Can People See Jesus In You?
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Intro: There is an old saying that goes something like this, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” That is a true statement. Matter of fact, that is a statement of biblical proportions.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
In the letter to Philemon, there is one verse that has always challenged me as a Christian and tonight I hope it challenges you in your faith. I want us to think of this question as we consider verse 6. “Can People See Jesus In You?”
Text; Philemon 1:6
6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
Knowing the circumstances surrounding Philemon and Onesimus, Paul’s prayer was that not only Onesimus, but the church would see Jesus in Philemon when he makes his decision concerning this runaway slave that is now a brother in Christ.
1. Sharing Of Your Faith; 6a
1. Sharing Of Your Faith; 6a
When we think of sharing our faith we automatically think of evangelizing the lost. That is true but that’s not what Paul means here.
Sharing- koinonia, fellowship of christian love, belonging, the act of sharing in the activities or privileges of an intimate association or group; the church
“People don’t care how much you know [about Jesus, bible] until they know how much you care [about them].
How would Philemon deal with Onesimus?
Would he punish him, which he had the legal right to do, or would he discipline him but accept him as a brother in Christ.
Punish- inflict a penalty as retribution for an offense, especially a transgression of a legal or moral code: treat severely and in a harsh manner
Discipline- the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, correction or rebuke with the end goal of gaining a brother/sister in Christ
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
What good will it do for a person to come to church and all we do is beat them over the head about their sin and never show them that we care about who they are, what’s going on in their life and take time to show them Jesus cares for them?
It is a wise Christian who first assesses the condition of a person’s heart before sharing the precious pearls.
Warren W. Wiersbe
2. Effective Faith; 6b
2. Effective Faith; 6b
We know that Philemon had an “active” faith. He was active as a fellow laborer in the ministry and that he was active in the church. But being active in the church does not always mean you are “effective” in your faith.
Effective- successful in producing a desired or intended result, powerful enough to affect others.
By forgiving Onesimus, Philemon would acknowledge that he belonged to Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
By forgiving Onesimus it would send a powerful message to the church about the importance of fellowship, even among slaves and masters, people from different walks of life.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
For our faith to be “effective”, and produce desired results, then what we say about Jesus has to line up with what we do in Jesus.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
The witness of the church is most effective when she declares rather than explains, for the gospel is addressed not to reason but to faith.
A. W. Tozer
3. Acknowledgement in Christ; 6c
3. Acknowledgement in Christ; 6c
It is one thing to read a book or talk about going snow skiing/sky diving/bull riding and actually doing it. Talking about them is exciting, actually doing them is an experience/rush you can’t get by just talking.
Paul knew that if the good things of Christ in Philemon brought about reconciliation with a runaway slave, it would have far reaching implications in the church and the world as a whole.
In the same manner, when we actually live our faith in Christ, there is an experiential rush/knowledge of the good things Christ is doing through us that can encourage the church and change the world!
There is no greater blessing/feeling in a Christians life than knowing that the good things going on in them is all because of Jesus!
[1 John 5:13] This is where my testimony began but not where it ends!
Assurance of salvation [1 John 5:13]
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
New nature [1 John 3:9-10]
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Love of God [1 John 3:14] Philemon forgave Onesimus, I forgave my dad.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Living in victory [1 John 5:4] Making right choices
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Witness [1 John 5:10] Effective faith producing a desired result in others
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
It’s exciting to see what God has done for me and what He continues to do through me in Christ! It’s exciting to see that happen in others as well.
Close;
The letter to Philemon has taught us some valuable lessons.
The character of a man determines his responses to circumstances in life. Mainly the desire to forgive and reconcile with others.
Jesus can take the most unprofitable of people and make them useful for the kingdom.
The work of “imputation” by Christ not only covers my sin but also fills me with His righteousness.
All these things make it possible for one to have an effective faith so people can see Jesus in you.