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The Commencement Concerning The Book Of Philemon

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #1

Commencement is the start of something.

Here I want to give a brief outline of the Book of Philemon

I). The Salutation of Paul v1-9

The Book of Philemon, as well as Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, is a prison letter of the Apostle Paul at Rome.

A). Paul Addresses Philemon v1-4

1). Philemon was well-liked (beloved)

2). Philemon was a worker (fellowlabourer)

B). Paul Applauds Philemon v5-9

Paul is writing to Philemon, acknowledging the good works he had done in the past.

1). For Philemon’s grace

2). For Philemon’s goodness

II). The Petition By Paul v10-17

A). Paul beseeches for his begotten brother v10

B). Paul pleas for pity on his now profitable brother v11

III). The Restitution To Be Paid By Paul v18-21

A). Paul’s debt v18-19

Paul is showing us what the Lord did for us, imputing something that was not his debt to begin with and paying for on another’s behalf.

B). Paul’s disciple v19-21

Undoubtedly Philemon was lead to the Lord by the apostle Paul.

IV). The Conclusion From Paul v22-25

This is just a simple outline to show you the divisions of the Book of Philemon. It is a book that shows us true Christian forgiveness one to another. After reading this letter to Philemon over and over, one can see that we too were runaways from the enslavery of sin, until Jesus came our way and saved us. It also teaches us to pray for others and intercede on their behalf. Finally, this letter shows us to build relationships with others that at ends with each other.

The Call Of The Companions

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #2

Writer: The apostle Paul

Date: AD 62; carried by Tychicus together with the Letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians

Where written: Rome by the Apostle Paul

Reader: Philemon at Colosse;

Why: To ask Philemon to forgive and welcome back the runaway slave Onesimus, now a brother in Christ. The Letter is a model of forgiveness, love, and courtesy.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to Philemon writes of some of the brethren that have helped him along the way. Having people in the ministry that are willing to help the preacher is vital. I have, personally, a man that has been a huge help to me since 2000. His name is “Hoss” Cartwright (not from Bonanza). That is what his nickname is. Anyways, he is a big help to me, along with a few preacher friends of mine. Such is the case with the Apostle Paul. Here in Philemon, Paul writes of some of his friends in the ministry.

First of all we see the…

I) Followers Of Paul

A). FellowLabourers v1

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

A pastor friend of mine (Brother Robert Jaynes) said this in the morning service of March 25, 2007, “Don’t value stuff, value people.” Meaning the stuff of this world really are not worth the price of an eternal soul. True friends are worth more than that of gold. Paul valued people more than belongings. Here is a list of some of the fellowlabourers of the Apostle Paul.

1). Timothy v1

Much could be said about Timothy and his story of how he helped the apostle Paul. Timothy was one of Paul’s own converts from Lystra, which in turn, Timothy began a tremendous help to the apostle Paul.

2). Philemon v1

Wealthy slave owner whom Paul lead to the Lord.

3). Marcus v24

He was the one who was the nephew of Barnabas. He later left Paul (Acts 15:37-39), but towards the end of Paul’s life, he was asked for my name by Paul because he was profitable for Paul in the ministry.

4). Aristarchus v24

Despite his name having to do with the higher class of people (Arist- as in aristocrat and archus meaning rule or bearing rule), Aristarchus was a very humble man and was a man that had the courage to stand with the Apostle Paul. He is with Paul at Malta and shipwrecked with him. Before that he was at Ephesus during the riot (see Acts 19:29 for that). He more than likely suffered martyrdom with Paul at Rome. He was a very faithful man to the Lord and the Apostle.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. Acts 19:29

5). Demas v24

(governor of the people ), most probably a contraction from Demetrius or perhaps from Demarchus, a companion of St. Paul, (Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:14) during his first imprisonment at Rome. (A.D. 57.) At a later period, (2 Timothy 4:10) we find him mentioned as having deserted the apostle through love of this present world, and gone to Thessalonica. - Smith’s Bible Dictionary

6). Lucas v24

The faithful Dr. Luke, who followed Paul in his journey’s. When it came down to the end, Luke was

B). Fellow Soldiers

The soldier’s first article of faith is summed up nowhere more eloquently than in an 1865 letter from William Tecumseh Sherman to U. S. Grant: “I knew wherever I was that you thought of me, and if I got in a tight place you would come—if alive.” This is the unwritten, unspoken but unbreakable contract of the battlefield: You will leave no one, dead or alive, in the hands of the enemy.

U.S. News and World Report, July 29, 1991, p. 5

1). Apphia v2

(Increasing) a female Christian at Colosse (Philemon 1:2), supposed by some to have been the wife of Philemon. - Easton’s Bible Dictionary

2). Archippus v2

(Master of the horse), a "fellow-soldier" of Paul's (Philemon 1:2), whom he exhorts to renewed activity (Colossians 4:17). He was a member of Philemon's family, probably his son. - Easton’s Bible Dictionary

II). Fellowship Of Paul

Fellowship in the N. T. basically means sharing and self-sacrifice with other believers. As N. T. scholar J. R. McRay has noted, “Fellowship in the early church was not based on uniformity of thought and practice, except where limits of immorality or rejection of the confession of Christ were involved.”

Christianity Today, March 18, 1988, p. 3

A). In Church v2

Paul acknowledges the church that is in Philemon’s house. It is very important for us to have fellowship in the church setting. Of equal importance is the family altar. Undoubtedly Philemon was the spiritual leader in the house.

B). In Containment

1). Prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ in bonds

2). Prisoner ministered to Onesimus in bonds

III). Fondness of Paul

A). Beloved Brethren

Tis so sweet to have brother and sister in Christ that you can trust with your whole heart and love.

B). Begotten Brother v10

1). Onesimus

He was led to the Lord Jesus Christ by the apostle Paul in Rome and is considered by Paul to be his own son in the faith (much like Titus and Timothy.)

In closing, we see how many people are mentioned by Paul in this Epistle by Paul to Philemon. We as Christians, are to be faithful to one another and have love unfeigned. Wouldn’t it be nice to list your friends in the ministry and praise the Lord for them?

The Captive For Christ

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #3

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

The Apostle Paul is writing a letter to a dear brother in Christ about a man named Onesimus. He was a slave that ran away from Philemon and ended up around the apostle Paul in Rome. Paul was in prison in Rome for the Lord Jesus Christ. In this message, we shall see why Paul was locked up and for what cause and for whom he was locked up for.

We see that Paul was…

I). Detained For His Doctrine (Principle)

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ”

A). He Was A Prisoner For The Word Of God

Acts 24:21 “Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.”

Also Acts 24:14 “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:”

Prison Bars Could Not Silence Baptists Who Preached Gospel - Five Baptists who were arrested for preaching the gospel were released several weeks later when authorities found that prison bars could not silence their witness.

Long ignored as bothersome but insignificant, Baptists were persecuted in Virginia when they came to be regarded as a threat to the state church. While there was no law in colonial Virginia against preaching the Baptist gospel, ministers were required to be licensed by the state-supported church.

The five Baptists, four preachers and a layman, were ar-rested and charged with being "great disturbers of the peace." The prosecuting attorney accused the five of the crime of not approaching a man on the road without trying to "ram a text of Scripture down his throat." The accused were promised freedom if they would pledge not to preach again for a year and a day. When they promptly refused, they were ordered jailed indefinitely.

Authorities were forewarned of events to come when the prisoners sang hymns as they were led to jail. The willingness of the Baptists to suffer for their convictions made a deep impression on bystanders. When one of the five was released four weeks later, he appealed to the governor or Virginia in behalf of his fellow prisoners. He was granted an audience with the deputy governor and won him completely to the Baptist cause.

"You may not molest these conscientious people so long as they behave themselves in a manner becoming pious Christians and in obedience to the law," the deputy governor wrote the prosecuting attorney. Besides, he added, "persecuting dissenters only increases their numbers." The deputy governor was a prophet. Before the Baptists were released, they preached to crowds outside the prison. While some tried to shout them down, others listened and were converted.

http://www.siteone.com/religion/baptist/baptistpage/Distinctives/church_state/persecution.htm

B). He Was A Prisoner For Witnessing To Gentiles

Colossians 4:3 “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

Archaeologists digging in the remains of a school for imperial pages in Rome found a picture dating from the third century. It shows a boy standing, his hand raised, worshiping a figure on a cross, a figure that looks like a man with the head of an ass. Scrawled in the writing of a young person are the words, “Alexamenos worships his God.”

Nearby in a second inscription: “Alexamenos is faithful.” Apparently, a young man who was a Christian was being mocked by his schoolmates for his faithful witness. But he was not ashamed; he was faithful. Good News is for Sharing, Leighton Ford, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., p. 78

II). Detained By His Deity (Person)

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ”

Paul was on several occasions. He was in prison by the Romans in Rome, by his own people in Jerusalem, and by the Philippians. Those imprisonments do not carry the weight that Paul’s imprisonment had before he got saved.

A). He Was A Prisoner By Satan and His Will

2 Timothy 2:25-26 states “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Romans 6:16 states, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

but now

B). He Is A Prisoner By The Saviour And His Will

Colossians 1:13-14 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

III). Detained By His Design (Purpose)

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ”

Paul was not in prison for no reason. I firmly believe that if the apostle Paul did not go to the prison in Rome, then we would not have many of the epistles that we have today.

On a wall in his bedroom Charles Spurgeon had a plaque with Isaiah 48:10 on it: "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." "It is no mean thing to be chosen of God," he wrote. "God's choice makes chosen men choice men...We are chosen, not in the palace, but in the furnace. In the furnace, beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted, glory is consumed; yet here eternal love reveals its secrets, and declares its choice." W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 223.

Philippians 1:12-14 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

We may not know why we go through trials and tribulations but God has a plan for all of us. In His infinite wisdom He guides us and leads us through this life in on earth. We usually don’t understand but to God be the glory, He does.

The Christ-like Character

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #4

Philemon 4-7 “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

When a man gets saved there is to be a change in that man’s life. He no longer is the same on the inside (II Corinthians 5:17), and what is new on the inside will shine forth to the outside. He thusly bears fruit of this inward change that can be seen of all men (Matthew 5:16, Galatians 5:22-23).

Philemon is a saved slave owner who lost one of his slaves. Paul writes to him about this slave runaway. But first you notice that Paul does not go right into the matter and occasion of the letter. He acknowledges Philemon’s character. This character is what Christian businessmen should be like.

Notice first Philemon’s…

I). Treasuring The Saints v5

“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;”

Show me a church where there is love, and I will show you a church that is a power in the community. In Chicago a few years ago a little boy attended a Sunday school I know of. When his parents moved to another part of the city the little fellow still attended the same Sunday school, although it meant a long, tiresome walk each way. A friend asked him why he went so far, and told him that there were plenty of others just as good nearer his home.

"They may be as good for others, but not for me," was his reply.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because they love a fellow over there," he replied.

If only we could make the world believe that we loved them there would be fewer empty churches, and a smaller proportion of our population who never darken a church door. Let love replace duty in our church relations, and the world will soon be evangelized.

Moody's Anecdotes, pp. 71-72.

A). Philemon’s cherishing (love)

1). Towards the Saviour

2). Towards the Saved

B). Philemon’s confidence (faith)
1). Directed to the Saviour

2). Directed to the Saved

II). Trusting The Saviour v5

“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;”

During the 1930s, 250 men were holding the ropes to a dirigible (an airship similar to a blimp) to keep it from floating away. Suddenly a gust of wind caught one end of the dirigible, lifting it high off the ground.

Some of the men immediately let go of their ropes and fell safely to the ground. Others panicked, clinging firmly to the end of their ropes as the nose of the dirigible arose to greater heights. Several men who couldn’t keep holding on fell and were seriously injured. One man, however, continued to dangle high in the air for forty-five minutes until he was rescued. Reporters later asked him how he was able to hold on to the rope for so long.

“I didn’t hold on to the rope,” he replied. “I just tied it around my waist, and the rope held on to me.”

Instead of trying to hold on to God, let God hold on to you.

(Kent Crockett, I Once Was Blind But Now I Squint, Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004, 138)

A). To Trust the Saviour is To Love Him

A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say. Source Unknown.

My God, I love Thee; not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
Nor yet because who love Thee not
Are lost eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails, and spear,
And manifold disgrace,

And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
Yea, death itself; and all for me
Who was thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well'
Not for the sake of winning heaven,
Nor of escaping hell;

Not from the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord.

So would I love Thee, dearest Lord,
And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my most loving King.

Francis Xavier, 1506-1552, Translated by Edward Caswall, 1814-1878

B). To Trust The Savior Is To Live For Him

The example is given by Paul of Philemon in one word, hearing. Someone had given Paul a testimony of the love and faith of Philemon. Not only was Philemon a man that displayed to his…

1) Friends

But to his… 2) Family

III). Taking Care Of The Saved v6-7

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

Mamie made frequent trips to the branch post office. One day she confronted a long line of people who were waiting for service from the postal clerks. Mamie only needed stamps, so a helpful observer asked, “Why don’t you use the stamp machine? You can get all the stamps you need and you won’t have to stand in line.” Mamie said, “I know, but the machine can’t ask me about my arthritis.” People still need human contact.

Source unknown

A). Communication Of His Faith v6

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

As a schoolboy, I worked with my father during the summer months. Each morning we stopped to pick up the early edition of the newspaper at a small grocery store.

One morning when we got to work, my father found that by mistake he had taken two newspapers instead of one. He first thought of paying the man the extra price the next morning, but then after a moment’s consideration he said, “I had better go back with this paper. I don’t want the man at the store to think I’m dishonest.” He got in his car, drove back to the store, and returned the paper.

About a week later, someone stole money from the grocery store. When police pinpointed the time it occurred, the grocer remembered only two people being in the store at the time—and one was my father. The grocer immediately dismissed my father as a suspect, saying, “That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake.” The police then focused their investigation on the other man, who soon made a full confession. My father’s honesty made a big impression on that non-Christian storeowner, and on me.

Does your Christian walk square with your Christian talk? Is your honesty above question'

Our Daily Bread, March-May, 1998, p. for April 15

B). Consolation By His Love v7

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

A little girl came home from a neighbor’s house where her little friend had died. “Why did you go?” questioned her father.

“To comfort her mother,” said the child.

“What could you do to comfort her?”

“I climbed into her lap and cried with her.”

Source unknown

Conclusion: As we can see, Philemon was a man of integrity and loyalty, as well a man of faith. I wonder if we can say that about ourselves? Better yet, I wonder if others would testify of your life and walk with the Lord!!!!

The Castaway Comes To Christ

Onesimus

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #5

Philemon 10-15

Onesimus was a slave of Philemon that some say he stole from Philemon and ran away from him. That is probably why Paul said that he (Paul) would repay whatever Onesimus owed to Philemon. In the case of Onesimus, he came to Paul at Rome and was led to the Lord by the apostle Paul. Onesimus was in turn a helper to Paul while at Rome during his imprisonment.

Onesimus was undoubtedly led to Rome by the providential hand and care of Almighty God for him to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour.

I). Onesimus Was AWOL v15

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;”
AWOL is Absent With Out Leave. It is used primarily in the military for soldiers who desert their station or do not show up for drills and such. Here Onesimus is AWOL from his master Philemon. To Philemon, Onesimus was…

A). Missing

Onesimus serves as a great example for us as a Christian who is AWOL from the service of God. Though at the time of his departure Onesimus was not a Christian, he serves as a picture perfect example as a Christian who was serving his master, then was sick and tired of his master and went AWOL. We as Christians should never get sick of the Lord and His blessings, we should never get tired of church or each other. Don’t go AWOL from each other or God.

During WWII six Navy pilots left their aircraft carrier on a mission. After searching the seas for enemy submarines, they tried to return to their ship shortly after dark. But the captain had ordered a blackout of all lights on the ship. Over and over the frantic pilots radioed, asking for just one light so they could see to land. But the pilots were told that the blackout could not be lifted. After several appeals and denials of their request, the ship’s operator turned the switch to break radio contact--and the pilots were forced to ditch in the ocean.

Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 12

B). Mischievous (probably stole from his master, Paul later makes a statement saying that he (Paul) would cover whatever was indebted.

II). Onesimus Accepted Christ v10

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Onesimus ran away to Rome and found the apostle Paul. I do not know why Onesimus ran away to Rome to find Paul, but I personally believe that Paul was good to him and showed him kindness. I also believe that the hand of God was in on it the whole way. It is by no coincidence that he went to Rome and came across the apostle Paul. Paul was a great soul winner and led Onesimus to the Lord. I do not know the list of sins that Onesimus had done prior to salvation, but they are gone now by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Oh I remember the day that I was saved by the grace of God. December 22, 1998, 7:45pm, cell block #3, Montgomery County Jail, Crawfordsville, IN. That was a night that I will never forget.

A). Beckoning Call of God

God is calling and drawing people daily, but a deaf hear and a hardened heart is what He gets in return. I am so glad that Onesimus answered the beckoning call of God. John 5:25 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”
B). Begotten Child of God

Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. "A pardon is a slip of paper," wrote Marshall, "the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged. "For some, the pardon comes too late. For others, the pardon is not accepted. Prokope, V. 11, #5.

Some people just will not receive the free gift of God that is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

III). Onesimus Was To Appear v12

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
A). He was to return to his master

B). He was to rejoice with his master

Conclusion

I wonder how many of us have wandered from the Lord and we need to return unto Him?

It is amazing that the Lord puts people in our way to help us and lead us in the right way.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

The Conciliation Call To Philemon

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #6

Philemon 10-13

Conciliation means The act of winning or gaining, as esteem, favor or affection; reconciliation. Paul was pleading for Onesimus to his master Philemon to receive Onesimus as himself (Paul). What an example for us to follow. We should stand in the gap for others and rebuild people and their relationships if possible.

Notice first of all…

I). The Intercession Of Paul v10

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”

Intercession means (according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) The act of interceding; mediation; interposition between parties at variance, with a view to reconciliation; prayer or solicitation to one party in favor of another, sometimes against another.

Paul is beseeching Philemon for Onesimus. Beseech means (according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) To entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person; as, "I Paul beseech you by the meekness of Christ,", 2 Cor.10.; or by a thing; as, I beseech your patience.

Here are some examples of people interceding on the behalf of someone else.

A). Abraham's Prayer for Sodom Genesis 18:20-33

B). Moses Prayer, Interceding For Israel Exodus 32:11-13

C). Ezra's Prayer, Identifying With The Sins Of His People Ezra 9:6-15

D). Elijah Prays God to Reveal Himself to the People I Kings 18:36-37

E). Jesus Prays for His Followers, Before Going to the Father, John 17:6-26

F). Stephen's Prayer, For His Murderers, At The Point Of His Death. Acts 7:60

II). The Intervention Of God v10

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Notice the word begotten. It means to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother); figurative to regenerate :- bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring. Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

The Lord intervened in the life of Onesimus. He ran away from Philemon and came to Paul. Little did Onesimus know that God had other plans for him in Rome.

A). God’s plan is salvation

The ultimate plan of Almighty God is for mankind to be saved.

The Roman's Road to Salvation has been a traditional way of leading persons to faith in Christ for many years. Here is a brief outline of that plan.

1. Every human is a sinner. Romans 3:23
2. God's penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23
3. In His great love, God has made provision for the salvation of sinners. Romans 5:8
4. Each person must put his trust in God's Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10, 13

B). God’s plan is intercession

God wants us to pray for others as we go through this life.

· Dear God: Please send a new baby for Mommy. The new baby you sent last week cries too much. - Debie, 7

· Dear God: Who did you make smarter? Boys or girls? My sister and I want to know. - Jimmy, 6

· Dear God: How many angels are there in heaven? I would like to be the first kid in my class to know the answer. - Norma, 8

· Dear God: This is my prayer. Could you please give my brother some brains. So far he doesn’t have any. - Angela, 8

· Dear Lord: Thank you for the nice day today. You even fooled the TV weather man. - Hank, 7

· Dear God: Please bring me a new brother. The one I got socks me all the time. - Agnes, 6

· Dear God: Please help me is school. I need help in spelling, adding, history, geography and writing. I don’t need help in anything else. - Lois, 9

· Dear God: Do you have any helpers in Heaven? I would like to be one of Your helpers in Heaven when I have summer vacation. - Natalie, 7

· Dear Lord: Tomorrow is my birthday. Could you please put a rainbow in the sky? - Susan, 9

· Dear God: I need a raise in my allowance. Could you have one of your angels tell my father. Thank you. David, 7

· Dear God: I am saying my prayers for me and my brother, Billy, because Billy is six months old and he can’t do anything but sleep and wet his diapers. Diane, 8

Source unknown

III).The Importance Of Onesimus v11-13

11 “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”
Onesimus was of importance to Paul, for he was to minister to him while in bonds. But Onesimus was to return to Philemon, but now there was something different about him. He is now a born again Christian and not a hell bound slave. He was before unprofitable to Philemon, but since his conversion, he has now become profitable to both Paul and Philemon.

People want good service, but they don’t want to be good servants. (Kent Crockett, Making Today Count for Eternity, Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001, p. 142)

A). The Interest Of Paul v13

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”

Paul had an interest of using Onesimus. He wanted to use him for the ministry.

B). The Influence Of Philemon v14

“But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.”
Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed:

When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathen. J.O. Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, p. 24.

Paul would not use Onesimus for his own doing without any permission of Philemon. Philemon and Paul were friends and fellowlabourers in the Lord. Paul had a certain respect for the man named Philemon. He is seeking Philemon’s grace and forgiveness for Onesimus and telling him that he now is saved man and he would love to see him treated the same as if Onesimus was the apostle Paul. Can we show that kind of love and forgiveness to others and for others?

The Credit Card Line Of Paul

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #7

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.”

In this the seventh sermon in the series entitled “Pursuing Peace Through Philemon we are going to see something here that is a perfect picture of salvation. As we will see, Paul was going to pay any debt that Onesimus was to owe Philemon after he departed.

First of all, let us notice…

I). The Receiving Of Onesimus v10-15

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever

1:11 Now profitable - None should be expected to be a good servant before he is a good man. He manifestly alludes to his name, Onesimus, which signifies profitable. - Wesley’s Bible Notes

We base our forgiveness on what God has done for us, not on what another person has done to us. (Kent Crockett, The 911 Handbook, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003, 43)

A). The Acceptance Of Onesimus To Philemon v10-15

Paul gives us a great example here to follow. We should love unconditional, no matter wrong had been done in the past to us.

B). The Inheritance Of Onesimus From God v15

Onesimus’ inheritance is heaven now due to the fact that he got saved under the preaching of the word of God by the apostle Paul.

Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!
The Father He spake, and His will it was done;
Great price of my pardon, His own precious Son;
Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!

Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved!
My sins are all pardoned, my guilt is all gone!
Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved!
I am saved by the blood of the Crucified One! - Words: S. J. Henderson, 1902.

Music: Daniel B. Towner

II). The Repaying By Paul v18-19

18 “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.”

A). The Possible Pain From Onesimus

It is believed that Onesimus stole from his master and ran away from him. This not only was wrong to steal but hurt Philemon.

B). The Payment Plan Of Paul

Here is a perfect picture of Paul stepping in this situation and becoming the credit line caretaker. Paul lets Philemon know that anything that Onesimus owes (whether money or the hurt from the whole thing) to lay it to Paul’s own self. The idea of this is called Imputation. That means The act of imputing or charging; attribution; generally in an ill sense; as the imputation of crimes of faults to the true authors of them. We are liable to the imputation or numerous sins and errors, to the imputation of pride, vanity and self-confidence; to the imputation of weakness and irresolution, or of rashness.

Paul owed nothing to Philemon, but Paul wants the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon to be in unity.

This in like manner this is how the Lord views the situation. The Lord Jesus Christ took our place on the cross of Calvary. He took on Him the sins of the whole world which He had no sin in Him at all. To me taking on or repaying for something you did not do for someone’s elses wrongs and debt is love, kindness and great!!!

III). The Respect Of Philemon v13-17, 20-22

“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.” Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Because he is your servant, as other servants are, and because he is the Lord's servant, you must love him both for the Lord's sake and for your own sake. - Geneva Study Bible

A). He Has An Appreciation For Philemon v17

B). He Has Recognition Of Philemon v21

This shows that Philemon was a man of God. Paul lets him know that he knows that he prays and that he would receive Onesimus as him self (Paul)

In conclusion, Can we forgive and then let someone pay for another man who wronged and hurt someone? Do we have that much character.

Notice what Paul was doing,…he was showing us that we were sold under sin, hell, and despair until one day Jesus Christ the Lord stepped down to take away the sin of the world by paying for the sin debt for us?

The Calling In Question Of Christians Character

Pursuing Peace Through Philemon

Philemon Series #8

As we finish our series on Pursuing Peace Through Philemon, we need to look at the overall scope of what we have learned from the Book of Philemon.

I). Do We Have The Capacity To Lead? v2

“And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:”
In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4.

The world needs leaders...

who cannot be bought;

whose word is their promise;

who put character above wealth;

who possess opinions and a will;

who are larger than their vocations;

who do not hesitate to take chances;

who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;

who will be honest in small things as well as in great things;

who will make no compromise with wrong;

whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;

who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";

who are true to their friends through good report and

evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity;

who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and

hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;

who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth

when it is unpopular, who can say no with emphasis,

although the rest of the world says yes.

Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, pp. 19-20.

Philemon undoubtedly had a family and he was leading them as well as running the family business. He is leading people. He leads with the…

A). Example of His Family

A good man of God never leaves his family behind, yet rather he brings them with him.

B). Example of His Function

The man is the spiritual delegated authority of the family. He is to lead by example in all things.

II). Do We Have The Capacity To Love? V5,7

“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;” “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

John 13:34-35 states “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Love is a fruit of the Spirit. If you have no love for anything or anyone, then how dwelleth in you the Spirit of the Lord?

The love that Philemon showed to the Lord Jesus Christ and others (verse 5) brought…

A). Rapture v7 (joy)

B). Relief v7 (consolation)

C). Rejuvenation v7 (refreshed)

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” Proverbs 17:9
III).Do We Have The Capacity To Liberate? v12-17

“Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.”

Can you as a Christian today forgive someone that wronged you and stole from you, let’s say, 5 years ago? You need to forgive them and liberate them from the debt that maybe owed. Stored away in people minds today is the gall of bitterness that as been rotting for 5 to 10 to 25 years.

A man in Spokane (Mr. Russell) had arranged for the minister from a large church to perform his wedding. The day came and the minister didn’t. The minister sent a replacement. The man was upset, and never forgot the incident. 30 years later my wife had a garage sale. My mother was there helping. A neighbor came over and they introduced themselves. He heard her last name and asked, “Are you related to a minister?” “Yes,” she said, “my husband is one.” “Well, I could tell you a thing or two.” My mother replied, “Go ahead, I’ve heard it all.” “30 years ago he was supposed to perform my wedding…” and he told his story. My mother asked, “How long ago was that?” “30 years” he said. “Well, it couldn’t have been my husband. We only moved here 25 years ago.” For 30 years Mr. Russell had been bitter at the wrong man! - J. U. John Underhill, Spokane, WA.

We need to

A). Unchain people from bondage of bitterness

B). Unbind people from bondage of bitterness

Do you have the capacity to

I). Lead

II). Love

III). Liberate

“and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32