A Runaway Accepted in Christ
1:2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
1:5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
1:6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
1:8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
1:9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you - being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-
1:10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
1:11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 1:12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
1:13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
1:14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
1:15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
1:16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave-a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
1:17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
1:18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
1:19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay - not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
1:20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
1:21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
1:22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Introduction
Is your fridge working? I hope it is working well!
Washing machine going ok?
Did you drive or do you use a car?
If you like watching TV at night, maybe you have had to replaced it or your computer because it did not work well. Because appliances belong to you, you have the right to sell them or disposed of them as you wish.
Using such things leads some people to use people that way. Well, slaves were used like home appliances in Greek and Roman/NT times…In those days there were probably more slaves than free men. “They performed most of the work in the great agricultural estates, they acted as household servants and as clerks in business houses, and publishers employed them as copyists. Where modern enterprises operate by machinery, the ancients used cheap labour.” – slaves.
(Merrill C. Tenney, New Testament Survey, p.50)
Because they were under their owners command, that does not mean all slaves were ignorant. Some were educated and served as administrators or doctors. Some were gladiators and made a lot of money for their owners. Some Greek slaves served as tutors to famous people like Alexander the Great.
Some slaves acquired property and made an income so that they were able to buy their freedom.
Many more were simply servants in private households and did what they were told or they would be punished.
Who was Onesimus?
One such slave was a young man called Onesimus.
His name ‘Onesimus’ means useful…but his master found him to be useless.
Maybe Philemon had told Onesimus that he was useless.
In NT times, slaves were only useful if they could work hard, be honest, not steal from you and if they did not get sick.
They were considered as chattels, bought, owned and sold by their masters.
They were often treated cruelly depending on the society they lived in or the cultural group they were sold into or born into.
Some Roman nobles used them sexually and to do all the menial tasks around the home.
He somehow meets up with an Apostle; no less than the Apostle Paul himself. Perhaps they met up by Onesimus being put into the same prison as the Apostle.
Paul writes to his friend Philemon to speak on Onesimus, the runaway slave’s behalf. Onesimus had surrendered to Jesus Christ and everything had changed.
Because this young man is now a Christian, he has the power to be a useful servant, not only to Paul (13), not only to Philemon (11, 12) but to God and to the community to which he belongs and to wherever God sends him.
A Christian is a Christian in name only unless they are useful to someone other than themselves.
Loving service ought to be the mark of every believer so that Christ can be proclaimed in the world.
Onesimus, who left Philemon, was costing his master instead of helping him through faithful service. He may have paid to get information as to where his slave had gone.
That is why Paul said he would recompense Philemon. Onesimus was supposed to do everything he was told to do. Whenever he failed to do this he could be dispensed with as we might sell off an old fridge or washing machine to someone who may somehow be able to use it for a while…
Onesimus, the young runaway slave, had nothing with which to pay back the employer he had left. Paul kindly offered to pay whatever he owed to Philemon.
Would he be able to have him back not only as a slave but now as a new Christian brother?
Paul had learned that he served and represented the God who accepts the unlovely and rebellious.
Paul had experienced that for himself. He knew in his life that God did that for him and for everyone God has called to Himself.
Paul is prepared to be a mediator, a substitute in fact, so he offers himself like this: v. 17 “If then you count me as a partner, receive him (Onesimus) as you would me.”
4 reasons why Philemon should do what he is asked i.e. to accept Onesimus back:
Matthew Henry suggests:
“1st Argument: Philemon had done good in the past: (7)”
It is always worthwhile doing the very best that you can in whatever God has given you to do. You do not know when that day will come when you will be required to account for the way that you have served the Lord. Also, as in this case, it is our work that commends us to others on earth.
“2nd Argument is from the authority of him that was now making this request to him: ‘I might be very bold in Christ to command you to do that which is convenient…’ (8)”
Paul had divine authority as an Apostle, to command his friend Philemon and to expect Philemon to do as he was asked.
“3rd Argument, Waiving the authority which yet he had to require, he chooses to entreat it of him (9)”
As a church leader and indeed an Apostle (sent by God himself), Paul could have commanded Philemon to take the boy back, but he chooses to ask him instead.
The wisdom of God is easily entreated, it is not forced even if it is demanding. It appeals while others bully, it concedes when others must win at all costs.
“4th Argument, When any circumstance of the person pleading gives additional force to his petition, as here: Being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (9)”
(MH Comm. on Philemon in e-Sword Bible)
Out of respect for an ageing, suffering and imprisoned friend, Philemon is asked to help this young man.
Paul has kindly taken this wayward servant under his wing and wants the master and slave not only to be reconciled but also to accept each other as brothers in Christ.
Runaway slaves have existed throughout history.
Isaiah calls them fugitives: (See Is 45:20)
Matthew Henry calls them refugees.
They have escaped the cruel domination of the nations such as King Cyrus in
All they found there was a “refuge of lies.” (MH)
They were now being welcomed into God’s family such was the grace of the One calling them.
A runaway…
What is the modern voice of the one who is rebelling against God, family, and society; like a latter day prodigal son?
Christopher Cross wrote a song which says it very well…
Christopher Cross – Ride like the Wind
It is the night. My body's weak.
I'm on the run. No time to sleep.
I've got to ride.
Ride like the wind to be free again.
And I got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of
So I'll ride like the wind.
I was born the son of a lawless man.
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand.
Lived nine lives
gunned down ten.
Gonna ride like the wind.
And I got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of
So I'll ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.
Accused and tried and told to hang
I was no where in sight
when the church bells rang.
Never was the kind to do as I was told.
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old.
It is the night. My body's weak.
I'm on the run. No time to sleep.
I've got to ride.
Ride like the wind to be free again.
And I got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of
So I'll ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.
And I got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of
So I'll ride like the wind.
Gonna run like the wind.
http://www.lyrics007.com/Christopher%20Cross%20Lyrics/Ride%20Like%20The%20Wind%20Lyrics.html
He does not know where to go, what to look for and who or what to avoid on the dangerous road ahead. It is night for him even during the brightest day…for this runaway is ignorant of God…Isaiah again: “They have no knowledge…”(45:20)
Only he thinks he is wise and knows something. No one else does.
Anyone he comes across on his flight from reality only agree with him and support him in the view that he’s finding freedom by running away from his masters and his family for their own selfish reasons. They agree with him so as to get his money, to get him to work for them for free or to get sexual favours from him.
Perhaps they see potential in him and plan to make him into a petty criminal. You have to have some ability to be a criminal even if it’s just enough to keep you out of jail!
Psalm 1:6 “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
Then there is a safe way or what we call a way of salvation indeed it is THE WAY of freedom and security and hope: “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me…” says Jesus. (Jn 14:6)
Which way did Onesimus choose? He chose to repent of his rebellious ways and turn to Jesus Christ.
Which will you choose?
Choose today or you may not get another opportunity…[As Tricia said last week she doesn’t like the word luck or chance…quite right too! Neither do I.]
God is LORD and knows exactly what He is doing with our lives even if we think we know best…
We need to admit that to the Lord and make our prayer what the Psalm writer said:
Let us pray…
139:1 “O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
139:2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
139:3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
139:5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
139:8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
139:9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
139:10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,"
Even the night shall be light about me;
139:12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
139:13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
139:15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
139:18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
139:19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
139:20 For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
139:21 Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
139:24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.”
Amen.
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