Who Are the Encouragers?

Who Are the Encouragers? Philemon 1-21 This letter is a personal note between Paul and a beloved friend and colleague in the faith, Philemon. As for Onesimus, an early church father proposed that he was a fugitive slave and that Paul was seeking to aid him in his reconciliation with his master Philemon. The word “o-ne’-si-mus” translates from the Greek as "profitable" or "beneficial," a definition Paul quickly employs in a pun when he says, "he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful (onesimus) to me." So Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but reluctantly. In Onesimus, Paul has found a spirit and a heart that encourages him and loves him just as Philemon himself does. Paul confesses to Philemon that he wants to keep Onesimus with him so that Onesimus might "be of service to me - in your place." Both men are Paul's "encouragers." Paul implores Philemon to receive him back "no longer as a slave" but now as a "beloved brother." Onesimus has become a soul mate to Paul during this period of time as a new member of the household of faith. But Paul goes on to state that Onesimus' new status is a cause for even greater joy for Philemon. Onesimus is now a brother to him as well, "both in the flesh and in the Lord." If we take this statement literally, we may question that Onesimus is no runaway slave at all, but rather that Paul is returning to his master a wayward brother who now returns to his family's household. Whatever status he had endured in his brother's house previously, as the younger, less significant sibling, which may have been quite "slave-like," that is to be forgotten. He is now redeemed by Christ's love back into the full company of the faith community. Furthermore, whatever the root of any animosity that had grown between Philemon and Onesimus, likely money, Paul pledges to repay. Any debts Onesimus had outstanding on Philemon's books Paul will cover, or even better, Philemon could just forgive. Yet note: there is no evidence any theft has occurred. In his role as reconciler between Philemon and Onesimus, Paul agrees to put his money where his mouth is. Once again, Paul stresses the unity we are to have in Christ when he directs his final words to Philemon, his "brother." Ultimately, what Paul desires of these two men, both of whom have shown the ability to uplift and encourage Paul in his ministry, is that they now join their gifts together, enabling Paul to "refresh my heart in Christ." There are few ministries more important than the ministry of encouragement. 2 Now, let’s take a little trip down memory lane. One of the most idealized lifestyles of all time is that of the American cowboy. The success of Western movies shows that the cowboy is still a very popular attraction. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, James Arness, James Garner… are all favorites of TV and movie lore. What is the big attraction behind the cowboy persona? Perhaps it can be found in the cowboy "theme song" that we all know, "Home, home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day." What if our homes and churches and communities and work places could hum that tune, “Home, home on the porch, where the deer play in the lawn. Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy - at least once in a while." "Where seldom is heard a discouraging word." It's hard for us to imagine such a place. From the moment we flick on the news, we are bombarded by "discouraging words" all day long. The mantra of the news room is “if it bleeds, it leads.” Crime, fires, floods, global warming, natural disasters, pandemics, resources dwindling, it’s all you hear. There may be a good item thrown in at the end of the news cast. Then there is your own environment. Life is not always a stroll through the park, sunshine and roses. Some of the most discouraging words we hear or read sneak up on us when we are simply standing in the grocery check-out line. Does anyone sneak a peek at the tabloids? Ever notice how there isn't ever any good-news gossip on their pages? What sells papers is the rumors and innuendos or character assassinations. Gossip is almost by definition negative and disheartening. In the face of all this gloom and doom, we need to claim a ministry as "Christian cowpokes" and refuse to utter a "discouraging word." We all need encouragers in our lives and we must all serve as encouragers for others. Imagine what we might hear if we devoted ourselves to listening for and passing along only "good conversation." Contrary to popular pessimism, no news is not good news. Good news is good news, and if we don't spread it around, who will? Paul's letter to Philemon demonstrates how being an encouraging Christian is a reciprocal relationship. Paul explicitly thanks Philemon for being an encourager to him in his ministry through the gift of his Christian love. Now if Philemon had, in any way, large or small, added comfort and joy to Paul's mission, think how encouraging it must have been for Philemon to read those thankful words from Paul's own hand. Surely those 3 encouraging words bore fruit in Philemon's next encounter with a Christian brother or sister, a result Paul no doubt intended for Onesimus' sake. When we are encouraged, we are then enabled to pass along support to others. But someone has got to start the ball rolling. You may remember the first President Bush. He was widely known for his personal, handwritten notes to people, great and small, expressing his thanks and gratitude for them and whatever they may have done for him or the country. He was personal, intimate and encouraging. I always admired that for him, and wished I had taken the time to do likewise over the years. I should have been more encouraging to lots of people, from family to friends to parishioners to the gal at the checkout line at the grocery store. Most of us have grown so careful about armoring ourselves against all the contrary verbiage that bombards us daily that our antennae are simply not tuned to receive or even register the odd snippet of good news that floats our way. Next time a good word about someone passes you by, latch onto it and pass it along to that individual. What if Christians were known as people who surprise others with good news, encouraging words, thoughtful comments? Another form Christian encouragement can take is prayer. I remember some of my closest friends in high school, when signing our senior yearbooks, would close their remarks with, “I’ll be praying for you.” I wonder if they still are? “I'm praying for you," encouraging words, powerful words. Part of the encouragement Paul offers Philemon, even as he thanks him for the encouragement Philemon gives to him, comes in the form of prayer. Paul intentionally reveals to Philemon that he prays for him. Some of you are very good in your prayers. Others may think, “Oh, I can’t pray in the company of other people…” Well, yes you can and what an encouragement it would be. I love to hear your prayers. Rev. Lloyd John Ogilvie, who was a Presbyterian minister and served as chaplain of the United States Senate from 1995 to 2005, wrote these amazing words during one particularly tough time in his life: “This past year has been the most difficult year of my life. My wife has been through five major surgeries, radiation treatment and chemotherapy. I am thankful that I now know she is going to make it. During the same year, I suffered the loss of several key staff members whose moves were very guided for them, but a source of pressure and uncertainty in my work. Problems which I could have tackled with gusto under normal circumstances 4 seemed to loom in all directions. Discouragement lurked around every corner, trying to capture my feelings. Prayer was no longer a contemplative luxury, but the only way to survive. My own intercessions were multiplied by the prayers of others. Friendships were deepened as I was forced to allow people to assure me with words I had preached for years. No day went by without a conversation, letter or phone call giving me love and hope. The greatest discovery is that I can have joy when I don't feel like it -- artesian joy.” (Quoted in David Walls, Finding God in the Dark [Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1993], 44-45.) Artesian joy – what a play on words. Joy that wells up and spills over from one’s heart, fed by others’ well wishes and encouragements. Do you have some artesian joy that can spill over into someone’s life? Are you an encourager? Do you need an encourager in your life? Offering encouragement gives comfort and makes Christian love tangible in the lives of our brothers and sisters. Encouragement can be both placid and peaceable or it can be inspiring and motivating. Stirring people up, or getting people stirred up, excited, moved to do better, be better, is yet another grace that results from encouragement. Genuine, heartfelt encouragement is one of the greatest confidence builders known. Encouragement may also be a predisposition of one’s soul, or not. What is your tendency? Are you an encourager? Got a story… A group of frogs was traveling through the woods; two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them. However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit. Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up, that they would never make it out. Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and he gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder though and finally - made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time. The moral of the story: People’s words can have a big effect on others’ lives. Think about what you say before it comes out of your mouth. It might just be the difference between life and death. Be an encourager or be deaf to those who aren’t.