Commending a Brother and Convert to Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1-24 |
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Introduction: This Prison Epistle is addressed to Philemon one of Paul’s converts. The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are often called "the Prison Epistles." They were written by the apostle Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome. When Paul returned to Israel after his third missionary journey he was condemned by the self-righteous Jews in Jerusalem who made a vow to kill him. They falsely accused him of violating the Temple converted a Gentile Trophimus to enter. Titus was also one of Paul’s converts to whom he had mentored and who was a preacher of the Gospel. Paul’s sister’s son, his nephew told the Romans forty Jews had bound not to eat or drink till they killed Paul, they took him to the prison in Caesarea (Acts 23:12-35). After being imprisoned there for two years, Paul realized he was not going to be set free. Therefore, he used his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the emperor (Acts 25:1-12). After a very dangerous voyage by sea. Paul arrived in Rome (Acts 27:1-28, 31). He lived under house arrest for two years awaiting his trial before Caesar. During this time Paul wrote letters to the churches in Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae and also to a Christian named Philemon. All four of these letters mention Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:18-20; Philippians 1:12, 13; 4:22; Colossians 4:2-4; Philemon 1, 10, 22, 23). I. Paul’s salutation. Vs1-3 Paul relates his situation as being a prisoner of Jesus Christ. He says reads "Paul, prisoner Jesus Christ." Some change the word "of" in our KJB to "for." The word prisoner means a captive, in bonds, a prisoner." Paul repeated said he was a bond slave of the Lord Jesus. I think you can see there is a difference between being a slave or servant "for" someone or being a an owned prisoner of him. This shows Paul’s absolute commitment to his Savior. He also states he is also writing for Timothy whom he calls his brother. He did not have to mention Timothy, but it was the courteous thing to do because Timothy was serving with him. Only pride would keep a preacher from acknowleging those with whom he works and assists him. Apphia (Ap phia) was probably Philemon’s wife and Archippus (Ar chip us) his son. Paul also addresses the members of the assembly (church-ekklesia) that was meeting in Philemon’s house. Paul uses a much used salutation of "Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus. We might just look over this phrase and not see its importance. Grace refers to God’s benevolence or charity to us. It means Paul commend to each of these God’s unmerited favor. Grace cannot be earned because it is freely given. How is grace received? It is the natural result of obeying the Lord and living filled with the Holy Spirit as Ephesians 5:18 tells us. God’s peace only comes to those who are living for Him. Sin in a person’s life will rob him of any ability to have peace. That goes for the lost man who is rejecting the Lord and also for the Christians who is living our of fellowship with our Savior. Grace and peace from God the Father comes through Jesus Christ and our acceptance of Him and submission to His will in our lives. To live outside God’s will is to live in sin and deny ourselves God’s blessing and guidance. II. Philemon is commended for his love and faith toward the Lord Jesus. What a blessing and encouragement are faithful believers who love the Lord. Paul prayed for them regularly interceding for them to the Lord. Surely, his prayer was one of thanksgiving for Philemon’s faithful witness for the Lord. Philemon’s love and faithfulness was wide known as Paul states. It was known to his family and other Christians. Each Christian should examine their lives honestly and evaluation their witness in their families, neighbors, and those who know them. This is not a familial love or one based on emotion, outward appearance, obligation, or even relationship. This is love that comes only from God and seeks the other’s well being. This love is the personification of grace; given not because it is deserved or required, but giving freely, without restraint, to another, out of a spirit and heart of charity. We should each ask ourselves the question, is this what our family thinks of us. Do they see in us the personification of the grace of God. The only way they can see it is when it is given as God gives it....freely to others without condition. Dear friends if you require others to be deserving of your mercy and grace...it is worthless. If you place conditions for being benevolent to others you make a mockery of God’s grace. Paul says in verse 6 he prays the communication of their faith would be effectual, but others seeing God’s grace in their lives. Is our lives a positive witness for Christ or is it a hindrance to others coming to the Lord Jesus? Do you think this is possible for the one who harbors bitterness and an unforgiving spirit toward others? Bitterness is rooted in pride and pride kills one’s testimony for Christ. Would I have to elaborate on describing the traits of bitterness and forgivingness? Is their someone who treats you badly. Do you feel bitterness toward them? Do you think you could ever be a testimony for Christ to that person? You say they did not deserve your grace....and yes that is maybe true....but neither did you if you truly believed and received Christ as your Savior. The best you were was as filthy rags. You were sinning against the Lord Jesus yet His still went to the cross and paid you sin debt that your could be forgiven. Paul is commending Philemon for his grace and love of the Lord....and Paul had a reason for doing that. Paul was about to appeal to Philemon to put his faith and love to the test and let it produce fruit. As we continue I think you will see this. Paul states his great joy and consolation in Philemon’s love as he demonstrated it toward his brothers and sisters, saints, that are refreshed by him. In other words Philemon helped his fellow saints in many ways. His house and means were open to others. He was a generous man. I say this without any hint of being wrong, true born again Christians are generous people. The are compassionate toward others. Often that means they are taken advantage of by those who we call dead beats. There are many who refuse to work and are looking only for a hand out. It doe not mean we allow ourselves to be taken advantage of, but we investigate the circumstances as best we can. Paul instructed Timothy the pastor in Ephesus that only the widows who were ‘widows indeed" were to be helped by the local church. He also said to the Thessalonians that if a man that would not work should not eat. The New Testament is clear that the local church is not a public charitable organization. It should take care of its own. III. Paul interceded on behalf of Onesimus. Onesimus was a run away slave. He probably traveled far away from Colossus and Ephesus, to Rome about 1200 away. It was unlikely he could be recognized in Rome. He was not only a run away slave but also he robbed Philemon, giving himself travel funds. There was stern punishment if the slave was caught. He could be burned, branded, maimed, imprisoned, or even put to death. Philemon was probably a Greek as his name is Greek. He was a devout Christian and would probably have known and followed the Old Testament law as related to slaves. Both the OT and the NT allowed slavery, however with conditions. The Israelites were to treat their enslaved fellow Hebrews as if they were servants. (Lev 25 v39-40). They were also to give them the option of their freedom in the 7th year of their service (Ex 21 v2), and give them the means to make a new start (Deut 15 v12-18), although they could remain a slave if they chose. Any Hebrew who stole a man and made him a slave (Ex. 21:16) was to be put to death. The Hebrews were allowed to buy slaves from the nations around them and keep them indefinitely. (Lev. 25:44 (Lev 25:44-46). They too were to be treated as servants and they were included in the commonwealth of Israel by circumcision. (Gen. 17:13), could share in festivals including the Passover (Ex. 12:44) and were given the Sabbath rest (Ex 20:10). The fact that Onesimus had stolen would have made him suspect and subject to punishment. However, Paul clearly states and bases his appeal to Phiemon based on Onesimus’s receiving Christ his Saviour and receiving the new birth. Paul’s plea is based on his own testimony for Christ. (V-9) He asked Philemon to do something he did not have to do, but for the love of Christ he should do. However, Onesimus was a changed man and Paul calls him his son that he had won to the Lord. V11 Paul says that Onesimus was unprofitable to Philemon in the past. A lot can be read into that statement as to Philemon’s past character. It is interesting that Onesimus’ name means "useful or beneficial." Paul asked with all his heart for Philemon to receive Onesimus. V12 Paul says he would have like to keep Onesimus with him to help him. V12-13. Yet, for Philemon’s benefit he was sending this now Christian slave back so as to be a benefit to him. V14 Paul states that in Onesimus’s running away, God had used it to for His purpose. Onesimus would not be a benefit forever and eternally. Not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Onesimus would still serve Philemon as a servant in his house, but now also as a faithful and beloved brother. Paul show total confidence in Onesimus asking that be received as would himself. IV. Paul offers restoration. Vs 18-21 Through not stated it is clear that Onesimus stole from Philemon when he ran away. When Onesimus was saved he confessed who he was and how he had left. Remember Zacchaeus after he was saved? He said, "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." (Luke 19:8) Onesimus is unlikely to have had the money to replace what he stole. We can imagine that what he stole did not last long. God does not tell us the circumstances of how he met Paul or of Paul witnessing to him. The Lord did not think the details were important. Paul’s statements of trust in him and of knowing his conversion was true was enough for us to know. What is in the past God has forgiven. If we can make restitution we should as did Zacchaeus. I am sure if we honestly seek to right a wrong God will show us the way. By the way....that applies in all relationships including marriage and divorce. I have counseled people who have been divorce and them saved to go to they once spouse and admit to them their sin in the matter and ask for forgiveness. That is rare in divorce, but for a Christian it is different...the same as it was with Zacchaeus and with Onesimus. They became a child of God and should get things set right if possible. Sometimes the person who was offended will not forgive, but that does not relieve the Christian from forgiving them and seeking reconciliation. First we confess our sins to the Lord and know assuredly He will forgive. Sometimes it is not possible because of time or circumstances, but if possible we should and have a clear conscience that we tried. Paul knowing Onesimus could not repay what he owed Philemon asked him to put whatever he owed to his account. Paul reminds Onesimus was indebted to Paul as the one who had brought the Gospel to him. V19 He was asking for Onesimus to put aside everything for the sake of honoring the Lord and being an encouragement to Paul. Christ had imputed forgiveness to Philemon and he could now show his gratitude by imputing forgiveness to Onesimus. The lesson here is so starkly clear. Christ has truly and completely forgiven the believer and then the believer, in order to show appreciation must show forgiveness to others. Jesus illustrated this principle that marks a believer’s life in Matthew 25 in the parable of the talents. Do we understand that we have a wonderful privilege and opportunity to able to forgive others? What a shame for a professing believer to harbor bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness to those who offend or mistreat us! What a miserable life does the bitter person have! ILLUS: The story is told of a little boy visiting his grandparents as given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, "Sally, let’s wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck! So Johnny did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, Grandma said, "I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally smiled and said, "That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it." Again she whispered, "Remember the duck." Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. "I know, Johnny," she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you. Refusing to admit our sins is a tragic thing in a believer’s life. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10) A Christian cannot be "cleansed" as verse eight says until we confess it and repent of sin. Paul knew Philemon to be a man of God and stated he wrote with confidence that he would forgive and take Onesimus back into his household without retaliation. Don’t you think that Onesimus could hardly get back to Colossae and begin serving Philemon again. What ever bitterness that made him runaway and steal was gone. He now returned to serve a brother in Christ. V. Conclusion. Paul expressed his desire to visit Philemon and asked that he prepare a place for him. He asked that be made a matter of prayer. Verse 23 states that Epaphras salute those as Colossae. It seems he had traveled to Rome to see Paul and seek advice in dealing with the Gnostics. It appears he too was imprisoned. He then mentions Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 2 Timothy 2:4 states that Demas later forsook Paul. However, the others remained faithful to him. 2 Timothy 4:16 states when Paul was tried before the Emperor none of the Christians in Rome stood up for him and no one defended him out of fear of persecution. Paul asked it not be laid to their charge. Paul closes as he opened the letter. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant." (Philemon 25) Note the phase "with your spirit." It means as I explained in the salutation that, God grace would be manifested in their lives that it be seen of others and in honor of our Savior.
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