Made For More : Every Struggle Has Purpose

INTRODUCTION

Stand And Read Scripture - Philemon 1:15-21

Dad and Papa Len Story

Dad was in pain throughout his life, feeling like he didn’t belong, and then finding out in his 30s that his dad wasn’t his real dad.

Can God bring any good out of this situation?

I’m sure many of you have wrestled with that same question. Can God bring any good out of this situation?

TENSION

We want a highlight reel life with zero cuts, or zero pain.

But real life brings break ups, friend drama, missed starts, and grades that dip no matter how hard you try.

In these moments of pain, we often do one of these two things :

Labels and Grudges

Labels : It’s easy from these painful moments in life to pick up labels about our identity :

Failure, Unwanted, Behind, Stupid, Not Enough

Grudge : If someone has a grudge against us, it’s just as easy to grab a grudge. If someone has wronged us, it’s easy to hold onto that it’s like a fire that burns in us.

Grudges and labels feel powerful for a minute and then feel heavy for a long time.

So is there purpose to our pain, and can God really use this for good?

TRUTH

Philemon was written while Paul was imprison.

Shortest letters that Paul ever wrote, but it is also one of the most explosive.

It that time it was common in Roman society to have slaves. Slavery looked differently back then.

Philemon had a slave names Onesimus, who wronged him and fled, we don’t know if he stole from him, or cheated him, or what.

Onesimus went to Paul in prison for help. And became a follower of Jesus.

What’s next? Paul told Onesimus to go back to Philemon in Colossae.

The Mission : To get Philemon to forgive Onesimus and embrace him as a brother and no longer as a slave.

Philemon 1:15-16 - Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever- no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

This is the only letter where Paul doesn’t explicitly talk about Jesus’ Death and Resurrection… Because he is acting it out.

Philemon had every legal right to have Onesimus punished and imprisoned based on the times they were in.

What Paul’s requested was unheard of. Not only do you want me to let him go, but now to consider him as an equal to me?

It was counter-cultural to the society.

He said that he would repay any wrongdoing that Onesimus has done, because Jesus would do the same.

This would have grabbed everyone’s attention.

I wonder how many people learned about Jesus forgiveness, through Philemon forgiving Onesimus and treating him like an equal.

I wonder how beautiful that moment was when Onesimus to came back, and for Philemon to forgive Onesimus, set him free, to look him in the eye and say “you are my brother.”

This wouldn’t have been easy, but it would have been worth it!

The more God shows you the bigger plan, the easier it is for you to forgive.

Philemon knew that he was a sinner, he was in need of forgiveness. Once he remembered that, it was easier to forgive others.

How do you know when you’ve forgiven someone? When you can welcome them in as a brother or sister in Christ.

Philemon knew that he was a sinner, he was in need of forgiveness. Once he remembered that, it was easier to forgive others.

What the enemy meant for evil God used it for good.

Slavery isn’t good, stealing isn’t good, not keeping your word isn’t good, one night stands aren’t good, cheating isn’t good. But God can use for his glory.

LANDING

My Dad’s story looks like a mistake, but God used it for good.

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

God knew my Dad’s purpose long before that

Your purpose started before the pain.

God knew that my Dad would be born, and He knew my Dad. He knew he had a purpose.

LOOK AT HIM, LOOK AT ME : He was an incredible worship leader, musician, and he’s lead so many young people closer to the Lord, and he is so good at ministering to people.

He’s lead thousands in worship. I’ve lead thousands in worship throughout my life.

I don’t say this to brag, but to say that God IS receiving the glory even through this sinful moment, this mistake.

My life is a testimony that God can work everything for His good.

APPLICATION

So tonight, I’d like to invite you to take a look at your own pain, your own sin, your own shame, your own brokenness.

Will you hand your pain over to Jesus so that He can shape you through it?

Forgiveness is part of that shaping. Its’ not pretending the hurt was okay, it’s trusting God with the justice and choosing freedom.

Forgiving people doesn’t make it okay, it just makes you free.

When you bring your pain to Jesus, the Holy Spirit does real work inside, healing, re-naming, re-aiming you life toward purpose.

God didn’t cause your pain, but with God, nothing is wasted.

There is too much beauty in this life to carry around old baggage.

Forgiveness is for everyone who asks for it, and Christ is ready to give your forgiveness. Christ is ready to give you love, Christ is ready to embrace you, Christ is ready to change your life and your future, and to change your past.

CHALLENGE

Pick one cut you’re carrying right now - grades, team, relationship, family tension, friend group drama, etc.

Name the label it gave you. - Unwanted, unloved, forgotten, not enough, etc.

Now flip it into God’s truth : No longer _____ but beloved.

Name the grudge your are holding.

If a person sits at the center of that pain, pray this, “Jesus, I choose to forgive _______, would you bless them?”

- This is what my dad taught me, and it works, I’m telling you.

PRAYER

Jesus, some of my cuts still sting. We bring You our hurt, our labels, and our grudges. Rename us as beloved. Give us courage to forgive, not to excuse, but to be free. Holy Spirit, shape our character where we’re hurting and lead us into the next right step. Amen.