I. EXORDIUM:
Are you persecuted because of the Gospel?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To enumerate the things we need to do when persecuted for the Gospel.
IV. TEXT:
Philemon 1:13 (Amplified Bible)
I would have chosen to keep him with me, in order that he might minister to my needs in your stead during my imprisonment for the Gospel’s sake.
V. THESIS:
GOD is our companion and substitution, though we can be stopped by persecutions the Gospel of Grace is unstoppable.
VI. TITLE:
In chains for the gospel
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Apostle Paul
B. Date written: 60 A.D.
C. Purpose: To appeal to Philemon to receive, forgive and restore Onesimus even as Philemon would receive Paul
D. To whom written: Philemon.
He was apparently a member of the church at Colosse, which seems to have held its assemblies in his house (Philemon 1:2). His benevolence (Philemon 1:5-7), and Paul's request for him to prepare a lodging (Philemon 1:22), indicate that he was a man of some means.
As Paul had never been in Colosse (Colossians 2:1), Philemon must have met him elsewhere, possibly in Ephesus, which was not far away. It would seem that he owed his conversion to the apostle, Philemon 1:19.
—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
E. Main Theme:
A personal plea with Philemon to forgive and restore Onesimus, his once runaway slave, now converted through the ministry of Paul. As a runaway slave, it is inferred that he robbed his master and fled to Rome (Philemon 1:18). There he came under the influence of Paul and was converted (Philemon 1:10). He became a devoted disciple of Christ (Colossians 4:9). Paul would have chosen to detain him in Rome as a helper (Philemon 1:13), but not having the consent of Philemon (Philemon 1:14), he felt it to be his duty to send the slave back to his master. So the apostle writes this beautiful letter of intercession, pleading with Philemon to receive Onesimus as though he were receiving the apostle himself.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines
F. Keywords: Receive (forgive and restore) him
Philemon 1:12 (Amplified Bible)
1:12 I am sending him back to you in his own person, [and it is like sending] my very heart.
Philemon 1:17 (Amplified Bible)
1:17 If then you consider me a partner and a comrade in fellowship, welcome and receive him as you would [welcome and receive] me.
G. Keyverses:
Philemon 1:16-17 (Amplified Bible)
1:16 Not as a slave any longer but as [something] more than a slave, as a brother [Christian], especially dear to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer].
1:17 If then you consider me a partner and a comrade in fellowship, welcome and receive him as you would [welcome and receive] me.
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Companionship desired - Paul liked to keep Onesimus with him
"I would have chosen to keep him with me,"
1. JESUS wanted companionship before He faced the cross.
Matthew 26:37 (Amplified Bible)
26:37 And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed.
2. Epaphroditus does not want anyone worrying about him in his sickness.
Philippians 2:26 (Amplified Bible)
2:26 For he has been [homesick] longing for you all and has been distressed because you had heard that he was ill.
3. Titus wanted as companion of Apostle Paul but he needs to be substituted by either Artemas or Tychicus
Titus 3:12 (Amplified Bible)
3:12 When I send Artemas or [perhaps] Tychicus to you, lose no time but make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
B. Substitution required - So Onesimus could take the place of Philemon in helping the poor
"in order that he might minister to my needs in your stead"
1. Our reproaches and insult meant for us has fallen on JESUS instead
Psalms 69:9 (Amplified Bible)
69:9 For zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches and insults of those who reproach and insult You have fallen upon me.
2. Wounds and bruises meant for us has fallen on JESUS instead for our healing.
Isaiah 53:5 (Amplified Bible)
53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
3. JESUS experienced death for every one of us so that we could get GOD's grace and blessings for us.
Hebrews 2:9 (Amplified Bible)
2:9 But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for every individual person.
4. JESUS suffered the curses instead for us to enjoy redemption.
Galatians 3:13 (Amplified Bible)
3:13 Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);
C. Paul chained but not the gospel
"during my imprisonment for the Gospel’s sake"
1. Paul specified that GOD's Word was not chained or imprisoned with him though he is in prison chained.
2 Timothy 2:9 (Amplified Bible)
2:9 For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!
2. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul's chains and imprisonment
2 Timothy 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
1:16 May the Lord grant [His] mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often showed me kindness and ministered to my needs [comforting and reviving and bracing me like fresh air]! He was not ashamed of my chains and imprisonment [for Christ’s sake].
3. Apostle Paul called himself as ambassador in chains
Ephesians 6:20 (Amplified Bible)
6:20 For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.
4. Apostle Paul was not ashamed that he's in prison and chains for the Gospel of Grace.
Colossians 4:18 (Amplified Bible)
4:18 I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it).
IX. CONCLUSION:
GOD is our companion and substitution, though we can be stopped by persecutions the Gospel of Grace is unstoppable.
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