The Motivation for Forgiveness
Notes
Transcript
The Motivation for Forgiveness
The Motivation for Forgiveness
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
Philemon was a wealthy, godly Christian who lived in the city of Colossae.
He had a slave named Onesimus. Some conflict arose between them, although we don’t know the nature of the conflict.
Onesimus fled from Philemon, perhaps stealing money from him in the process, and went to Rome.
While in Rome Onesimus met Paul, who was in prison. Paul shared the gospel with Onesimus, who became a Christian. He served Paul very well, but Paul knew that Onesimus had to return to Philemon. So Paul wrote a personal letter to Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and to be reconciled to him.
When we forgive we find certain motivations-
Failing to forgive is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
The heart of this letter is foregivness and if possible reconciliation.
We know what Christ said forgive 70x7
We know that failure to forgive brings on the tormentors
We know that we been forgiven much how can we not forgive what others have done.
Forgiveness is releasing a debt that is owed to you.
Relationally, debt is the breaking of trust between two people.
And we all know there is nothing people can do to pay us back...the question is: are we going to carry their invoice around with us, or are we going to rip it up?
Forgiven people forgive people.
Forgiveness is a response to God’s mercy.
The motivation to forgive comes from focusing on your own sin.Your sin has offended God far more than you will ever be hurt or offended by someone else.
When you stand in the shadow of your hurt, forgiveness seems like an unfair reward.
When you stand in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is a gift one sinner gives another.
It’s incompatible to claim to be a Christian and not forgive others.
Perhaps you have the following question in mind: Did Philemon forgive Onesimus?
Philemon almost certainly forgave Onesimus, for the following two reasons.
First, it is not likely that this letter would have found its way into the New Testament canon if Philemon did not forgive Onesimus.
Paul eventually did get out of prison and most likely visited Philemon and the Colossian church. If Paul had discovered that Philemon was not forgiven, he would undoubtedly have corrected Philemon, and we would know about it. But there is no record of that, most likely because Philemon forgave Onesimus and was reconciled to him.
And the second reason Philemon almost certainly forgave Onesimus is really wonderful. Several decades after Paul wrote to Philemon there was a man named Onesimus who became bishop of the Ephesian church. Many believe that this Onesimus was the same Onesimus Paul asked Philemon to forgive. We know about Bishop Onesimus from Ignatius, who, on his way to Rome to be martyred, wrote to the church in Ephesus: “In God’s name, therefore, I received your large congregation in the person of Onesimus, your bishop in this world, a man whose love is beyond words. My prayer is that you should love him in the Spirit of Jesus Christ and all be like him. Blessed is he who let you have such a bishop.”
I. The Offer of Restitution (18-19)
I. The Offer of Restitution (18-19)
1. The Offer of Restitution (19)
2. The Opportunity of Refreshment (20)
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
3. The Confidence of Response (21)
4. The Anticipation of Inspection (22)
5. The Maintenance of Fellowship (23-24)
6. The Prerequisite of Grace (25)
I. The Offer of Restitution (19)
The first motivation of one who forgives is the offer of restitution.
Paul is saying - let me jump start this - if Onesimus owes you anything i will take care of this ..
We need friend and leaders like this that will get thing going by jump starting it all.
The slave Onesimus had run away from his master Philemon.
Philemon suffered the loss .
Further, it is possible that Onesimus had stolen money from Philemon.
vs 19 - So, at this point in the letter, the Apostle Paul took the pen from Timothy (who was writing down Paul’s letter), and wrote in verse 19, “I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it – to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.”
you owe me Philemon but thats OK will let it go .....
6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; 7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.
The Bible teaches that restitution for lost possessions is entirely warranted (see ).
Of course, the person who suffered the loss may graciously cancel the debt, but he is not obligated to do so.
That is why Paul offered to make restitution for Onesimus’ debt.
Paul did not want the lack of restitution to hinder forgiveness and reconciliation, and that was the reason for his offer of restitution.
If you have hurt someone make it right ...
If you are holding onto the hurt release them ....
So, the first motivation of one who forgives is the offer of restitution.
II. The Opportunity of Refreshment (20)
II. The Opportunity of Refreshment (20)
The second motivation of one who forgives is the opportunity of refreshment.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Earlier in his letter Paul said to Philemon in verse 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.” The way in which Philemon treated fellow Christians was wonderfully refreshing. And so now Paul said to Philemon in verse 20, “Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.” Paul wanted Philemon to refresh his own heart by forgiving Onesimus.
The way in which Philemon treated fellow Christians was wonderfully refreshing.
And so now Paul said to Philemon in verse 20, “Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord.
Refresh my heart in Christ.” Paul wanted Philemon to refresh his own heart by forgiving Onesimus.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
We all know how wonderfully refreshing it is to be forgiven of our sins, not only by God, but by those against whom we have sinned as well.
So, the first motivation of one who forgives is the offer of restitution. The second is the opportunity of refreshment.
Forgive and refresh those that have hurt thee......
illustration - we can now look at each other and laugh
we can now rebuild a relationship
or
we can frown - walk around with a chip on our shoulder and everyone on knows we have not forgiven.
III. The Confidence of Response (21)
III. The Confidence of Response (21)
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
Does you background and testimony give people the assurance that you will foregive.
The third motivation of one who forgives is the confidence of response.
Paul was very confident of Philemon’s appropriate response to his request that he forgive Onesimus.
Paul’s confidence in Philemon’s response of obedience was a motivation to Philemon to do what God required of him: to forgive Onesimus and to be reconciled to him.
1st message i know you will do the right thing....
He was urging Philemon to welcome Onesimus with open arms, as a brother in Christ. Or Paul may also have been suggesting that Philemon allow Onesimus return to Rome and minister alongside Paul.
Regardless, Philemon was motivated to forgive Onesimus because he wanted to be obedient, and he knew that Paul was confident of his response.
IV. The Anticipation of Inspection (22)
IV. The Anticipation of Inspection (22)
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
philemon 22
The fourth motivation of one who forgives is the anticipation of inspection.
You may have heard of the saying, “People don’t always do what you expect, but they are far more likely to do what you inspect.”
It almost seems that Paul had this in mind when he wrote to Philemon in verse 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.”
accountability
husband and wife
parent child
Boss and Worker
Ann going away - clean up the house ....
When are you returning
Paul believed that he would soon be released from prison, and then he would visit the Colossian church meeting in Philemon’s home.
That of course meant that Paul would be able to see firsthand how Philemon received Onesimus.
Would Paul find that Onesimus was forgiven or not forgiven? It was this anticipation of inspection by Paul that motivated Philemon to forgive Onesimus.
V. The Maintenance of Fellowship (23-24)
V. The Maintenance of Fellowship (23-24)
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Folks others are watching!
The fifth motivation of one who forgives is the maintenance of fellowship.
Philemon apparently knew each of these men.
By mentioning them to Philemon, Paul wanted him to recognize that the Christian life is not lived in isolation from other believers, but rather it is lived in fellowship with other believers.
Certainly, these five men knew that Paul was asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to be reconciled to him.
Failure to do so would result in broken fellowship with other believers, including these men. And so a motivation for Philemon was to maintain fellowship with fellow believers.
A ruined testimony
And the sixth motivation of one who forgives is the prerequisite of grace.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
By the time Philemon had read to this point in his letter from the Apostle Paul he had been reminded of the character of one forgives, the actions of one who forgives, and the motivation of one who forgives. Perhaps he might have wondered where in the world he might find the strength to do so. That is why Paul ended his letter with these familiar words in verse 25, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
vs 25 - Paul’s closing benediction really was a prayer that reminded Philemon that he could do nothing in the Christian life apart from the enabling grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
vs 25 - Paul’s closing benediction really was a prayer that reminded Philemon that he could do nothing in the Christian life apart from the enabling grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We do nothing in our Christian lives in our own strength. It is only by gospel-empowered grace that any of us are ever enabled to forgive anyone from the heart. That is why we all need God’s enabling grace on a daily basis to do what he has called us to be and to do.
What I asking you to do?
Who in your life needs to be forgiven?
Do you need to make restitution?
Conclusion
Therefore, having analyzed the actions of one who forgives, we should ask God to enable us to forgive others and to be reconciled with them.
Philemon almost certainly forgave Onesimus, for the following two reasons.
First, it is not likely that this letter would have found its way into the New Testament canon if Philemon did not forgive Onesimus.
Paul eventually did get out of prison and most likely visited Philemon and the Colossian church. If Paul had discovered that Philemon was not forgiven, he would undoubtedly have corrected Philemon, and we would know about it. But there is no record of that, most likely because Philemon forgave Onesimus and was reconciled to him.
And the second reason Philemon almost certainly forgave Onesimus is really wonderful. Several decades after Paul wrote to Philemon there was a man named Onesimus who became bishop of the Ephesian church. Many believe that this Onesimus was the same Onesimus Paul asked Philemon to forgive. We know about Bishop Onesimus from Ignatius, who, on his way to Rome to be martyred, wrote to the church in Ephesus: “In God’s name, therefore, I received your large congregation in the person of Onesimus, your bishop in this world, a man whose love is beyond words. My prayer is that you should love him in the Spirit of Jesus Christ and all be like him. Blessed is he who let you have such a bishop.”