What if the church's biggest problem isn't hatred, but the subtle ways we treat people differently? In this week's message from our "Integrated" series, Pastor Stephen Mizell confronts a truth that hits closer to home than we'd like to admit: we all have prejudices.

Drawing from James 2, this sermon challenges us to examine how we show favoritism—whether based on wealth, appearance, motivation, or countless other factors. Pastor Stephen reminds us that every person who walks through our doors is created in the image of God and deserves the same mercy we desperately need.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Everyone has prejudices—the question is how we respond to what we see
• Faith and favoritism cannot coexist in the life of a believer
• We want "TSA PreCheck mercy" for ourselves but "cavity search mercy" for others
• The royal law: Love your neighbor as yourself (James 2:8)
• Mercy triumphs over judgment because mercy looks like the King

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• James 2:1-13
• Matthew 5:3 (Sermon on the Mount - Blessed are the poor in spirit)

This message will challenge you to ask: Who do I instinctively honor? Who do I subtly overlook? And if Jesus walked into our church as inconspicuously as He arrived in a manger, how would we treat Him?

What if the biggest lie you'll ever hear isn't from the culture, the media, or even the enemy - but from yourself? In this week's message from the book of James, Pastor Stephen Mizell tackles one of the most common problems in the church today: we're information-rich but obedience-poor.

Drawing from James 1:19-27, Pastor Stephen uses the powerful metaphor of a mirror to show how God's Word reveals who we really are. But here's the challenge: are we just glancing at our reflection and walking away unchanged, or are we allowing what we see to transform us?

• Why asking for "deep teaching" might actually be an excuse for disobedience
• The three big blockers that prevent us from hearing God (speaking too quickly, anger, and casual sin)
• How you can sit in church week after week and remain completely unchanged
• The dangerous tension between purity and compassion—and why we need both
• Why social justice without Jesus is no justice at all

"God's word reveals our reality, but our obedience is what releases our transformation."

ABOUT OPEN DOOR CHURCH
Open Door Church is located in Edenton, NC, where Pastor Stephen Mizell serves as lead pastor. We are a fellowship of believers whose lives are being transformed by Jesus Christ and are committed to reaching Northeastern North Carolina with the good news of Jesus Christ. We are an independent, non-affiliated fellowship with a love of Jesus that connects us to a larger purpose in life.

Start your year with powerful insight into how God uses pressure to refine your faith! In this first message of our new series "Integrated," Pastor Stephen unpacks James 1:1-18 to reveal why trials aren't meant to break us—they're meant to complete us.

Discover the difference between testing and temptation, learn why God allows difficulties in your life, and find out how endurance develops through patient faith. This message will challenge you to close the gap between what you believe and how you live.

Key Takeaways:

• Pressure reveals your integrity—it doesn't break it
• God tests you to strengthen you; sin tempts you to destroy you
• A faith that can't be tested can't be trusted
• God uses trials to refine you, not punish you
• Patient endurance leads to wisdom, wholeness, and the crown of life
• The question isn't IF you'll face pressure, but WHAT it will reveal about you

Scripture References: James 1:1-18 | Jeremiah 29:11-13 | 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

About This Series: Join us for "Integrated"—a 7-week journey through the book of James that will help close the gap between what we say we believe and how we actually live. It's time for an integrated life!

ABOUT OPEN DOOR CHURCH: Open Door Church is located in Edenton, NC, where Pastor Stephen Mizell serves as lead pastor. We believe in the transformative power of God's Word and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.