A Prisoner Of Christ

Philemon

a slave owner in Colosse

Onesimus the runaway slave who became a disciple of Paul in Rome

Paul writes a letter to Philemon and sends Onesimus back to him

but now a brother in Christ.

the letter pleads with Philemon to forgive Onesimus

the letter begins with the greeting

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ

what does this mean?

what does this mean to us?

Read Philemon

Pray

Providence

Confessing the Faith: The 1689 Baptist Confession for the 21st Century (V. Divine Providence)

God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom, upholds, directs, arranges and governs all creatures and things, from the greatest to the least, by His perfectly wise and holy providence, to the purpose for which they were created. He governs according to His infallible foreknowledge and the free and unchangeable counsel of His own will. His providence leads to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy

The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind forces (fortune, chance, luck, fate); all that happens to them is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice, knowing that all is for one's spiritual and eternal good

Quoted from Concise Theology by J. I. Packer

God- I need a Pastor in Berea

There is a tradition that Onesimus became a bishop in the Greek city of Berea. A writer, some years later, makes mention of one named Onesimus as being bishop there in that very city of Berea. William Orr

Paul went to Ephesus to start a church

Philemon had to go to Ephesus on business and heard the gospel

a church then is started in Philemon’s home

Acts 19:21 LEB

Now when these things were completed, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also.”

Paul in Ephesus determined to go to Jerusalem

God put a bee in the bonnet of Demetrius to move Paul along

Acts 19:23–24 (LEB)

Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way. For someone named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen.

eventually made it there and was arrested

sent to Rome

Onesimus a slave in colossae, of Philemon, did not get saved as a result of living at the church

devised a plan and ran away possibly taking money with him

now a fugitive of the law of Roman government

he heads for Rome where he meets Paul

he for a time is a disciple of Paul, and a very big help to him

Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon

where Philemon learns even more about the gospel and forgiveness

he learns about reconciliation, brotherly love, and the Providence of God

I’m sure when Onesimus left. Philemon was not rejoicing, saying,

Yahoo God is going to teach me stuff, and every thing is going to work out

Romans 8:28 LEB

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose,

that Sunday morning as the church gathered Philemon had a prayer request that Onesimus has stolen from him and escaped and needs to be caught

he slaves in the church were praying for successful escape.

and it was the will of God

the other half were praying that it was against the will of God

Onesimus is also learning these same lessons

God’s providence made all of these things happen.

through hundreds, or even thousands of people

Prisoner Of Christ

not a prisoner of Rome

not a prisoner because of the gospel

not, i’m a prisoner because the Jewish leaders framed me

I am a prisoner because this is the place that Jesus wants me

Jesus put me here

The churches that I started are in need of letters written to them

the churches through out history are going to need these letters to know how to conduct themselves

Jesus put me here and when I am finished my Job here He will set me free

Jesus is in control of circumstances in my life

Paul was in a Roman prison, as a prisoner of Jesus

We are Prisoners Of Jesus

Ronda could say that I’m in my sickly body a prisoner of Jesus

2 of Allison’s team had covid and had to stay in Africa for extra days

they were prisoners in Africa, of Jesus

Onesimus was a prisoner of Jesus, as a slave

Philemon was a prisoner of Jesus as a wealthy business man

Paul was in prison but I don't think he saw it as prison

He saw it as the next phase of his life in Christ

this world is going south very fast. there are restrictions

shortages, lock downs, wars, pestilences, and the apostate church

pastors in Canada were being put into prison because of covid

they were prisoners of Jesus in prison

what is your response to your circumstances?

do we say I am a prisoner of Jesus

or do we like Onesimus say I’m out of here . I’m going to Rome where no one can find me

Where Paul is preaching the Good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

where the Holy Spirit transformed his life

where Onesimus called on Jesus to save him

Onesimus as an unbeliever escaped from his prison

but as a believer he returned

are we trying to escape?

are we saying to Jesus. But you let Peter out

you let Paul and Silas out

or are we trusting in Jesus to use us in our prison?