Philemon: Prisoners, Slaves, and Masters

Philemon 1 ESV

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker

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.

PRAYER

Alright this is a 3 week series and today we are going to be looking specifically at the first 7 verses.

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So what is this letter of Paul written not to a church but to an individual. A friend, a partner in the work of the Gospel; a fellow soldier of the faith Paul calls him in vs. 2.

Philemon is a letter with a soap opera, or a crime story behind it.

Escape and theft, and life change, reconciliation...all in one 25 v book of the new Testament.

The 3 main characters in this profile are Paul. Onesimus, and of course Philemon.

Philemon was the slave owner of Onesimus, and was part of the church in Colossae. As were Apphia and Archipus, possibly members of Philemon’s family; some believe his wife and his son.

It appears that Onesimus a slave (or bondservant) has wronged his master. Although slavery was still an evil in the Roman empire, it was more familial; slaves lived in the same house as their master, ate with their masters, they were trusted with family matters, sent on trips.

Onesimus looks to have runaway, and possible stolen from his Philemon.

Which would mean that Onesimus is in trouble -

he was guilty of two capital crimes:

running away and theft v (18)

They were sins against the social order. If it spread that slaves could runaway or steal from their masters, it would mean big trouble for the Romans social structure; the empire was built on slavery.

And so death was usually the penalty.

If your master was feeling generous, a caught slave would be branded on the forehead so all the world would see: with either an “F” for Fugitivus, or “CF” Cave Furem (which means “Beware of Thief”)

Onesimus could have received both!! His forehead would have looked like some obscure text message!!

Around the time that this letter was written Pedanius Secundus a wealthy Roman was murdered by one of his 400 slaves. All of which were publicly executed as an example.

So this could have been a real danger for Onesimus.

It is no surprise that he made his way to Rome where Paul was a prisoner.

Runaway salves would attempt to disappear in the subculture of large cities, tried to flee abroad and be absorbed into the work-force, or sought refuge in a temple.

Somehow somewhere in Rome, Onesimus came into contact with Paul, maybe as a prisoner, maybe he was introduces, maybe he had heard of this man Paul and his wisdom and somehow got an invite to the house where he was under house arrest.

And somehow, someway, Onesimus came to be a follower of Jesus. v 10

And so we have Paul under arrest, a friend of this runaway slave an thief, and

And so Paul finds himself a spiritual father of both of the wealthy, church hosting, Philemon and Onesimus, his runaway, thief slave.

Loving them both, seeking reconciliation between them and using his position as spiritual father, brother in Christ, prisoner for the sake of Jesus for their reconciliation..he writes this letter to Philemon.

The issues surrounding Onesimus’ escape or betrayal of Philemon are unknown.

So what we see here is a letter with the aim not simply to point out error, not simply to be seen as correct, but to see Jesus glorified and unity prevail.

I. Conflict is Inevitable

why

because of our make up!!

Paul is a prisoner for being an evangelist, pastor, and a preacher, living his life chained to two Roman Guard, with errand boys running through Rome to make sure he has all his necessities. He literally cannot go to the bathroom without a guard chained to him, All the while he is leading churches!!

He is friends with leaders and prisoners, with the wealthy and the poor. The free and the slave. The staunchly Jewish and the Greeks. Two drastically different world views.

And he is preaching a gospel that invites everyone in!!

Galatians 3:28 ESV

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

There is now neither

What does that mean for Christian community?

We are called to be unlike every other community on the planet. We are family!! We are family often with nothing in common but Christ.

“Community” is the place where the person you least want to live with always lives

Often we surround ourselves with the people we most want to live with, which forms a club or a clique, not a community. Anyone can form a club; it takes grace, shared vision, and hard work to form a community.

The Christian church was the first institution in history to bring together on equal footing , men and women, slaves and free, Jews and Greeks, jocks and geeks.

The apostle Paul loved this aspect of the church, the kingdom

he called it the “mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God.” By forming a community out of diverse members, Paul said, we have the opportunity to capture the attention of the world and even the supernatural world beyond

Ephesians 3:9–10 ESV

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

By forming a community out of diverse members, Paul said, we have the opportunity to capture the attention of the world and even the supernatural world beyond ().

In other words, the church ought to be the place where the world looks and says I’ve never seen a community like this; a collection of different backgrounds interests, loves and what brings them together; how is this possible, what is this mystery…it is Christ!

"'Community' is the place where the person you least want to live with always lives." —Henri Nouwen

In some ways the church has sadly failed in this assignment. Still, church is the one place I visit that brings together generations: infants still held in their mothers’ arms, children who squirm and giggle at all the wrong times, responsible adults who know how to act appropriately at all times, and those who may drift asleep if the preacher drones on too long. Married, single, parents, and non.

If we want the community experience God is offering to us, we have reason to seek a congregation of people “not like us.”

but there will always be the danger of conflict when our eyes are removed off Christ and onto what makes us different; that is how the world functions, the only result that ought to come from us seeing our differences is thankfulness and awe on some ways.

Conflict is inevitable, BUT and this is important to remember

II. Chrisitian Conflict is a Family Matter

Because conflict with each other is conflict with family members....

Paul’s hope is for Christ to be glorified and unity of the Christian community to remain or be restored.

And it is not just a chocolate covered onion!

look at Paul’s identifying words for everyone involved.

He is a prisoners of Christ---with his brother Timothy

addressing his fellow-worker, Philemon, and Archippus our fellow soldier

Hey guys before I go any further....”Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Can each of us say that when we enter into a conflict that our goal is for Christ to be glorified and unity to remain or be restored.

Can each of us say that when we enter into a conflict, a painful conversation that our goal is for Christ to be glorified and unity to remain or be restored.

When we enter into conflict or a painful conversation our goal is for Christ to be glorified and unity to remain or be restored.

and that will change how we approach and speak to each other.

Lalainia and I have taken this to heart....every time we have a disagreement and she is sitting in the living room heated! upset…I enter and I say....

“Greetings, Lalainia. I Bradicus, pastor for Christ, beseach you, my sister and fellow worker, nay…soldier.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

Actually, I rarely do that! Maybe I should?

Paul wants to make it very clear in his letter that we are all on level playing field, sinners saved by grace and our defining factor is not in our wealth, what we own, whether we are in prison, or a runaway slave…our identity and motivation for unity is found in Christ.

So he is not just offer superlatives to butter up Philemon!!

You know it isn’t like the job review time and the boss starts with

me and the boss starts with the well,

“Well, um..you are well, groomed, people like you, your desk is always tidy.....HOWEVER....

And you know that there isa correlation between how a

He is not just trying to disguise or prepare Philemon for the big ask.....He is laying the framework for every Christian interaction.......that,

We are one in Christ!!

We are all (as Martin Luther put it) We are all mere beggars telling other beggars where to find bread

He is not just putting Philemon in his proper place, he is putting himself in his proper place.

What would our conflicts look like if we firmly planted ourselves in the gospel story, before we opened our mouths?

PAUSE

But from Paul’s language there seems to have been some crime between a slave and his master.

Now some of us…if we were wronged. We will need to do some real soul work.

To be able to say that the offence against us should be put aside for the glory of Christ.

See what many of us do, would be to take on victimhood as a new crown. Gather a crowd.

Is our goal to see God glorified, or to take this on as a new identity.

Do you want Jesus more or the attention you might get from others.

I am not talking about ignoring some real work that may need to happen for healing, and deep offence.

But for some…myself included we like the power of our ailment.

Philemon had been robbed, had been offended, and Paul is saying to him....

“place every right aside for the purposes of Jesus”

Some of you have been offended, hurt, and you are right and they are wrong....some by people who will never repent, ask forgiveness or even be aware that they have done something wrong.

Paul’s ask of Philemon is that he would place his rights aside and live first as one defined by the gospel of Jesus Christ, before he sees himself as a Roman master with rights.

Because this conflict between Philemon, and the conflict that you and I face with each can be soil for growth.

III.Conflict can be soil for Growth

Philemon 6 ESV

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.

Philemon 6 NLT

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

Philemon 5–7 ESV

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.

V. 6

Paul is saying listen am so encouraged by your faith. You love the church, you host a church, you love the saints, you have proven yourself faithful!

But it could be that you are about to be stretched.

It could be that the “ask” coming your way, may mean some discomfort.

But it is my hope and prayer that in this, as well as you have proven elsewhere,....you would allow the gospel to be played out.

In other words.....there is an opportunity here Philemon.

There is an opportunity for people to look at you and say .....”What kind of master is this who forgives a slave?”

What kind of master looses a thief and a slave and welcomes him back as a brother!!!!

IS YOUR FAITH THAT BIG??? I pray it is!

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If you are like me you tend to believe (and I would never say it out loud), that there is a part of me that thinks that because I am a Christ follow things should go easier for me.

That a blessed life, a gospel life ought to mean some sort of end to trouble. and stress

Not sure where we might have learned that.

James 1:2 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John

John 16:22 NIV

22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

John 16:22

One of the things we want to see happen to everyone who attends our campus is that they develop in what Paul elsewhere calls the fruits of the spirit--

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Paul says that these should be natural outcroppings of being a Christ follower- of allowing the Spirit of God

Now I would challenge you to grow in any of those fruits without living in some level of community!!

For Philemon, offended, hurt, with all the rights of the Roman Law behind him to take action against Onesimus, Paul is reminding him and me, and you that we are called to a different law.

We are a community governed by the law of the Spirit of God, which is not characterized by giving people what they deserve.

Is not characterized vengeance. By shaming.

It is characterized by grace, and mercy, and forgiveness, because we are a family of those who were birthed out of grace and mercy and forgiveness.

For Philemon this offence was an opportunity to cling to Christ, to move close to him.

In this world you will have trouble

For us, when the offence its strong, the LAW is on our sides, the crowd is on our side, the power of forgiveness and grace is even more potent.

Opportunities to cling to Christ

And we find in the midst conflict a community unlike any other. Where men and women, slaves and free, Jews and Greeks, jocks and geeks live in unity and grace and forgiveness.

Conflict in such an eclectic bunch is inevitable, but our conflict is a family matter (brothers and sister, fellow soldiers, fellow slaves, bondservants of Christ.

But these conflicts are opportunities for our growth and for our witness

Romans 5:20 ESV

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Where sin abounds

This is the story we will continue in over the next few weeks, so I would invite you to stay with us.

Let’s pray.