Christ's Transcendent Power

Introduction:

Our age has become all too human about personal relationships.

One of our human tendencies is to categorize ourselves by our differences and then use those differences to exacerbate social relations.

Biblical Christianity has come under fire as a source of conflict and division.

We are - Christ came not to bring peace but a sword.

We are not - We are to practice unity and demonstrate brotherly love.

Many within modern society believe they can have a peaceful, loving society apart from God and belief in Jesus Christ.

Tom Holland in Dominion (2020) has recently shown this to be historically inaccurate.

One common misconception is that “religion,” Christianity included, is a private matter between the individual and God.

Biblical Christianity should not be considered in this way.

Genuine love and trust for God causes love for others within a proper church relationship.

Paul wrote this personal letter, most likely from Rome around 61 AD.

Paul’s Relationship to Christ - Reality and Commitment (Philemon 1)

Throughout his letters, Paul refers to himself as a prisoner of Christ on five occasions.

Eph. 3:1 and Eph. 4:1

Philemon 1 and Philemon 9

2 Tim. 1:8.

He may use this term as a double entendre.

It designates his real situation.

He was a prisoner.

His association with Christ led to that imprisonment.

It designates a Christ’s ownership of him, perhaps.

Paul was bound to Christ because of who Christ is.

That deep, personal relationship between Christ and Paul was the very reason why Paul faced imprisonment.

Do we share such a commitment to Christ and to the truthfulness of the Gospel?

Paul’s Relationship to Timothy and Apphia - Brotherhood in Christ

Paul designates Timothy as a co-author.

His main concern is to express the personal bond between himself and Timothy.

This is not a business letter. It is a loving letter defined by mutual relationships in Christ.

Brother and sister is Paul’s typical language for fellow believers.

It also reflects shared sonship.

Galatians 3:26-28

God’s work through Christ transcends all existing, earthly relationships to create from all one new people.

Eph. 2:11-16

Colossians 3:10-11.

Paul’s Relationship with Philemon and Archippus - A Shared Work in Christ

Paul addresses the letter to Philemon who takes the primary position and thus the main recipient of the letter.

Paul uses two terms to describe him.

Beloved (this would be in Christ).

Fellow- worker (this would be a specialized term that shows Philemon’s past financial assistance to Paul).

At a minimum, it shows that a past relationship has existed between them.

Paul sees Philemon as integral to his work as an apostle and thus includes him as a fellow worker.

Notice how this transcends racial lines as well as those of rank.

Paul is a Jew.

Philemon most likely is not.

Included in the list of recipients is someone named Archippus.

Paul refers to him as a fellow soldier.

This may imply that Archippus had experienced hardship and suffering before.

Paul was not the only one who faced difficult circumstances.

Philemon and A House Church

Any biblical understanding of Christianity begins with three things.

Salvation by grace through faith.

A public confession of faith through water baptism.

Growing, worshipping, encouraging, forgiving, and loving with others in a scripturally formed congregation.

Philemon’s personal relationship with his slave was a church matter, not a private one.

Paul concludes the letter by his usual expression of desire for them.

Conclusion:

Any biblical understanding of Christianity leads to the conclusion that it is not a private personal matter.

We do not seek to transform society. Instead, Christ transforms everything about us. Our relationship to God as well as with others.