Practicing Paraklesis in Our Preaching
Practicing Paraklesis in our Preaching
Text-Driven Preaching Workshop
Philemon 8-16
Deron J. Biles
Introduction:
Paul said in 1 Tim. 4:13 – “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.”
Ill. There is no constitutional right of appeal …
- But, in ministry, it is not only our right, but our responsibility
- We are called to be exhorters!
-- The message of the book involves forgiveness; it implies restoration of fellowship; but as we get into the heart of the letter, we see that it is ABOUT appealing for what is right.
Vs. 8 - You and I both know – I could tell you what to do …
The word for “Appeal” = Parakaleo (9, 10) [noun form – paraklesis]
Acts 13:15-16 - “And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it." And Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, he said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen”
The word Luke used for Paul’s exhortation is the same word that Paul uses here in Philemon … I appeal to you – that appeal is the central focus of the letter
- The one who formerly was useless (vs. 11)
- Who I am sending back (vs. 12)
- Who I wish to keep with me (vs. 13)
The word, parakaleo, is a rich word in Greek:
- Can mean “to call to;” invite (Acts 8:31 – Ethiopian Eunich invited Philip into chariot to explain the Word to him)
- Can mean comfort (It’s the word Paul uses here in vs. 7; also 2 Cor 1:5-7 – comfort with comfort with which we have been comforted)
- Paraklete – John 14:26 – the “Comforter,” the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
- Can mean urge or exhort (Rom. 12:1-2 – “I urge you;” 2 Cor. 5:20 – we urge you … be reconciled to Christ)
More than a suggestion, but less than a command
- While it is true that much of our preaching must address the indicative mood, we must never lose the compulsion of the hortative mood in our preaching.
- When you stand in the pulpit and plead for sinners to come to Christ, you parakaleo; when you comfort those who have been grieved, you parakaleo; when you call people to a deeper understanding of God and His Word or more faithful obedience to His will, you parakaleo!
-- If you aren’t appealing; you’re probably appeasing!
- We are called to appeal!
- In actuality, there are three people who are being persuaded in this passage: Philemon, Paul, and Onesimus
- Note – Paul says, “I am sending him back” => implies Onesimus’s willingness to go
- As you and I practice paraklesis in our preaching, there are some important principles that we learn from Paul
Declares Principle and not Preference (8, 13)
- It’s about what’s right, not about what I want
- Ultimately, our job as ministers of the Gospel is to speak truth like it is truth, because truth doesn’t blush and it doesn’t bend!
- It IS about what is right, but it’s NOT about my preference
- Clearly, Paul has a preference … It is “fitting” - ἀνήκω (aneko)
lit. Your Duty!
- We are a people of MANY preferences today in the church!
Ill. The “Preference-Driven Church”
- Some in the church even prefer their own preferences to the point of NOT coming rather than coming and not getting our preferences
- Pew vs. chairs
- Hymns vs. choruses
- Early service vs. late service
- Suits & ties vs. casual dress
- KJV vs. NKJV vs. NASB
- Charismatic preaching vs. conversational style
- Our preferences have become the shibboleth by which we choose our churches.
Paul models for us the balance
- I HAVE a preference! But, I’m willing to concede my preference!
Appealing for what’s right can’t just be about what’s appealing to me
Draws on Passion and not Pressure (9, 10; 8)
- It grows out of my love, not out of obligation
- Note in the text how Paul demonstrates his love for both Philemon and for Onesimus
- Philemon (vs. 7, 9 “for love’s sake); Onesimus (vs. 10 - “my son;” vs. 16 “beloved”) INSTEAD – for Love’s sake …
- Out of his love for Onesimus – Paul appeals TO Philemon; out of his love for Philemon, he appeals to him – rather than direct him
- Paul’s love for these brothers is the passion that drives the text
- But, it is that love that drives Paul to appeal and NOT command (vs. 8)
- I have the authority on my own to command it of you
- On occasion, Paul made use of his Apostalic authority
Demands Practice and not Pretense (12-13)
- It’s about my demonstration of what is right, not my rationalization for what I want
- You and I have no authority to encourage people to live what we do not practice
Ill. Ezra 7:10
-- That’s the correct order!
- My doing right is not contingent on YOUR doing right
- Paul, unashamedly, suggests that what HE wants Philemon to do is right (“fitting”)!
- BUT … Whether or not you do what you should do, I WILL do what I should do. What I do isn’t based on what you will or will not do
Pleading for what is right doesn’t mean everyone will DO what is right; Indeed, it means giving them the opportunity to choose to do wrong
There are no guarantees in pleading - It Risks my rejection!
I’m sending him back!
- Clearly, this was not an easy decision for Paul – doing right seldom is
I’m sending him back … my very heart
my very heart (splagchnon)
Literally, my “insides;” “my bowels” (vs. 12)
- Some translations have the word “προσλαβοῦ (Aorist imperative of proslambano) “receive him” here in vs. 12 in the same form as it occurs in vs. 17; other translations only have it in vs. 17 to the appeal requesting that Philemon “receive” Onesimus as he would receive Paul.
- The sense of the passage is the same either way
- So, Paul isn’t expecting Philemon to do something he is not willing to practice himself
- I’m sending him back (because it is the right thing for me to do)
- But, notice that it is not about rationalization (vs. 13)
- It would have been easy for Paul to find reasons to justify keeping Onesimus with him
-- under the pretense that he is performing some service to me on your behalf
- He’s doing good for me; he’s doing good for the kingdom; even, he’s doing good on behalf of Philemon
- Think of all the good he could do …
Ill. Wasn’t that the temptation of Jesus by satan?
- Bow down and worship me – and I’ll give you all of this …
Demonstrates Persuasion and not Presumption (14-15)
- It’s about persuasion; not presumption
- Word for consent (gnome) – judgment; conclusion
- That words is used twice Rev. 17:17 – God put it in their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind.
-- I don’t want to do anything, if you are not persuaded …
NOW … Paul’s appeal is not without persuasion:
- Paul, the aged -- I’m an old man (presbutes – where we get term, elder)
- Surely, Philemon will not refuse a request from an old man!
- I’m in prison (a prisoner of Jesus, by the way!)
- He is my son (not the guy who robbed you – my child; Paul only called 3 people “son”)
- Begotten in my chains
- He was useless to YOU anyway
- All of us can tell stories of who we “used to be”
- Fabulous wordplay here on Onesimus’ name
- His name means “useful” or “profitable”
- His name is a synonym for what he was NOT, but now IS!
- NOW, he is useful to us both
- Sending him comes with my insides
- My preference would have been to keep him
- So, he could minister to me
- NOTE: Paul does mention in vs. 19 – Philemon DOES owe Paul his life!
How could anyone say “no” to that!?
- I want you to do right because you want to do what is right; not just because I said it
- I want it to be “voluntary” (vs. 14 - hekousion)
- This is the only occasion of this word in the NT
- But, in the LXX, it is the word that is used for the “free will” offering
- I want this to be your free will offering to God
Nevertheless, I do not presume to know all that God knows!
- Perhaps … τάχα (tacha)
- Word only occurs one other time in NT (Rom. 5:7)
Lit. perhaps he was gone for “an hour” for you to have him back “forever”
Ill. People who claim that hurricanes are God’s judgment
- God HAS used storms as judgment. But not every storm IS God’s judgment
- It would be presumptuous of me to think that
-- That presumes I KNOW the mind of God
Paul is saying – it might be that God has a bigger plan than I am able to see
- Refusing to presume that I know the big picture
-- Maybe God has a bigger plan for YOU than you are able to see