary and honored and significant. Now brethren, we sin this way often in the church subtly and we don't even realize it. Respect of persons.
Do we ever show it? The popular, the important, the well-known, the gifted, the whatever. Do we show them respect of persons? Do we treat them differently than the newest babe in Christ and the most struggling saint who needs our love and our attention and our word and season rather than our favorite friend in the church? Jesus said, the least of these. The least of these.
That's Me. In that you've done it to the least of these, you've done it to Me. That's who I lovingly identify with, the unknowns.
Just believers. Followers of Christ.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Heart of Paul for All Saints
- Paul values every member of the church
- No believer is insignificant or less
- Inclusiveness from leaders to the weakest
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II. The Danger of Showing Respect of Persons
- Favoring the popular or gifted
- Neglecting the struggling or new believers
- Unconscious partiality in the church
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III. Biblical Mandate to Honor the Least
- Jesus identifies with the least of these
- Serving the marginalized is serving Christ
- Every believer is indispensable
Key Quotes
“Remember, he says this, to those who seem to be less, you're not less.” — Mack Tomlinson
“Those members who seem to be less are not to be viewed by anyone as being less, but rather as indispensable and necessary and honored and significant.” — Mack Tomlinson
“Jesus said, the least of these. The least of these. That's Me. In that you've done it to the least of these, you've done it to Me.” — Mack Tomlinson
Application Points
- Examine your heart for any unconscious favoritism within your church community.
- Intentionally encourage and support the newest and weakest members of your church.
- Remember that serving the marginalized is serving Christ Himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'respect of persons' mean in the church context?
It refers to showing favoritism or partiality based on status, popularity, or gifts rather than valuing all believers equally.
Why is it important to honor the weakest members of the church?
Because every member is indispensable and honored by God, and neglecting the weakest harms church unity and reflects disobedience.
How does Jesus identify with the marginalized in the church?
Jesus says that serving the least of these is equivalent to serving Him personally, showing His special concern for the marginalized.
What practical steps can churches take to avoid favoritism?
Churches can intentionally include and support struggling believers, teach the value of all members, and guard against unconscious biases.