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Text: Philemon 8-17
Title: “Being in Christ Changes all
Things”
hesis: In Christ makes all things possible
Reading: Rms. 8:1-9
Intro.:
The Bible says, “But
of God are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30)
The first 7 verses of Philemon set the tone for
the rest of the book. The central
message is that being in Christ makes all things possible, including the
reconciliation between a run-away slave and a well-to-do master.
The story of slavery in the Roman Empire at the
time of the New Testament is a complicated one. It has been asked why the early
churches didn't denounce slavery, but the characteristics of slavery were not
universal enough to allow for such a simple, sweeping response.
Slavery in New Testament times had shades of
early American chattel slavery, modern carnal trafficking, Old Testament debt
bondage, and even apprenticeships and internships. Some slaves were kidnapped,
and other slaves owned slaves of their own. Some worked at hard labor their
whole lives while others became business partners with their owners. There was
no set pattern to oppose.
The Bible says, “But
of God are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption”
We do not know the individual circumstances between Onesimus and
Philemon. On one hand, and according to Paul, Philemon’s household was dedicated
to the Lord Jesus Christ .
Certainly, any slaves, of whatever position, would have been treated fairly and
kindly. On the other hand, Onesimus may have wanted his freedom to pursue his
own interests, and, perhaps, travel-lust. Certainly his trip to Rome was a long
and dangerous journey. So we are
brought face to face with two conflicting personalities, expectations and
circumstances. How this will play out is revealed in the remainder of this book.
Paul is the mediator, but Christ brings about the actual solution to this
problem.
The Bible says, “But
of God are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption”
Text: Philemon 8-17
-- “Being in Christ Changes all Things” -- prayer
I. THE RESULTS OF BEING IN CHRIST
(from Philemon) (v6, 8)
Note: Being in Christ
is the Great Equalizer. No one is better than anyone else; all are children of
one heavenly Father. We may have differing roles in God’s economy, but those
roles do not mean that we are superior or inferior to another.
8 results of being in
Christ from our text:
A. First,
We Acknowledge that every Good (“godly”)
Thing in Us is Because, and Only Because, We are in Christ (v6)
1. This, then, makes the
sharing of our faith effective
1. Bold = “free and fearless
confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance”
2. To enjoin (“command”) others to do
their “duty” (that which is convenient).
a. Paul’s role was as an apostle
Phil. 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
b. The question is not “Can you,” but “Will you?”
C. Third, In Christ This Boldness is
Restrained by Love (v9a)
1. Agape = “sacrificial love” (doing
what is best for another person without expectation of a return)
2. To beseech instead of command
(spiritual discernment)
a. Beseech = “to call to one’s side,” “exhorting and comforting and
encouraging”
Paul gave this advice in 2 Cor. 12:6
“For though I would desire to glory
(“make myself known”), I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth:
but now I forbear (“abstain”),
lest any man should think of me above that
which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.”
1. The experience of age (“old man,”
perhaps 60 yrs.) or
2. The experience of surrender
(maturity, any age)
a. Here, again, is the defining position of the mature Christian; A
prisoner of Jesus Christ (v1)
Note: Before
salvation, but under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, you are a disciple
(“a learner, follower”). At
salvation you become a saint (not your choice). As you grow and mature you
become a servant (God’s leading, your decision). As you reach full maturity
(Bible calls it “perfection”) (God’s desire, your decision), you become a
prisoner (“one bound, a captive”) of Christ. This is the result of your becoming
a living sacrifice;
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”
(Rom. 12:1-2).
1. To intercede for another
a. Paul’s son, Onesimus (“profitable, useful”) in the faith of Jesus
Christ
b. Whom I have begotten (“converted”) (personal responsibility)
1) In Paul’s bonds (“bound in chains”) (despite the circumstances, i.e.,
a prisoner of Rome & of Christ)
2) Paul, in bonds to Christ & Rome, brought Onesimus to Christ, who was
bound in sin.
1. The past
a. Onesimus was to Philemon unprofitable (“useless”)
2. The present
a. But now profitable (“useful”)
1) To Philemon in particular
Note: Philemon has only known Onesimus as useless, but Philemon knows the change that trusting Christ can make in a person. (v1, 5)
a) Who Paul would have retained (“held back”)
(v13)
b) Who took Philemon’s place
c) Who would have kept on ministering (“serving”) to Paul
d) Despite Paul’s bonds in
the gospel (“good news”)
(1) So Paul was bound to Christ, bound by Rome & now bound in the Gospel.
Be bound by the totality of the Word of God!
G. Seventh, In Christ Reality Does Not
Change Right & Wrong (v12)
1. Paul sent Onesimus back to
Philemon (1,311 miles)
2. Paul beseeched Philemon to receive
Onesimus
3. Paul beseeched Philemon to receive
Onesimus as if Philemon was receiving Paul’s own bowels (“the seat of tender
affections”)
H. Eighth, In Christ the Ultimate
Response is the Responsibility of the Injured Party (v14)
1. Paul leaves the decision to
Philemon’s mind (“approval”; “that which should be done”)
2.
Paul interjects that this will be to Philemon’s benefit (“advantage”)
3. The benefit to Philemon of
Onesimus will not come of necessity (Paul’s “imposition”), but of Philemon’s
[“voluntary”] willingness
a. Force may work for the short term, but not for the long term
1.
Perhaps (man’s questioning nature)
a. Onesimus departed for a season (“a definite time”)
1) Notice Paul does not say, “Ran away”!
b. Perhaps Onesimus’ departure was for a higher reason
1) That Onesimus would come to Christ
2) That Philemon would receive Onesimus for ever (“without end”) because
he came to Christ & was profitable
1. Not now as a servant (which
Onesimus was)
2. But now above a servant
3. But now a beloved brother
a. Especially to Paul (firsthand experience)
4. But more to Philemon (no
experience, but the word of a trusted brother-in-Christ)
a. Both (at the same time)
1) In the flesh (a servant)
2) In the Lord (a brother in Christ)
Note: Paul said, “In
the flesh I am a prisoner of Rome, but in the Lord I am a prisoner of Christ,
and in the spirit I am a prisoner of the Gospel.”
1. “Since” Philemon counted (“to hold
as”) Paul a partner (“a companion’ in ministry) (v1)
2. Receive Onesimus as myself
Note: Paul is saying,
“Do not receive Onesimus as you knew him, but receive him as you know me. We are
spiritually one and the same.
Concl.: What a
difference Christ makes in the lives of men. I trust that you have experienced
this difference.
Christ made Paul bold to speak to a brother in love. Christ
made Philemon willing to listen to a brother in love. And Christ made a new-born
baby in Christ, not only willing to serve his spiritual benefactor, but to
return to his master.
Perhaps the most profound knowledge gained from being in
Christ is that “…without Me ye can do
nothing (an absolute negative)”
(Jn. 15:5).
Without living out your life in
Christ, you will lack boldness, love, restraint, maturity, discernment, wisdom
(reality), full understanding of right & wrong, how to deal with others, how to
accept God’s will, how to elevate others instead of yourself, and how to partner
with others in your service for Christ.
Being “in Christ” is a work of God, but living
“in Christ” is a matter of your determination.
Are you determined today?
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