The document contains a summary of Philemon 17-20 and other biblical passages. According to the summary:
1. Philemon 17-20 discusses that Christians are partners, brothers, and refreshers to one another.
2. It outlines three things Christians must do: receive one another, charge debts to one another, and refresh one another's hearts.
3. The document provides background and context for understanding key concepts and relationships discussed in these biblical passages.
New Testament Survey - no.23 : Paul - Letter to PhilippiClive Ashby
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi from prison in Rome to encourage them to develop unity through humility, rejoice in all circumstances, and remain faithful to the gospel. The overall theme is joy and unity in Christ. Paul encourages the Philippians to have humble, spiritual minds focused on Christ as they advance the gospel despite hardship or persecution.
He’s Now Your Brother! Paul’s letter to PhilemonRick Peterson
He’s Now Your Brother! Paul’s letter to Philemon, Adapted from a Ron MacArthur sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=65907
These slides accompany the mp3 audio files on our Soundcloud channel here
https://soundcloud.com/simon-bowkett-1/philemon-8-9-the-basis-and-the
and here: https://soundcloud.com/simon-bowkett-1/philemon-10-16-the-glory-of
and the video files on our Youtube channel here:
http://youtu.be/8eUGtkU5TIo
and here: http://youtu.be/s_4YvcAGzto
New Testament Survey no.18: Paul - His Prison LettersClive Ashby
As part of the New Testament Survey Course, Session 18 provides an overview of the four letters Paul wrote during his imprisonment in Rome. Though it is likely a person assisting Paul wrote these letters given that he was chained continually to one of the Roman guards for these 2 1/2 years. (Course taught at Harare Theological College - 2016).
The document provides background on Paul's letter to Philemon. It summarizes the key events and themes of the letter in 3 sentences:
1) Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, Philemon's former slave who had wronged him, to request that Philemon receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother.
2) The letter uses a series of contrasts to make Paul's point that Philemon should willingly receive Onesimus back out of Christian love rather than obligation.
3) The concluding remarks reinforce the importance of mercy, gentle persuasion over compulsion, and using any situation to glorify God.
Paul writes a letter to Philemon asking him to welcome back Onesimus, a runaway slave. In 3 sentences: Paul commends Philemon for his faith and love, and asks him to receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother, for Paul had led Onesimus to faith during his imprisonment. Paul appeals to Philemon on various grounds, including their friendship and Philemon's reputation for good works.
Onesimus, a runaway slave, finds faith in Christ after meeting Paul in prison. Paul writes a letter to Philemon, Onesimus' owner, asking him to accept Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother. Paul's letter promotes reconciliation between Onesimus and Philemon through their shared faith. It also hints at Paul's own reconciliation with Mark, who had previously abandoned Paul on a missionary journey, as the two now work together again in ministry. The book of Philemon models how faith in Christ can overcome divisions and foster forgiveness and community.
New Testament Survey - no.22: Paul - Letter to PhilemonClive Ashby
As part of the New Testament Survey Course, Session 22 provides an overview of the personal letter of the Apostle Paul to a fellow believer, Philemon. This is one of the prison letters of Paul, written from his imprisonment in Rome. Though a very short letter, its message on forgiveness, reconciliation and equality within the community of Christ is a very powerful message for our time. (Course taught at Harare Theological College - 2016).
New Testament Survey - no.23 : Paul - Letter to PhilippiClive Ashby
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi from prison in Rome to encourage them to develop unity through humility, rejoice in all circumstances, and remain faithful to the gospel. The overall theme is joy and unity in Christ. Paul encourages the Philippians to have humble, spiritual minds focused on Christ as they advance the gospel despite hardship or persecution.
He’s Now Your Brother! Paul’s letter to PhilemonRick Peterson
He’s Now Your Brother! Paul’s letter to Philemon, Adapted from a Ron MacArthur sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=65907
These slides accompany the mp3 audio files on our Soundcloud channel here
https://soundcloud.com/simon-bowkett-1/philemon-8-9-the-basis-and-the
and here: https://soundcloud.com/simon-bowkett-1/philemon-10-16-the-glory-of
and the video files on our Youtube channel here:
http://youtu.be/8eUGtkU5TIo
and here: http://youtu.be/s_4YvcAGzto
New Testament Survey no.18: Paul - His Prison LettersClive Ashby
As part of the New Testament Survey Course, Session 18 provides an overview of the four letters Paul wrote during his imprisonment in Rome. Though it is likely a person assisting Paul wrote these letters given that he was chained continually to one of the Roman guards for these 2 1/2 years. (Course taught at Harare Theological College - 2016).
The document provides background on Paul's letter to Philemon. It summarizes the key events and themes of the letter in 3 sentences:
1) Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, Philemon's former slave who had wronged him, to request that Philemon receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother.
2) The letter uses a series of contrasts to make Paul's point that Philemon should willingly receive Onesimus back out of Christian love rather than obligation.
3) The concluding remarks reinforce the importance of mercy, gentle persuasion over compulsion, and using any situation to glorify God.
Paul writes a letter to Philemon asking him to welcome back Onesimus, a runaway slave. In 3 sentences: Paul commends Philemon for his faith and love, and asks him to receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother, for Paul had led Onesimus to faith during his imprisonment. Paul appeals to Philemon on various grounds, including their friendship and Philemon's reputation for good works.
Onesimus, a runaway slave, finds faith in Christ after meeting Paul in prison. Paul writes a letter to Philemon, Onesimus' owner, asking him to accept Onesimus back not as a slave but as a beloved brother. Paul's letter promotes reconciliation between Onesimus and Philemon through their shared faith. It also hints at Paul's own reconciliation with Mark, who had previously abandoned Paul on a missionary journey, as the two now work together again in ministry. The book of Philemon models how faith in Christ can overcome divisions and foster forgiveness and community.
New Testament Survey - no.22: Paul - Letter to PhilemonClive Ashby
As part of the New Testament Survey Course, Session 22 provides an overview of the personal letter of the Apostle Paul to a fellow believer, Philemon. This is one of the prison letters of Paul, written from his imprisonment in Rome. Though a very short letter, its message on forgiveness, reconciliation and equality within the community of Christ is a very powerful message for our time. (Course taught at Harare Theological College - 2016).
Slides to accompany the y GRWP podcast in the series 'The Christian Experience of God - Self Control' found here:
http://WelshRev.buzzsprout.com
(please allow 24 hours to produce & upload)
Slides to accompany the #sundayatgrace podcast - use the link in slide 2 or go to https://www.buzzsprout.com/47879/400009-christian-experience-of-god-19-gentleness
Check the website www.yGRWP.com for more!
This document discusses the concept of patience. It begins by welcoming the reader and quoting a passage from 1 Thessalonians encouraging rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving. It then states that patience is a complex concept involving calmness under provocation, not becoming angry in difficulty, extensively tolerating others, enduring annoyance or problems, and persisting in difficult situations. The document goes on to explore different aspects of growing in patience such as suffering mistreatment, responding to provocation, tolerating shortcomings, waiting for God to act, and persevering through adversity.
Paul writes a letter to the church in Corinth greeting them and reminding them that they have been called by God into fellowship with Jesus Christ. He thanks God for the grace given to the Corinthians and says that God will strengthen them until the end. Paul urges the Corinthians to end their divisions and be united in their faith as those who have been called by God.
These slides accompany the thirty minute radio podcast for 29/11/2015 from Grace Rural Wales Partnership at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/47879/328835-grwp-radio-podcast-2015-11-29-the-lord-s-prayer
which examines the recent furore about the rejection of a cinema advert featuring the Lord's Prayer.
The podcast features a 15 minute expose of this 2,000 year old prayer's controversial contents and some controversial responses from members of the public to the prohibition.
Slides to accompany the video on the y GRWP Youtube channel and WelshRev podcast on Buzzsprout on Mark 16:1-8 ... The Pastorally Purposeful (broken?) Ending of Mark
Slides to accompany audio on WelshRev's Buzzsprout podcast webpage on Mark 16:1-8 and the pastorally purposeful (broken?) end of Mark
It's all about persevering faithfully through DARK days!
Joseph of Arimathea boldly went to Pilate and requested Jesus' body after crucifixion. As a prominent member of the Council who was waiting for the kingdom of God, Joseph bought a shroud and buried Jesus safely in a tomb, fulfilling the Jewish customs before the Sabbath. Nicodemus assisted Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial.
The document discusses why Christians believe in one God consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It provides biblical evidence for each person being God, including texts that state Jesus is God, show Jesus exercising divine authority like God the Father, and classify the Holy Spirit alongside the Father and Son. The document argues that belief in the Trinity is essential to the gospel's claims about Jesus bearing the penalty of sin and restoring fellowship with God through his atonement.
1. Jesus was crucified at 9am where he was mocked and insulted. From noon until 3pm there was darkness over the land. At 3pm, Jesus cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" before dying.
2. Upon Jesus' death, three events testified to who he was: the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, the centurion said "Surely this man was the Son of God," and some women disciples witnessed from a distance.
3. The document describes Jesus' crucifixion and death, including the events that occurred at three specific times, and three witnesses that testified to Jesus' identity.
This passage from Mark describes the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. It notes that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss to identify him for the soldiers. When the soldiers arrested Jesus, his disciples deserted him and fled. Only a young man followed at a distance before fleeing naked when seized. The passage examines different levels of commitment to Christ - committing to church but not Christ, committing to Christ but not fully or to follow him, commiting to Christ but not his people or taking him at his word.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him to pray in Gethsemane, telling the others to stay and keep watch. He was deeply distressed and asked God to take away his suffering if possible. Returning to the disciples, Jesus found them sleeping three times and admonished them to stay awake and pray. The third time he told them the hour had come for him to be betrayed.
The passage encourages Christians to draw near to God with confidence through Jesus, their great high priest. It exhorts them to hold firmly to their faith and spur one another on through love and good works. They are instructed not to abandon meeting together but to encourage one another, especially as the day of the Lord draws near.
Slides to accompany the audio of the sharp point of discipleship to Christ in Mark's Gospel from Simon Bowkett to be found on Archive.org under 'Missional Mark'
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
More Related Content
More from Grace (Rural Wales) Partnership - Y Grwp
Slides to accompany the y GRWP podcast in the series 'The Christian Experience of God - Self Control' found here:
http://WelshRev.buzzsprout.com
(please allow 24 hours to produce & upload)
Slides to accompany the #sundayatgrace podcast - use the link in slide 2 or go to https://www.buzzsprout.com/47879/400009-christian-experience-of-god-19-gentleness
Check the website www.yGRWP.com for more!
This document discusses the concept of patience. It begins by welcoming the reader and quoting a passage from 1 Thessalonians encouraging rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving. It then states that patience is a complex concept involving calmness under provocation, not becoming angry in difficulty, extensively tolerating others, enduring annoyance or problems, and persisting in difficult situations. The document goes on to explore different aspects of growing in patience such as suffering mistreatment, responding to provocation, tolerating shortcomings, waiting for God to act, and persevering through adversity.
Paul writes a letter to the church in Corinth greeting them and reminding them that they have been called by God into fellowship with Jesus Christ. He thanks God for the grace given to the Corinthians and says that God will strengthen them until the end. Paul urges the Corinthians to end their divisions and be united in their faith as those who have been called by God.
These slides accompany the thirty minute radio podcast for 29/11/2015 from Grace Rural Wales Partnership at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/47879/328835-grwp-radio-podcast-2015-11-29-the-lord-s-prayer
which examines the recent furore about the rejection of a cinema advert featuring the Lord's Prayer.
The podcast features a 15 minute expose of this 2,000 year old prayer's controversial contents and some controversial responses from members of the public to the prohibition.
Slides to accompany the video on the y GRWP Youtube channel and WelshRev podcast on Buzzsprout on Mark 16:1-8 ... The Pastorally Purposeful (broken?) Ending of Mark
Slides to accompany audio on WelshRev's Buzzsprout podcast webpage on Mark 16:1-8 and the pastorally purposeful (broken?) end of Mark
It's all about persevering faithfully through DARK days!
Joseph of Arimathea boldly went to Pilate and requested Jesus' body after crucifixion. As a prominent member of the Council who was waiting for the kingdom of God, Joseph bought a shroud and buried Jesus safely in a tomb, fulfilling the Jewish customs before the Sabbath. Nicodemus assisted Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial.
The document discusses why Christians believe in one God consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It provides biblical evidence for each person being God, including texts that state Jesus is God, show Jesus exercising divine authority like God the Father, and classify the Holy Spirit alongside the Father and Son. The document argues that belief in the Trinity is essential to the gospel's claims about Jesus bearing the penalty of sin and restoring fellowship with God through his atonement.
1. Jesus was crucified at 9am where he was mocked and insulted. From noon until 3pm there was darkness over the land. At 3pm, Jesus cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" before dying.
2. Upon Jesus' death, three events testified to who he was: the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, the centurion said "Surely this man was the Son of God," and some women disciples witnessed from a distance.
3. The document describes Jesus' crucifixion and death, including the events that occurred at three specific times, and three witnesses that testified to Jesus' identity.
This passage from Mark describes the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. It notes that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss to identify him for the soldiers. When the soldiers arrested Jesus, his disciples deserted him and fled. Only a young man followed at a distance before fleeing naked when seized. The passage examines different levels of commitment to Christ - committing to church but not Christ, committing to Christ but not fully or to follow him, commiting to Christ but not his people or taking him at his word.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him to pray in Gethsemane, telling the others to stay and keep watch. He was deeply distressed and asked God to take away his suffering if possible. Returning to the disciples, Jesus found them sleeping three times and admonished them to stay awake and pray. The third time he told them the hour had come for him to be betrayed.
The passage encourages Christians to draw near to God with confidence through Jesus, their great high priest. It exhorts them to hold firmly to their faith and spur one another on through love and good works. They are instructed not to abandon meeting together but to encourage one another, especially as the day of the Lord draws near.
Slides to accompany the audio of the sharp point of discipleship to Christ in Mark's Gospel from Simon Bowkett to be found on Archive.org under 'Missional Mark'
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
The Book of Ruth is included in the third division, or the Writings, of the Hebrew Bible. In most Christian canons it is treated as one of the historical books and placed between Judges and 1 Samuel.
The Book of Samuel is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets.
Sanatan Vastu | Experience Great Living | Vastu ExpertSanatan Vastu
Santan Vastu Provides Vedic astrology courses & Vastu remedies, If you are searching Vastu for home, Vastu for kitchen, Vastu for house, Vastu for Office & Factory. Best Vastu in Bahadurgarh. Best Vastu in Delhi NCR
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
Protector & Destroyer: Agni Dev (The Hindu God of Fire)Exotic India
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The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
Trusting God's Providence | Verse: Romans 8: 28-31JL de Belen
Trusting God's Providence.
Providence - God’s active preservation and care over His creation. God is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all things Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:17
-God keep His promises.
-God’s general providence is toward all creation
- All things were made through Him
God’s special providence is toward His children.
We may suffer now, but joy can and will come
God can see what we cannot see
The forces involved in this witchcraft spell will re-establish the loving bond between you and help to build a strong, loving relationship from which to start anew. Despite any previous hardships or problems, the spell work will re-establish the strong bonds of friendship and love upon which the marriage and relationship originated. Have faith, these stop divorce and stop separation spells are extremely powerful and will reconnect you and your partner in a strong and harmonious relationship.
My ritual will not only stop separation and divorce, but rebuild a strong bond between you and your partner that is based on truth, honesty, and unconditional love. For an even stronger effect, you may want to consider using the Eternal Love Bond spell to ensure your relationship and love will last through all tests of time. If you have not yet determined if your partner is considering separation or divorce, but are aware of rifts in the relationship, try the Love Spells to remove problems in a relationship or marriage. Keep in mind that all my love spells are 100% customized and that you'll only need 1 spell to address all problems/wishes.
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The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
3. Philemon 17-20
• Introduction
• Three things we are
– Partners, v. 17
“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as
you would welcome me.”
Εἰ οὖν ἐμὲ ἔχεις κοινωνὸν
4. Philemon 17-20
• Introduction
• Three things we are
– Partners
– Brothers, v. 20
“I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit
from you in the Lord ...”
5. Luke 15
“… while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his
son, threw his arms round him and kissed him.
21 ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against
heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be
called your son.”
22 ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the
best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it.
Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine
was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
So they began to celebrate.”
9. Philemon 17-20
• Introduction
• Three things we are
• Three things we must do
– Receive
– Charge (it to me), v. 18
“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything,
charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own
hand. I will pay it back – not to mention that you owe me
your very self.”
Paul is asking Philemon for a favour, but as he does so he opens a window for us on the early church … and specifically in this passage three things that are true about Philemon and Paul, then three things that Philemon needs to do and be because of that.So, Paul has been showing us a dynamic (though no way perfect) early church with an awful lot that’s really good about it.We’ve noticed some core values and emphases and ways of doing things, so, in the first three verses we noticed an emphasis on apostolic ministry, suffering & persecution (because they were seeking GOD’s Kingdom first), shared ministry, and house churches run right through with grace (like the letters in the stick of rock) so that their responses and decisions and habits became shot through with grace leading to graciousness.We’ve noticed (in vv. 4-7) that love for God’s people and faith in the Lord Jesus characterised those guys, as Paul appealed for them too really practice their fellowship in the Gospel together … to BE a Christian COMMUNITY … and share their faith with one another so that they were the sort of community that shared the faith with outsiders.Then last time in vv. 8-16 we looked at the basis of Paul’s appeal to Philemon – the love the Gospel of grace had put into Philemon, the power of Paul’s appeal and the content of Paul’s appeal.Paul, was basically appealing to Philemon on the basis of the grace of God, to act and to behave like a person who had been utterly impacted by the Spirit of God and remade along the lines where not law, entitlement and just deserts condition human decisions and responses.THIS time, Paul moves on from talking about
We are partners, says Paul, you and me.There is no hint of papal supremacy.There is no hint of Paul insisting that he is the senior partner … although undoubtedly he was.Εἰ οὖν ἐμὲ ἔχεις κοινωνὸν … if you have me as a partner -κοινωνὸς – its that ‘fellowship, sharing, partner’ word again.Paul is HAMMERING away at this theme of partnership and sharing and COMMUNITY …Philemon is going to have to welcome Philemon as an actively sharing, fellowshipping partner because Paul is an actively fellowshipping partner with the PAIR of them because BOTH of tem are in this fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Here is fundamentally what we are (the first thing) says Paul … our SINS have been forgiven, we are therefore reconciled to God so that our fellowship with Him is restored and we are therefore partners with Him and a whole lot of other seemingly unacceptable people who have spent their lives up until now wronging and being wronged.God has sucked it up and got on with it … and (because He has) so must YOU Philemon!By virtue of Christ’s sin-atoning death on the Cross, by virtue of His application of His saving grace to us (unacceptable and offending people) by the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit (both things – the propositional truth and the personal experience of its reality) …By virtue of THESE things, Philemon, Onesimus and Paul are all partners (along with the rest of us) in the cause of the Kingdom of God.That needs to condition and control the way we respond and react to one another.That needs to be the ethos of the fellowship Paul was praying they’d share in v. 6 and THAT is BOTH the context in which church happens and the best possible apologetic for Gospel truth … the functioning COMMUNITY of the people of God.Do you know, I just wonder sometimes about all these ‘good conversations’, because I’m not sure I know where they are getting us.I could give you a list of good conversations – stunning in a few cases – that I’ve had this week with some unpromising seeming individuals.I’m absolutely sure that you could too.I "I can have so many ‘good conversations’.I can talk about grace.I can show where and how it was paid for at Calvary.I can explain where this impacts a man's life and his troubles.But outside the community of God’s people, apart from the fellowship of the Spirit, it's just a dialogue with the deaf.“Partners in Christ.Partners with the Spirit.Partners with one another in God’s church.WORKING TOGETHER TO GIVE JESUS GLORYIt arises from who we are, Paul is saying, but it must permeate the way we behave …“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.”It’s a very big ask, but it arises DIRECTLY in Paul’s systematic theology from the ultimate work of God’s grace … the atoning, redeeming, reconciling work of the Cross.{red herring alert}What is that ‘so’ about?“Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.”Be warned.I have NO idea what or even if Philemon prayed for this wretched useless Phrygian slave Onesimus – and Phrygian slaves were legendary for their uselessness, according to David Pao’s commentary – but be aware that if you are going to risk praying for the people who have wronged you the most (and Scripture says we should) then there may well come a day like the day Onesimus knocks on Philemon’s door, carrying a letter from someone like Paul.How GREAT and how GLORIOUS would that be?!Fancy having to treat Onesimus like a PARTNER?!We are partners.It gets ‘worse’.
The second thing we are here is brothers.Now, brothers fight.Brothers fall out between themselves sometimes.Brothers are not always what brothers ought to be, but if Benjamin needs help David stands in for him.The WRU have had this year a writer in residence … who’d have thought it?He was interviewed Saturday morning on Radio 4.He was comparing the experience of soldiers and rugby players and the way they thought and spoke about putting their bodies on the line.He spoke about what they said about what motivated them in sport and in combat, and it was all about fighting for the man to the right and he left of you.Stunningly, they were facing danger and they were taking hits and were doing it for their brothers in war or in sport.And he said he’d been stunned by the way that the men in both context spoke about doing this out of love for their brothers in arms.It was the bond with their mates that was motivating them.Philemon (says Paul) we’re side by side, shoulder to shoulder, life on the line for the Lord.Brother … back me up!I’ve gone into enemy territory and dragged back wounded Onesimus under fire, I’m puffing and panting and I need you to help me, let’s get him to safety in the bastion of the God’s church whether in Colossae, in Rome … get out here under fire and drag him back into safety with me.v. 20: “I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.”You Philemon are a great one for refreshing the hearts of the saints (v. 7)You Philemon know the Onesimus is ‘my heart’ (v. 12).So how about refreshing ‘my heart’? (says Paul).Whose heart is going to get refreshed?Philemon refreshes the hearts of the saints.Paul’s ‘heart’ has been sent to Philemon.That character has wronged Philemon, has escaped – probably on stolen money that has carried him the 1600 miles or so to Rome where he’s met Paul and ben converted.Onesimus is now doing what Scripture commands from at least Deuteronomy onwards and going back to seek to make restitution to Philemon.But since Deuteronomy we’ve had the Gospel, we’ve had the Gospels and (specifically) we’ve had Luke chapter 15.How does God (the Father in the parable of the Lost Sons) deal with the wayward son who comes home?
The father set to refreshing his returned son … robe, ring, sandals, dinner.Philemon … this is how God’s received YOU when you wronged him.How now will you receive back Onesimus?
You are a refresher.Here’s an aspect of ecclesiology you don’t hear so much of.I remember years ago in a previous church realising that our people came in on Sundays having had a hard week.They were battered and shattered and needed their souls NOT to be saved (that was done) but they needed their hearts to be REFRESHED.Conventional hospitality refreshes the body.And very good that is too!But within the fellowship of those who are partners and brothers together in the family of God, refreshing each others hearts is just CRUCIAL.You ARE refreshers … we’ll return to that thought in a moment.Because arising out of what this window opened on the life of the early church tells us, our calling in church is to be the very thing we’ve been MADE …
Those are three things we are, as we can discern them in this request Paul makes to Philemon.Now here come three things that (being those people) we will do …
εἰ οὖν με ἔχεις κοινωνόν προσλαβοῦ αὐτὸν ὡς ἐμέThat word ‘welcome’ in NIV is προσλαμβάνω … not ‘welcome’ in the sense of stand at the door with a handshake, but (far deeper) accept or receive Onesimus … not as the man that he was in the flesh, but as a partner, a brother and a blessing (YOUR refresher!)Receive him back as a saved one of Jesus, by grace, just as you yourself are acceptable only this way.It is refreshing to walk into a welcoming, receiving, accepting group of friends … wouldn’t you say?What sort of community of people honours the God of all grace?We’ve said that this house church in Philemon’s home was shot right through with grace, so the attitudes and responses backed up and supported te truth claims of Christianity.What sort of fellowship does that?God has accepted US, the unacceptable.Philemon, accept the unacceptable Onesimus whose stolen from you and done a runner … Philemon SHOW us, show your rich, business leader friends the grace of God held out in the Gospel!Don’t give them a BOOK!Accept the returning Onesimus!More than that … receive HIM as you would receive ME.Slightly different.Receive the renegade like you would the honoured Apostle … human source of your own faith and salvation.That is socially dangerous, politically subversive and likely to lose Philemon friends in the influential circles he moved through in Colossae.But we are partners, we are brothers, and heart-refreshers.Philemon, DO IT.Philemon will have all sorts of reasons to suggest that he shouldn’t … Paul is able to anticipate them and is keen to clear these out of the way.So here’s the first major reason not to do the right thing in the church …It isn’t financially prudent.Can we just get over this one please?Honouring God and the Gospel, embodying grace, righteousness and peace, is not answerable and accountable to some higher law of accountancy and prudency.It cost Jesus EVERYTHING … it’ll cost us guys something.Suck it up.Get on with it.Move on!(Here comes Paul …)
Now, I’m NOT saying (Paul’s not saying) just ‘don’t count the cost’He’s saying put it down in the right column.Onesimus is his brother (reprobate runaway slave!), his son begotten while Paul was in chains.So here Paul is saying that he will stand good for the debts of Onesimus, like a father for his profligate son.Tot up the column of what Onesimus owes you, and set it in your books against what you owe me … I told you the Gospel that saved you – you owe me everything.How about I go back now, when our funds in God’s service seem low, and I say to those who have come to Christ through my ministry … hey guys, refresh my heart in the Saviour?Or, in the words of v. 20, “I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.”I tell you, some of ‘em are doing quite well now!That’s not the point.Paul is doing that, but he’s doing it for unworthy but grace-saved Onesimus!
Do it.Do this thing, says the Apostle.Do it and refresh my heart in Christ!(Paul, old man, in chains for Christ, because it will bring JOY to the one who brought you the Gospel of Grace)I KNOW you, says Paul (v. 21)I KNOW you will not do only this much.I KNOW you understand the way that grace goes beyond all we can ask or imagine.I KNOW you will exceed what I’ve asked.What a JOY, how refreshing are those brethren who you KNOW will go more than one mile.OkSo the instruction is to be a refresher of hearts.I can see that there could be no better context for the Gospel to be proclaimed.The question I have for you is HOW?How do we embody the gracious community that does all that grace does for the turning and trusting individual?‘Cos they just will not believe it if they can’t see it!Accepting and receivingCharge all debts down to graceRefreshing the hearts of the way out un-worthiest saints
The church in Philemon’s home had a track record for doing this.They were a church run right through with grace – God’s acceptance of sinners running contrary to their deserts – and receiving us with a love that is more than is reasonable.Be it.Do it.Light up that Gospel of grace in the way that you are with each other (says Paul), in your homes, in your meeting, in your reaching out to show unreasonable grace to a world full of expectations and morality and … spiritual hunger.Paul knows that God’s work is real in Philemon … because he’s seen the impact of grace on Phil’s behaviour.Now here’s a big ask, says Paul … grace up Onesimus, and let’s put the spotlight on the God of all grace.What are the lessons for us … I’m here to ask you to go out and SHOW me!