the Burdened Partner (v. 17-25) http://cdn1.pastorgraphics.com/ thumbs/29710_philemon_t_sm.jpg Paul had not founded the church in Colossae nor had he visited it Church started as a result of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus through Epaphras (elder) Paul’s ministry was a “team” operation, and he often included the names of his associates (“fellow workers”) when he wrote his letters http://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/colossae.j pg?w=450 Col. 2:1 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. Col. 1:7-8 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. http://images.publicradio.org/content/2010/12/07/20101207_hc1_53.JPG New Testament churches met in homes, and perhaps the church in Philemon’s house was one of two assemblies in Colossae Paul had won Philemon to faith in Christ (v. 19), praying for him Man of love and faith (v. 5) Philemon became a blessing to other Christians (v. 7) Col. 4:15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. Outline of Philemon Paul, the Beloved Friend (v. 1-7) Paul, the Intercessor (v. 8-16) Paul, the Burdened Partner (v. 17-25) http://cdn1.pastorgraphics.com/ thumbs/29710_philemon_t_sm.jpg 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire Average slave sold for 500 denari Day’s wage = one denari 50k denari for a skilled and educated slave Slave ran away = “wanted list” Not automatically returned Not automatically put to death http://www.lakemiltonchurchofchr ist.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/thebookofphilemon1.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPed7 TfUa6g/TjU_k6H7UEI/AAAAAAAAErY/Dt0rjp-6DL0/s1600/ITALY_2DENARI.jpg Paul’s Five Strong Appeals for Onesimus Philemon’s reputation as a man who brought blessings to others (character) Could he be a blessing to one of his own slaves who had just been saved ! http://www.bccns.com/history/slavery/chains.JPG Paul’s Five Strong Appeals for Onesimus Appeal in Christian love (v. 9) Not apostolic authority Paul’s personal situation Aged (likely around 60yoa) Prisoner of Jesus Christ http://thirdwayliving.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Paul-Priso n.jpg Paul’s Five Strong Appeals for Onesimus Conversion of Onesimus (v. 10) Not “just a slave” Paul’s son in the faith Philemon’s Christian brother This did not alter his legal position as a slave Did not cancel his debt to the law or his master http://oneyearbibleimages.com/philemon.jpg Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Paul’s Five Strong Appeals for Onesimus Onesimus was valuable to Paul in his ministry in Rome (v.11-14) Onesimus = useful or profitable Philemon = affectionate or one who is kind Voluntary sacrifice and service, motivated by love, is what the Lord wants from His children http://hookedonthebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PHILEMON- ILLUSTRATION2.jpg Paul’s Five Strong Appeals for Onesimus Providence of God (v.15-16) God is in control Onesimus left for Rome a slave, but he would return to Colossae a brother in Christ http://rlv.zcache.com/god_is_in_control_memo_mousepad-p144930487001530795envq7_400.jpg Paul tenderly convinced his friend Philemon that he should receive his disobedient slave and forgive him Not would be easy for Philemon to do this If he was too easy on Onesimus, it might influence other slaves and masters If he was too hard, it might affect Philemon’s testimony and ministry in Colassae http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6roKK A-Tm4s/TmeUJlaTanI/AAAAAAAAADw/_ffyPtxFWNI/s1600/what_to_do_slimcase.jpg http://www.msconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Philemon-Series-2012web.jpg Paul will offer the perfect solution It will be a costly solution, as far as the apostle was concerned, but he was willing to pay the price Outline of Philemon Paul, the Beloved Friend (v. 1-7) Paul, the Intercessor (v. 8-16) Paul, the Burdened Partner (v. 17-25) http://cdn1.pastorgraphics.com/ thumbs/29710_philemon_t_sm.jpg v.17 Paul volunteered to become a “business partner” with Philemon and help him solve the problem with Onesimus “Receive him as myself” “Put that (whatever he stole) on my account” Legal promissory note Paul led Philemon to Christ “The Doctrine of Imputation” To impute means = “to put it on account” When Jesus Christ died on the cross, yours/my sins were put on His account; and He was treated the way we/I should have been treated When we trust Jesus Christ as Saviour, His righteousness was put on my account; and now God accepts me in Jesus Christ Eph. 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Grace is love that pays a price !! Concerning Slavery Paul did not condemn slavery in this letter or in any of his letters, though he often had a word of admonition for slaves and their masters Message of the Gospel is primarily to individuals, and only secondarily to society It acts on spiritual and moral sentiment, and only afterwards and consequently on deeds or institutions http://www.lakemiltonchurchofchrist.org/wp-content/uploads/2012 /04/thebookofphilemon1.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fpqIRz7QU9U/TFuLCfA3T3I/AAAAAAAABFI/9w4BKri6Hkk/s1600/Joseph_life.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSD6yemPius/Tk1Tk6bI-mI/AAAAAAAAAxM/7 lCpZ26u3oo/s1600/Esther-and-the-King.jpg http://pjcockrell.files.wordpre ss.com/2011/05/daniel-1.jpg Colossians 3:22 – 4:1 http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YFzsRFwtXk/TdRBlO1M3AI/AAAAAAAAFL8/4KatLunGquo/s1600/philemon-title- slide-slide011.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CcHV2wFn640/TTSMj-jdaqI/AAAAAAAAHNs/0o_h1fkXdV4/s1600/MLK%2B1.jpg Dr. Martin Luther King said, “All of us are Onesimuses !” What the Father has done for us in Jesus Christ http://eaglesinleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/forgiveness_banner.jpg Conclusion As Paul intercedes for a slave, so Christ intercedes for us, slaves to sin As Onesimus was reconciled to Philemon, so we are reconciled to God through Christ As Paul offered to pay the debts of a slave, so Christ paid our debt to sin on the cross http://www.drgrantmullen.com/media_centre/canadacart/images/cd_cover_forgiveness.jpg http://www.birthpangs.org/articles/images/forgive/cant%20forgive.jpg http://spiritualjourney101.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/forgiveness2.jpg Definition of Forgiveness Forgiveness is the renunciation or cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as 'to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offense or debt'. http://mtmoriahbaptist.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/long_paul_in_prison_lg.jpg Which Book in the Bible ? Devoted to forgiveness Written by the Apostle Paul One of four of the prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) One of Paul’s four books addressed to individuals (I & II Timothy, Titus, and Philemon) Paul’s only one chapter book Paul' Letter to Philemon PowerPoint Template | slide 1 http://helenlickeris.ipage.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/brick_wall_.jpg http://www.cocorioko.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/jesus-on-the-cross.jpg http://readthisblog.net/wp-content/photos/ThroughWalls.jpg Col. 3:11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,  circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. No one is lost to God or beyond his love !! Background to Philemon Letter written by Paul from Rome in A.D. 60 or 61 while in prison on house arrest Letter written to Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus Onesimus Coverted by Paul while in prison Runaway slave, by Roman Law could be put to death Fled to Rome http://www.ev-kirche-kleinmachnow.de/bilder/materialarchiv/Onesimus/Onesimus.gif http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0031.jpg Background to Philemon (cont.) Philemon Christian leader of the church in Colossae Met in his home Benevolent man Owner of Onesimus Wife-Apphia Theme of this Brief Letter Paul writes the letter to Philemon and asks him to take Outline of Philemon Paul, the Beloved Friend (v. 1-7) Paul, the Intercessor (v. 8-16) Paul, Philemon back as a beloved brother in Christ In Christ we are one family without walls of racial, economic, or political differences http://dribbble.s3.amazonaws.co m/users/27096/screenshots/306702/philemon.png Outline of Philemon Paul, the Beloved Friend (v. 1-7) Paul, the Intercessor (v. 8-16) Paul, the Burdened Partner (v. 17-25) http://cdn1.pastorgraphics.com/ thumbs/29710_philemon_t_sm.jpg