I. EXORDIUM:
Do you have good company?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To prove that we need to choose good company rather than evil companions.
IV. TEXT:
Philemon 1:23-24 (Amplified Bible)
1:23 Greetings to you from Epaphras, my fellow prisoner here in [the cause of] Christ Jesus (the Messiah),
1:24 And [from] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
V. THESIS:
Surround ourselves with good people
VI. TITLE:
Sends you their greetings
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:
Paul has good company with him. He surrounds himself with good people.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (Amplified Bible)
15:33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
A. Greetings from Epaphras - fellow prisoner of Paul
"Greetings to you from Epaphras, my fellow prisoner here in [the cause of] Christ Jesus (the Messiah), "
CHRIST = “anointed”
- CHRIST was the Messiah, the Son of God
- anointed
JESUS = “Jehovah is salvation”
- JESUS, the Son of GOD, the Saviour of mankind, GOD incarnate
Epaphras = “lovely”
- a Christian man mentioned in Paul’s epistles
We have more than a lovely GOD, our GOD is Love Personified.
1 John 3:1 (Amplified Bible)
3:1 SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.
1 John 4:10 (Amplified Bible)
4:10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.
1 John 4:16 (Amplified Bible)
4:16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
Don't boast about your love for GOD, but boast instead that GOD loves us. It's His Love for us that is Eternal.
We suffer because of the GOSPEL but we don't suffer because we are poor, or we are not finished in our college studies, not that, but by the Gospel we suffer because we are persecuted for the sake of JESUS CHRIST.
Philippians 1:29 (Amplified Bible)
1:29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.
1 Peter 2:19-20 (New International Version)
2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
1 Peter 2:19-20 (Amplified Bible)
2:19 For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.
2:20 [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.
B. Greetings from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke - fellow workers of Paul
"And [from] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers."
1. Mark = “a defense”
- an evangelist, the author of the Gospel of Mark. Marcus was his Latin surname, his Jewish name was John. He was a cousin of Barnabas and a companion of Paul in some of his missionary journeys
We have a defense, that is our GOD.
Psalms 7:10 (Amplified Bible)
7:10 My defense and shield depend on God, Who saves the upright in heart.
Psalms 59:9 (Amplified Bible)
59:9 O my Strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower).
Psalms 59:17 (Amplified Bible)
59:17 Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love.
2. Aristarchus = “the best ruler”
- a certain Christian of Thessalonica, and accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey
The best ruler is inside of us, that is CHRISTJESUS, our LORD. It is enough that we are to be called a conqueror but GOD is not satisfied with that calling us a conqueror, He called us more than conquerors.
Romans 8:37 (Amplified Bible)
8:37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
3. Demas = “governor of the people”
- a companion of Paul, who deserted the apostle when he was a prisoner at Rome and returned to Thessalonica
Though Demas deserted Paul, GOD in His Divine Wisdom and Divine Will have included his name on this list. We have a governor among the people, who can govern them, that is us, because JESUS is in us.
Governors we can learn from:
a. Joseph
Genesis 42:6 (Amplified Bible)
42:6 Now Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was who sold to all the people of the land; and Joseph’s [half] brothers came and bowed themselves down before him with their faces to the ground.
He's designated by GOD to rule and reign over Egypt, even circumstances prevent him from doing so, still he was made a governor of Egypt.
b. Pontius Pilate
Matthew 27:2 (Amplified Bible)
27:2 And they bound Him and led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
Though he met JESUS CHRIST, our Savior and LORD, face to face, he did not recognize or acknowledge JESUS as GOD so he missed his salvation and peace, and even truth, to him, truth is a thing, but for us Truth is JESUS.
John 18:38 (Amplified Bible)
18:38 Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no fault in Him.
He feared men rather than GOD, chosen a criminal over the Sinless Perfection. He even denied taking part on this sin, he pretended to be innocent and yet since he's governor, he can do everything to release JESUS but would not.
Matthew 27:26 (Amplified Bible)
27:26 So he set free for them Barabbas; and he [had] Jesus whipped, and delivered Him up to be crucified.
Matthew 27:24 (Amplified Bible)
27:24 So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was about to break out, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying, I am not guilty of nor responsible for this righteous Man’s blood; see to it yourselves.
Psalms 26:6 (Amplified Bible)
26:6 I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord,
c. Felix, the governor
Acts 23:24 (Amplified Bible)
23:24 Also provide beasts for mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him in safety to Felix the governor.
Acts 23:26 (Amplified Bible)
23:26 Claudius Lysias sends greetings to His Excellency Felix the governor.
Acts 24:27 (Amplified Bible)
24:27 But when two years had gone by, Felix was succeeded in office by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul still a prisoner in chains.
He favored Paul, and yet still wants favor from the jews (people) instead of the JEW - that is CHRIST JESUS.
4. Luke or Lucus = “light-giving”
- a Gentile Christian, the companion of Paul in preaching the gospel and on his many journeys; he was a physician and author of the book of Luke and Acts in the NT
Matthew 5:14 (Amplified Bible)
5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
John 3:19 (Amplified Bible)
3:19 The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.
JESUS is our Light, the reason why we can shine the Light it's because the Source of all Light is within us.
IX. CONCLUSION:
1 Corinthians 15:33 (New International Version)
15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Psalms 26:4-5 (Amplified Bible)
26:4 I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders;
26:5 I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.
Praise and Worship songs with lyrics:
http://gospelsubs.nabaza.com
Prayer Request Portal - Post your prayer request
http://pray4me.nabaza.info
Bible verse devotionals
http://bibleverse.nabaza.com/
Videos
http://videos.nabaza.com/
William Nabaza of
http://www.nabaza.com/
http://www.Nabaza.info/
http://www.williamrnabaza.com/
http://www.williamnabaza.com/
http://www.1weblord.com/
http://www.namehost.biz/
http://www.vabes.net/
http://jobs.nabaza.com/
http://projects.nabaza.com
http://videos.nabaza.com
http://dating.nabaza.com
http://news.nabaza.com
http://nabaza.ourtoolbar.com
http://j.gs/1hKN/
http://pray4me.nabaza.info
http://bibleverse.nabaza.com
http://1weblord.tradepub.com
http://nabaza.tradepub.com
http://twitmags.tradepub.com
http://williamnabaza.tradepub.com
http://williamrnabaza.tradepub.com
http://namehost-biz.tradepub.com
http://domainon-net.tradepub.com
http://weblord.pbworks.com/w/page/6301766/FrontPage
http://weblord.livehelpengine.com/login.php?err=1
http://www.softpedia.com/developer/Nabaza-35047.html
http://www.zazzle.com/ilocano
http://www.zazzle.com/arubub
http://zazzle.com/ThePhilippines
http://zazzle.com/Bibleverse
http://zazzle.com/weblord
http://monitor.nabaza.com/
http://gospelsubs.nabaza.com/
http://videos.nabaza.com/
http://software.nabaza.com/
http://jobs.Nabaza.com http://Projects.Nabaza.com http://www.Nabaza.info www.Nabaza.com www.Namehost.biz http://videos.nabaza.com http://Pray4me.nabaza.info http://Nabaza.tradepub.com http://monitor.nabaza.com http://news.Nabaza.com http://dating.nabaza.com http://bibleverse.nabaza.com http://software.nabaza.com/ http://news.nabaza.com/ http://gospelsubs.nabaza.com/ http://videos.nabaza.com/ http://software.nabaza.com/
install our toolbar:
http://nabaza.ourtoolbar.com/
See random supporters/advertisers:
http://j.gs/1hKN/
News you can use
William Nabaza < william@nabaza.com > of http://www.Nabaza.com
Sms Bible Devotional (Philippines Residents only)
Type "JOIN WEBLORD"
Send to 2940 (Smart and TalkNTxt Subscribers)
or 2354 (Globe and Touch Mobile Subscribers)
**P1/txt goes to Cellphone Network
Customer Support:
Email: william[@]nabaza.com / support@nabaza.com
webpage: http://www.nabaza.com/
http://ask.williamrnabaza.com/ | http://support.nabaza.com/
http://nabaza.desk.com
http://helpdesk.nabaza.com
