9
Philemon 17-25
“Restoring Beyond Expectation”
Introduction:
The book of Philemon is the only personal letter Paul wrote that made it into the canonized scripture.
2 actors in this play, with narrator, “the apostle Paul”:
· Philemon – Roman slave owner
· Onesimus – rebellious slave who did wrong to Philemon as a slave, and now, though he is born again and is a fellow pastor of Paul, he needs to get things right with man, and the law.
Note:
Church is not a refuge, it is place that is full of bunch of sinners, and struggling human beings, in various season of their pilgrimage as a believers.
1 Corinthians 1:26–29
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
It is true the church is a family, BUT a dis-functional one:
John 13:35
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
God is truly present at CCSD, because they are a bunch of idiots that should be killing each other, but they keep being forgiving, loving and kind to each other.
Philemon 17 Receive…as you would me
Philemon 17
17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
A. receive him (the slave, the thief, the insubordinate criminal):
As Jesus has received us!!!!
No better picture of that, than the story of the Prodigal son:
Luke 15:22–24
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
If you are thinking that the Prodigal son was luck to have such gracious father.
The Bible makes it clear we have such a gracious Savior like that everyday:
Hebrews 4:14–16
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
John 1:12
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
What does it “NOT” look like to receive:
Older brother of the Prodigal son story Luke 15:
Luke 15:25–32
25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”
B. as you would me:
Paul is walking in the steps of Jesus..
Paul is saying, as you would receive “me” Paul, but we can sense the Holy Spirit the real author of all the Bible, saying, “as you would receive JESUS”.
Matthew 25:37–40
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
What does it mean to receive “like you would Jesus”
What is the right heart of receiving?
5 Levels of truly forgiving and receiving:
1. I forgive you – but you keep the person at a distance, never see them.
2. I forgive you – Not mad, but you give a cold shoulder, make them uncomfortable, unwanted, and ignore them.
3. Fake Christian love – “Hey brother good to see you, you look great, God bless you, did you loose some weight, we have to get together and catch up, God bless you, see you later.” (That makes me sick)
4. Mostly Forgive - don’t mind seeing them or being around them a bit, but it is still not in your heart to truly bless them and do good to them.
5. True forgiveness you go beyond what anyone expects you to do, you forgive and restore beyond expectation. That is the Jesus style.
Matthew 5:44
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Example:
· Prodigal son – Luke 15
· Mephibosheth – 2 Samuel 9
2 Samuel 9:1
1 Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Samuel 9:11 a
11 …... “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.”
2 Samuel 9:13
13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.
This is the heart of Jesus!
Ephesians 2:5–7
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Exodus 34:5–7a
5 Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.
6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, ……..
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Philemon 18 …charge it to my account
Philemon 18
18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
A. “If” he has wronged you or owes anything:
2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
1 Corinthians 6:7
7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
rather accept wrong – “Suffer the Loss”
This is right, but it amazes me when people smugly say, “just take it, suffer the loss, and move on, be the more righteous one, be the bigger Christian”.
This is right, but impossible with man.
That is why, even though David messed up in so many ways, he got this one right, and it is an important one. David truly was “A man after God’s own heart, who did all His will”
Jonah couldn’t do it:
He was angry that God wanted him to show the people God’s mercy.
He knew the mercy and grace of God so clearly (for an Old Testament dude!) But he could apply it to these “Isis” evil guys in Mosul Iraq (ancient Assyria). When God said, “can’t you have compassion on the 120,000 infants and toddlers”? NO! “What about all the animals”?
That is the end of the story.
Like Jonah we are a wicked, vengeful people:
Romans 12:21
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Hebrews 12:14–15
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
1 Peter 1:6–7
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
God is testing you and stretching you to become more like Jesus.
And that we continue to remember that the power is not in us, or of us:
It takes a miracle, but must forgive!!!!!!!!
Luke 6:27–36
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:37–38
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Matthew 6:12–13
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:14–15
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Note: God has such a since of Humor,
Today, we might be a “Philemon” (the one you has been wronged and has all the power in this situation, being the guy in the right), but tomorrow will we most certainly be someone’s Onesimus as well.
Be a good “Philemon” today, so when it is your turn to be a “Onesimus” you will be receiving blessing of mercy and forgiveness, as you freely gave such blessings.
Matthew 10:8 b
8 … Freely you have received, freely give.
B. put that on my account:
How did Jesus bring life, forgiveness and restoration to us?
By His death.
Cross – “It is finished = Paid in full”
Our flesh wants:
· Revenge
· Them to suffer as they made us suffer
· We want to be declared right and them wrong
Our flesh wants to be comforted, but Jesus say’s no, you comfort:
2 Corinthians 2:7
7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
2 Corinthians 4:7–12
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Jesus on the cross:
Jesus says to the Thief (like Onesimus) –
I totally forgive you, (even those hurtful remarks you made just a minute ago) and today you will be with me “IN PARADISE”!!!
“Forgiveness and Restoration Beyond Expectation”