Illustration: Many years ago, my wife and I visited my parents in Florida, and we attended my Mother's church. She was relatively new to the congregation but she was proud to have us. As we entered the foyer, she began to introduce us saying, this is my son Jeff and daughter- in- law Rita. Each person smiled and asked where we were from and what I did for a living. After about 4 introductions, they all asked the same questions. At the time, I was still on active duty with the United States Air Force, and when I said "I'm in the military", each person ended the conversation and walked away from us. I found this very strange and I mentioned to mother that people seemed very interested in my occupation more than anything. I was sufficiently annoyed by this and quickly realized my "status" was not very appealing, and they found no reason to further the conversation.
One last little elderly lady asked "and what do you do up there?" (everyone is from "up there" if you are visiting Florida), and before answering her, I turned my head to my wife and winked. She knew my next response was going to be something cute (at least I thought it would be cute), and I said "Mam, I'm a garbage collector". (not that being a garbage collector is bad in any way. Just used it to make a point)
From that moment on, nobody greeted us nor wished us well when we left. I realized one's "status" was very important to the attendees of this church. Sad.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:11(NIV) - "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all"
Read the book of Philemon verse 1 through 21:
Status. What is the definition of status? Simply put, it's what identifies us. The world identifies us..... comparing us to the world. Christian status is what our identity is in Jesus Christ.
What was it really like to go from a slave, to a brother in Christ? What was it like to have a status change almost overnight, then be included as a Christian Brother? Just ask Onesimus.
Verse 1 & 2 tells us who Paul was writing to. 1. Philemon (a fellow worker and a wealthy man and church member in the city of Colosse) 2. Apphia (may have been Philemon's wife) 3. Archippus (may have been Philemon's son) and 4. to the church that meets in Philemon's home. (of course it was written to you and I as well)
This letter was written by Paul and would be known as one of the "prison letters". Paul was under house arrest in Rome and guess who shows up? It was a guy by the name of Onesimus. Apparently Onesimus knew Paul and journeyed to see him. He was in a pickle. He fled from Philemon. Onesimus was his slave. He was tired of being a slave. This was a no no back then. Usually, if a slave ran away, he faced the penalty of death if caught. Slaves were regularly executed because they were a nothing. They held no status and were useless. Ironically, the name Onesimus means "useful". I don't know if Paul or Philemon knew this, but it's more than coincidence that Onesimus eventually ended up being useful to both Paul and Philemon.(verse 11).
Verse 8 and following is an appeal to Philemon for Onesimus. Paul said he could "order" Philemon to take him back, but Paul appealed out of a sense of love. Verse 10 indicates Onesimus was converted when he said "I appeal to you for my son....who became my son while I was in chains". Verse 11 starts with the word "formerly". I like that word. Before we became Christians, we all were formerly....something or another. We all were once useless, but we became "useful". This is the thrust of the entire story. We all were equal.....lost sinners. Now we are equal in another way. We are saved sinners.
Paul said he was "sending him back" in verse 12. Apparently Onesimus was a great guy because Paul said he would have liked to keep him. My guess is it would have been hard for Onesimus to stay with Paul since Paul was actually imprisoned in his home by the Roman authorities. Paul sent him back....to be restored not as a slave, but as a man of worth.
Paul knew what he was doing and found this situation as a teaching moment for Philemon and to the church of Colosse. That teaching moment inspires us today. It teaches us "inclusion" and "acceptance".
On national TV, President Ronald Reagan appealed to Soviet Union President Gorbachev concerning the Berlin wall. One may remember those famous words "Mr. Gorbechev, tear down that wall". When I heard this, it sent chills up and down my spine. President Reagan was preaching inclusion, solidarity, fellowship, and unity. The great Apostle Paul was preaching the same. Paul appealed to Philemon to accept Onesimus not only as a forgiven slave, but as a brother in Christ. Viola! Status changed. He went from garbage collector to Christian.
I wonder what it took for Philemon to see it this way. I wonder if it was hard for him. I wonder if the church at Colosse embraced this man, loved this man, cared for this man, and included this man into their inner circle of believers. Maybe it was hard for Philemon. Slaves cost money. Philemon was out one slave. New ones cost money. A replacement cost him more money. In verse 18, Paul offered to pay for any wrong doing or debt that Onesimus incurred. I'm sure Philemon wouldn't think of taking money from Paul. It's just not something we would do.
A precedent had been set. Paul appealed out of love. That counted for something. Actually it was everything. When we include someone....who was once something else......we do it out of love. We do it because we grieve for the lost....or we should.
Story: A prostitute (Freeda) in Dayton Ohio (true story), had all she could have of her foul occupation. She was given a religious tract by a church teen group working the streets in inner city Dayton. She read the contents, dropped to her knees and asked God to save her. God inspired her to attend church the next Sunday. In she came. She was recognized by many since her "territory" was on the same street as the church. She was wild looking. Green and purple hair, cheap jewelry, tight clothes and go go boots. Her fire engine red lipstick was so shiny, you could almost see yourself in the mirror like shine. She didn't know the words to the songs. She had no idea what communion was all about. She sat quietly and heard the sermon. The sermon concluded and an invitation to accept Jesus came forth. She made her way to the front and told the preacher "I'm tired of being what I am. I want to be something else. I need God" Wow!
You could have heard a pin drop. What were the people thinking? Some probably were saying to themselves "Look at that. Why is she here?" Others were singing praises. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks. The preacher was holding back his. He was overwhelmed. He took her confession of faith and encouraged the flock to "train and teach her". He said she needs help and by George we will help her. The people applauded.
It wasn't long and Freeda was accepted. The walls and barriers came tumbling down. She almost was a celebrity. Many in that church used her testimony to help others. Freeda spoke frequently at women's retreats and special gatherings. A few years went by and Freeda became the church secretary. She married, has four children and learned to play the piano. She is now the church pianist. When the church doors are open, she is there and so is her family. Beautiful wonderful servants. What she once was, she is no longer. Just like us!
What a difference Onesimus's status as a Christian made in his relationship to Philemon. He was no longer a slave. Just like Freeda. She is no longer a slave to sin. Onesimus, Philemon, Freeda and you and I are members of God's family. We are all equals. I'm glad people don't look at what I once was, but what I currently am.
Do we look down at people who are from the other side of the tracks? Are we so concerned about what somebody does for a living that we miss seeing the worth in them? When someone shows up at our church doorstep, do we look them over and then decide if they would be good for us? What if they were a little disheveled, hair not combed, teeth crooked, shoes worn out and a little smelly? What then? Friends, reach out and take them by the hand and say "this is our church, let me show you around and introduce you to some of my friends". Would it be too much to invite them over for a Sunday meal? Will you be warm or cold? Notice one more scripture in Philemon. Paul said in verse 21 "....knowing you will do even more than I ask." He was saying that the good people whom he was addressing would do more. More than just accepting Onesimus. They would take him in. They would care for him. Feed him. Find a job for him. Encourage him. Love him. Paul appealed to them to do more. Paul obviously knew his flock and how wonderful they would be in this situation. They must have had a reputation for doing good to all people.
What were you......before you became what you are now? Or, are you still what you are? What is your Christian status? I heard it once said "A Christian's status as a member of God's family transcends all other distinctions among believers". When you become a Christian, your status changes.
What does this message teach us? It teaches us that a Christians status is powerful and most important. It teaches us to take good care of our fellow believers and break down the walls of hostility. Identify the barriers or prejudices we have against others because of their status. We must exercise forgiveness, respect and inclusion.
Regardless of someone's status or position in life, all can be led to the Lord. We all were once useless, but we are now useful if we have given our life to Jesus Christ. The story of Onesimus and Philemon is a Masterpiece of Grace.
There may be someone listening to this message that doesn't want to be what they are. Maybe you need a status change. Someone once said "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way". Maybe you need a change. If Christ is not in your life, make that change. Come forward and surrender it all to Him. Let us help if we can.
