Victory Over Injustice

Series: Victory in Jesus

Title: Victory over Injustice

Text: Philemon 10-18

Title: Victory over Injustice

Introduction:

How do we handle inequity? Everyone experiences injustice.

Cultural injustice:

Ill – From the Crusades of the European, (11th-16th Century Millions Killed) to the murderous Ottoman empire (Non-Muslims made slaves 13th-19th Century) to the slavery of early America to the horrific killings of Hitler (30’s and 40’s 6 million Jews murdered) and Stalin, our planet abounds with injustice and hatred.

Ill – In his excellent book, Light in the Shadow of Jihad, author Ravvi Zacharias tells us of the last words of Mohammed: “Oh Lord perish the Jews and the Christians that there be no two faiths in Arabia.” Yes, Christians have also suffered injustice throughout the centuries.

Ill – In Iraq, lives are threatened…beheadings…

Personal Injustice:

In the opening words of this epistle, the Apostle Paul refers to himself as the prisoner of the Lord.

Colossians 4:18

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Note – In verse 1 the term “prisoner” is bond slave (doulos) to Jesus Christ.

The book of Philemon is the only book in the New Testament written to an individual rather than to a group of believers or to a local church.

While in Rome he had met a runaway slave named Onesimus.

Ill – During that time, there were some 600,000 slaves in the Roman Empire.

Note – As a fellow believer, Paul greatly appreciated Philemon. – verses 4-7

Note – Paul is writing to encourage Philemon to restore fellowship with Onesimus.

Note – We believe that Jesus is the key to restoration of fellowship.

I.The Reality of Injustice – verses 8-11

A.Onesimus was considered an unprofitable servant. – verse 11

Note – The word “unprofitable” means useless.

Note – We must remember that all men have a profitable purpose in Christ. He created them for a divine purpose.

Note – Repentance is a change of mind and direction. The evidence of a changed heart through salvation is the outward result of a changed life seen in the change of behavior. When one is truly saved, his life will change from the inside out.

2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ill – In David McCollogh’s book on John Adams he tells of when our second President was living in Philadelphia, and how he and Abigail befriended a black boy named James Prince. The local school refused to allow him to attend. Mrs. Adams demanded that the boy be allowed to attend. She said, “Is this the Christian principle of doing unto others as we would have others do to us? I hope that we shall all go to Heaven together!”

Onesimus was saved but still suffering. – verse 11

Note – God never promised that every day a Christian would be without injustice

1 Peter 4:12-16

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Ill – A mature Christian does not emphasize his rights. He emphasizes his responsibility to reach a lost world.

Ill – Chinese Christians

The Revelation of Christian Grace – verses 6, 12-16

Note – We cannot remove every wrong feeling or injustice from society, but we can be instruments of the grace of God in this world.

Love every believer in Christ. – verses 6-7

James 2:1-4

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, and or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Note – Verse 9 – Paul beseeched in loves’ sake. “Beseech” – parakalew parakaleo: to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon)

Note – In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Do not waste your time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor, act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less.”

Encourage every believer in Christ.

Note – The only time we withdraw from a brother is when he is walking disorderly.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

(Disorderly in Greek is “Ataktos” speaking of those who refuse to work, and gossip)

Review him—he is profitable. – verse 13

Ill – Ted Stallard undoubtedly qualifies as one of “the least;” turned off by school, very sloppy in appearance, expressionless, unattractive. Even his teacher, Miss Thompson, enjoyed bearing down her red pen – as she placed X’s beside his many wrong answers.

If only she had studied his records more carefully. They read:

1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation.

2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother is seriously ill—receives little help from home.

3rd grade: Ted is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.

4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.

Christmas arrived. The children piled elaborately wrapped gifts on their teacher’s desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch Tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted’s package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker. But she silenced them by splashing some of the perfume on her wrist, and letting them smell it. She put the bracelet on too.

At the day’s end, after the other children had left, Ted came by the teacher’s desk and said, “Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks real pretty on you. I’m glad you like my presents.” He left. Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her and to change her attitude.

The next day, the children were greeted by a reformed teacher—one committed to loving each of them—especially the slow ones, especially Ted. Surprisingly, or maybe, not surprisingly, Ted began to show great improvement. He actually caught up with most of the students and even passed a few.

Time came and went. Miss Thompson heard nothing from Ted for a long time. Then, one day, she received this note:

Dear Miss Thompson:

I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Ted.

Four years later, another note arrived:

Dear Miss Thompson:

They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Ted

And four years later:

Dear Miss Thompson:

As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; dad died last year.

Miss Thompson attended that wedding, and sat where Ted’s mother would have sat. The compassion she had shown that young man entitled her to that privilege.

Let’s have some real courage, and start giving to “one of the least.” He may become a Ted Stallard. Even if that doesn’t happen, we would have been faithful to the One who has always treated us – as unworthy as we are – like very special people.

Received him as a brother – verse 12,16

Ill – Peter visited a Gentile man named Cornelius.

Acts 10:28-34

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not all any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I asked therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and hold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.

Ill – Several years ago the Governor of Massachusetts was attending a Bar-B-Q Dinner. He was tired and hungry. Hesitating a bit, he asked for an additional piece. The lady said, “No.” He asked, “Do you know who I am?” She said, “Do you know who I am?” He said, “No.” She said, “The lady passing out the chicken!”

The Restoration of Fellowship – verses 17-21

Note – Injustice often creates division and jealousy.

Based on Forgiveness – verse 17-18

Forgiveness cannot be mandated.

Note – Paul could have forced Philemon to a decision based on apostolic authority – verses 8-9

Forgiveness is based on imputation. – verses 17-18

Note – If you count me a partner. Greek word for partner is “Koinania,” which is having fellowship, or receiving into the family circle.

Ephesians 4:31-32

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ill – Ephesians 1:6 – We are accepted in the beloved.

Ill – “Amazing Grace” – Americans’ favorite hymn according to the Gallup Poll – was written by the former captain of a slave ship. That “wretch,” John Newton, eventually became an Anglican minister and worked to abolish the slave trade.

Note – Put that on my account.

Note – Forgiveness will do what legislation will not do, and forgiveness will do what demonstration will not do.

Ill – Professional baseball pitcher Curt Shilling has had 47 wins and 11 losses since the beginning of 2001. A reporter asked him if he was angry with Barry Bonds over an incident earlier in the season. Schilling said, “We had a falling out, but since I became a Christian in 1997, I lost my ability to hate anybody.”

B.Brings Great Joy – verse 20

Note – Webster defines the term “reconcile” as “a return to harmony, to make compatible.”

Quote – “God is not as interested in assigning blame as He is in solving the problem.”

Luke 15:21-24

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, 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.

Conclusion:

Injustice and broken relationships abound in America today. But the grace of God can make a difference. Martin Luther once said, “We are all God’s Onesimus.”

Isaiah 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Yet Jesus Christ came to reconcile us to God. Jesus says, “Put this on My account.”

Isaiah 1:18

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: thou your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Note – Jesus has offered you forgiveness – Will you receive it?

Note – Jesus Christ has freed us from the slavery of sin. We don’t have to work.