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Restoration…

  • 1st – Request of Paul… vs. 8-11
    • 1st – Therefore – though I might be VERY bold… vs. 8-9
      • Having greeted Philemon with great RESPECT – because of his LOVE and FAITH…
        • Paul comes to the main PURPOSE of his letter – a REQUEST of Philemon…
        • The word THEREFORE – διό – can better be translated ON ACCOUNT of…
        • It does NOT point back to the previous verses – it looks forward to verse 19…
        • Paul had the right to be VERY BOLD in COMMANDING anything from Philemon…
        • ON ACCOUNT of – Paul was the one who shared the Gospel with Philemon!
        • Philemon 1:19 – “You that you owe me even your own self…”
      • Yet for the sake of LOVE (agapē)…
        • Rather than COMMAND Philemon – Paul would rather (better way) APPEAL to him…
        • APPEAL – parakaleō – to come along side to help!
        • Paul understood COMMANDING someone to do something is NOT as EFFECTIVE…
        • As coming alongside – in LOVE – and helping them see WHY they should do something!
        • So often we want to lay down the Law for people – COMMAND them…
        • We tell them what to do and what not to do – force them to do what is right…
        • But by laying down the Law – only inspires them to rebel…
        • The Law only stirs in us the desire for sin – sin that leads to judgment / death!
        • We are NOT sinners because we sin – we sin because we are SINNERS!
        • When I was about four – I was grounded and told I could not go outside…
        • But I saw an ice cream truck passing by – so I broke my little piggy bank…
        • And snuck outside and bought me some delicious ice-cream!
      • Paul the aged – a prisoner of Jesus Christ…
        • Do NOT miss this – Paul was AGED (an old man) – he had LOTS of years of experience…
        • Chances are when he was young – he did a LOT of COMMANDING…
        • But Paul LEARNED the lesson – LOVE is better than a COMMAND!
        • It is AWLAYS far easier to see what the RIGHT choices are for other people…
        • We tend to have the least amount of discernment for our own lives…
        • But when we see people making POOR choices – best not to COMMAND them…
        • Instead LOVE them – come alongside them – and help them see WHAT to do!
    • 2nd – Appeal for Onesimus… vs. 10-11
      • The REQUEST of Paul was for Onesimus…
        • APPEAL – parakaleō – Paul uses the word again to come along side to help…
        • Onesimus – whose name ironically means to be PROFITABLE / HELPFUL…
        • Paul met Onesimus while he was a prisoner (in chains) in Rome…
        • There he shared the Gospel with him (begotten) – and Onesimus came to FAITH in Jesus!
      • He was once UNPROFITABLE to you…
        • UNPROFITABLE – only here NT – to be useless / have no value…
        • Presumably Onesimus from Colossae – and was one of the slaves of Philemon…
        • Around HALF of the Roman Empire were slaves – they had no rights…
        • You could kill a slave without any punishment – they were property!
        • He stole from Philemon – Philemon 1:18 – and fled from his master to Rome…
        • Perhaps hoping he would disappear into the crowded masses of the capitol…
        • Before coming to FAITH in Jesus – he was an UNPROFITABLE servant!
        • Perhaps we can relate – we ran away from the Lord – tried to find purpose in the world…
        • But what we became was UNPROFITABLE – lost in sin and darkness…
        • The truth is we were ALL like Onesimus before coming to Jesus!
        • Romans 10:12 – “[We] have together become unprofitable…”
      • Now he is PROFITABLE to both you and me…
        • Regardless of who Onesimus was BEFORE he came to know Jesus…
        • He was NOW a blessing to both Paul and Philemon because of Jesus!
        • Colossians 4:9 – “With Onesimus – a faithful and beloved brother…”
        • The world tries to tell us we are defined by our past – WHAT we did is WHO we are…
        • The HOPE we have is that in Jesus – we have a new CHARACTER – we are PROFITABLE…
        • When we come to / believe in Jesus – our old life before Christ is gone / dead…
        • We are no longer defined by our past mistakes – old labels no longer apply…
        • We are BORN AGAIN – we have a fresh start in Jesus – a new beginning!
        • And the life we now live – we no longer live for ourselves – we live for Jesus!
        • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
  • 2nd – Going back… vs. 12-16
    • 1st – Sent back… vs. 12-13
      • Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon…
        • RECEIVE (imperative) him – to welcome into your home / heart…
        • RECEIVE him as you would RECEIVE me – because he has my heart!
      • Paul WOULD (imperfect) have kept Onesimus in Rome with him…
        • So that he COULD have ministered (diakoneō) to Paul on BEHALF of Philemon…
        • In other words – since Philemon was FAR away in Colossae…
        • Onesimus could act as a STAND IN – and care for Paul in PRISON on behalf of Philemon!
        • My Father went into Elderly homes / and Prisons for more than 30 years…
        • It was not a glamorous way to serve – or easy – sick elderly / hard prisoners…
        • But as a result – I do not think I could count the number of people he led to Jesus!
        • We are called to refresh one another – not just when it is convenient or easy…
        • There is great joy as we get to pour the love of Jesus into the lives of others!
        • Hebrews 13:3 – “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them, those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are in the body also.”
    • 2nd – Because of CHOICE… 14
      • The question must be asked – why then Paul SENT Onesimus back…
        • I think there are TWO reasons – the FIRST is because of CHOICE…
        • Without your CONSENT – I wanted to do NOTHING…
        • CONSENT – gnōmē – knowledge or awareness…
        • Paul did NOT want to do anything with Onesimus without Philemon knowing!
      • That his GOOD (agathos) would not be though COMPULSION…
        • COMPULSION – doing something without a choice – being BOXED in…
        • But though VOLUNTEERING – only here NT – to CHOOSE to do something!
        • We all KNOW that the origin of sin – was the CHOICE made by Adam and Eve – Genesis 3
        • But you might ask – why did God put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden!
        • If there was NO tree – then there would have been NO sin!
      • It all comes down CHOICE…
        • If someone came up to us with a loaded gun and told us to love them…
        • We would say yes – but it would not be from our heart – because there is no CHOICE!
        • True GOOD requires a choice – so God gave man a choice!
        • God will not force anyone to go to heaven – it is their CHOICE
        • God also does not send anyone to hell – they CHOOSE it – the question is what we choose…
        • Do we choose to reject God – or take freely from the tree of life (the cross of Christ)!
        • Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
    • 3rd – Because of RESTORATION… vs. 15-16
      • The SECOND reason why Paul sent Onesimus back – was because of RESTORATION…
        • For PERHAPS – τάχα γὰρ διὰ – this MAY be the reason why…
        • He DEPARTED (passive) – more literally he was SENT away by the PLAN of God…
        • That you should RECEIVE (subjunctive) him again FOREVER!
        • Paul is SUGGESTING this might NOT be an accident – but instead a coordinated effort…
        • God was the one who SENT Onesimus to Rome – so he could get SAVED!
      • This brings up a powerful topic – are the events in our life happenstance / or ordained…
        • Do we go through life making choices – and what happens / just happens…
        • Or is God SOVERIGN over every decision – leading and guiding us to a specific end!
        • The answer is both – we do have FREE will – we get to CHOOSE…
        • But God – who sees EVERYTHING before it ever happens – Isaiah 46:10
        • Uses all our CHOICES to accomplish His will in our lives!
        • That does NOT negate our responsibility to CHOOSE wisely…
        • NEITHER does that eliminate the consequences for bad CHOICES…
        • But it does give us HOPE – that God uses – both our good and bad CHOICES for GOOD!
        • Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God…”
      • No longer just a SLAVE (doulos) …
        • Onesimus was coming back – but not the way that he left…
        • No longer just a SLAVE – he was MORE – he was now a BELOVED (agapētos) brother…
        • Especially (first) to Paul – but how much MORE to Philemon…
        • Because he was coming back to SERVE (in the flesh) – and be a BROTHER (in the Lord)…
        • Paul wanted the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon RESTORED!
        • Sin causes separation – from God – and from those who have sinned against…
        • God desires for us to be RESTORED – both to Him through repentance!
        • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
        • And to those who have sinned against – by going to them and asking for FORGIVENESS!
        • Matthew 5:23 – “Therefore if you… remember that your brother has something against you… be reconciled to your brother.”
      • There is a tendency in our culture – to avoid confrontation…
        • If someone does something wrong – the accepted response it to IGNORE it / them…
        • As if somehow time will miraculously make everything OK!
        • Ephesians 4:26 – “Do not let the sun go down on your anger…”
        • If we do not seek RESORATION – it causes SEPARATION in the church…
        • If we try and IGNORE our MISTAKES – we give an opportunity to satan…
        • Satan would love to cause division within the church – bitterness and hate…
        • Do not let satan rob the church of the forgiveness and joy Jesus has provided!
        • II Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
      • Paul is NOT saying Onesimus should STOP being a SLAVE to Philemon…
        • Onesimus was going back and make things right – be RESTORED…
        • But that did not mean there were no CONSIQUNCS for his actions!
        • God loves us too much to let us get away with our sin – so He punishes us…
        • Not because He is angry – or mad at us – but because of His great love for us…
        • God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a pure and holy life!
        • Hebrews 12:5-8 – “You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD… For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and punishes every son whom He receives…”
  • 3rd – Paying a debt… vs. 17-21
    • 1st – I will REPAY… vs. 17-19
      • IF (since) you count (indicative) me as a PARTNER…
        • RECEIVE (imperative) Onesimus just as you would RECEIVE me!
        • BUT IF (since) Onesimus WRONGED (indicative) you / or OWES (indicative) you…
        • Put it on my ACCOUNT – 2x in NT – recon the DEBT to be mine!
        • Paul – writing with his own HAND – I will REPAY (future / indicative)!
      • Onesimus had DEBT…
        • We do NOT know what Onesimus did – perhaps he STOLE before running away…
        • But the grammar removes any doubt (indicative) – he did WRONG and OWE Philemon!
        • Yet Paul was willing to be the MEDIATOR – help RESTORE their relationship…
        • If that meant he PAID back whatever DEBT Onesimus had – he was willing to do that!
        • If we see brothers in the church UNABLE to RESTORE their relationship because of sin…
        • We are called to step in and HELP – be a MEDIATOR between them…
        • If needed – PAY the DEBT – right the WRONG – to restore UNITY to the Church!
        • II Corinthian 5:18 – “God… has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
      • Paul would PAY the DEBT…
        • So that (not to mention) he might NOT have to say (subjunctive) …
        • Philemon owed a DEBT to Paul – even his own life…
        • Paul had shared the Gospel with Philemon – he was SAVED – because of Paul!
        • Paul was giving perspective – who had the GREATER debt!
        • A servant who owed the Master 10k talents (8 billion pesos) – Matthew 18:23-35
        • Which makes the next statement obvious – he was not able to pay…
        • But the master wiped away the debt – he was completely forgiven…
        • But the man went out and would NOT forgive a fellow servant who owed 100P!
        • If we focus on what others have done to us – then we want JUSTICE…
        • We want them to pay back their DEBT – every centavo they have cost us…
        • Our problem is we are looking in the wrong direction…
        • We are looking at what they have DONE to us – rather than what we have DONE…
        • When we consider all that Jesus has FORGIVEN us – EVERYTHING…
        • How could we not FORGIVE our brother what little DEBT they may owe us!
    • 2nd – Confidence in OBEDIENCE… vs. 20-21
      • TRULY (yes) my brother – let me have (optative) JOY from you…
        • Refresh (imperative) my heart in the Lord – through OBEDIENCE…
        • Paul was CONFIDENT (perfect) that Philemon would OBEY all that he wrote…
        • KNOWING (perfect) – he would even do (indicative) MORE than what Paul asked!
        • The grammar is powerful – Paul had NO DOUBT (perfect) – in what Philemon would do!
        • Not because he was OBEDIENT to what Paul wrote to him…
        • But because it was a COMMAND that came from the Lord!
      • As believers – forgiveness is NOT an option…
        • Luke 17:4 – “Even if [someone] wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive [them].”
        • When we are hurt by someone – and refuse to forgive – we are DISOBEYING God…
        • Now not only do we have a DAMAGED relationship with the person who sinned…
        • But we also have a DAMAGED relationship with the Lord…
        • With unforgiveness in our hearts – God does not hear our prayers – Mark 11:25
      • How to FORGIVE…
        • When Jesus commanded the Apostles to forgive – they responded – increases our FAITH…
        • But Jesus replied – if you have the FAITH of a mustard seed – Luke 17:5-7
        • You can say to this MULBERRY tree – be pulled up by the roots and be cast into the sea!
        • The MULBERRY tree is famous in the Middle East for having incredibly deep roots…
        • The tree can grow very quickly – and because of its roots it is VERY difficult to kill…
        • Even cutting to the base is no guarantee – it must be pulled out by the roots!
        • The fruit is VERY sour and bitter – and its wood is commonly used to make coffins!
        • The way to FORIGVE – is FAITH in Jesus – He can tear out the roots of UNFORGIVENESS!
        • He can send them away into the farthest sea – never to be seen again…
        • Because FORGIVENESS is not just for the one whom did us wrong – it is also for us…
        • It sets us free – so we do not dwell on the past – we get to move forward in Christ!
        • Psalm 103:12 – “He removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit – Amen!

4th – Closing salutations… vs. 22-25

1st – Prepare a room… vs. 22

Prepare (imperative) a room for me…

Paul trusted that through the prayers of Philemon – he would be delivered…

As Paul closed his letter – he gave hope of seeing Philemon again…

He would be released from PRISON – and travel to Colossae to see his friend!

2nd – Greetings … vs. 23-25

Paul closes the letter with GREETINGS from FIVE men – similar list to Colossians 4:7-15

Epaphras – also in prison with Paul – who started the church in Colossae – Colossians 1:7

Mark – cousin of Barnabus – who traveled with Paul on the FIRST missionary journey…

Aristarchus from Ephesus – traveled with Paul to Rome – Acts 27:2

Demas – who ultimately turned his back on the Ministry / Lord – II Timothy 4:10

Luke – the physician who wrote the Book of Luke and Acts…


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