August 29, 2012
Wednesday Evening Service

Phm 1:1-25 KJVR  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,  (2)  And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house:  (3)  Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Even though Paul is a free man, he considers himself to be a prisoner to Jesus Christ.
• Then his gracious salutation.

(4)  I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,  (5)  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 

• Good friend, you are always in our prayers.  Very comforting.
• What a wonderful reputation.

(6)  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.  (7)  For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 

• With this kind of personality, I wonder why Onesimus ran away.

(8)  Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,  (9)  Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 

• Paul actually is imprisoned right now for his faith in Jesus.

(10)  I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 

• It appears Onesimus has accepted the gospel from Paul, while Paul is in prison.

(11)  Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 

• Worthless as a slave, but profitable being a Christian.

(12)  Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:  (13)  Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:  (14)  But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 

• I would have kept him with me, except he is your possession, and I wouldn’t do anything to harm our relationship.

(15)  For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever;  (16)  Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 

Onesimus has now become a new creation.  His thought pattern is different, that of  a yielded vessel to Christ’s teaching.  Now he has become what Peter tells us about; 1Pe 2:18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

• Paul said;  Eph 6:5-9 KJVR  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  (6)  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  (7)  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:  (8)  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  (9)  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

 

• This is what happens when your heart has accepted the teachings of Christ.

(17)  If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.  (18)  If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; 

• Remember the story of the good Samaritan?

(19)  I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 

• Ouch!!  Paul putting a little pressure on here.

(20)  Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.  (21)  Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 

• Paul again expresses his confidence in Philemon, that he has the goods.

(22)  But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 

• It is almost certain that the Apostle did make it back through that area again.

(23)  There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;  (24)  Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.  (25)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

 

The lessons to be learned here are:

 

1. Christ changes lives.
2. We should be willing to go to bat for someone who has accepted Christ as Savior.
3. We should be willing to forgive someone who has wronged us.
4. And we should always find a place in our hearts for the Apostle Paul.  He may not be able to come to us for a physical visit, but he is with us in the written Word.