Restoration…

• 1^st – Request of Paul… vs. 8-11
  • 1^st – 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!
        
  • 2^nd – 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.”

• 2^nd – Going back… vs. 12-16
  • 1^st – 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.”
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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…”

• 3^rd – Paying a debt… vs. 17-21
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!

4^th – Closing salutations… vs. 22-25

1^st – 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!

2^nd – 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…