There is a threefold message incapsulated within the text. In Philemon we find, the love we should have for one another, the faith we have in Christ and each other, and the intercessors we should be one for another.
Philemon is considered as one of the Apostle Paul’s letters from prison. Paul wrote this particular letter close to the year 60 AD to Philemon in reference to one of his servants Onesimus. Paul met Onesimus, led him to the Lord, then pleads for Philemon to accept Onesimus back to his home. This is an open demonstration of grace and mercy, and It speaks volumes to you and I.
To put this book into perspective with the rest of the Pauline letters, this book only contains about 300 plus words in the original Greek language which it was written. Such as small book with a powerful and potent message. As we venture into another year of reflecting the Advent of our Lord and the reconciliation he supplies, we also reflect on what it takes to reconcile with each other where there is unforgiveness. In retrospect, we can do some silly things to each other, hurt each other’s feelings, or just be down right mean, but we forgive, move on, and love one another in Jesus. That’s what we do, that’s what Christ followers do. Let’s begin with Paul’s standard greeting: Phm 1:1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker Phm 1:2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Phm 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
• The ones sending this letter are Paul and Timothy. There is a good reason why Paul mentioned Timothy. Just as Paul was Timothy’s Father in the Lord, the one that led him to Jesus, so is Paul to Onesimus as
well. Paul, was a prisoner in two ways, as prisoner to the system of a Roman prison, but also a prisoner to Christ. Of course, used in this implication, there is a good fruitful position. Paul considers himself bound to Christ, the Church, and His work…can you say the same?
I. Christ is our appeal towards love and faith: Phm 1:4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, Phm 1:5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, Phm 1:6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. Phm 1:7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
• Because Jesus is part of a person’s life, I mean one that is sold out to the Lord, it does not take much work to show love and to exercise faith. Paul thanking God for his remembrance of them in his prayers is liken to us saying to one another, “praying for you today” and really doing it. Not just a little saying we throw around, but a genuine time we take and intercede for our fellow believers. The love and strong faith found in Philemon has been an encouragement to Paul. In fact, the report he received, had been well received and a spiritual boost. Let me ask you this, “are you an encouragement to other believers or do you hamper growth?” I want to be an encouragement I want to be the kind of Christian that not only testifies about the Lord but lives out my faith.
• Verse 6 expresses that very idea. Remember, Paul Is receiving word back to him while he is on lock down. He is excited because God’s people are sharing their faith in word and in deed, but mostly deeds, so that others may…not only hear about Jesus, but also see how a follower exercises their faith in the real world. I can talk about forgiving those that wronged me, but talk is as cheap as a family dollar rug when it comes to it being lived out.
Verse 7 says Paul is overjoyed because they are living out their faith to such a degree, that others in the home church are being refreshed. Last Sunday, we spent some time reflecting on some things we are thankful for. We went around to different tables and many expressed their love for family, their love and appreciation for the church family. Many expressed their thankfulness for their salvation in Jesus and through Jesus. As each person shared, it brought many people to a place of encouragement and appreciation, but that kind of testimony cannot end or stop there. Our witness and testimony must continue, even when we step off of church grounds. In fact, these times when we encourage one another should be fuel for the rest of the week and fuel or power to share with the rest of the world. When was the last time, someone came up to you and said, “your faith encourages me?” Better yet, “when was the last time you went to someone and encouraged them because of their faith?”
It was important to the apostle Paul to see faith and love lived out, and it is important still today.
II. “We are all like Onesimus”: believers in the Lord Jesus and are being changed into His likeness, we all have something to compare with Onesimus. We all have notes to compare and many of them written in life’s journal are the similar. Here is where Paul lays out his petition to Philemon. Note, Paul butters him up with true words of encouragement, then gives him the truth. Its better and more tactful to find positive and encouraging things first when dealing with a conflict. Phm 1:8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, Phm 1:9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you— I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—Phm 1:10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. Phm 1:11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) Phm 1:12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. Phm 1:13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, Phm 1:14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. Phm 1:15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, Phm 1:16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Phm 1:17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. Phm 1:18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything,
charge that to my account. Phm 1:19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Phm 1:20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Phm 1:21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. Phm 1:22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
• Paul is no lightweight when it comes to correct argumentation, notice the shorts stroke of the sentence structure throughout. Paul is weaving a compelling argument for the sake of Onesimus’ freedom. He first implies, even though I could flex my apostolic muscles and authority, I will appeal to you first. Onesimus would do more good with Philemon as a free man that one that is bound as a servant. Paul makes an appeal, saying, as the one the led Onesimus to the Lord, now that he was one time a thief and totally useless to you, but know because of Jesus, he has been changed. Paul is such a master of argumentation. He actually uses a play on words here to help build his case. Onesimus’s name actually means
“profitable,” and Paul is saying, because Jesus came into his life, he actually is profitable to the kingdom of God. Alex Mclarean said it clear, “Christianity knows nothing of hopeless cases. It professes its ability to take the most crooked stick and bring it straight, to flash a new power into the blackest carbon, which will turn it into a diamond.” We are like Onesimus, we found worth only in Christ, we were crooked and had the blackest hearts, but Jesus.
• Paul says, I am sending him back to you, I want you to think of Him as you would think about me. I wanted to keep him here to serve with me, but didn’t want to take him without your permission. Plus, it helps to demonstrate the power of Jesus to transform a person. Dear Philemon, he left your home as a fugitive, but is returning as a brother in Christ, and if he has accrued any debt, any charges, put them on my tab. Put them on my tab, I will pay it in full. Paul is expressing a gospel centered intent. Paul is not likening himself to Jesus, but I can almost hear the savior say, when he is talking to the Father about my sins, “put it on my tab, put it on me, I will take care of it.” See, Paul was demonstrating the very thing we ought to be demonstrating, the grace of the Lord Jesus to save, and the power he gives everyone of us to live a life consecrated and set apart for Jesus. We were all like Onesimus, bound by sins, bound and dead in our sins, but Jesus saved and made us new. Now, even though we are can identify with Onesimus, we also identify with Paul, we intercede for others. Paul knew Philemon well, he knew that he would do what he asked and even more. I almost wish there was a sequel to this letter. Like, a telling of what transpired when Onesimus returned, but the lack of response might be a reason to rejoice, Philemon, we like to imply, followed the instruction of the Apostle Paul, so that Jesus Christ would be lifted up. Look at these final words to Philemon as an encouragement to him, Phm 1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in the Messiah Jesus, sends you greetings, Phm 1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. Phm 1:25 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be with your spirit! Amen. Faith and love in Jesus changes a person, turns them around and points in a direction that will honor Christ.
Are you exhibiting love and faith to others? Can you say you have genuinely intercede for another, be it by prayer of by testimony of character? The more grace we realize has been given to us, the more grace we will exhibit to others. Could Philemon be justified in jailing or bounding Onesimus for his offenses, sure. Was the state justified by imprisoning him, more than likely, but yet, he was pardoned first by Jesus, then asked to be pardon by his people back home. When we actually realize “what grace is mine,” we give grace and mercy to others. Before we crucify each other over small things, reflect on grace, before we belittle each other over small and frivolous things, think of God’s grace, before we tear down a brother or sister over some mistake, think of God’s grace.
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