Philemon

1. Philemon Love and/Or justice? Is forgiveness and restoration possible? “Brandt Jean's Act Of Grace Toward His Brother's Killer Sparks A Debate Over Forgiving”

2. Colossians 4:17 Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Philemon 1:1-3 (HCSB) 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, 2  to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. 3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 4:7-9  Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me… He is with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. The runaway slave!

3. Philemon 1:4-7 (HCSB) 4  I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5  because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. 6  ⌊I pray⌋ that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for ⌊the glory of⌋ Christ. 7  For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

4. Philemon 1:8-12 (HCSB) 8  For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, 9  I appeal ⌊to you⌋, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, 10  appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I fathered him while ⌊I was⌋ in chains. 11  Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12  I am sending him back to you as a part of myself.

5. Philemon 1:13-16 (HCSB) 13  I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. 14  But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15  For perhaps this is why he was separated ⌊from you⌋ for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16  no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

6. Slavery and the bible • The bible is anti-slavery, but some have used the bible to justify slavery • “… was established by decree of Almighty God … sanctioned … in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation…” – Jefferson Davis • Paul was anti-slavery – 1 Cor 7:21-22 “… if you get a chance to be free, take it … if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, your are now slaves of Christ” • Gal 3:28 “… neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ jesus” • Slavery that is “permitted” in OT much different than contemporary, roman or colonial slavery (see Ex 21, Lev 25, Deut 15, 23)  has to be released after six years; kidnappers (slave traders) to be put to death; typically sold self because poor or couldn’t pay debt; had rights; runaway slaves are free; • Slavery in 1st Century Rome much different than colonial slavery: 60% population; often able to achieve freedom; often better off than free people (Christians < 0.1% of population) • Christianity was the driving force to minimize/end slavery, in Rome as well as Colonial times (e.g., William Wilberforce) https://www.bethinking.org/bible/does-the-bible-support-slavery

7. Philemon 1:13-16 (HCSB) 13  I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. 14  But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15  For perhaps this is why he was separated ⌊from you⌋ for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16  no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

8. Philemon 1:17-22 (HCSB) 17  So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18  And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19

9. Philemon 1:17-22 (HCSB) 17  So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18  And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19  I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self. 20  Yes, brother, may I have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21  Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22  But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

10. Philemon 1:23-25 (HCSB) 23  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, and so do 24  Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. 25  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. • Was Paul manipulative? • No • What Paul said was true and spiritual • Persuading – it’s up to Philemon to decide, Onesimus took initiative • Relinquished his “power”

11. What we learn from these guys: grace in action Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." • Paul: • Impact from prison • Didn’t judge Onesimus, saw lostness • Willing to get involved and fight for Onesimus AND Philemon • Persuades truthfully, relationally, lovingly • Philemon: • Opportunity to do loving, sacrificial thing • Opportunity to forgive from the heart • Opportunity to redeem a relationship • Probably did it • Letter made public • Onesimus bishop of Ephesus • Onesimus: • Made some bad decisions, ran away from problems • Met Christ and everything changed • Took responsibility for what he had done – sought to restore