Philemon - Reconcilation

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happy Memorial Day! Thank the families who have sent there loved ones who died for our freedoms.

Founder ministry Conference July 26-27

Call to Worship

Say: Let us now begin to worship the Father the Son, the Holy Spirit, Our Call to worship Comes to us from

Romans 8:15–16 ESV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Introduction

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (1768 Saved by His “Worse Enemy”)

During the Revolutionary War there lived in Pennsylvania a pastor by the name of Peter Miller. Rev. Miller was apastor in a Baptist church in Ephrata PA, and was a very educated man. So educated that Thomas Jefferson had him translate the Declaration of Independence into several other langues so that many abroad would have sympathy to the independence cause. He was a Friend of Goerge Washington and many of the Founding Fathers.

Although Miller was greatly loved by everyone in the community, there was one man who lived near the church who hated him and had earned an unenviable reputation for his abuse of the minister.

This man was named Michael Witman, He hated the local Seven Day Baptists which Miller was the pastor of. He had repeatedly attacked Miller, hitting him in the face, spitting on him and just abusing him and his flock to no end.

This man was not only a hater of the church, but it also turned out that he was a traitor to his country, and was convicted of treason and sentenced to death.

The trial was conducted in Philadelphia, 60 miles away and no sooner did Miller hear of it than he set out on foot to visit General Washington and interceded for the man’s life. But Washington told him, “I’m sorry that I cannot grant your request for your friend.”

“Friend!” Miller cried. “Why, that man is the worst enemy I have in the world!”

“What?” the general exclaimed in surprise. “Have you walked sixty miles to save the life of an enemy? That, in my judgment, puts the matter in a different light. I will grant him a pardon for your sake.”

The pardon was made out and signed by General Washington, and Miller proceeded at once on foot to a place fifteen miles distant where the execution was scheduled to take place that afternoon. He arrived just as the man was being carried to the scaffold, and when he saw Miller hurrying toward the place, remarked, “There is old Peter Miller. He has walked all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hung.” But scarcely had he spoken the words when Miller pushed his way through to the condemned man and handed him the pardon that saved his life.

—Bible School Journal

The Text

Philemon 1–25 ESV

1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 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. 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. 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 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— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 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, 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. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 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. 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 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. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Big Idea

How to Reconcile Relationships

Philemon 17 (ESV) 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

Background

The Book of Philemon is a story of reconciliation and forgiveness. It is a story that is one that we are all fimirler with. One man has wronged another, how are we as children of God to reconcile when we have been hurt? What are we to do when we’ve done the hurting?

The book of Philemon is a story of Onesimus...

Just some info

Now slavery in that day was different then it was in the 1800’s. It was a incredibly brutal, anyone could be a slave, and you could sell yourself into slavery, you weren’t necessarily born into it. It was a major part of the Roman economy, and so it wasn’t unusual for someone to own slaves. I do believe that Paul was being used of God to undermine the slavery system, and salvery would end in Rome in a few 100 years because of Christians, but this was the beginning.

A slave, presumably of Philemon, who apparently stole from his master and fled to Rome, where he met Paul (Phlm. 10). There Onesimus became a Christian and a “son” to the imprisoned apostle, who later returned him to Philemon with a letter (the epistle to Philemon). In the letter Paul commends Onesimus, offers to personally compensate Philemon for his loss, and conveys his hope that Onesimus can continue to serve him (vv. 10–20). Playing on the name Onesimus, Paul writes that the slave formerly “useless” to Philemon had become “useful” to both (v. 11). Onesimus is mentioned also at Col. 4:9 as “one of yourselves” among those whom Paul sent to bear the epistle.

Employing the same pun as Paul, Ignatius of Antioch commends in a letter to Ephesus ca. A.D. 115 a bishop named Onesimus. The name, however, appears to have been common, first among slaves and then among Christians commemorating Paul’s associate. It is not impossible that the person named by Ignatius was the biblical figure, but were he still alive he would have been a very old man.

This letter is like Timothy and Titus in that it is of a personal nature.

Philemon was it looks to be a pastor (V1) and the owner of Onesimus. And like many slaves, at the time , he stole and ran away. It was the theft that broke the relationship. Upon Meeting Paul Onesimus realized his sin and Paul commended these men to be reconciled.

So you can imagine the pain here, often men like Onesimus were depended on, and he took advantage of Philemon and stole from him. If you’ve ever fallen victum to theft it feels like you’ve been stripped bare it violates the commandments.

Break Down

When we look at this text this morning, and this could easily be 3 sermons, we’re going to use the old Puritan method of interpretation to guide us in the understanding of this text. Matthew 6:12

Matthew 6:12 ESV

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

This is the 5th petition of the Lord’s Prayer. I’d commend to you that the book of Philemon is the petition worked out in the lives of the people in this church.

Application

When a piece of scripture is unclear to you use clearer scripture to help you understand what is being said. While all of scripture is equally inspired not all of it is equally able to be received. So go with what you know to help you understand.

Forgiveness is a command

Philemon 8 ESV

8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,

You can see here that part of the Christian faith we are required to forgive by God. Paul had the right as an apostle to command such a thing. We haven’t gotten to this yet in Mark, we may in the fall but Jesus in Mark gives this command

Mark 11:25 ESV

25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Application

Simply put if you’re a Christian you are called to live in obedience to Jesus, you want to, so walk in forgiveness. Remeber the words of Christ Matt 6:15

Matthew 6:15 ESV

15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

You’re tied together. You as a true Christian will want to give forgiveness, and If you don’t this to you is God’s blessed sign to you.

Receive over revenge

My current favorite Puritan Thomas Watson said: “Men forget kindness but remember injuries.”

Isn’t that true. It’s hard to remember er the goodness of others, but easy to keep the receipts of evil done to us. God forbids vengeance for a reason.

Philemon 17–20 ESV

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

The Bible says about revenge Romans 12:19

Romans 12:19 ESV

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Our culture disagrees. I even hear little ones say “I’m going to get you back!” There are whole movies and stories about getting revenge on those that have done wrong.

So what am I to do?

Application:

Burn the receipts. Do you know that person who keeps record of wrongs, we know the Bible says not to 1 Cor 13:4-5

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

You might say to me “But I’ve been wronged!” “You don’t understand what happened!” “You’ve never had to go through what I went through”, “I still hurt,” “you can’t see my scars.”

You’re a slave, you are holding onto something that God commands you to not hold to, but also like Paul hear God your fathers words to you. Philemon 10 (ESV) “I appeal to you for my child,”

Your Heavenly father has the right to command you to forgive and indeed he has, but also like a loving father he comes to you his child to forgive, to be reconciled.

When someone has commited a crime againist you

If something illegal has been done btw you may seek the justice of the courts. The legal system is God’s just method of dispensing justice on earth, it is his right hand. When a nation is invaded a nation may stand for it’s rights. It’s like what you were told when you were a kid, don’t start the fight, but you may finish it. So if you’re in a place that you may help make justice be fulfilled do so!

Forgiveness looks like Christ

Philemon 15 ESV

15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

Onesimus left and enemy and came back a brother

Jesus prayed that we would be forgive for we know not what we do.

Application:

When you forgive you look like and act like your saviour.

Proverbs 19:11 ESV

11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

God overlooked your offense, you look like God’s son when you passover the the offences you’ve received.

I’ve Forgiven now what?

This is the easiest answer yet the most heart-hard thing you may hear today. You are free. When someone has sinned it incurs a debt. We pray as we spoke about earlier the forgiveness of debts. So you’ve forgive your hurts. So now put them away Philemon 17

Philemon 17 ESV

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

This is the hardest part because now you have a relationship that you need to deal with. Now your actions are governed by the type of relationship. Reconciliation between husband and wife, parents and child, are going to be very different then a friend or co-worker, a brother or sister in the faith and extended family is another situation all together.

In marriage, let’s talk first of in a human sense smaller sins. We are commanded to forgive Matt 18:21-22

Matthew 18:21–22 ESV

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

So do that, he lies, she withholds respect, he’s needlessly cold and unloving, she is domineering, and so on. Forgive, and seek each others good. Men you must die to yourself, that is the call of a man, he must be like Christ. Sure doing that thing you want is tempting but you will receive greater treasures in heaven then the temporary pleasures on earth of today which all rot and Rust anyway.

Ladies likewise be as the church to Christ. We know what the church is to do, to serve the Lord in confidence, to love Christ with boldness and unending faithfulness, to seek and build purity in ourselves.

Reconciliation Between man and God

(Give the gospel)

The Lord’s Supper

Today we’re taking the Supper The warning I always give is to not approach the table with unrepentant sin in your heart. Judas had sin in his heart and as he took the supper John 13:27

John 13:27 ESV

27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

So don’t enter into this supper with sin remeber the words of Paul

1 Corinthians 11:27–32 ESV

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

You with your sin turn this beautiful grace filled ordinance into poison for yourself when you approuch the table in sin? Would your approach your saviour in sin? Don’t be so bold as to approach this table in sin. He is truly spiritually present. Hear this, repent your sins before you partake for you put yourself in grave danger.

Bread - Les

Cup -Ed

praise - bob

Benediction

Say: As we close our service of worship dear brother and sister please stand for our benediction and receive by faith this blessing from God

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.