Philemon Part 2 (Committed to one worth committing too.)
Committed to one worth committing to
From the very start when faith and I were married, we made a commitment to one another that was sealed by a legal contract, it is also know as a marriage license. We have been married 9 wonderful years now and as the years go by we don’t maintain our commitment to one another (Pause) because of a contract.
We remain committed to each other because of the love that has grown out of our commitment. And we understand that it was an institution established by God Himself. That license is for human record and is now a keepsake instead of a contract.
This morning I’m not going to preach on marriage but I am going to preach on commitment to God.
Last week we went over some of the background of Philemon and some of the main themes of the book. This week we are going to look closer at verse 1-7 and see how Philemon life was described by Paul.
PHILEMON: DIVISION I
A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN MAN: PHILEMON, v. 1-7
READ
(v. 1-7) Introduction: this is the picture of a outstanding Christian man, Philemon. He stands as a great example for all believers.
1. His commitment (v.1-2).
2. His basic need: the grace and peace of God (v.3).
3. His testimony (v.4-5).
4. His need for prayer (v.6).
5. His love (v.7).
1. (v. 1-2) Philemon’s commitment is seen in four striking facts.
1. VS. 1 Philemon was so committed to Christ That he was called "a dear friend" by Paul himself. In the king James version you have the term “dearly beloved“ as opposed to dear friend this word comes from the Greek word agapetos. It is the same word used to describes Gods love for His son Jesus.
Matthew 3:17 (NIV)
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; or (my dearly beloved) with him I am well pleased.”
Philemon a brother in the Lord who was held very close to the heart of Paul.
But this is not all that Paul said. Note the title that Paul used for himself: "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ." Last week we established the fact that Paul was a Roman prisoner during the writing of this letter.
Even with that fact in mind this is still an unusual opening for Paul's letters. He usually opened his letters by establishing his apostleship, saying that he was "Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ."
For those of you who aren’t real familiar with the word apostle
apostle means ‘one who is sent out.’ An apostle is a personal messenger sent to transmit the message or otherwise carry out the instructions of the one who is sending. In this case, that would be Jesus.
In the NT the term is commonly associated with the special inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, chosen and commissioned by Jesus to accompany him during his ministry, to receive his teachings and observe his actions, and to follow his instructions. In other words, they are uniquely qualified both to authenticate his message and to carry on his work through the ministry of the church.
Now This is the only letter of Paul that opens with Paul writing a prisoner of Jesus Christ. And not an apostle of Jesus Christ.
This could mean either one or two things.
Philemon must have been a dear friend of Paul's, a friend who recognized God's call to Paul, a friend who loved and supported Paul so much that Paul did not have to establish his call to the ministry for Philemon.
2. Paul refrained from calling himself an apostle here because this Letter (epistle) is more of an appeal and request, not one full of commands that would necessitate the readers’ awareness of his apostolic authority.
Even though we don’t’ know exactly when Philemon first heard Paul, It is likely that the two became friends during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus. Philemon was a beloved friend and supporter of Paul, one who was so committed to Christ that he was counted as beloved, a dear friend by one of God's choice servants, Paul himself.
If you remember it was Jesus Himself who gave all His disciples His followers this command to love.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another " (John 13:34-35,)
Can I call you a dear friend can you call me a dear friend.
2. Philemon was so committed to Christ that he was a worker for Christ. He served Christ diligently, Note: Paul calls him a fellow-worker. He was working so faithfully for Christ that Paul could acknowledge his work and call him as a fellow-worker, working as diligently as Paul himself for the cause of Christ.
Thought 1. This is an awesome testimony: to be working so hard for Christ that one could be counted as a fellow-worker with Paul! That’s quite a challenge for us! I Pray that our hearts would be stirred to serve Christ as diligently.
I want you to listen to what Bill Hybels writes in his book, ‘Courageous Leadership,’
Ten years ago I sat in a little restaurant during my summer study break and wrote these words; The local church is the hope of the world and it’s future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.
For the first time, I realized that from a human perspective the outcome of the redemptive drama being played out on planet earth will be determined by how well church leaders lead. Many churches are filled with sincere, talented, godly people who would love to leverage their spiritual gifts in order to impact the world for Christ. The question is this: Will the men & women who have been entrusted with leadership gifts take their gifts seriously, develop them fully, and deploy them courageously, so that the willing and gifted believers in their churches can work together to make difference in the world?
Romans 12:8 tells those of us who have the gift of leadership that we better sit up and take notice, we better lead with diligence. Why? Because the church, the bride of Christ, upon which the eternal destiny of the world depends, will flourish or falter largely on the basis of how we lead…. He goes on to say that leaders must;
Yield themselves fully to God. they must cast powerful, biblical, God honoring visions. They must build effective, loving, clearly focused teams. They must fire up Christ followers to give their absolute best for God. And they must insist with pit bull determination, that;
• The gospel be preached
• The lost be found
• The believers equipped
• The poor served
• The lonely enfold into community
• And God gets the credit for it all
Scripture tells us exactly what happens if leaders will do what God has called and gifted them to do. The forces of darkness will be pushed back. The Evil one, who has had his way in the world for far too long, will be forced to give ground. And the church will fulfill the redemptive purposes for which Christ called her into being.
I believe with all my heart that God has something more in store for this church. And I believe that together if we are diligent we will together greater things than we have seen before. And we will give God the Glory.
The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
I understand it is going to take some work. so let us do what we can when we can while we can.
(1 Cor. 15:58).
" Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. "
3. VS. 2 Philemon was so committed to Christ that he supported his family and others in the work of Christ.
Now I would like you to understand that there are differing views in regard to the relation of Apphia and Archippus
Apphia and Archippus our family of Philemon some believe that Apphia is the wife and Archippus is the son of Philemon. Others that they may be close relatives. Not necessarily a wife and son.
Scholars have come to this conclusion because if they had not belonged to his family, they would not have been included with Philemon in the address of this letter because it deal with a domestic issue. Remember that this letter is a personal letter addressing an issue between Philemon and Onesimus. It is different from all of Paul’s other letters.
Now many believe that Archippus is the pastor or possibly assistant -pastor with Philemon to the church in Colossians.
Due to what Paul says in
Colossians 4:17.
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”
Now Archippus is only mentioned twice in the bible. Here in Philemon and in Colossians
Note that Archippus is addressed as a fellowsoldier of Paul. This may mean that at some point in his life he had actually served with Paul on some mission campaign.
And he may very well have been the pastor of the Colossian church (Col. 4:17).
The point I want us to see is the dedication of this family to Christ. Philemon, possibly as the husband and father, had rooted his family in Christ and led them to serve Christ. He was so committed to Christ that he took his responsibility to be the spiritual head of the family seriously. And from all evidence, his wife supported him in his call to be the spiritual head of the family.
Thought 1. This is an awesome example for Christian families: fathers, mothers, and children—each living for Christ and fulfilling his and her function and duty within the family. For the church.
4. Vs. 2 Philemon was so committed to Christ that he opened his home to the church. Remember that the early church did not have church sanctuaries to meet in; they met in homes of faithful and committed believers. Philemon loved Christ so much that he was willing to open his home night after night and week after week for believers to worship and study God's Word together.
Thought 1. How many today would open their home this much for the church? How many love Christ enough to invite their friends and co-workers to church how many love Christ enough to open up their heart and be-friend some one who need a friend.
Theirs a story of a college man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated. This involved removing it from the frame. In doing this, the studio owner noticed the inscription on the back of the photograph:
“My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity.”
It was signed "Helen,” he also noticed on the back a P.S.: it read “If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”
Helen was obviously no completely committed to that relationship. How committed can we be to see that God‘s will for the church be accomplished.
No we come to
What every committed Christian needs for themselves.
2. (v. 3). Grace— Peace: the basic need of Philemon
1. He needed grace This is probably the most meaningful word in the language of men.
When the early Christians looked at what God had done for men, they had a deep and rich meaning to the word grace. The word carries the meaning of kindness, thankfulness, good will and favor toward someone.
You see For God had saved sinners, those who had acted against Him. Therefore, grace became the favor of God showered upon men—men who did not deserve His favor. Grace became the kindness and love that God freely gives to —men who are...
· "without strength" (Romans 5:6).
· "ungodly" (Romans 5:6).
· "sinners" (Romans 5:8).
· "enemies" (Romans 5:10).
But just because we become Christians by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t mean we no longer have any need for Gods Grace.
2. He needed peace
This word means, harmony, tranquility; freedom from worry.
This is a peace deep within. It is a tranquility of mind, a composure, a peace that is calm in the face of bad circumstances and situations. It is more than feelings—even more than attitude and thought. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding.
These are things that we should be asking God to give to every Christian. And those who aren’t Christians for God to show them their need for His Grace and Peace.
What every committed Christian shows to others. VS 4-7
3. (v. 4-5) This is the testimony of Philemon. Note that Paul says, "I thank God" for you. Imagine having a testimony so strong in the Lord that Paul would thank God for you! That was Philemon.
1. His testimony was so strong that it stirred Paul to pray for him, not just every now and then, but always. That is something that we as a Church need to do for each other. One of the greatest ways of showing your commitment to the Church is to pray for the Church.
And notice why Paul said he prayed because of your Faith.
2. Philemons life was full of faith
Notice what Philemon faith was in, it wasn’t in programs or methods of doing church. It was in Jesus Christ. It wasn’t in the pastor or the deacons or any body else for that matter it was were it needed to be in Jesus.
That can be dangerous grounds to begin relaying on church activates and programs than on the God who works through the programs and activities.
Philemons faith was in Jesus and because of that it was evident to all
3. Philemons life was full of Love
His love for all the saint those are Christians that are being referred too. Philemon was a man who had a heart for his fellow bothers and sister in Christ. And he was evidently not afraid to show it.
(vs. 7 says “your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you brother have refreshed the hearts of the saints”)
He was apparently a man who loved everyone and proved it by helping others. He was a man of compassion and grace who was committed to help those who had need. He refreshed them.
Barclay has a striking statement about this that should challenge every believer
He writes.
"[This] means that we learn about Christ by giving to others. It means that we receive from Christ by sharing with others. It means that by emptying ourselves we are filled with Christ. It means that the poorer we make ourselves in giving, the richer we are in the gifts of Christ. It means that to be open-handed and generous-hearted is the surest way to learn more and more of the wealth of Christ. The man who knows most of Christ is not the intellectual scholar, not even the saint who shuts himself up and spends his days in prayer, but the man who moves in loving generosity among his fellow-men.
Wow I want that for my life.
4. (v. 6) Philemons life was full of Witness. This is actually the prayer that every believer needs. Whether you have been a Christian for a week or for 40 years. Paul is asking God to help Philemon to be active in sharing his faith so that he will have a full understanding of every good thing we have we have in Christ.
Do you want to fully understand what Gods purpose is. Share your faith with others and you to will begin to see what Gods good things are. When you get to be a part of leading someone to the Lord it is a wonderful experience. You witness a miracle you get to see God transform an individual into a new person.
Not long ago when we were out visiting we got to lead a young lady to the lord right their on her doorstep.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
(Galatians 6:10).
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Jesus is worth committing to
Philemon life is an example to that. there are many lives that are an example to that.
If you’re a professing follower of Jesus pray for Gods grace and peace in your life. And for those who need it in this church and at your work and everywhere.
Let your love and your faith be evident to all. And my God give you courage to speak of him boldly.
If you’re here this morning and you have never come before God seeking his forgiveness for your sins than you need to do that this morning.
I will say a pray