Philemon 1:1-25

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)

This letter is from Paul, in prison for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. It is written to Philemon, our much loved co-worker, [2] and to our sister Apphia and to Archippus, a fellow soldier of the cross. I am also writing to the church that meets in your house. [3] May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)

[4] I always thank God when I pray for you, Philemon, [5] because I keep hearing of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. [6] You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for in so doing you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ. [7] I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God's people.

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)

[8] That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do, [9] but because of our love, I prefer just to ask you. So take this as a request from your friend Paul, an old man, now in prison for the sake of Christ Jesus. [10] My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus. I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison.

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)[11] Onesimus hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. [12] I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. [13] I really wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. [14] But I didn't want to do anything without your consent. And I didn't want you to help because you were forced to do it but because you wanted to. [15] Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever.

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)

[16] He is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord. [17] So if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming. [18] If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it. [19] I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting: "I will repay it." And I won't mention that you owe me your very soul!

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)

[20] Yes, dear brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. [21] I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! [22] Please keep a guest room ready for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.[23] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. [24] So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. [25] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philemon 1:1-25(New Living Translation)

[25] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

● ● ““Neither male nor female, slave nor Neither male nor female, slave nor free”…that’s supposed to be us!free”…that’s supposed to be us!

● ● In this Forever Family we don’t use In this Forever Family we don’t use status as a tool or weapon.status as a tool or weapon.

● ● Let’s be creative in finding ways to Let’s be creative in finding ways to settle disputes, correct wrongs and settle disputes, correct wrongs and deal with each other’s failings.deal with each other’s failings.

● ● Paul is a great model as an advocate Paul is a great model as an advocate for those who have gotten themselves for those who have gotten themselves in a pickle.in a pickle.

• A slave robs his master and runs off to A slave robs his master and runs off to Rome.Rome.

•There he spends time with the Apostle There he spends time with the Apostle Paul and becomes a Christian.Paul and becomes a Christian.

•Paul sends Onesimus back to his owner, Paul sends Onesimus back to his owner, bearing a precious letter.bearing a precious letter.

•In the letter Paul entreats Philemon to In the letter Paul entreats Philemon to forgive Onesimus and treat him like a forgive Onesimus and treat him like a brother.brother.

IT’S A CLASSIC STORY…TRUE…IT’S A CLASSIC STORY…TRUE…AND SHORT!AND SHORT!

• “ “Became my son while I was in chains…”Became my son while I was in chains…”

• Suddenly a brother to his owner. He has Suddenly a brother to his owner. He has new value to Onesimus, Paul and Jesusnew value to Onesimus, Paul and Jesus

• “ “If any man is in Christ he is a new If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has creation. The old is gone, the new has come!” --II Corinthians 5:17come!” --II Corinthians 5:17

ONESIMUS HAS BEEN BORN ONESIMUS HAS BEEN BORN AGAIN…A NEW MANAGAIN…A NEW MAN

• No demand for leniency is necessary, just No demand for leniency is necessary, just encouragement to ‘do what you ought to encouragement to ‘do what you ought to do’.do’.

• I’d have like to have kept him here…in I’d have like to have kept him here…in your place.your place.

• You could have more than a slave…a dear You could have more than a slave…a dear brother!brother!

• Welcome him as you’d welcome me.Welcome him as you’d welcome me.

PAUL IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PAUL IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ROBBER/SLAVE/BROTHERROBBER/SLAVE/BROTHER

• As for his debt to you…I’ll cover it. As for his debt to you…I’ll cover it. (Remember, Philemon…you owe me your (Remember, Philemon…you owe me your very self!”)very self!”)

• Paul leaves Philemon to work out the Paul leaves Philemon to work out the details of how he’ll treat Onesimus, when details of how he’ll treat Onesimus, when he appears with the letter in hand.he appears with the letter in hand.

PAUL IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PAUL IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ROBBER/SLAVE/BROTHERROBBER/SLAVE/BROTHER

Remembering how Remembering how God in Christ God in Christ Jesus became one Jesus became one of us. A true of us. A true brother in every brother in every sense.sense.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I have chosen to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

““There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according the promise.” according the promise.” --Galatians 3:28-29--Galatians 3:28-29

WE DO WELL TO REMEMBER WE DO WELL TO REMEMBER THE THE MAGNA CARTA MAGNA CARTA OF THE CHURCHOF THE CHURCH

• There are no underlings…no ‘invalids’…There are no underlings…no ‘invalids’…no second class believers.no second class believers.

•Functions and duties may vary, but the Functions and duties may vary, but the value of everyone is equal.value of everyone is equal.

• It’s a difficult lesson to integrate into our It’s a difficult lesson to integrate into our lives…ask Peter!lives…ask Peter!(He preached one message on Pentecost (He preached one message on Pentecost but had to be hammered by God to get the but had to be hammered by God to get the message through…Gentiles are welcome to message through…Gentiles are welcome to the Kingdom!)the Kingdom!)

THE MAGNA CARTA THE MAGNA CARTA OF THE CHURCH Ga. 3:28-29OF THE CHURCH Ga. 3:28-29

• Story of a returning Viet Nam vet killed by Story of a returning Viet Nam vet killed by his own family when he tried to sneak into his own family when he tried to sneak into the house and surprise them.the house and surprise them.

• “ “We didn’t know he was our son!”We didn’t know he was our son!”

““BROTHER AND SISTER” OVER-BROTHER AND SISTER” OVER-RIDE ALL OTHER DIFFERENCESRIDE ALL OTHER DIFFERENCES

• Neither male nor female, slave nor free…Neither male nor female, slave nor free…that’s supposed to be us!that’s supposed to be us!

• In this Forever Family we don’t use status In this Forever Family we don’t use status as a tool or weapon.as a tool or weapon.

• Let’s be creative in finding ways to settle Let’s be creative in finding ways to settle disputes, correct wrongs and deal with disputes, correct wrongs and deal with each other’s failings.each other’s failings.

THE CHURCH IS ONE PLACE THE CHURCH IS ONE PLACE WHERE NOBODY IS A NOBODYWHERE NOBODY IS A NOBODY

• Paul is a great model as an advocate for Paul is a great model as an advocate for those who have gotten themselves in a those who have gotten themselves in a pickle.pickle.

• Lord, help me to see others as my equals. Lord, help me to see others as my equals. I really want to be your ambassador for I really want to be your ambassador for peace and unity.peace and unity.

THE CHURCH IS ONE PLACE THE CHURCH IS ONE PLACE WHERE NOBODY IS A NOBODYWHERE NOBODY IS A NOBODY

• Paul is a great model as an advocate for Paul is a great model as an advocate for those who have gotten themselves in a those who have gotten themselves in a pickle.pickle.

• Lord, help me to see others as my equals. Lord, help me to see others as my equals. I really want to be your ambassador for I really want to be your ambassador for peace and unity.peace and unity.

THE CHURCH IS ONE PLACE THE CHURCH IS ONE PLACE WHERE NOBODY IS A NOBODYWHERE NOBODY IS A NOBODY

Returning to God out Returning to God out of our abundance. of our abundance.

A gift of thanks.A gift of thanks.

PRAYER & PRAISE

● ● I will remember that there is I will remember that there is “Neither “Neither male nor female, slave nor free” and I male nor female, slave nor free” and I will treat others as equals.will treat others as equals.

● ● I will not use status I will not use status as a tool or as a tool or weapon.weapon.

● ● I will find creative ways I will find creative ways to settle to settle disputes, correct wrongs and deal with disputes, correct wrongs and deal with the failings of my sisters and brothers.the failings of my sisters and brothers.

● ● I will use Paul as a modelI will use Paul as a model when I when I advocate for those who have gotten advocate for those who have gotten themselves in a pickle.themselves in a pickle.