ONESIMUS, THE PROFITABLE ONE
Notes
Transcript
ONESIMUS, THE PROFITABLE ONE
Philemon 10-20
INTRODUCTION
The Name Onesimus
Means - Profitable
His life examined
He was not profitable to anyone for years.
Examine our own profitability for Christ
Are you an asset or burden?
A credit or a liability
A help or a hinderance?
Onesimus' Spiritual Journey
Helps us as we examine our profitability.
EXPOSURE TO TRUE FAITH
In Philemon's House
Living Conditions
Philemon was a gentleman
Conditions were better than average
Onesimus was not mistreated
Spiritual Conditions
Onesimus was exposed to true faith
Philemon professed allegiance to Jesus as Lord.
Onesimus may have thought it strange to worship a dead man.
He saw a change in Philemon's life
Not sure what had brought about that change.
Could it be that this Jesus was really alive?
Christian Home Environment
Onesimus
Great opportunity to find Christ
Just didn't take
Amazing how many times this happens today...
Christian Parents
Church
Sunday School
Christian Friends
Invitations
Prayers
Opportunities
Confrontations
Doesn't take...
No response to the call of Christ.
ESCAPE FROM TRUE FAITH
The Escape
No Details of the escape
He was a slave
He didn't have to take "religion" crammed down his throat!
He did what many do when they do not like or understand
He ran
Jonah
He thought he could solve his problems by running
He thought he too could hide from God.
Many of Us
Waste many years
Then realize: Answer is not running from God, but to God.
The Fugitive
Running only agravated his problems
Onesimus stole from Philemon.
Life of a fugitive
Running
Hiding
Dodging
Barely escaping
Rome
Thought he was safe in rome
Good times
Freedom
Entertainment
Money
Guilt
Looking over his shoulder
Everything was ok if he was busy
Thought about it when he was alone
At night when there was time to think
Thoughts of his unprofitable life
Could not keep them away
Does the story sound familiar?
ENCOUNTER WITH TRUE FAITH
Coincidence of Events (Providence of God)
He ran
God waited
He met a man
One of God's men
One of God's specialties - the right 2 people together
Didn't need a policeman
Didn't need a social worker
Didn't need a psychiatrist
He needed a missionary! Paul was God's man for the hour.
Paul's Questions
What brings you to Rome, Onesimus?
Onesimus may have told him everything then...
Or it may have taken months for the truth to come out.
The story did come out
Christ's Redemptive Love
When the time was right Paul shared the Gospel with him.
Onesimus was convicted
He responded and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior!
Repentance
Means a complete turn around of his life
Means walking in one direction, turning walking the other
Means putting things right
Things that you have done wrong
Stolen from Philemon
Slave run away
He must go back to Philemon
Afraid of Going Back
Would not go alone
Paul couldn't go
Prisoner
God would be with him
Went back with Christ, and a letter from Paul.
The Letter
Appeal to Philemon to take Onesimus back
Play on words in verse 11
"Profitable" was a dead loss
Now he had become profitable for the kingdom of God.
Who do you know that is unprofitable in the kingdom?
It could be they need you...
Your friendship
Your presence
Your help to become profitable for the kingdom of God!
How profitable are you?