Freedom in Christ
Notes
Transcript
Master to Brother
Master to Brother
Vs 1-7
A. Paul thanks God for brothers, sisters, and their faith.
Fellow Soldiers and Home church leader.
B. Philemon, great friend, brother.
C. Working in the Faith
Onesimus
Onesimus
Vs 8-16
A. Slave to Philemon
Run away; estranged from Philemon.
B. Now Slave to Christ!
God’s eyes: right
World’s eyes: run away slave, unlawful, wrong
May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,
C. Worth more than a slave
I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)
I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.
D. A Beloved Brother
Christ changes EVERYTHING
Philemon 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.”
When the spirit of God works in mans heart, a particular worth is brought to that life. Not of his making but God’s making.
Encourage Your Brother
Encourage Your Brother
Vs 17-22
A. Are we partners?
B. I will pay what he owes you.
C. Make joy my heart.
Philemon 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.”
D. I know your character.
Christ-like
And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
Philemon was in Colossae. The faithfulness of the church brought joy to his heart.
Paul is pointing out that his NEW brother has brought the same joy of Christian service to his heart through the brotherhood of Onesimus. Now a slave to Christ!
Jesus changes EVERYTHING
Jesus changes EVERYTHING