Paul's Epistles – Philemon - Part 1:
Introduction
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
| Online Audio Files
SERMON INTRODUCTION
Philemon, unlike some of Paul’s other
epistles, was not written to a church, rather a friend.
Although the shortest of Paul’s letters,
Philemon is one of the most coveted by readers.
A slave of Philemon (who was an important
member of the church at Colosse), Onesimus by name, had escaped, and made his
way to Rome with the aid of money stolen from his master.
There he was brought under the influence
of Paul, was converted, and endeared himself to the Apostle by his grateful and
devoted service.
However, he was still Philemon’s lawful
slave, and Paul could not think of retaining him permanently in his service, as
he could not use the servant, and benefit by his labors without his master’s
knowledge.
In other words, this servant was in debt
of service to Philemon, and also stole from him which that debt would also have
to be returned in labor.
Paul could not hire Onesimus because he as
still in debt to Philemon.
In modern days, this would be known as poaching,
when you take the employees for your company from another.
Paul wanted to save the runaway slave from
the severe and cruel punishment he earned by leaving a debt and stealing, which
was against Roman law. He also wanted to make peace with Philemon without
humiliating Onesimus.
This epistle will address the situation,
and in doing so, Paul will give us the message of the practice of Christian
forgiveness being enforced and illustrated.
TODAY’S SERMON
“Paul’s Introduction to Philemon”
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Philemon 1:1-7
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective
in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of
Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you,
brother, have refreshed the hearts
of the Lord’s people.
The overall
message of this epistle to the church is;
“The practice of Christian forgiveness being
enforced and illustrated”
I. INTRODUCTION
BY PAUL
a. Paul’s
imprisonment
i. This letter was written to Philemon around 64 A.D.
ii. Paul was in prison in Rome at this time
iii. Although in a Roman prison, Paul introduces himself
as a prisoner of Christ, not Nero
iv. Paul also
mentions Timothy, the young Apostle who was with Paul at this time in Rome.
1. Was Timothy in prison literally with Paul at
this time?
2. We know from scripture Timothy was in prison more
than once, and released before Paul, Timothy is mentioned being “with” Paul, so
probably.
3. Why do not know “why” Timothy was in prison, but it
more than likely had something to do with teaching the gospel.
b. Philemon was a
brother believer in Christ
i. Paul writes “Unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer”
1. This tells us two things about Philemon, he was
dearly loved by other believers, a man of some standing and wealth, as well as
a believer. He was actually a convert of Paul’s.
c. Paul knew him
and his family intimately
i. Being a convert of Paul’s, he had opportunity to know Philemon and his
family.
ii. We see in verse 2 he is also greeting Apphia,
Philemon’s wife, and Archippus, Philemon and Aphhia’s son.
iii. Paul greets them with, “Grace to you, and Peace,
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1. Implying all these Blessings proceed from God the
Father, with the Lord Jesus Christ being the means, which refers to the Cross.
II.
PAUL’S THANKSGIVING
a. Paul prayed for
his friend Philemon
i. Paul states he mentions Philemon in his prayers, and thanks God for
him.
ii. Paul also mentions that he has heard of Philemon’s
Love and Faith toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all Saints.
1. All who are saved followers of Christ are Saints
2. Philemon was living as a follower, keeping the
Faith and showing Love as all followers should
3. Christ really was at the center of Philemon’s life
b. Paul encourages
Philemon and reminds him of his influence
i. Paul prayed that Philemon’s Love and Faith would be effective
1. In other words, Paul prayed that Philemon’s faith
and love would bring forth Spiritual Fruit, with Grace extended to others
ii. Paul reminds Philemon that acknowledging every good
thing in us is from Christ Jesus
iii. Christ is the source of all that is good in us
c. Other
believer’s looked up to Philemon
i. “We
have great joy and consolation in your love”
1. Paul got strength from hearing encouraging repots
of those like Philemon
2. I too, am encouraged, and find spiritual strength
when I hear those I have ministered to in the past and present are living in
Faith and Love for the Lord.
3. In the same way, myself as I am sure Paul as well,
are discouraged when we receive reports of those we have ministered to in the
past living out of the Will of God.
ii. Paul states in this introduction that because of
Philemon’s faith and love for Christ, the way he is living, and acknowledging
Jesus, “bowels” of the Saints are refreshed by him.
1. Bowels in scriptures mean your hearts.
2. Saints are all who are saved followers of Christ
3. Philemon was an encouragement to the Saints in the
area of Colosse
III.
WHAT WILL COME IN THIS EPISTLE
a. Paul’s strategy
i. Paul feels the slave Onesimus must not encounter his outraged master
alone, so he will secure a mediator named Tychicus, who was on his way there
ii. Paul wrote this personal letter to Philemon for
Onesimus to take with him, a letter which is a model of tact and courtesy
iii. Then, Paul planned to make it more difficult for
Philemon not to pardon and restore Onesimus for escaping and stealing from him
by commending him to the whole church (Colossians
4:9)
b. Division of the
text and keywords
i. For the seminary students here today, this letter is broken into 4
division
1. Greeting (VS 1-3)
2. Splendid Character of Philemon commended (VS 4-7)
3. Intercession for Onesimus (VS 8-21)
4. Salutation and Conclusion (VS 22-25)
ii. The key-word for this book is “Receive.”
1. You will note in verses 12, 15, 17, Paul strikes a
louder note and a higher key each time he repeats it.
c. The value of
the epistle
i. This epistle is a revelation of Paul’s Character
1. Something which can only be learned from these
personal letters rather than epistles which address the church as a whole.
ii. This letter is also an example or Paul’s tact and
wisdom
1. This letter is a masterful model of graceful,
tactful and delicate pleading.
a. Paul reaches for Philemon’s tenderness
b. He acknowledges Philemon’s excellencies
c. He waits to mention Onesimus
d. He refuses to command with the authority of an
Apostle, although he had that authority
e. He was modest
f. He openly acknowledged the wrong Onesimus had done
g. He vouched of the change in Onesimus
h. He maintained respectful speech to Philemon
i. And carefully chose his words
iii. This is also a great illustration of the Gospel
Method of Social Reform
1. This book proves once and for all that the Gospel
of Christ does not approve of slavery, but through intelligent, gentle
persuasion, freedom could be won.
iv. This book is also an analogy of our redemption.
1. The sinner is God’s property.
2. He has not only run away from his Master, but
robbed Him.
3. The law affords him the right of asylum
4. But Grace concedes him the right of appeal
5. He flees for refuge in Jesus, whom God counts as
Partner
6. In Him he is made new
7. As a son, he finds both an intercessor and a Father
8. He returns to God, and is received, not as a slave,
but as Christ Himself, and all the debt is put to Christ’s account
CONCLUSION – Colossians instructions
This is a clear illustration, and a book all should
read, and share. It is never too late to appeal to the one whom you are
running, come to Christ, confess, repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and allow
Him to be your mediator to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment