8Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I fathered in my imprisonment,11who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,13whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my imprisonment for the gospel;14but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will.15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.
Sermon Series Theme: The Gospel transforms human relationships and social conventions as Christians are faithful to live out its truths spiritually and practically.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Sermon Series Theme: The Gospel transforms human relationships and social conventions as Christians are faithful to live out its truths spiritually and practically.
28And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
God reveals Himself through His words and actions. One example is the history of Israel’s redemption from Egypt. Three purposes of the plagues were:
God demonstrates His power.
God distinguishes between His people and others.
God Hardened the heart of Pharoah.
In the final plague (Exodus 12:1-42) the people were spared through the death of a substitute – a spotless lamb. The lesson is that redemption requires the death of an innocent substitute. But all the sacrifices since the first Passover were not satisfactory. They pointed to the final, acceptable sacrifice of Christ.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
One general principle that can be derived from these greetings and instructions is the authenticity of Scripture. This epistle was dictated and personally signed by the Apostle Paul. It gives specific instructions and greetings to named people. All Scripture describes real events that really happened exactly as described.
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Outline: A Portrait of servants for Christ that pictures the vital importance of faithful partners and friends in Gospel ministry.
Tychicus – The Reliable Servant
Onesimus – The Saved Slave
Aristarchus – The Steadfast Soldier
Mark – The Restored Scribe
Jesus/Justus – The Unsung Saint
Epaphras – The Ceaselessly Supplicating Shepherd
Luke – The Skilled Specialist
Demas – The Worldly Deserter
Note: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus and Mark were covered last week. Jesus/Justus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas are covered in this week’s sermon.
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Outline: A Portrait of servants for Christ that pictures the vital importance of faithful partners and friends in Gospel ministry.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Sermon Theme: Christians are called to be prayerful representatives of Christ whose lives line up with the Gospel they proclaim.
Outline:3 Essentials to remember as you faithfully represent Christ in communicating the Gospel to the lost around you.
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Outline:4 Aspects of service/labor contained within God’s commands to slaves & masters that compel all believers to work and serve in devoted submission to their Lord Jesus:
22Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.25For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Sermon Theme: God has given clear instructions to both slaves and masters in their relation to one another, underscoring their common position as slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Outline: 4 Aspects of service/labor contained within God’s commands to slaves that compels all believers to work and serve in devoted submission to their Lord Jesus
