Gtcotr/ss020225
The best I can conclude from reading the writings of Luke and Paul and sewing them all together like a patchwork quilt using the thread of history, it was about the year AD60 when the Apostle Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner of Emperor Nero. Even though he was guarded and may have even been kept in chains, he was nonetheless allowed to have visitors while under house arrest for the space of about two years.This was a blessing from God.
It was during this time that Paul wrote some of our most cherished Epistles such as Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians. Not only did Paul use his time to write, but he also taught and discipled many who worked in Nero’s household and the visitors who came to see him from time to time. One such visitor was a lost sinner named Onesimus. It appears Onesimus had run away from his obligations in Colosse and had caused some harm to a man named Philemon.
Perhaps Onesimus was a slave or maybe an indentured servant who owed Philemon a debt and was legally obligated to work it off. At any rate, Onesimus ran anway and found himself in the huge capital city of Rome. It is unclear how or why Onesimus sought out Paul and came to his house. He could easily have been destitute and without means to sustain himself in Rome. Paul received Onesimus and witnessed to him and led him to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Jesus changes lives!
Following his conversion Paul continued to teach Onesimus and finally, when the time was right, Paul challenged Onesimus to trust Jesus, not only for his future but also with his past.
The man whom Onesimus had wronged was a friend of Paul and Paul considered Philemon a son in the faith. So, in about the year AD61/62, Paul wrote two letters: one to the Church at Colosse and one to Philemon. He sent both letters by the hand of Onesimus (Colossians 4:9). Let’s read the personal letter Paul wrote to Philemon. I’m reading from the New Living Translation this morning.
Philemon NLT
1 ¶ This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,
2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.
6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
8 ¶ That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.
9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me — Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.
15 It seems Onesimus ran away for a little while so that you could have him back forever.
16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!
20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!
22 One more thing — please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.
24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul was simply asking a friend to forgive a friend … actually asking a son to forgive a son. He was kindly and lovingly asking Philemon to do what is right even though Philemon had been done wrong.
This letter is a beautiful and bright encouragement that teaches us some important lessons we should remember when we are making disciples of Christ.
The Spirit and the Word agree in the hearts and lives of those who have been taught according to the principles of God. Hearts are transformed and minds changed as we grow to embrace:
The Great Commission directs the followers of Jesus to go into all the world and make disciples of all people groups. Every Believer in Christ is called to reproduce. We are encouraged to lead the lost to salvation and to equip the saints for ministry. When a Church congregation ceases to be evangelistic, it often becomes cannibalistic.
The only marching orders Jesus gave the Church is to go and tell. I am so glad to be part of a generation of great Churches in the earth who are winning the lost and equipping the saints. Every day we are reaching more and teaching more and going and growing in the communities of southeast Texas and around the world.
So many of our strong soldiers of the cross who have dedicated their lives to the Lord have gone to their eternal reward in the past few years. Men and women who, if they had not left such a legacy and poured out their support, could not have been replaced. However, I see young men and woman so greatly impacted by the lives and efforts of those who have already run their race and finished their course, so much so that I do not fear the future of the Church.
Evangelism and discipleship are on the rise in hearts and homes, cities and countries, covering the world in such a time as this. The world is facing more and more evil but Good News !!! Jesus has saved the best for last!
When things get bad, God lifts up a standard.
I want to applaud the efforts of all of you older saints. I’m not saying you are finished, rather I am saying invest more. This next generation is worth your investment. Let’s make the biggest splash for Jesus of any generation before.
Younger Believers – Take up the cross and the mantle of those who are going before you. There has never been a greater time in the history of the world to step up to the plate and swing big. The power of the Holy Spirit is being poured out on the earth for the greatest move of God the world has ever seen. The world will offer you many reasons why to not believe the Word of God, but I am telling you nothing has changed.
God has a plan; He will succeed; and you have a chance to participate!
Now let’s win the lost and equip some saints for the greatest day of the Church! And – I pray … Come Lord Jesus!!!
