Text: Philemon 17-25, Title: Refreshing the Heart of the Apostle, Date/Place: NRBC, 11/25/07, AM
A. Opening illustration: Seeing that little girl at Camp Jubilee one year get saved after a week’s worth of praying and witnessing refreshed the heart of the entire camp.
B. Background to passage: After introducing Philemon as a godly man and making a request for him to forgive Onesimus seeing the outcome that now has happened, Paul closes out this brief letter with some clarifying remarks. He lays his final commitment, request, and prayer for Philemon to think on as he makes his decision about what to do with Onesimus. All these things he says in hopes that Philemon will refresh his heart by acting according to the faith, and then even beyond.
C. Main thought: In the text we see Paul’s three final statements to Philemon to refresh his heart.
A. Substitution and Restoration (v. 17-19)
1. Again we see the deep commitment and relationship that Paul and Onesimus have formed. And Paul tells Philemon to receive or welcome Onesimus as he would Paul. Paul sticks his neck out for Onesimus, and commends him back to Philemon with the highest of endorsements. He makes it clear that forgiveness is what is sought. And “receiving” Onesimus would have been an indication of that forgiveness. And not only that, but he tells Philemon that if Onesimus owed Philemon anything, Paul would repay it. Paul new that there was a financial burden put upon Philemon because of Onesimus’ actions. And he knew that we you become a Christian you try to make right the wrongs caused. But Onesimus probably had no resources (but like many other resourceless situations, God provided), and Paul said, whatever he owes you, I will repay it. A personal IOU from Paul.
2. Rom 15:7, 2 Cor 7:11, Matt 5:9,
3. Illustration: Author and teacher, Dr. Howard Hendricks tells the story of a young man who strayed from the Lord but was finally brought back by the help of a friend who really loved him. When there was full repentance and restoration, Dr. Hendricks asked this Christian how it felt away from the Lord. The young man said it seemed like he was out at sea, in deep water, deep trouble, and all his friends were on the shore hurling biblical accusations at him about justice, penalty, and wrong. “But, there was one Christian brother who actually swam out to get me and would not let me go. I fought him, but he pushed aside my fighting, grasped me, put a life jacket around me, and took me to shore. By the grace of God, he was the reason I was restored. He would not let me go.”
4. The ministry of hospitality is not completely lost yet here in the Deep South, but it is on its way out. The receiving of other brethren is not as common as it used to be. This is an indicator of three things: first that our relationships tend to be shallow, and second that our common bond of Jesus Christ isn’t enough to offer fellowship, and third that we are all fairly self-centered people. These are also the primary reasons that we withhold forgiveness and reconciliation. We should all serve as agents of reconciliation. You and I should be willing to stick out our necks for fellow believers in Christ. You and I should be like a healing balm to difficult situations pointing all parties to trust in Christ. Sometimes it may even cost us financially, emotionally, or physically, but this is our example from Christ. The gospel is always the answer to, and the backdrop for forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. This is the best counsel, the most leveling thought, and the basis for our being able to forgive.
B. Release and Return (v. 20-21)
1. From here we get the title for the message, where Paul says to Philemon (who has already been noted as being good at refreshing the hearts of the saints, v. 7) “refresh my heart.” He also pleads with Philemon to allow Paul to have joy in the Lord through him. He also says, I know that you will do as I ask. He was saying that it would be a great joy to Him to hear of Philemon’s gracious forgiveness toward Onesimus. Then he added a little something, and said that he was not only sure of his obedience to forgive, but his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Here he was asking for Philemon to send Onesimus back to Paul to refresh him there as well.
2. 3 John 4, Matt 5:38-48,
3. Illustration: When Lincoln was finally elected president, he did not forget about Mr. Stanton. When the time came for him to choose his cabinet, Lincoln decided that the best man for the job of Secretary of War was Edwin Stanton. With that choice many of Lincoln’s advisors raised a hue and a cry. They told him: “Mr. Lincoln, are you a fool? Finally Tom McGee was released from prison, but he had no place to go. So Jack & Elizabeth Morris invited him into their home, & gave him a place to stay. They provided the means by which he could receive an education, & helped him find a job. They were members of a Church of Christ in Tulsa, so they took him to church with them, where Tom McGee accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior, & was baptized for the remission of his sins. Just recently, the news has come out that Jack & Elizabeth Morris have formally adopted Tom McGee & made him their son. When Jack & Elizabeth Morris die, Tom McGee will inherit whatever they have accumulated in this life. Now that’s forgiveness - an incredible story of forgiveness.
4. Our hearts should be attuned to righteousness. Do you rejoice with a fellow believer with temptation is resisted and grace, mercy, and forgiveness is exhibited. We should affirm those around us who are making seemingly sacrificial decisions for righteousness sake. Secondly, we should be prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty. This speaks volumes to our world, not to mention follows after the example of Jesus. Our world and our flesh says to do enough to get by, or slide under the bar, but Christ says, if you are going to go, go all out. Do more than what’s expected. Forgive, when there is no reason, nor human capability to forgive. Love when all they deserve is contempt. Serve when there is no service in return. This would do wonders for most marriages. This would do wonders ad most businesses. What if you went and found the person that has betrayed and harmed you the most and went and began lavishing upon them the love of Jesus that covers all sin. What if you brought them to Christ?
C. Promise and Prayer (v. 22-25)
1. There are several things going on in these verses, the first of which is that Paul indicates his plans to return to Colossae and visit Philemon. Earlier in his letter to Romans he indicated that he was headed to Rome, then on to Spain. Obviously, according to his letter, his plans had changed, as they were always flexible. And now he was going back to Asia Minor to do some more ministry there, and he says to prepare him a room. Sounds like a little accountability to me. This is supported by the mentioning of names that would be known to Philemon, indicating a great cloud of godly witnesses that will also expect Philemon to do as Paul has requested. Finally Paul gives a prayer/benediction to the letter, praying for grace upon Philemon.
2. Heb 12:1, Philip 2:12-13, 2 Cor 3:5, Heb 13:20-21,
3. Illustration: tell about the pastor who had an agreement with his wife that if he or she was ever forced into a potentially compromising situation, their first response was to call and let the other spouse know, and tell of the lonely woman on the plane who propositioned him at the baggage claim. Tell about the independent charismatic church in Atlanta caught up in a huge sex scandal because of no accountability. Tell about Congresses inquiries into the ministries of prominent TV evangelists and their use of funds as a non-profit corporation, tell about the conversation that I had with someone about apologizing to 300 former or soon to be former members of NRBC
4. There are many temptations in life that we need accountability on. And it is good and helpful. While stuck in this unredeemed body, we will deal with things that we are tempted by even though we know they are wrong. Those who are spiritual and truly attempting to maintain a close walk with Jesus will actually invite accountability in their lives. Secondly it is our responsibility to our brethren to keep watch over them with love. We are in constant need of grace in our lives to do what is right. We cannot do even the right things all on our own. Rely on God’s grace not your own strength. Trust and seek Him to empower you to do what you should. By the way this is a great way to pray for others.
Closing illustration: Tell about the story of the lead bomber of Pearl Harbor and the two examples of forgiveness in MacArthur’s Philemon commentary p. 232-235
• When you forgive a person, it doesn’t mean that you condone
• When you forgive a person, it doesn’t mean that you will forget
• When you forgive a person, this does not mean you are immediately healed.
• When you forgive a person, this does not mean you are going to be buddy/buddy.
• When we forgive a person, this does not mean we surrender the right to restitution or justice when appropriate.
• When we forgive a person, this does not mean that we trust them, yet.
• When we forgive a person, we are not avoiding pain, we are opening the door to healing.
• When we forgive, we take the journey at the pace we are able to handle...the deeper the hurt, the longer the journey.
A. Recap
B. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
