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Part 4: Philemon: Christian In Name Only?

ONE HIT WONDERS

PART 4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  • PHILEMON: The backstory.

1. OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST CAN NEVER BE JUST PERSONAL.

“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philemon 1:1-3 (NIV)

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

Philemon 1:4-7 (NIV)

  • Who has God placed in your life to share Him with?

2. WHEN WE DO WRONG, WE NEED TO MAKE IT RIGHT. WHEN WE’VE BEEN WRONGED, WE NEED TO FORGIVE.

“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.”

Philemon 1:8-12 (NIV)

“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. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.”

Philemon 1:15-20 (NIV)

  • Truly loving others only happens when we remember that we needed our debts paid.

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 (NIV)

  • God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness is contagious - if it is not contagious, it’s not real.

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

  • YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “Love Your Enemy” by Pete Briscoe (5 days)

  • Blog and podcast: “Making Things Right–Philemon”

 
One Hit WondersDr. John Gerlach