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Re: The Forgiving Philosophy of Philemon
#1 · January 7, 2018, 5:30 pm
Posted by: pastormail <pastormail@...>
My name is Grady Scott. I was on pastormail a number of years ago and decided to get back on. I am a (semi-retired) regular preacher for the church of Christ. I hope that a sermon or two from me might edify and that I can benefit from some of the great outlines. I have gotten pretty detailed in my sermon outlines as I have gotten older. Can you send via attachment? This one is one on the book of Philemon I did a few months ago. Hope it will be of use to someone! May God richly bless you!
- Grady
BIG LESSONS FROM A LITTLE BOOK - PHILEMON
INTRODUCTION: Philemon is one of those books of the Bible that is only one chapter. It only has 25 verses. It is often overlooked for it’s brevity. That is unfortunate, because it is loaded with valuable lessons for us today. While it is dominated by an ancient malady that we no longer have here, slavery, it’s lessons are still priceless for us.
BODY
I. PAUL DEALS WITH THE GREAT MORAL EVIL OF SLAVERY BY AN APPEAL TO THE HEART, NOT AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW INSTITUTIONS.
Philemon 1:10 - 16 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12I am sending him ££back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave——a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
A. Slavery was deeply intrenched in Paul’s day. There is little doubt that God looked on slavery, especially that which was practiced in Roman society, as a moral evil.
1. Hebrew slaves were to be released at the end of 7 years. See Exodus 21:2.
B. The New Testament directs the conduct of both servant and master to be humane and fair (Ephesians 6:5-9).
1. Ephesians 6:5 - 9 5Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that ££your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
C. The owning of another human being was against every principle of love found in the New Testament. But if inspired writers had called on slaves to leave their masters or rise up, it would have ended in thousands more Christians being slaughtered by fearful masters.
1. The solution? It was for both master and slave to become brothers in Christ and thus remove the wall of slavery from between them. The rise of Christianity eventually did away with slavery.
2. While we should use ever legal and ethical tool available to defeat evil, such as abortion, we know that the gospel will change the hearts of those who would kill their unborn and those who would carry out the deed.
A. Slavery was deeply intrenched in Paul’s day. There is little doubt that God looked on slavery, especially that which was practiced in Roman society, as a moral evil.
1. Hebrew slaves were to be released at the end of 7 years. See Exodus 21:2.
B. The New Testament directs the conduct of both servant and master to be humane and fair (Ephesians 6:5-9).
1. Ephesians 6:5 - 9 5Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that ££your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
C. The owning of another human being was against every principle of love found in the New Testament. But if inspired writers had called on slaves to leave their masters or rise up, it would have ended in thousands more Christians being slaughtered by fearful masters.
1. The solution? It was for both master and slave to become brothers in Christ and thus remove the wall of slavery from between them. The rise of Christianity eventually did away with slavery.
2. While we should use ever legal and ethical tool available to defeat evil, such as abortion, we know that the gospel will change the hearts of those who would kill their unborn and those who would carry out the deed.
II. PAUL USED LOVE AND GENUINE CARING FOR BRETHREN WHEN APPROACHING THEM AND THEIR NEEDS.
Philemon 1:4 - 7 4I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in ££you in Christ Jesus. 7For we ££have great ££joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
A. Paul was always ready to use the carrot before the stick because he really loved the brethren. He was firm, but never operated out of anger or hatred.
B. See some examples
1. Galatians 6:1 1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2. Ephesians 4:1 - 2 1I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3. 2 Timothy 2:24 - 26 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
4. Paul could deal firmly with false teachers who would not repent and stand firm for truth. But he never used truth to hurt brethren. His motive was always the salvation of souls.
C. What made Paul happy was the continued faithfulness of brethren. See verses 4-7.
1. He assumed the best when writing, that Philemon would do what was right. See verses 20-21.
2. Philemon 1:20 - 21 20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
A. Paul was always ready to use the carrot before the stick because he really loved the brethren. He was firm, but never operated out of anger or hatred.
B. See some examples
1. Galatians 6:1 1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2. Ephesians 4:1 - 2 1I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3. 2 Timothy 2:24 - 26 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
4. Paul could deal firmly with false teachers who would not repent and stand firm for truth. But he never used truth to hurt brethren. His motive was always the salvation of souls.
C. What made Paul happy was the continued faithfulness of brethren. See verses 4-7.
1. He assumed the best when writing, that Philemon would do what was right. See verses 20-21.
2. Philemon 1:20 - 21 20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
III. PAUL PUT THE WELFARE OF OTHERS AHEAD OF HIS.
A. Paul had desired to retain the service of Onesimus, particularily since Paul was imprisoned at the time. Onesimus had been a great service to him. But Paul did what was better for Philemon, not what helped him.
1. Philemon 13 - 14 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
B. Paul also had every right to demand Philemon’s compliance with his apostolic authority
1. Philemon 15 - 19 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave——a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay——not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
2. Philippians 2:3 - 4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
IV. THE CASE OF ONESIMUS TEACHES A GREAT LESSON IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
Philemon 15 - 16 15For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave——a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
A. This is the essence of God’s providence.
1. We often times cannot know for sure if a natural event was God’s providence at work. (God’s providence - God working through natural laws, individuals, and events, to fulfill His will)
2. But Paul is saying that Onesimus’ fleeing and coming in contact with him could have very well been the providence of God at work. He left as a non-Christian in rebellion against man and God, but returned as a brother in Christ.
B. The words in verse 15 is very much like what Mordecai told Esther.
1. Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””
A. Paul had desired to retain the service of Onesimus, particularily since Paul was imprisoned at the time. Onesimus had been a great service to him. But Paul did what was better for Philemon, not what helped him.
1. Philemon 13 - 14 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
B. Paul also had every right to demand Philemon’s compliance with his apostolic authority
1. Philemon 15 - 19 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave——a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay——not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
2. Philippians 2:3 - 4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
IV. THE CASE OF ONESIMUS TEACHES A GREAT LESSON IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
Philemon 15 - 16 15For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave——a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
A. This is the essence of God’s providence.
1. We often times cannot know for sure if a natural event was God’s providence at work. (God’s providence - God working through natural laws, individuals, and events, to fulfill His will)
2. But Paul is saying that Onesimus’ fleeing and coming in contact with him could have very well been the providence of God at work. He left as a non-Christian in rebellion against man and God, but returned as a brother in Christ.
B. The words in verse 15 is very much like what Mordecai told Esther.
1. Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””
Greetings all!
On Friday, January 5, 2018 10:18:30 AM CST, William Matthews <preachervent@twc.com> wrote:
I don’t just do Sunday School Lessons. Here’s a sermon outline you and/or your church may enjoy.
Bro. Bill
--
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