Reservoir Presbyterian Sermons
Welcome, Love, Forgive (Philemon)
As we look at this letter to Falayman, and Paul's speaking to his dear friend, Falayman, and fellow workers in the church, there were two as we heard in the children's talk, Atheria and Archipelagoos, and we could sort of think that Falayman's in the front pew, and Atheria is sitting somewhere in the pew, and Archipice, another area in the pew, but also brothers and sisters, the church also sitting round about, just like today, as we read God's word, that it applies to everybody, and so we look at Falayman, it's on page 1702, if you're looking through the Bible in the pew, 1702, and we're commencing at the first verse reading the whole chapter. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, to Falayman, our dear friend and fellow worker, also to Atheria, our sister, and Archipice, our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 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. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. Therefore, although in Christ, I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, that I appeal to you for my son Anismus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formally, he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, who is my very heart, back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent so that any favour you do would not seem forced, but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever. No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me, but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back, not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ, confident of your obedience. I write to you knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more, prepare a guest room for me because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Epapras, my fellow prisoner in Christ sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristochus, Demis, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Also, we turn over to Colossians, and that's found on page 1 6 7 9. Colossians chapter 3, commencing at verse 11. Page 1 6 7 9. Colossians 3 verse 11. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, sickthian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have grievances against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you, and over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you are called to peace. And be thankful that the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through Psalms, hymns and songs from the spirit. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Thanks, Jeff. Good morning, everyone. It's lovely to be back with you again for the third P. So the first P was Assam. The second one was a parable. I'm sneaking in this one, Philemon, still a P. And next week we'll look at a proverb as well. Can I encourage you to keep your Bibles open to Philemon? We'll be working through that text carefully. I'll do that too. That way you're able to test what you hear from what you read in God's Word. Can I also let you know that there's transcripts out the back there if you find that helpful for listening? So please feel free to grab a transcript as well. Boys and girls, it's great that you're in with us today, so please feel free to listen in. Perhaps you'll learn something a little bit more about Philemon and Omnisymus that we heard about earlier. And if not, if you're just doing some coloring in, be great if you did that nice and quietly. That way, Mum and Dad can join in listening as well. Wonderful. Well, Australians are... Let me get that one on. There we go. Australians are, I think, from my morning walk in reservoir, a warm, welcoming, and friendly people. In the best light, we're known for being down to earth, genuine, willing to lend a hand and help a mate. Hard working and for the most part inclusive. What do you think? Is that your experience here in Australia? Perhaps one way to put it is that we are much like our native animals. I saw some this last week down in Wilson's prom. Placid, elusive, at times prickly, unfazed, peculiar, but friendly and approachable. Well, that's a reputation to be proud of on the world stage, isn't it? But I asked you this morning, is that the reputation of the Australian church? Are we a people renowned for warm, welcoming, and friendly behaviour? If I met a person down the street who said that they'd come to visit this church, and I asked them, what was your experience like? How did you find the people there? What was the atmosphere like? What was your feel of the place? Would you return? What would they say? Of would they say, what a warm, welcoming, and friendly bunch of people? As soon as I walked in the door, they greeted me with a smile, said good morning, made me feel at home. Instead of talking amongst themselves, they included me. Even my kids loved to be there. I'd go back. Put aside outsiders for a moment. What about towards each other? Does the family of believers here have a reputation of warm, welcoming, and friendly behaviour towards one another? If I asked you this morning, why are you a member of this church? Would you say, these brothers and sisters have been so warm, welcoming, and friendly to me, not just on Sunday, but throughout the week. As a family, they really care for me with words and actions. Even when I wronged a person and said, sorry, they forgave me without hesitation, and we quickly returned to good relationships, so gracious and welcoming. Well, believe it or not, but the reputation of the church in Australia is in tatters. For a mixture of reasons, some our own fault, the repute of Christians in this community, in this city, in this country, in this suburb, is left wanting. I ask each of you, kids and adults, male and female, students, home parents and workers, and retirees, locals, foreigners, wealthy or struggling, are you a warm, welcoming, and friendly people? Are you quick to forgive and be reconciled with your church family when conflict comes your way? Jesus said, did he not, that all people will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another. Well, this morning, through the Apostle Paul, God appeals to each one of us as individuals, but also to the church as a whole, love each other. Let's pray. Gracious God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our Redeemer. Amen. Well, the book entitled Philemon is actually a letter, the smallest of Paul's and Timothy's letters sent to the ministry team and indeed the whole congregation of the Colossian Church. There it is in verses one, two and three. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus and Timothy, our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and co-worker, to Sophia, our sister, to our Chippos, our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. From verse four, all the way to the second last verse, Paul addresses just one man, Philemon. Paul wants the whole church, ourselves included, to eavesdrop in onto what he has to say to Philemon. Let's listen in. Paul first starts on the note of thankfulness. Take a look with me from verse four. "I always thank my God," he says, "as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 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. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." Well, Paul's so thankful to God, isn't he, for Philemon's faith and love. That's because faith, the decision to follow Jesus and love, the ability to care for and put others first, come from God as a gift to humanity. Their starting point is not inside us, as you might think, but outside from God. Here, note in verse four, faith in Jesus is tied to love for other Christians. It's because Philemon trusted Jesus that he loved Jesus's people. Or to put it the opposite way, he loved the body because he was attached to the head. That's what Paul was so thankful to God for. And that's what Paul prays might continue in verse six. 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. This verse is difficult to understand, so let's take it one step at the time. The word translated participation or sharing used also in verse 17 indicates that Philemon has a common dependence on Jesus with other Christians. When a person begins to trust Jesus, they join the fellowship of faith. Christians, you see, are part of a team. Paul prays that the truth might become effective. That is literally energize his efforts to do good. The good described in this letter, but particularly in the surrounding verses, is to love the brothers and sisters at church. It is good done among us. This verse, this love, sorry, is exercised literally for Christ. That is, out of service to him and ultimately for his glory. We are family and opportunities await us every day to do good by loving our brothers and sisters. Paul prays Philemon would take advantage of those opportunities that come his way as he realizes that he is part of the Christian family. In fact, that is what Philemon has already been doing. Did you see that in verse seven? His love for his Christian family has not only refreshed their hearts, but in turn, has bought Paul great joy and encouragement. Paul's prayer of faith, expressing itself in love, forms the basis for his request of Philemon from verse eight. Therefore, although in Christ, I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is, sorry, it is as none other than Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus that I appeal to you for my son, Omnisimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly, he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. Paul writes to Philemon and the whole church concerning his son Omnisimus. Omnisimus, it seems, as a result of Paul's ministry, became a Christian in prison. By telling him the gospel of life, God used Paul to bring regeneration into Omnisimus' heart. This made Paul his father in Christ. Through the gospel, Omnisimus now, a transformed man, was true to his name, useful, and with a changed status, Paul appeals in love to Philemon. An order might be resented, but an appeal in love is hard to resist. An appeal leaves the choice in Philemon's hands to take advantage of this opportunity to love a brother. Paul continues his appeal in verse 12. "I am sending him, who is my very heart, back to you. I would have liked to have keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in the chains for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent so that any favor you do would not seem forced but voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me, but even dear to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord." Along with Tichicus, Paul's posty, Omnisimus would have arrived at Philemon's house with the letter in hand, sent back by Paul, verse 12, and placed in Philemon's hands to do with as he wished. Here we learn that Omnisimus is Philemon's slave. Slavery in the Roman world is very different from slavery in the Old Testament and the transatlantic slavery of the 17th and 18th century. "How so?" you ask. Well, first of all, slavery wasn't race-based in the Roman world. Any nationality could be a slave. Secondly, slavery wasn't based on kidnapping. Some slaves were prisoners of war. Some were born into slavery. Some slaves sold themselves into slavery to climb the ladder or because of hardship to survive. Thirdly, slavery wasn't lifelong. Generally, slaves were set free either officially or unofficially in their 30s. Fourth, slaves were not necessarily at the bottom of the ladder. Some slaves could be better educated than their masters, like a doctor, for example. They could own property, run a business, or even own their own slaves. You know, up to one in five people in the Roman world were slaves. That's 10 to 12 million people. But remember, unlike an indentured servant in the Old Testament, a slave was property owned. They were not free to do what they wanted. Their master was the boss of their whole person. Some were good bosses and some weren't. There were only two ways out of slavery. Be set free or set yourself free by running away. Well, it caused Omnisimus to be separated from his master. Perhaps he ran away. Runaway slaves were a massive problem in the Roman world, which is why punishments such as crucifixion or being branded on the forehead with the letters F or F, V, G, meaning runaway, were an extreme deterrent. Perhaps he was sent away. Philemon may have sent him to Paul to serve in his stead. Perhaps he was sent away and then ran away. Who knows? We're not told. What is clear is that by God's providential hand Omnisimus was now returning home no longer as a slave, by the brother and God willing to be received as such. As this man stands at his doorstep, Philemon is faced with a question. Will he welcome this brother into his home and the church? Will I take advantage of the opportunity God has placed before me to love this brother? Paul concludes his appeal from verse 17. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I Paul am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back, not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that they may have some benefit from you and the Lord, refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you knowing that you will do even more than I ask. As a partner in the gospel, welcome your brother as if he were me, says Paul. If he's done any wrong, put it on my tab, but how can he? Philemon is indebted to Paul, his spiritual father for his very life, verse 19. Philemon, remember, has already refreshed the hearts of the saints, verse 7. Verse 12, remember, omnisimus is Paul's very heart. So it's clear, isn't it, that if Philemon is to refresh Paul's heart in verse 20, then he needs to love his brother omnisimus by welcoming him back for a start. And based on the wonderful work which God is already doing through Philemon, Paul is certain that Philemon will do even more than welcome his brother. Perhaps he may send him back to Paul as a co-worker in the gospel. Perhaps he may set him free. The letter closes on a confident note that gospel ministry will continue. The gospel work is teamwork, that Philemon and the church which meets in his home need God's grace in this challenging situation. As we listen into the letter, what has God been saying to us today through the main characters of the letter? Paul, Philemon and omnisimus. Paul reminds us of grace, doesn't he? You'll notice that the book begins and ends, verse 3 and 25 with grace. In fact, though the word might not be present in the middle, grace is still there, isn't it, in the actions of Paul? What does Paul do? He initiates and facilitates reconciliation between Philemon and omnisimus. How so? By taking upon himself the cost of omnisimus's wrongdoing, substituting himself in omnisimus's place so that he might be forgiven. Love between these brothers. Love between believers is styled on, shaped by God's love for us. Did God not at his own initiative send his son, the Lord Jesus, as a substitutionary atonement for us that we might be reconciled to him? So when you're thinking through the question, how do I love my brother and sister that has wronged me? Or how do I help other believers love each other? Ask yourself, how did, how does God love me? Is my behaviour proclaiming the gospel of grace and peace? Am I promoting a peaceful reconciliation? Is there a cost that I can bear that will restore this relationship? Am I willing to forgive? Have I granted my forgiveness to this repentant person? Don't forget promoting reconciliation is the responsibility of the whole church collectively and individually. This matter is not private. It's the whole church that needs to support Philemon in making a peaceful decision. It's the whole church that needs to welcome this man back into its fellowship. Just imagine the whole church embracing omnisimus as he walked among them, not as omnisimus the slave, but omnisimus the brother. Reconcile to God, to Philemon and now back to us. So I ask you today, does this gathering of brothers and sisters ooze forgiving reconciling grace? Our reputation among outsiders must improve and it will if you put in the hard work to love one another. Philemon on the other hand is a glowing example of a brother who actively demonstrates his allegiance to Jesus by loving his people. That's what Paul thanks God for and what he prays will continue and what brings him and the believers joy and encouragement. Philemon is a great example to us of brotherly and sisterly love, but Philemon is also a Christian master. As such he is to treat his slaves fairly without threats, remembering that he too has a master in heaven. Philemon as a Christian slave owner isn't to abuse his authority but to exercise it with gentleness and grace. Now by the grace of God Philemon has a slave turned Christian. How should he see this individual and flowing from that? How should he treat this person who as in some way wronged him? Verse 16 makes it crystal clear that first and foremost omnisimus is now to Philemon a dear brother. His primary identification is no longer defined by any worldly category, no longer a slave says Paul, but better than a slave. That's why Paul doesn't attack the institution of slavery because one standing in this life is irrelevant to their standing before God. So take a look around at each other. What do you see? Age, sexual orientation, financial position, gender, nationality, relationship status, physical appearance, irrelevant in God's eyes. If a person has placed their trust in Jesus alone they are first and foremost equal brothers and sisters in Christ. Or as Paul says elsewhere there's neither June or Greek, slave nor free, male or female for you are all one in Christ Jesus. What happened in Philemon's home changed the entire Roman world in just four centuries. The master is a slave of Christ and the slave is free to serve Jesus. What fell into Philemon's lap that day was an opportunity to refresh Paul by doing good, loving a fellow family member. Paul could have side-stepped Philemon but he saw this as an opportunity for Philemon prompted by love to make a loving choice towards his brother and welcome him back. Let the harboring of anger which turns to bitterness have no place in your heart or among you. The words "I will never let go." I will never forget what that person did to me should find no place on our lips at this church. As forgiven sinners we must be willing to forgive whether the person is repentant or not but the granting of forgiveness is only for those who have repented. And don't forget forgiveness doesn't always mean reconciliation is possible as well. Keep on loving each other keep pursuing a deeper family love for each other. Confident of your obedience says Paul knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And lastly omnisimus. This man has an amazing testimony of God's goodness and grace doesn't he? Many slaves became Christians you know he was once useless perhaps he was insubordinate or disrespectful maybe he was less than diligent doing the minimum or just doing it poorly working hard perhaps when Philemon was looking but then slacking off now by hearing and believing the gospel that Christ died for him to pay the punishment for his uselessness and that all of Christ's perfect usefulness was credited to him as a gift changing his status from a stranger to a family member omnisimus became through Christ what he was meant to be useful. Paul bore a son in God's family adopted into the fold as we all are a child of God a member of the body a brick in the temple a brother in Christ omnisimus repented and changed direction from his old life he began the journey of respecting his master of submitting to his authority obeying at first Paul by returning to Philemon and now submitting himself to Philemon's decision omnisimus because of the gospel no doubt obeyed not only when his eye was on him but with sincerity of heart wholeheartedly working with all his heart for Christ keeping in mind his reward in heaven that's the kind of transformation the gospel makes in a repentant forgiven reconciled person useless to useful does your life have evidence of the gospels transforming power I became a Christian about 20 years ago some changes were immediate some changes like I threw out music and got rid of ungodly content I regularly read the Bible and prayed I met with Christians each week I spoke with others about Jesus immediate some other changes were much slower using my words to build others up rather than tear them down still a work in progress being slow and generous in my assessment of others being patient when I drove slow changes perhaps this afternoon you might like to sit and reflect thank God for the work he's already done to make you useful remember the changes he's made with gratitude at the same time list out some of the areas you'd like to see transformed by the gospel this year add them to your prayer list that could be a helpful exercise for the church as a whole as well how has God transformed us in what areas do we still need to change finally I imagine today there are others this morning battling away trying to be a better person perhaps some of you are overwhelmed by mistakes that you've made and feel disheartened that you can't change maybe some of you are thinking like I used to I'm not perfect but I'm not that bad or I'm already useful what do I need Jesus for there could be others that are thinking I'm actually a really good person compared to others I know and maybe you are friends God's word says to us today that all our efforts to get a thumbs up from him are useless useless useless useless it doesn't matter where you rank on the use from the scale in this world what you've done what you're doing and what you will do will not make you deserving of God's thumbs up it doesn't matter who you are in this world your position in this life will get you sorry your position in this life will not get you anywhere with earning God's favor on this you must remember was a nobody a useless and most likely thieving runaway slave but if you transfer your trust to what Jesus has done to save you like I did if you acknowledge that your efforts to win God's favor are useless then you will not only be freely and immediately pardoned for all your sins but you will become somebody in the eyes of the only person that ultimately matters God you will be one of his children welcomed into a relationship with him your brothers and sisters today's a good day to change your allegiance to Jesus if you haven't yet please come and talk if that's you the grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit amen let me pray our gracious God we give thanks to you for this letter which tells us about your wonderful grace and your great love for us thank you that Jesus entered into the world and took our place that we might be forgiven and reconciled to you that we might join your family and have brothers and sisters father help us to act like it in the way we treat each other father help us to be diligent to show our faith in our love for each other and father we pray through your grace and in your blessing that this church might be a great beacon in reservoir and might draw many more souls to yourself amen