Paul's Prayer for Philemon
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Paul’s Prayer for Philemon
Text
Good morning, if you would take your Bibles and turn to the book of Philemon
It is the shortest book from Paul, and is probably one page, right before Hebrews near the back of your Bible, it will also be on the screen for you if you would prefer following along in that way. In just a second, I’m going to have you stand and read the entire book with me – that’s right, today we will get you back on track in your reading plans, and when you go to lunch you can make yourself sound holier than the people at the next table when you tell everyone you stood up and read a whole book of the Bible at church this morning. Before we jump straight into the the text, let me give you an overview of what we are about to read. The book of Philemon is written by Paul as he is on house arrest in Rome waiting for a trial.
The Roman Government is currently trying to figure out what in the world to do with this little tiny sect of people that is growing quickly and causing disruptions all over the empire.
They are trying to decide if this movement is a threat to the empire. Paul is preparing to make a case that they aren’t a threat, but bring good news to the empire. In this letter, though, Paul is writing while on house arrest in Rome to a man named Philemon, his household, and the church that meets in his home. Pretty standard for a letter from Paul.
The interesting thing about this letter, though, is who is carrying it. The guy bringing this letter from Paul is a man named Onesimus - Onesimus is a fugitive slave who ran away from Philemon, and probably stole from him on his way out the door.
Under Roman law and culture, Onesimus could be arrested, beaten, tortured, and if it was a repeat offense or was egregious in some way, could have had the local Roman officials crucify him. There is no reason for Onesimus to be at Philemon’s door. In fact, we learn that Onesimus had run so far away that he made it all the way to Rome where he met Paul While Onesimus was with Paul in Rome, Paul led him to Christ, just as he had done led Philemon to Christ when he was in Colossae. So, if you would, let’s stand in honor of God’s word and read together Paul’s letter to Philemon, delivered by Onesimus the slave.
Philemon 1-7
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother:
To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.
I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.
For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother:
To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.
I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, appeal to you for my son, Onesimus.
I became his father while I was in chains. Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you—I am sending my very own heart. I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your very self. Yes, brother, may I benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. Meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Intro
**Prayer Transition** **Be Seated** Have you ever seen something funny that stuck with you and you just couldn’t shake that picture out of your head for the rest of the day? I remember about this time last year, I started seeing the same guy every day on my way to work. He stood out to me because he was in the same general area of my commute at the same time every day. And he was riding a very bright yellow bike.
It caught my eye every time. Now, a guy riding a bright yellow bike doesn’t seem like a funny site that would stick with you, BUT.. THIS BIKE was a yellow tandem bike - a two seat bike - with only one person doing all the steering and all the pushing. I thought it was funny, and it stuck with me and kept popping back into my head all day the first time I saw it.
Then as I thought about it throughout the day I realized it was a little sad. Then the next day I would see it again and find it funny all over again. Sometimes I would see this guy riding his yellow tandem bike on a flat stretch. It would go a little slower than you’d expect. Sometimes he was going up a hill, and it was a lot slower than you would expect. Sometimes I could really see the strain it put on him - real exertion to get that bike moving. Always by himself. Eventually I stopped seeing this single man riding a yellow tandem bike - which shouldn’t be surprising. He was clearly missing a key component to what he was doing. It is possible to be missing a piece from our Christian lives, too. It’s possible to be in the driver’s seat and moving forward even, but be completely missing the point of what we are supposed to be doing.
Exposition of 1-7
Did you notice how Paul prayed for Philemon? - We are usually quick to skim over the prayers and greetings, but notice what Paul is doing here, because it sets the tone for the rest of this letter Paul always offers Thanksgiving in his prayers when Philemon comes to mind because of the love that Philemon has for both God and the Saints
All the way back in Rome, Paul continues to hear positive updates about Philemon and the church meeting in his home - he hears that Philemon loves the saints (read the church) and has faith in the Lord Jesus.
I am constantly being refreshed and constantly giving thanks because you are loving the church well and have your faith in Jesus! I “always” thank God when I mention you in my prayers because of these two things! That is high praise coming from Paul - and it is genuine - Paul is really encouraged by and really thankful for the love and faith Philemon shows. Then he transitions to his prayer request for Philemon; I’m thankful for your love and faith, TRANSITION I am praying “your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in usB for the glory of Christ”
Philemon loves God well, and loves the church well. But he is missing something - he is missing the effectiveness in his participation in the faith - other translations would phrase this as Paul praying that the sharing in and of Philemon’s faith would be effective. Despite these things that Paul is genuinely grateful for, Philemon is lacking an effectiveness in his participation…
Philemon is missing something… It is kind of like Paul is watching Philemon try to peddle a two seater bike by himself - you’ve got the faith and love, but you’re missing the something - maybe even missing the point of what you’re doing… For the rest of the letter, Paul is going help equip Philemon to have this effective participation and effective sharing of and in the faith by pointing him back to the work of Jesus and how it should apply to and work through his life.
Exposition of 8-16
After Paul’s prayer and encouragement he transitions in verse 8 to his appeal on the basis of love as opposed to a command.
This is Paul, okay? This is a guy who has no problem commanding people to do what is right. Read some of his other writings and he is direct, bold, and maybe even harsh at times. But here, he is appealing, not through command, but through an appeal to Love
What is that thing that Paul gave thanks for about Philemon again?
His love! Paul is working to the strengths of Philemon here Paul then makes clear his close relationship with Onesimus
Remember, Onesimus fled from Colossae and somehow found Paul in Rome - maybe he knew who Paul was and was looking for him; maybe he had no idea and God brought the connection about on His own - we don’t know but either way Paul, on house arrest, bumps into Onesimus, and through this Onesimus becomes a follower of Jesus
Paul says, “I became his father while I was in chains” - what this really means is that Paul shared the faith with Onesimus while in chains and the literal translation is that he gave birth to him. Now this runaway slave and possible thief, this formerly useless man, is now useful to both Paul and Philemon - useful
now he comes back to you no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a brother!
Let’s talk really quickly here. Our modern ears and eyes want to read this and say, Paul, why weren’t you so bold as to just tell Philemon and everyone else - slavery is wrong, duh! get your act together In fact, through history, some people have read philemon and said, see Paul is clearly okay with slavery - he doesn’t say it is wrong and sends the slave back to his master 2 points on this
Paul is writing this letter while on house arrest in Rome - why is he on house arrest in Rome? He is on trial because Caesar and the Roman elite are trying to decide if this little bitty, teeny tiny, fast growing, Jewish cult (from their perspective), is a threat to the Roman empire.
Paul is actively building a case that the Gospel is not a threat to Rome, but good news for them because God wants to save them through Jesus too. a slave revolt is the number one thing that the mighty Roman empire is afraid of at the moment.
Christianity is so small culturally at this moment that Paul’s word condemning slavery outright would not have moved the needle. But Paul’s condemnation of slavery would have brought down persecution on the church in a time where it was spreading like wildfire, but not yet ready to feel the full weight of a Rome afraid of Christians stirring up a slave revolt anyone who says Paul is affirming slavery here is not paying attention.
verse 15 and 16 - yes Paul is sending Onesimus back, but in his hand is a letter from the apostle saying - I am not commanding you what to do because it is better for me to appeal from love, but instead you are receiving him back “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dearly loved brother.”
Read between the lines Philemon; Onesimus is back - he is no longer a slave.
right thing number one - he is not a slave any longer right thing number two - beyond all reason in culture at the time, not only is he not a slave, but he is your beloved brother receive him as one! Illustration
“I shouldn’t have to tell you to take it up the stairs - I put it on the stairs, you are just supposed to know by nature of being a husband that it goes up the stairs and gets put away!” “I shouldn’t have to command you to take me somewhere nice for our anniversary, you should do it because of love!” Husbands if that sounds familiar then I am sorry that I have to break this to you, but our wives are probably onto something here..
Paul is doing the same thing - I’m not commanding you what to do, but guess what, you love God well - you love the saints well - if you love them you will live it out well! If you’re following God, then you should know what the right thing to do is! If it isn’t clear, let me help you understand - this guy that you could potentially have crucified, and may want to have crucified, for his crimes is now your brother. Paul says, I want him to serve me in prison, but before he can do that we have to resolve that issue with you. Because the forgiveness here has to come from you. The consent has to be from you, not obligated, of your own free will, and motivated by love…. For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently - no longer as a slave, but more than that, as a dearly loved brother.
This whole ugly mess - from you having a slave to him stealing from you and fleeing from you - maybe all of this was for a reason. Maybe God is up to something here. Maybe the reason the pain and the hurt and the anger happened is because God already had the end of the story figured out. Maybe God is working everything out for good in this story.
Exposition of 17-22
Paul continues, though and goes on to take this a step further Even if Philemon cannot get past what Onesimus has done; Paul lays it out plain If there is anything that he still owes you, put that on me.
Any sins against you? Count them against me Any debt he can’t pay? I’ll pay it Does this remind you of anyone?
You see, Paul is living out the example of Christ
Because while we were yet sinners Christ DIED for us - Christ took our sin on the cross and paid the debts we could not afford to pay in order to reconcile the world to himself Paul is pointing Philemon back to Christ and showing him how to live this out.
If the appeal on your love isn’t enough, then let me pay the debt Onesimus can’t afford. And remember, you owe me the same thing too, because I led you to the Lord! The past relationship you had with Philemon is null and void; he is now only your brother because of what CHRIST has done…
This is possible because, even if they don’t know it yet, Philemon and Onesimus are brothers
Paul makes it clear - welcome him like he is me; charge me what he owes you Because guess what? You’re both in the same boat!
You were both sinners and debtors and you both had only one hope, Christ! You were both lost until God used me to lead you to Christ, so in some ways you both owe me as well! So as Christ unites you spiritually, let my life and work unite you here and now.
Application
So, what is missing for Philemon?
He has love, he has faith. What is the back half of the bicycle? What is the missing link for his effectiveness in the participation in or sharing of the faith?
A ministry of reconciliation. Look with me at what Paul says in 2 Cor 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,“Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Philemon you have love and faith, but you now have to live those things out!
You and Onesimus are now in Christ - you are both entirely new creations - the old is gone the new is here This is done through only the work of Jesus and guess what Jesus’ primary ministry for the church is?
RECONCILIATION
Christ reconciled the world to himself, not counting our sins against him, and he has given this message to us The missing piece, Philemon, is that as a recipient of reconciliation through Jesus, you are BY DEFAULT an ambassador for this
not just love inside the church, not just love for God - while those things are good and great and worthy of thanksgiving there is something more!
Philemon, let reconciliation work through you and be an ambassador for it! Plead on Christ’s behalf for others to be reconciled to God… It is God’s plan to include the Paul, and Philemon, and you, and me in being an ambassador to the world for what we have received. If Philemon doesn’t get that through the Gospel message, maybe God will use Onesimus and his response to him to open his eyes. The effectiveness that Philemon is missing is ambassadorship - and what better way to be an ambassador for reconciliation than to experience it twice. to fully participate in the Christian faith, we MUST be ambassadors for reconciliation in Christ We must let God appeal through us to restore the lost not to what they owe but to what Christ has done church, we can keep riding along and struggling to peddle up hills by loving God well and loving each other well. but eventually the strain is going to be too much for us.
There is something else that we have to do to experience the fullness of participation in the Christian life as God intends it for us It’s not an option for us! If we have been reconciled to God, then we are by our very nature and existence ambassadors for that same reconciliation to others.
The black to the white. the husband to the wife the slave as the brother the sinner to the salvation in the example of christ Where in your life has God placed you so that you can be an ambassador?
Maybe someone has sinned against you… Maybe if you and this person were on Jerry Springer the whole audience would be booing them and cheering for you… Maybe that is someone you’re supposed to be an ambassador of grace and mercy and reconciliation to. Maybe it is less dramatic. Maybe God has placed you in a weird thing called a neighborhood where you stand by your mailbox and see other people’s houses. Maybe you are to be an ambassador for reconciliation there. Maybe it is at your work, at your gym, at your nail salon, or even in your own home. though I have boldness to command you to an ambassador for the reconciliation you have in Jesus. Though I have boldness to tell you that the number one priority in your life, if you have been bought by the work of Jesus, is to be an ambassador for him in a culture that is in deep need of reconciliation…
Though I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, I appeal to you instead on the basis of love.
On the basis of love let me invite you to come to the altar or make an altar where you are sitting pray for the one God has already put on your heart that you need reconciliation with pray for the person whose name you don’t even know but who God will use you reach as an ambassador or maybe you are in need of that reconciliation Matt and I are at the front, we are ready to pray with you as an ambassador for Christ
Or maybe you have never really understood that Jesus came for you. Jesus came to reconcile you to God - to take you sin and your debt - that which you couldn’t afford - and pay it for you - maybe you understand for the first time today that you love Jesus and need him. the altar is open for you wherever you fall
