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Introduction
What is your reputation?
If someone was going to write you a letter to you describing your reputation, what would it say?
What if that letter was going to appeal to a need that would help build up the Kingdom of God? Would it be a lengthy letter or short and to the point?
The Letter to Philemon is shortest of all Paul’s writings.
In the original Greek manuscripts, it only has 335 words.
It is only 25 verse long in the translations we have today.
However, the insight that we can receive from this letter is worth much in the development of our Christian lives.
First let me mention what this letter does not do:
It does not advocate slavery but it is about a slave that robbed his master and ran away.
Onesimus robbed Philemon and away.
As a person on the run, somehow he came in contact with Paul in Rome.
It is not clear how these two met.
He could have knocked on Paul’s door asking for money or he could have had a guilty conscience concerning the crimes he had committed.
Somehow, Onesimus became a Christian through Paul’s ministry and began to work for Paul in some capacity.
Paul learned of Onesimus still being the legal property of Philemon and Paul wrote to help smooth the way for Onesimus to return.
Paul wanted to emphasize to Philemon that Onesimus was a brother in Christ and not merely a piece of property.
If one calls himself or herself a Christian, it ought to be evident in their relationships.
Christianity revolutionizes relationships.
True Christianity erases class structure.
I want to encourage you to read this powerful letter.
It will only take a minutes.
For the sake of time, we are only going to look at four verses, 4-7.
The very last phrase on these verses indicate to us that because of Philemon, the hearts of saints have been refreshed.
When you need refresh your computer screen, you click on the circular arrow and the refreshing takes place.
The word refresh means to rest, revive, and to given the opportunity to remain quiet and still.
Paul uses it in at least 2 of his letters:
1 Corinthians
Jeremiah the prophet used it in his writing in the Old Testament when God gives us the promise:
Jeremiah
Think about this with me!
In order to be refreshed, at some point you have to be “freshed.”
Now I know that is not a word, but stick with me.
In order to be refreshed, there has to have been a time when you first were fresh.
There has to be a time when you said “yes” to Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
Sometimes we get burdened with stuff in this life.
Sometimes even when we are the salt of the earth we get weary and lose our saltiness.
Sometimes we forget that we are the light of the word and allow our light to become dim.
Sometimes what was fresh becomes stagnant.
Every time that happens, it is not God who moved!
We need refreshing on a daily basis.
When you need refresh your computer screen, you click on the circular arrow and the refreshing takes place.
I am certain it is not intended, but the circular arrow goes away from the start and eventually points up.
That is what happens when we follow the idea of refreshing through prayer, faith and love.
These are three beautiful aspects of these verses.
We would do well to allow ourselves to be rooted in them and these aspects to be rooted in each of us.
First, we can be refreshed through prayer.
Refreshed Through Prayer
In Philemon verse 4, Paul states, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.”
There is much we can see in just that phrase.
We see here that prayer is personal.
You and I can express personal prayers to a personal God.
Paul says “I thank MY God.”
God is personal and He allows us to make Him so!
There is much evidence of this throughout scripture.
Psalm
Psal
There are many more that I have included on your outline for further study.
Prayer is personal and prayer is also proactive.
Paul uses the word “always.”
It means at all times and forever.
There is intention in his prayer.
In order for one to be intentional, one has to be proactive in doing so.
Proactive is acting in advance and anticipating.
Do you anticipate your prayer time?
Do you schedule time in your day for prayer?
Do you pray without ceasing?
Or do you throw up a prayer only in your time of need?
There’s more evidence of prayer being personal and proactive, but I am reminded even in that verse from Jeremiah that prayer is purposeful.
Paul shows Philemon the purpose of his prayer is to thank God for him.
Have you ever had someone thank God for you?
Is your life such a life that can happen?
Do you thank God for those in your life?
The example given here shows that we should be in the practice of thanking God for people He has placed in our lives.
How often should we participate in such practice?
Paul says “as I remember you.”
In other words, we should practice prayer as God brings that person to mind.
I am convinced that there have been many lives protected because of such timely prayer.
When God brings someone to your mind, pray for them.
Paul also shows why he prayed for Philemon.
He had heard about Philemon’s faith.
Refreshed by Faith
Paul, and others, were refreshed by faith.
Notice four things here in verses 5-6 that we can learn about a refreshing faith.
First, a refreshing faith is one that speaks.
First, a refreshing faith is one that speaks.
Paul says he heard about the faith of Philemon.
Do people hear about your faith?
Do you remember the commercials from the late 1970’s, “When E.F.
Hutton talks, everybody listens.”
The commercials would have restaurants come to a hush and busy city streets come to a complete stop.
Your faith, whether you want it to or not, speaks loudly.
It can be something that is good and worthy of modeling or it can be damaging to those who hear it.
shows many examples of how faith was spoken and lived out.
A refreshed faith is one that speaks.
A refreshed faith is also one that is secure.
Paul says that he hears about a faith that is in the Lord Jesus.
If your faith is in the Lord Jesus, it is pretty secure.
Jesus was pre-existent.
John 1:1-2
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