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The Epistle of Paul The Apostle to:

Philemon

There are three main characters in this epistle... Onesimus, Philemon, and the apostle Paul.  Onesimus, a slave, betrayed Philemon, his master.  While Onesimus was on the run for his very life, he met the apostle Paul in Rome where he would hear the gospel of Christ and receive eternal life.  Onesimus was to return to his master and make things right.  Fortunately for Onesimus,  Philemon was already a Christian as a result of the ministry of Paul.  The experience of these three men reveal their true love through the importance of redemption, restoration and responsibility.

I.  Salutation Of Paul - Vs. 1-3

• His Status - vs.1a   ...a prisoner...

• His Statesmanship - vs.1b,2 ...unto Philemon and fellow...

• His Standard - vs.3   ...Grace... peace...

II.  Appreciation For Philemon - Vs. 4,7

• He is Prayed For - vs.4

• He Is Praised For... - vs.5,7

1. Praised For His Loving - vs.5

2. Praised For His Living - vs.6,7

III.  Obligation To Each Other - Vs. 8,25

• To Advocate For The Repentant Believer - vs.8,10

• To Advance The Responding Believer - vs.11,21

1. Advance Fellowship - vs.11,16

2. Advance Forgiveness - vs.17,21

3. Advance Friendship - vs. 22,25

It happens, Christians fall, fail, and falter. When these things become a pattern in our lives, its time to start over. The wonderful thing about God's grace is the assurance that we can start afresh. The danger in not recognizing one's need to start over often results in greater complicity with vain pursuits and the diminishing of discernment.

Starting over must begin with a determination to  identify with Jesus Christ as His disciple. There is no other way to be stripped of the blinding effect of self-interest.   We are not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ as God's only means for life that makes living so meaningful. Amen!

Sincerely Dr. Arthur  Belanger