Wednesday Afternoon Week 6

Text: Philemon 1:8-25

This week we talked about how Paul takes on a sacrificial lifestyle for Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave who served in Philemon's household. While he was there, he sinned against Philemon. Most likely, he stole from him. Unfortunately for Onesimus, this crime was punishable by death.

So Onesimus was imprisoned in Rome, where he met Paul. Paul spent time getting to know him, while in chains, and shared with him the saving Gospel of Jesus. This letter is a passionate plea from paul to Philemon, a church leader, to welcome back his slave as a brother, and charge Paul with the payment that Onesimus still owed Philemon.

Couple things from our discussion.

1. What was Philemon's role with sharing the Gospel with Onesimus before he stole from him? We don't have a clue, but I would imagine it must be hard to hear the Gospel from someone who masters over you. We need to take a humble approach, coming along side other sin order to share the Gospel.

2. Paul does just that. As a fellow prisinor, Paul gets to spend day and night with Onesimus. During these times, as a brother and fellow inmate, Paul has the change to get to know this societal outcast. During these times, Paul is able to share a little more of the mystery of God.

3. Paul takes on Onesimus' punishment. Actually imitating the work of Christ. What a difference it makes for someone to lay down their own life for another. He was willing to take on whatever debt Onesimus owed Philemon.

4. "Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love." (vv. 8-9) Paul says I could command that you forgive, but I'm going to give you the chance to do what is right. Are we keeping forgiveness from people in our lives, or toward the people we are attempting to serve? If so, we know what we ought to do, and if that's not reason enough... we know the love of Jesus, and what he would have us do.