Do The Right Thing

(S1)

Ever been in a situation where doing the right thing went against the grain of every natural human and societal norm?

Carl Wallace/restaurant owner…the worst days of his life!

— Robbery: front door shattered…empty cash register— call the police, release the footage on social media. tweet your anger and hope the thief gets whats coming to him.

—Instead of posting a rant; he posted and invitation

“Our burritos are such a smash hit, we’ve got people breaking in at 4am for their fix. If you see our door looking hurricane fabulous, this is why.”

“To the would-be robber, who was clearly struggling with life decisions or money issues. Please swing by for a job application; no police. There are better opportunities out there than this path that you have chosen. Here is my personal number lets sit down and talk about how we can help and fix the road your on. Sincerely Carl.

…not surprising, his video went viral!

His response was not one of retribution and payback. Instead he chooses to do what was right; to offer forgiveness and restoration.

(S2) — SERIES

Paul's letter to a dear friend, and beloved co-worker, Philemon, whose slave, Onesimus, had escaped to Rome where Paul was a prisoner.

— Onesimus finds Paul and becomes a believer…now a different man knows he has to return to his master Paul makes an appeal, on his behalf to PHILEMON; to DO THE RIGHT THING...in regards to his new friend and brother in Christ.

“Isn’t that the world we long for? Where love interrupts the cycle of payback. Where grace rewrites the story.”

Paul's letter may be short (25 vs) and a seemingly insignificant letter… but it brings forth a most profound presentation of the Gospel...its inclusion in the Bible…

Philemon unlike Paul’s other letters is his most personal words penned; written by his own hand...you/your 32 X!

Melissa’s personal note

Three powerful themes of how grace rewrites the story. The way Jesus, rewrote our story.

PRAY

(S3) — Paul's Greeting {1-3}

Paul - Apostle (13), Prisoner (5x’s), Rome

Reasons for his chains - Mystery of Christ

Philemon - beloved co-worker, church in his house

Christian in Colossae...and “owner” of Onesimus

Blessing - grace and peace

(S4) — {4-7}

Philemon’s Faithfulness in the Lord, which he had heard of…

Shared faith — fellowship (koinonia) — common shared experience of the gospel

His Love for all the saints

How they had been refreshed in heart through him

(S5) — {8-9}

Paul, instead of asserting his Apostolic authority...appeals to Philemon out of love (agape)

— Points to Philemon’ own conversion

Philemon 19 “and I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!”

— He makes his appeal by engaging his heart...not heavy handed but ‘heart-hand’

Paul’s greeting Grace and peace then truth...

How we act as believers towards others…

(S6) — {10}

Slavery — Roman system, 25% of population (16 million),

— war; how they were acquired, children, bought/sold

— Highly educated professionals like doctors…to serve Rome

Colossians 4:14 “Luke, the beloved doctor (greek name)

—Slaves were not free! ...the atrocities of slavery of any kind; humanities worst of offense against humanity.

We don’t know how long Onesimus was Philemon's slave just that he desired freedom; why he ran...

— Onesimus’ conversion; from slave to saved!

First of three themes of Philemon...

I. EQUALITY

The gospel, the good news of Jesus, levels the playing field; removes social and cultural barriers.

— In God’s eyes, there is no difference between you and I, the poor and rich, the downtrodden and the elite, slave and free—for all need Christ!

Romans 10:11–13 NIV

“Anyone who believes in Jesus will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How Onesimus made his way From Colossi to Rome (1500 miles) and how he found Paul...we don’t know...but what happened, changed Onesimus’ life and his relationship to Paul

— Spiritual parent (mentor)…my son Timothy…

Pastor Jim…

Onesimus, set spiritually free in Christ, now stood on the same playing field as Paul, Philemon, and the others.

1 Corinthians 9:19 “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.”

Baptism into the faith is the great equalizer

No matter who you are, how successful you are, or who you know... all have to go under the waters alike. There are those who come forward in expensive suits, dangling gold jewelry, and $100 hairdos. But the suits are exchanged for a humble white robe, the jewelry comes off, and they may as well say goodbye to their $100 hairdo."

(S7) — {11-12}

Paul uses a play on words — Onesimus (‘profitable or useful’)— his only use was to serve Philemon but now he is a servant not of Paul, but of Christ.

— A follower of Jesus is one who is of use for the kingdom of God. When we surrender our life to Jesus we become useful to the work of God in the world—servants of the Gospel

Colossians 3:23 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

How are you working for the Lord?

Paul could have kept him where he knows he would be useful for the Gospel, but he does what is right...

{13-14}

Paul puts his need and desires over what’s best for Onesimus and Philemon and for the spread of Gospel

These weren’t just words on a page, but Paul practiced what he preached...

Philippians 2:3 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”

(S8) — {15-16}

He doesn't negate or give Onesimus reprieve from his responsibility for what he had done. By sending him back he is holding him accountable to his new life in Jesus

J.W’s accountability questions (22) - the cornerstone of discipleship. Designed to help foster spiritual growth in believers grow - “holiness of heart and life”

Paul reframes Onesimus’ whole identity

— no longer as he was...now more than what he was...a spiritual brother in the Lord!

Matthew 12:48–49 “Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.”

He would return once enslaved to a man, now as a co-laborer in service to his master; Jesus Christ.

— Imagine what this would take for Philemon to return? His absence would have cost Philemon dearly…testing his own faith as a follower of Jesus!

Second theme of Philemon...

II. FORGIVNESS

Onesimus had stolen from his master Philemon…even though retribution was warranted, Paul encourages grace

Colossians 3:13 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Onesimus is different, changed...but for their relationship to change; there would need to be forgiveness!

Any unforgiveness in your heart?

(S9) — {17-18}

Paul's appeal to Philemon is two-fold. First is to...

1. RECEIVE him as his own

To lay out the welcome matt! Receive him as you would me

Ordained - ‘welcome home’

Welcome him home, Paul writes, as another in the faith. Receive him as Christ received you

Saints entrance into heaven—welcome home

The second appeal of Paul is that Philemon is to...

2. RELEASE him from the debt owed

It was not only freedom from ownership, the was needed but to be released from burden of debt. This is to come into ones favor or under grace.

Colossians 2:14 “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”

Paul says I will repay it—cancel his debt

(S10) — {19}

The second appeal of Paul is that Philemon is to..

3. RESTORE their relationship

...as one in the faith would another. As Paul had done for Philemon in bringing him to the Lord. Restore the relationship, not as it was, but better than it was!

(7) How he had refreshed the lives...(19) how it would refresh (give rest)...

Third theme of Philemon...

III. RECONCILATION

Romans 5:10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Philemon has a chance to do the RIGHT THING; to rewrite Onesimus’ story;

(S11)

...to RECIEVE him, RELEASE him, and RECONCILE the relationship better than it was before.

But it would mean leveling the playing field; seeing Onesimus as his EQUAL in Christ. FORGIVING him so that he would no longer be burden with a debt he could not pay.

Paul did the right thing...Onesimus did the right thing by returning...

Philemon was given a chance to do the right thing; to rewrite the story of one who once a slave but now set free.

Three powerful themes of how grace rewrites the story. The way Jesus, rewrote our story.

How has Jesus rewritten your story?

Jesus did the right thing so we would do the right thing...