Profit From Brother

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you profit from a brother?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we can also benefit from a brother when they do favors for us in connection with CHRIST.

IV. TEXT:

Philemon 1:20 (Amplified Bible)

Yes, brother, let me have some profit from you in the Lord. Cheer and refresh my heart in Christ.

V. THESIS:

It blessed our hearts when we do favors for the LORD and vice-versa.

VI. TITLE:

Profit from brother

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. Profit from brother

"Yes, brother, let me have some profit from you"

Profit - Greek: oninemi - to derive pleasure, to have advantage from.

2 Corinthians 7:13 (Amplified Bible)

7:13 Therefore we are relieved and comforted and encouraged [at the result]. And in addition to our own [personal] consolation, we were especially delighted at the joy of Titus, because you have all set his mind at rest, soothing and refreshing his spirit.

Philippians 2:2 (Amplified Bible)

2:2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.

Hebrews 13:17 (Amplified Bible)

13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].

We can take advantage from a brother (not of a brother) when they do favors for us in connection with the LORD (in the LORD)

B. In the LORD

"in the Lord"

In means:

- A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest

- Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

Our example is when you're in (inside) the house, you're at rest, though there are typhoons and tornados outside you're not affected by it, because you're at rest. (faith, from the inside, in CHRIST)

Romans 16:8 (Amplified Bible)

16:8 Remember me to Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17 (Amplified Bible)

10:17 However, let him who boasts and glories boast and glory in the Lord.