Philemon #02

Philemon #2

Interceding For Me

Continuing with our story; if you remember, Paul is in house arrest in Rome. He is chained to a guard 24 hours a day switching off every 6 hours with a new guard. He had preached in Ephesus and spent a long time there founding churches and leading many to Christ. That resulted in the Gospel being spread throughout the region and this included Colossae in Phrygia. One of the founders of that church was the recipient of our letter, Philemon.

We learned last week that he led a life worth emulating. As a saint, a follower of Christ, he showed his faithfulness through strong faith, love for the saints, and openly sharing his faith. But we also learned something else about Philemon, he was a man who had slaves as part of his household. Let’s spend just a minute talking about slavery in the Roman world. I told you last week that 1 in 3 people in Italy were slaves. I also told you that the Romans brought back conquered people and made them slaves. A majority of them were European. Slaves in the Roman world were considered the least of all in society. They were nothing more than chattel. The slave in Roman society had no rights and no inherent worth. Though hailed as the birthplace of Democracy, one of the states of Greece, Attica, which was home to Athens, some have written that there were 4 slaves for every ONE citizen.

Most slaves worked in groups in fields, mines, or factories. Wealthy landowners in Italy were known to hold thousands upon thousands of slaves that could be willed to their heirs. Yet slaves had NO rights. They were not even allowed the simple act of marriage. If the owner was predisposed, he may allow some to cohabitate, but not marriage. The slave was completely under the control of his Master who could dispose of him as he wished. According to Lightfoot, for the least offense, he could be scourged, mutilated, crucified, or thrown to wild beasts.

To give an idea of the severity, history tells us that a Roman Senator named, Penanius Secundus, was killed by one of his slaves in anger or jealousy. Because of this act by ONE of his slaves, EVERY slave in Secundus’ household was legally condemned to die. So, 400 slaves, human beings, were sentenced to die. Surprisingly, the local population rose up to save them causing Senate deliberation. One Senator, speaking in favor of the punishment, argued that because of the vast number of slaves from varied countries, the only possible way of control was with FEAR. The rest of the Senators agreed and the 400 slaves were executed for the action of one.

My point in sharing this is to show you the society and cultural norm to which Philemon was a part. Slavery was a part of society that Lightfoot observes “to prohibit slavery was to tear society into shreds.” He goes on to say, “nothing marks the divine character of the Gospel more than its perfect freedom from any appeal to the spirit of political revolution. It belongs to all time: and therefore, instead of attacking special abuses, it lays down universal principles which shall undermine the evil.”

But the Gospel IS concerned with the Salvation and Radical Transformation of ONE LIFE. That life, transformed, multiplied by another transformed, then WILL transform Society.

So it is into this world that we have Philemon and Onesimus. Now we have to surmise from scripture, but let me paint an authentic picture of what most likely went down to bring about this letter.

Onesimus was sold into Philemon’s household as a slave. Some believe he may have been the son of nobility whose father was deposed and killed. Philemon became owner of Onesimus before he ever met Paul, heard the Gospel, and received Christ. I’m sure he became a better man, and thus a better master, but there was still the matter of slave and Master.

Onesimus must have shown himself faithful because he gained access to Philemon’s funds. Perhaps he ran the household of Philemon. But being the property of another is never an enviable state no matter the goodness of the master.

Paul had encouraged those in both stations

(CSB)

1 Corinthians 7:21–24 CSB

Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.

But Onesimus, though I’m sure he heard the gospel, had not received it.

So, somewhere, somehow, he planned his escape. He stole money from Philemon and he ran off. If you are going to run away as a slave, where will you be safest? Where can you get lost, if not Metropolis Rome? A city of nearly a million. It was a city with 400,000 slaves, by some estimates. But the slaves for the most part looked just like everyone else. He could get lost there. And so there he went. But God knew where Onesimus was and God had a plan.

How he came to Paul, we are left to wonder. Did he stumble down his street and hear Paul preaching or teaching from his house of detention? Did he, perhaps, begin to feel guilty for what he had done, hear that Paul was there and seek him out? I do not know, but it is reasonable to imagine that as a trusted slave he would have accompanied Philemon to Ephesus. He had probably heard Paul preach the gospel but had not yet received it himself. Yet in the providence of God, he now had found Paul. He had heard the Gospel, the Holy Spirit had drawn him, and he had embraced Christ as Lord through the ministry of Paul in Rome. He was then discipled by Paul and became a voluntary servant to him and to God through him.

Eventually though, Onesimus knew that he needed to make things right with Philemon. But I’ve already told you how slavers were treated for offenses. He was rightfully afraid of how Philemon would respond.

So, now you see the point for this letter. Paul knew Philemon. He knew the faithful saint that he had become and with proper instruction how he would respond. So, Paul wrote this letter to his friend on behalf of another friend.

Let’s read the first half of the part of the letter regarding Onesimus.

READ

Philemon 8–16 CSB

For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you—I am sending my very own heart. I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

What a beautiful letter, how masterful it is. Paul is so gentle and persuasive at the same time. But there is a deep well here from which we can drink refreshing spiritual water.

Now remember what had happened. He was a slave, he fled from his Master. He was guilty of many offenses. He had been chosen by Philemon and he had once been useful. Onesimus most likely had a different birth name but as was common for slaves, he had been given the name Onesimus which meant “useful”. Common servant names like Chresmus or Chrestus also meant “useful”. Onesiphorus meant “profit bringer” and Sympohorus meant “suitable”. So Onesimus was so useful that he was that he was named “useful”. But in this act he had become worthless or useless to Philemon. He had betrayed him. But IN CHRIST, he was now SOMEBODY.

Now, I want you to listen again and see the majesty of this letter. Paul wasn’t just talking about this human relationship, though it was important. Paul was reminding him what Jesus had done for us? So imagine this letter as written FOR YOU to God the Father.

Because, aren’t we just like Onesimus?

As humans we were created for nobility, just a little lower than the angels. But we were sold into slavery by the sin of Adam. But still he treated us right, while offering us rules to live by. But we ran from God and tried to hide and run our own lives. We are guilty and deserve the worst of any punishment God would give out. But when we met Jesus Christ everything changes. Jesus has one desire then to reconcile us to the Father because of our relationship with Christ and the new person we have become.

- Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when 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! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:9–11 CSB

How much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

& 21 (CSB)

2 Corinthians 5:19 CSB

That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Now, let me read this again and I want you to hear Jesus writing this letter on your behalf to the Father

READ 8-16

Paul was interceding for Onesimus and Jesus interceding for us.

(CSB)

34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

(CSB)

Hebrews 7:25 CSB

Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

Alright, I only have a few minutes left but let me show you what Jesus did for you and me.

Paul begins with “Therefore” – he was appealing to Philemon based on …

1. Reputation

Because he was known as a Faithful Saint, he knew he would respond rightly to Onesimus.

And so Jesus intercedes for us based on the Reputation of God

(CSB)

Exodus 34:6–7 CSB

The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.

6 The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, 7 maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.

So, because of who God is and what Christ has done to take away the guilt of our sin … God must respond.

Yet Paul also appeals to Philemon based on the love he had for Paul and the love in general he had for the world as a child of God

2. Love

And so Jesus appeals to the Father based on his love for the son Jesus Christ and the World

(CSB)

John 6:35 CSB

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.

35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.

(CSB)

John 5:20 CSB

For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed.

20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed.

(CSB)

Matthew 17:5 CSB

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

(CSB)

John 3:16 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

(CSB)

1 John 4:9–10 CSB

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Oh, the love of God for his Son and for the World. He already loved us before we knew or loved him!

Because of his love for Jesus, Jesus knows he can intercede for us.

Then Paul appeals to Philemon based on the NEW state of Onesimus, that is a relationship with Paul.

3. Relationship

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus. I became his father.”

Philemon 10 CSB

appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains.

These words must have resonated with Philemon because he had a relationship with Paul and now so did Onesimus.

Jesus writes to the Father for us and he tells the Father … “Jim Goforth has become my son.”

Oh people, Jesus Christ was born my “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father.”

I am his and he is mine. Because Jesus has a relationship with the Father and we have a relationship with Christ, that enables us to have a relationship with the Father as well.

Then Paul intercedes based on the Worth of Onesimus.

4. Worth

I love the play on words that Paul uses. He used to be worthless. I’m sure that Philemon in his skewed and imperfect understanding felt betrayed by Onesimus. He probably had been good to him while still owning him. When Onesimus left Philemon most likely thought him useless or worthless.

Paul acknowledged Onesimus, whose name meant useful, was achrestos (akh-res-tos) = useless / unprofitable but NOW he has become euchrestos (yoo-khrays-tos) = useful – a synonym for his name Onesimus.

Achrestos - useless / unprofitable - Euchrestos - useful

Euchrestos - useful

On a human level, this understanding strikes a blow to the root of slavery. He addressed the worth of every man. He was not addressing a political leader so he didn’t address the issue of slavery. Instead the worth of people is seen regardless of their station in life. He was challenging Philemon not to worry about the world but change HIS world.

He addresses him based on the transformation that has taken place by the touch of Christ.

So also, that is what Jesus does as he intercedes for us with the Father.

Yes, when it comes to the Righteousness and Holiness that god demands, ALL our righteousness is like filthy rags. Yes, there is NONE righteous, not even one. Yes, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But, if we come to Christ Jesus, through his cross, the story changes … THEN

(CSB)

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

So, IN CHRIST …

Romans 3:23–24 CSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

judgment that “all have sinned” changes in verse 24, Hallelujah, to “and are justified freely by his grace …” and he made it as if we had never sinned and

(CSB)

1 Corinthians 1:30 CSB

It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

And so, we transform from being worthless people, clothed in filthy rags, short of God’s glory … to someone who In CHRIST JESUS … I am SOMEBODY, and I am I a NEW Creation, I am Righteous, Holy, Redeemed! Somebody say “YES!”

And so then finally, Paul appeals to Philemon based on the Hand of Providence

5. Providence vv15,16

In all this God was at work.

God didn’t cause Philemon to buy those slaves. He didn’t cause Onesimus to steal from Philemon and run away; but God in his Omniscience knew it all before it ever happened and was using the slavery, the rebellion, and the work of Paul to get Onesimus to a place where he could hear the gospel and be redeemed, saved, set free by the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.

So, Paul tells Philemon, “perhaps he was separated from you … that you might have him back a better man.”

Listen, God knew Onesimus would be HIS before he ever heard the Gospel. But Onesimus still had to take the journey, hear the gospel, open his heart, and embrace forgiveness and newness of life through his exercise of faith.

And so God works in our lives to bring us to the place where we will repent of our sins, exercise faith, and embrace him as Lord.

People, the greatest mystery of the Gospel is that there is a responsibility for us to exercise faith by believing on Jesus Christ and yet understanding that because God has always known we would be his, HE CHOSE US FIRST. He called us, he justified us, he is sanctifying us, and he will glorify us.

Faithful servant, I believe with all I am that we are accountable to exercise our faith in God and so in action we choose him freely with our mind, will, and emotions …but when we do … a blessed truth reveals itself to us, that He chose us first.

And so, while we came into his family in our experience at a fixed time and place, yet in God’s mind, we have always been his. Likewise, the ones who God knows will never respond, they are never his.

God’s Election and Man’s Responsibility are NOT contradictory any more than Gravity and Aerodynamics contradict. Those two things were once thought contradictory until they were understood.

Well we will never fully understand how these two reconcile until God’s presence in Glory, but that doesn’t mean both aren’t TRUE.

Charles Spurgeon spoke to this mystery and the difficulty in reconciling these seemingly competing points of our responsibility and God’s sovereignty and election … Spurgeon once said:

“Friends I do not have to reconcile them, we are chosen, but it is in agreement with foreknowledge. No one can blame God for being lost, but we all must give him credit for our salvation”.

Then this lengthy quote

”That God predestines, and that man is responsible, are two things that few can see. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory; but they are not. It is just the fault of our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other.

If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other.

These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring.”

Oh the Wonder of it all

The Wonder of it all,

Just to know that God loves me

Oh the Wonder of it all

The Wonder of it all

To think that God loves me

(George Beverly Shea)

Oh how wonderful, that when I stand Redeemed, Clean, Saved, and Whole in Glory.

I will enter not by my works or Goodness, but because the work of Christ on the Cross, so my Faith enables me to enter the Beautiful Mystery.

The reputation and love of God and his relationship with Christ allows my relationship with Christ to transform me into a New Man who by the Hand of God was drawn and welcomed into the Family

Oh the Wonder,

Oh the Wonder of it All.

J.B. Lightfoot, writing on this passage says

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty, who is weak and I am NOT weak? Who is offended and I burn not? Such ever was love’s story, to RISE … it STOOPS.”

Love Stoops,

We Respond,

It’s All Jesus …

That’s the Love of Jesus Christ …

While I was a slave on the Run, he stooped down and became like me, to redeem me and draw me to himself.

He left his Glory in Heaven to Stoop Down to My Level and as He stooped, his love was tall, and I RISE into the Glory of God!