We finish off this week hearing Paul’s heart to Philemon and his home church. This book takes a look into the cultural window of 1st Century slavery, but also gives a Christian response to someone who has wronged us.
Philemon 1: Greeting
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker
2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon's Love and Faith
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,
5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,
6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Paul's Plea for Onesimus
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,
9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you---I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus---
10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)
12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.
13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,
16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother---especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it---to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
Final Greetings
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,
24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Things to think about…
1. Philemon has a church that meets in his house, Phil 1:2. This is how many churches started out in the 1st century, either in a house or other venue. We know Paul started a bible college in Ephesus in a place called the Hall of Tyrannus, Acts 19:9. The desire for a new band is to move out of the garage. In the same way the desire for a new church often times is to move out of the house. Our desire is that as we reach out into the community and see the blessing of the Lord that our present facility will be too small and we can build a bigger facility on our property. Growth should be part of every church’s desire as they faithfully reach out into their community.
2. Now we know Paul is speaking by the Spirit here to Philemon. But is he in danger of using flattery, Phil 1:4-7, to butter Philemon up for a request, vs 8. What do you think? Clearly he is speaking truth, so what is the application for us as Christians as we read Paul’s greeting to Philemon? I believe Paul is appealing to Philemon’s conscience. He knows he is a reasonable man. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who had ran away. But Paul is returning him to Philemon. Perhaps Philemon needs to be reminded that we were all on the run once from Christ. Paul acknowledges that Philemon also owes Paul. Just as we owe those who preached the gospel to us, so we should be prepared to give for those who come after us, so they in turn can do the same.
3. Some of you may already know of the word-play Paul is using regarding this runaway slave – Onesimus. Onesimus means ‘useful’. Previously while with Philemon, rather than live up to his name, Onesimus was useless, Phil 1:11. But now he is a Christian and is useful, both to Paul and Philemon, vs 11. Onesimus ran away, but Paul is now asking that Philemon receive him back without retribution, knowing that Philemon also owes Paul himself, vs 19. We all have opportunities to show grace and mercy and to forgive without holding any lasting grudges. What opportunities have you had to forgive? What you do with those opportunities?
4. Have a look at the names in Phil 1:23 & 24 then go back to 2Tim 4:9-12. Have a look at Paul’s focus and change regarding some of them, including Demas and Titus. What do you make of this? Did these men fall away, or is the issue with Paul? Some like Mark had returned into Paul’s favour. Demas may also have returned as Mark is mentioned as being here with Paul (Phil 1:24) after Paul asked for him to be present when writing to Timothy, 2Tim 4:11. Does this happen within Christian circles in our day? I believe it does. Some may surprise you as to who supports you and who doesn’t in the greatest trials of your life. Paul received a great amount of support from Luke who remained with him at his first trial, 2 Tim 4:11. Jesus said He is with us to the end of the age, Mt 28:20 and that He would never leave us nor forsake us, Heb 13:5. As we follow Christ we should never give up on a brother or sister in the Lord even when they have bitterly disappointed us in the past. As our Lord says we must forgive 70 times 7.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups on break.
Prayer Points
1. Our Lord’s blessing over this year’s programs and outreach.
2. Those returning from holidays.
3. Victorian parliament discussing gay conversion therapy, antichristian bill next month.
3. America. Pray for truth, grace and peace. Especially the next 2 weeks.
4. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
5. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
6. The 2 positions:- Youth and Young Adults Coordinator and Children’s Coordinator we are recruiting for in 2021.
Praise Points.
1. Able to stream with the lockdown. Thanks Rin
2. First Café roof drawings have been completed.
3. All those who served in 2020 – Especially Dan Anderson, Helen and Steve Hawkins , Angelo, Rod and muso’s, Murray Aitchison, Yuki and many, many others. Thankyou. The elders and their families have been a great support to me this last year.
4. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
5. Visitors over the holiday period.
Announcements
1. Must wear a mask to church and during church service this Sunday morning.
2. Combined church prayer meeting. Beacon Baptist Sun 31st Jan 5pm Beacon Baptist Church, Brassall.
3. Please consider signing the petition to continue prayer in Qld parliament so that we stem the tide of influences that are currently overtaking the Victorian Parliament. Petition link here - https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/.../petition-details...
4. Seeking Youth and Young Adults Coordinator – 2 days per week as well as a Children’s ministry Coordinator – 1 day per week.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
