[0:00] Hallelujah! We thank God you have tuned into this message by David Entry at Carish Church. No hand can help you with the fulfilment of your destiny but the word of God.
[0:11] May God's hand align with you further into your destiny through this word. Colossians chapter 4, reading from verse 7 all the way to verse 14.
[0:27] All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister, a fellow servant in the law, whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your state and comfort your hearts.
[0:45] With Onesimus, a faithful and a beloved brother, who is one of you, they shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
[0:55] Anyway, Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, saluteth you. And Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, touching whom you received commandments.
[1:08] If he comes unto you, receive him. And Jesus, which is called Justice, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
[1:26] Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluted you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that he may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
[1:39] Verse 13, for I bear him record that he has a great zeal for you and them that are in Laodicea and them that are in Heropolis.
[1:50] Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greets you. Here ends the reading of God's word. Father, we have come to your word because when your word speaks, you have spoken.
[2:03] We have come to your word because we want to hear from you. You are the only one who is the origin of truth, the master of truth, and the teacher of truth, the magister veritatis.
[2:16] As we get into your word, teach us the truth. Reveal Christ in the pages of scripture to us. Let our hearts catch fire. Let our hearts burn in us. Let us hear from you.
[2:28] And let ignorance be damaged in our lives. We thank you to the glory of your name. As your word is coming, let the sick be healed. Let the despondent be encouraged.
[2:39] Let the blind see. Let captives be set free. Let the gospel come powerfully. And let your name be glorified. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' name.
[2:50] Amen. Praise the Lord. Amen. Amen. So, last week, faithful Tychicus and Paul wrote a letter to prison.
[3:02] He himself couldn't come out to meet the people. But, thank God, his message can go out. So, in 2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 10 and 11, it talks about how he's in prison.
[3:18] The word that has been committed to him, but now is made manifested by the appearing of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality through the gospel. Now, look at verse 10 and 11.
[3:29] For this reason, whereof, so because of this, I'm appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. The next verse says that, for which cause I suffer these things.
[3:40] All right. Nevertheless, I'm not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed. And whatever I have committed to him is able to keep on to the day. What does the verse 13 say? It says that, old fast, the form of words.
[3:52] Okay. So, the actual part I'm trying to draw attention to, it says that, for which reason I'm in chains? He's in chains because of the gospel. All right. But, it says that, nevertheless, the word of God, I think there's a particular part in there.
[4:07] It says, I am in bonds, but the word is not in bonds. You can imprison me for the preaching of the gospel, but you cannot imprison the gospel. You can ban me from preaching.
[4:19] So, it's, yeah, 2 Timothy chapter 2, verse 9. All right. Thank you. Waring, I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto chains, unto bonds. But the word of God is not in bonds.
[4:33] He said, I'm in prison, but I can still preach. In fact, in Philippians chapter 1, particularly, I think, 14 and 17, he speaks about how he's in chains.
[4:44] And, you know, there's one they put you in chains. When you're a terrible criminal, they chain you to other people. Some soldiers, too. So, sometimes, the soldiers are chained with you, so you can't run away.
[4:55] All right. So, he was in chains. And what is happening is that the soldiers who are in chains with him got converted. Because he'll be preaching to them. So, he talks about how his affliction and his bones has worked for the federation of the gospel.
[5:12] That's why he even had converts in prison. Converts. Soldiers who were converts of Paul. Because he preached the gospel. And some of them were actually, they were living in Caesar's house.
[5:27] He converted anybody who came into contact with him. Why? You can put him in prison, but you can't put the word in prison. That's why in Colossians chapter 4, he says, pray for me that I'll boldly declare the word.
[5:39] I'll be able to speak. Verse 3. Colossians 4, verse 3. That God will open to us a door for the word. To speak the mission. He's in prison for this thing. But I said, listen, the word cannot be in prison.
[5:50] So, now, even though he was still preaching it, he was writing man in chains. A man in chains, and yet he managed to send a letter. A letter, which has become a Bible.
[6:03] Man in chains. So, you find out that he didn't write the letter himself. He used the services of ammanuenses. He dictated it in the person in writing.
[6:13] But when he finished, he used his hand to sign it. He said, I have signed this by my own hands. You can imagine the hands in chains signing a letter. Yeah.
[6:25] Colossians chapter 4. So, he dictated the letter to the church of Colossians. Now, there are four letters that he sends by this faithful taichikus.
[6:39] Four letters. I'm going to mention them in a minute. But when you look at the text again, it says that all my states shall taichikus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a faithful, a fellow servant of the Lord.
[6:58] So, taichikus was a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant of the Lord. Who I have sent. So, in prison, Paul had people he sent.
[7:11] He had people who stayed with him. And people who also sent greetings. These are three categories of people who Paul was dealing with. The ones he sent.
[7:22] And the ones he sent were two. Taichikus is the one man. She said, verse 8 again, Praise the Lord.
[7:40] So, number one. Taichikus was sent for three reasons. Number one reason is in the verse 7. The verse 7 says that, All my states shall taichikus declare to you.
[7:57] He is coming to tell you my condition here. So, he is coming to tell you how Paul is doing. Your apostle is not dead. Your apostle is, even though you can't see him, he is still thriving in prison.
[8:11] So, he says that he will tell you my states. Verse 8 says that, Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your states.
[8:22] So, he is in prison and he is thinking about the people. How are you guys doing? Even though I have never met you. I have never met you. I am pastoring you remotely. I am sending a message to you.
[8:36] To one, so you will know my state. And two, I will know your state. So, he is saying sometimes it is good to have someone you can send. You can send for people to know your state.
[8:51] So, the church will not know his state from social media. He wants the church to know his state from faithful taichikus.
[9:06] If you know what the state of the church is, it is not social media that will tell you the state of the church. Or it is not people who have left the church who will tell you the state of a church. I am talking to somebody who have befriended people who have left your church.
[9:23] And because of that, you do not even know the proper state of the church. Because when people leave a church, they say, especially when they are close to leadership, they say, it is the crocodile who knows what is actually going on inside the water.
[9:39] When a crocodile comes, emerges from the water, he says, listen, you do not know what is going on inside the water. There are seven dead frogs inside it. You do not know.
[9:50] It is the crocodile who can tell you what is because he came from inside the water. That is a demon's doctrine concerning knowing the state of a church. Most of the time, when a person leaves a church, he does not usually have good things to say about a church.
[10:14] So those who are in the church, it is just wise and smart to not take your information from people who don't have good things to say about the place.
[10:26] You need your information from faithful. But, but, but, but, but this person is faithful. That's why he said, faithful people don't leave.
[10:40] Revelation chapter 2 verse 11. He said, be faithful unto death. Not for five days. I've served in the church for 10 years. Now it's my turn to move on. You are not faithful. Be faithful.
[10:54] Verse 10. He said, be faithful. Unto death. For seven years. Unto death. That means that we must be at your funeral.
[11:06] Or you must be at one of us's funeral. Not now. You are not dying now. Amen. Faithfulness is unto death. So someone who has left is not faithful. You know, I've been faithful.
[11:18] You haven't been faithful. You haven't been faithful. He said, be faithful unto death. That's the essence of marriage. Right. Till death do us part. The faithfulness in marriage is unto death.
[11:31] Yes. Not unto inconvenience. Amen. Faithfulness in romance is usually unto inconvenience. Yes.
[11:44] Yes. Faithfulness in marriage is unto death. Unto death. It's scripture. Yes. Yes. Be faithful. Please, let me just speak a bit about faithfulness again.
[11:57] Never underestimate the value of faithfulness to God. Never. A guy. One day, David was in a terrible state.
[12:08] And he was fighting a battle. And his enemy who he was fighting against, one of his right-hand men, one of David's enemy's right-hand men forsook his master.
[12:20] And came and joined David. And he said, I've changed ships. I've jumped ships. David said, hey, guys, kill him. He said, I'm not faithful. We don't want such a person around us.
[12:32] We don't want such a person. He couldn't stay with his boss. He abandoned his boss in the time of battle. And he wants me to embrace him. No. Now, faithfulness is rated so high before God.
[12:46] Faithfulness. It will shock you how God values faithfulness. Please, I'm just advising somebody. That is why God does not like adultery.
[12:57] That's why God doesn't like divorce. Because it undermines the value of faithfulness. It undermines the value of faithfulness. People did all kinds of things to Jesus.
[13:08] But all of them, even those who killed him, Jesus didn't say, this guy, it was better he was not born. Apart from the one who was so one of Jesus and so unfaithful to Jesus, Jesus said, this guy, it would have been better if he had not been born.
[13:28] About Judas. Because of the issue of lack of faithfulness. Faithfulness is so important to God. That's what determines how he rewards. God doesn't reward hard work.
[13:40] He rewards faithfulness. It's not hard work God rewards. It's faithfulness. God doesn't reward your doctrine. A quality doctrine should produce a faithful Christian.
[13:55] So your doctrine is producing faithful Christian out of you. Your doctrine is warped. Your doctrine is anemic. Your doctrine is not holistic. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 1.
[14:07] It said, to the faithful in Christ. Hallelujah. The letter was written to the faithful. In Ephesus. And faithful in Christ. Colossians chapter 1 verse 2. To those who are faithful.
[14:19] He wrote to the faithful. Oh yes. Faithful. Say faithful. Faithful. Faithful brethren. Faithful brethren. That I think I wrote in my note.
[14:31] What are we talking about? Faithfulness. Meaning doing the right thing constantly. In spite of what changes. Faithfulness. It is required of a steward. 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 2.
[14:43] To be found faithful. Faithful. Faithful. The reason why sometimes Christianity gets weakened is because of the unfaithfulness to Christians.
[14:56] To their doctrine. To their God. And to their communities. To their church. Church community I mean. One of the things that weakened most of the churches is unfaithful members.
[15:09] Unfaithful members. Okay. Let me. Listen. They are a brand of Christians who are not faithful to any church. They say my faithfulness is to God. It's a fake faithfulness.
[15:24] Where is God? Where is God? You can't tell me my love is for God. Not human beings. I love God. It's not human beings because it's for God.
[15:35] Where is God? If you say you are serving God. Where is he? Are you going to serve him some rice? Where? Let's assume God eats rice. Where are you going to give the rice to? Where are you going to do sacrifice?
[15:48] The sacrifice that you do. You want to slaughter a fowl. Or slaughter a cow. Or slaughter a lamb. Where is God? Where are you going to give it to him? Where is God?
[15:58] If you worship God. Where is he? If you serve God. In fact the Bible says that God is unrighteous. To forget your labor of love. Hebrews chapter 6 verse 10. Which. Watch this.
[16:09] Your labor of love. Which ye have shown towards who? God's name. How did you do it? In the way that you minister to the saints. You are ministering the saints.
[16:21] Means that the people who are sanctified his people. Your ministry to the people of God. Is a reflection to your faithfulness to his name. Your service to his name. What you are doing to him. Jesus said.
[16:32] Whatsoever you do to the least of this brethren. You do unto me. God. So. Don't say. Listen. It is the test of spirituality. Your kind of commitment to a stable congregation.
[16:46] Where the word of God is taught. Where sin is not condoned. Where wordliness is not encouraged. Those are the conditions that determine the health of a congregation. Number one condition that determines the health of a congregation.
[17:00] Is the doctrine. So you don't compromise on doctrine. Number two. Is. Sin is not allowed. Or sin is not condoned.
[17:10] Or sin is not accommodated. Particularly in leadership. Or the organization. If there is organization. And sin is accommodated. Sin is accommodated in the leadership.
[17:22] After church. So I deal with some drugs. And my first money. Okay. Okay. Let's meet. After the service. The pastors are dealing in deals. And.
[17:35] I mean. Sin. People are. Sleeping around easily. And it's fine. And there's no repentance. No. No. No. No. No. It's a problem. It's a sign that the doctrine is not sound.
[17:47] It's a sign that the Holy Spirit is not really awake. So. Sin in leadership. And. Worldliness. When worldliness is entertained in the church.
[17:57] So. Such that. The entire. Activities of the church. Is geared to look worldly. Worldly. You come to church. And you end up being more lustful.
[18:07] Than you. So. These are the things that determine. The spiritual soundness of the church. If these things are in place. And. So long as location is concerned.
[18:19] Then. Be faithful to the end. You don't choose your church based on. What makes you happy. You don't choose your church based on. Your friends are there.
[18:32] Based on doctrine. And. Where you know God is assigning you. And being fed. And then you make sure you serve there. And your service must be a faithful service. That is what determines.
[18:43] The quality of reward God can give you. So. In Matthew chapter 25. Verse. 21. It says that. Well done. Thou good and faithful servant. My goodness. Enter into the joy of the Lord.
[18:55] That's all you need. Enter into the joy. He produced one. One. Two. They gave him two. He produced two more. Not like the five. But. No. Verse 21 is the five.
[19:06] But. Verse 23. He said the same thing to the one who produced two. So the one who produced five. Received the same commendation. The one who produced two. Received the same commendation. Because he gave him two.
[19:18] He brought two. He gave 100%. He gave 100%. He gave the best that. The master. The master. The master. Deserved. And was looking for. And. So. He said. You are faithful. It takes faithfulness.
[19:28] To give the best. Bible says in. Luke chapter. 16. Verse 10. He said. He who is faithful. In what is least. Is faithful also. In what is much. When God.
[19:39] I just want God. To make me a millionaire. I'll buy a building for the church. You are not even paying tithe. You are not giving offering. So he that is faithful. In. Little.
[19:50] Is faithful in much. Faithfulness. Rates very high. Matthew chapter 24. Verse 45. It rates very high. On God's system of judgment. So long as his workers are concerned.
[20:01] So long as determining of reward is concerned. It rates so high. So high. It seems to even rate so high. Than the way God approaches.
[20:14] Our holiness in rewarding us. There are people who think God will reward them. Because they don't steal. They don't. They don't steal. Why should you reward. Your. 15 year old child.
[20:24] For brushing their teeth. Brushing of teeth. Is just a common sense thing. So if you don't steal. If you don't fornicate. As a Christian. What else were you expecting? Why should you be rewarded.
[20:37] For not gossiping? Why should you be rewarded. For not fornicating? Why should you be rewarded. For even giving an offering? These are basic things.
[20:47] Why should you be rewarded. For coming to church? Of course. You'll be rewarded. For serving in church. But not coming to church. You have two different things. Serving. Now you are engaging in work.
[20:59] And then the quality of your service. Is not determined. By the time you are spent. Is determined. By the faithfulness. It is required. Of a steward. To be found.
[21:10] Faithful. God. Values faithfulness. To the extent that. God. Ah. Can I preach at all? He says. 2 Corinthians 3. Verse 3. God calls himself faithful.
[21:23] Himself. In 1 Corinthians 1. Verse 9. He said. But God. The faithful God. God. Who is faithful? God is faithful. God. Someone say. God is faithful. I feel like. Say.
[21:33] God is faithful. In Deuteronomy. Chapter 7. Verse 9. God is faithful. In Isaiah chapter 49. Verse 7. God is faithful. I like Hebrews chapter 10.
[21:44] Verse 23. God is faithful. Faithful is he. Who has promised. In 1 Thessalonians. Chapter 5. Verse 24. Faithful is he. Who collects you. Who also will do it.
[21:56] He is faithful. Amen. God is faithful. God is faithful. He calls himself. The faithful God. The faithful God.
[22:06] He who calls you is faithful. He who calls you is faithful. He who calls you is faithful. And so. God values faithfulness so much.
[22:16] That he calls himself faithful. And the word of God is called faithful. Christ himself is called faithful. Revelation chapter 1. Verse 5. Faithful Christ.
[22:27] God is faithful. Christ is faithful. Revelation chapter 1. Verse 5. It says that. And from Jesus Christ. Jesus is faithful.
[22:41] And look at. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 6. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 6. But Christ as a son. Over his own house. Whose house we are. If we. Give me a different choice.
[22:51] I think New American standard. It makes sure. Yes. New American standard. It says. Christ was faithful as a son. Christ is faithful. He's a faithful son.
[23:02] Faithful. So God himself is faithful. If we. If we confess our sins. 1 John chapter 1 verse 9.
[23:15] He's faithful. So God is faithful. Christ is faithful. And the word of God. In Revelation chapter 21. Verse 5. Faithful words. I'm enjoying the word.
[23:27] Then. Then he who sat on the throne. Behold. Revelation. Yeah. He says. Right. For these words. Are true. And faithful. Revelation chapter 22. Verse 6.
[23:38] Says. The word of God is faithful. First Timothy chapter 1. Verse 15. Faithful. This is. This is. Faithful saying. Some translation. It says. Faithful words.
[23:49] I like that. How about that? It says. This is a faithful saying. I love that. Faithful saying. The word of God.
[24:00] Is faithful. Several places in scripture. You will see. That the word. Is faithful. God. Is faithful. So he requires. Of Christians. To be faithful.
[24:12] Hallelujah. If I were you. I would shout. God is faithful. God is faithful. They shouted again. God is faithful. God is faithful. In first Timothy chapter 3.
[24:24] Verse 1. Chapter 4. Verse 9. And. And in second Timothy. Oh I like second Timothy 2. 11. This is a faithful saying. Titus 2. 11. It's a faithful saying.
[24:36] Second Timothy chapter 2. Verse 13. He said. If we don't believe. He remained faithful. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. So.
[24:48] So faithfulness. Is highly rated by God. To the extent that. That is what determines. His system of reward. To his workers. God's system of reward.
[25:00] Is determined. By the workers faithfulness. Faithful. Tell someone. Be faithful. So does that make sense.
[25:11] Why. Paul had to. Mention. Titicus. And said. He's a faithful man. But it's not only. Titicus. So now.
[25:22] Three things. He sent them. So they. I didn't finish that one. So. Number one. He sent them. So they will know his state. Number two. So he will know their state. Number three. So they will be comforted.
[25:34] He sent. Titicus. That. That's the one. His prison. This guy's in prison. He's thinking about the comfort. Of those who are outside of prison. Is he not rather than one. Who needs to be comforted. But he's a faithful minister.
[25:47] He said. He put me in the work of the ministry. Because he counted me faithful. No wonder. In prison. He was still faithful to his cause. One of the things. That is required. Of church leaders. Is faithfulness.
[26:00] Faithfulness. In fact. I think. First Peter chapter five. It tells them. It said that. Be faithful. As shepherds. He said. Be faithful. So. Now. That faithfulness. Of a church leader.
[26:11] Is. Be faithful. To the words. That has been committed to you. Don't change your message. After. Political. Since change. Just. Just stay with the message.
[26:22] God has given you. All great ministers. Around the world. Or ever. Who. You know about. You check them. They are great. Because.
[26:32] Because. They have maintained. Just one message. One message. Any pastor. Who preaches everything. Is preaching deliverance. Is specialized. In deliverance. Specialized in healing. Specialized in prosperity.
[26:43] Specialized in faith. Specialized in breakthrough. And. Specialized in. Church growth. Specialized. Specialized in wisdom. Specialized. They never become great.
[26:55] When God. Gives. Calls you. He gives you a message. So you have to be faithful. To the message. And allow. Your pastor. To stay faithful. To the message. God has called him to preach.
[27:06] And you to stay faithful. To your pastor. Because. Sometimes. Pastors. May end up changing. Their message. Because. They realize that. Their church members. Are now streaming.
[27:17] Or. Trooping. To this other person. Who is preaching. This thing. Is not preaching. As long as. It's a sound doctrine. And that's your. But you stay on it. Yes. Stay on it.
[27:28] Stay on it. Be faithful. So. So. It's important. To understand. That. When it comes to. God. Faithfulness. Is highly rated. So. Paul. Was so faithful.
[27:38] That when he was in prison. He was thinking about. The church. He has not even seen. Then. He sent. Look at. Verse nine. He didn't send.
[27:49] Tajikus alone. He sent. An. Onesmos. Look at this. Let's already. A laugh from the school. Let's go. Jesus. Faithful. And the Lord. Did you see that?
[28:01] Those two people. Were sending four letters. And. Three of those letters. Are canonized. That means they are in scripture. Three of those letters.
[28:12] Were scripture. And. They were going to travel. About thousand miles. Those days. With just a letter. Can you imagine. If late. On their way going. They find a deal.
[28:23] Where you can. You tell a letter. That's the matter. They can throw the letter away. Just go. And enjoy their lives. You needed a faithful person. Who will not abandon. The mission. To them.
[28:36] Because. What they were carrying. Had. Significant. Importance. For the. The general church. The body of Christ. They are. They are carrying scripture.
[28:46] You can't leave the scripture. In the hands of children. How long has I been judged. Before I be qualified. No.
[28:57] How quality is your faithfulness. That's why. But. Does it take time. It takes time. For people to prove. Their level of faithfulness. By committing the word of God.
[29:09] Which was going. This guy. He was in prison. There was no guarantee. They would take it. Four letters. No one. He sent. The letter of Colossians. The letter of Ephesians.
[29:20] And the letter of Philemon. And then. The letter he mentioned later. To Laodicea. Laodicea. Didn't make it. The letter of Laodicea. Was not canonized.
[29:31] So we don't have the letter of Laodicea. Because. That was in the word of God. So Paul wrote. Other things. That were not in the word of God. It's not everything that was written. That was the word of God. But he committed. These four letters.
[29:41] Three of those letters. 75% of. What he had. He sent. Was canonized. And he committed it to some people. You need some faithful people. Don't tell me.
[29:52] We should give you position in the church. Because of your gifts. Pastor. Don't promote a person. Because of their gifts. Promote them. Because of their faithfulness.
[30:04] No. I've been to Bible school. I've finished Bible school. I have PhD in Bible. And theological. Or. Or. Theology proper. I know about. I know about. I'm a sheology. I know about. Eschatology.
[30:15] I know about. Demonology. I know about. Angelology. I know about. Theology proper. I know about. Christology. I know about. Næ•°oy. I know about. I know. So. Theology.
[30:26] I know. I know. So. Give me a front seat. No. Front seat. Is there for people. Who are faithful. It is required of a steward to be found.
[30:38] It's found. That means you have to be assessed with time. Assessed with time. You are not supposed to be giving position in church because of your deep pocket. Excuse me.
[30:50] It's not your donation to the church that makes you a leader. Your financial contributions. Your financial contributions cannot qualify you to be a leader. In fact, if you think it's qualifying you to be a leader, it means that you've moved into the range of Simon the Sostra.
[31:05] Because he's trying to use money to buy his way in church. The only thing that gives you credibility in God's work is the level of your faithfulness. So it's required of a steward to be found faithful.
[31:18] Tell someone, be faithful unto death. Be faithful unto death. Am I preaching a good message? And Bible says, a faithful man shall abound in blessings.
[31:33] It's not a hardworking man. Hardworking is necessary. But you can tell. There are people who have pushed and pushed. And nothing is showing. Maybe check your quality of faithfulness.
[31:45] A faithful man will abound with blessings. You see how God values faithfulness? Not only rewards after you die. On earth, it qualifies you for certain types of blessings.
[31:58] You are blessed. Remain faithful to God. Remain faithful to his church. So he sent this letter to them through Tachicus and Onesimus. Who is this Onesimus who is calling faithful?
[32:11] He says, who is one of you? They shall make known to you all things that are in. Is this the first time Onesimus is mentioned? No. Look at Philemon. Philemon verse 9 and 10.
[32:24] This is a very interesting. Okay. The letter. I have to finish this. But listen. The letter. He said, how many letters did he send? Four. He sent four letters.
[32:35] Three of them are canonized. That means they made it to scripture. All right. The three that are canonized. One is the one we are reading. Colossians. The other one is Ephesians.
[32:47] And the third one is Philemon. Now, Philemon is somebody's name. But Colossians is not somebody's name. Colossians is the people who live in Colossae. Ephesians is the people who live in Ephesus.
[33:00] Philemon is somebody's name. It's not people who live in Philemon. Philemon. But how about Philippians? Philippians is those who live in Philippi.
[33:12] So Philemon is somebody's actual name. So look at Philemon. He wrote a letter to Philemon, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy, our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend and fellow laborer.
[33:25] So Philemon is a human being. And the content of his letter, Philemon was a rich man who used to have slaves. And then in those days, it is against the law for a slave to run away.
[33:38] When a slave runs away, you know, it's like a prison break. When a slave runs away, because a slave is the property. That's why slavery is not good.
[33:49] In those days, slavery, a slave is the asset, personal asset of the master. So if you run away, sometimes just kill it. No, the Roman law allows it.
[34:02] Kill him. Kill him. If they treat him like an idiot. That's why slavery is not right. It's only, Paul says that we are all one. No slave, no bond. I mentioned it earlier. So this guy, Philemon had a slave who ran away from his master.
[34:17] And he went to Rome. He went to, Rome is a big city. Yeah. When a runaway slave is caught, he's supposed to be sent to the master. He can be killed or they're sent to the master.
[34:28] The master kills him. Or the master can make his case very severe, depending on what the master is. Then this Philemon had a slave and the slave ran away. So he's a wanted fugitive.
[34:40] And went to Rome. He was having party, enjoying himself. I'm free. Runaway slave. I'm free. But wanted. I'm free. But wanted. Wanted where? Wanted in Colossae.
[34:52] And in the territories. If you are found. And even someone catches you in Rome and knows that you are a runaway slave, they can send you. So wanted, but free. Wanted, but free.
[35:02] Then the guy comes into contact with a prisoner called Paul. And Paul, when you come into contact with him, he will make a Christian out of you. And Paul preaches this guy and makes a Christian out of him.
[35:14] And the guy will save him, Paul, to the extent that Paul said, I want to keep you here. But Paul found out. Can I do some credit check on you? Can I check your file? Did an experience check on him and they found out.
[35:28] Like, you are a runaway prisoner? Oh, but the guy has genuinely changed. Stop treating people based on how you knew them to be.
[35:40] Give them the benefit of the doubt. The guy has changed so much that now Paul said, I want to keep you for myself. But unfortunately, you have run away from somebody who is one of mine.
[35:53] He said, who I wish to keep with me. That on your behalf, he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. The guy is so profitable.
[36:04] I really want him to work with me. But he says that because of my relation with you. And I know who you are. And you are his master. He has run away from you.
[36:15] I have to send him back to you. Do what is right. Send him back to him. Send him back to her. Do what is right.
[36:31] He says that because of my faithfulness to you. I cannot keep this runaway slave.
[36:44] Even though he is so profitable to me. For the gospel. But he said, I can't. So that in fact, things that you are supposed to be doing for me if you are here. He will do it on your behalf. That's verse 13. He said, you could have been doing it on your behalf.
[36:57] And things that you keep saying. I wish I was there. I would do this for you. I wish I was there. Now this guy is here. He is doing it. So then it means that you should agree with him. But he said, even if you agree. My conscience will not allow me to keep him here.
[37:10] So he said, I'm sending him with a letter to you. It was a dangerous mission. It was a very dangerous mission that faithful, faithful onismus was going on.
[37:23] In Philemon chapter 1 verse 8. Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you. What is fitting? I was going to say, do this.
[37:33] But I want to appeal to you. Yet, for last sake, I rather appeal to you. Being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ. He says, look at the next verse. I appeal to you for my son.
[37:45] Now he's calling my son. Oh, yes. My son Onismus. Whom I have begotten whilst I'm in prison. He said, no, you can't. Onismus. And then somebody would just say, this is theologically unacceptable.
[37:58] But why are you calling somebody your son? Why are you calling? You are trying to say, are you his father? Are you his father? He said, I beg him in prison in the gospel.
[38:12] I gave beg to him. Someone was responsible for your existence. Be careful when you are throwing stones at them. He said, I have given beg to Onismus.
[38:24] It's my son whilst I'm in prison. Look at the next verse. Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable not only to you, to both of us. He was unprofitable.
[38:35] This is a runaway slave. And Paul judged, watch this, watch this. Let me not go too much to Philemon. Let me come back to this Onismus. Paul judged Onismus so faithful that he sent him with a letter, not only to Colossae, not only to Ephesus, and not only to Laodicea, but to his ex-master who is looking for him to kill him.
[39:01] Yeah. Colossae, even Colossae, don't go there because Philemon lived in Colossae. So everybody in Colossae would know, hey, that's a lie.
[39:16] Wanted man in Colossae. Ephesus was close to Colossae and Laodicea. They were all within that same valley, that same region. So Ephesus, all right, let's give it.
[39:27] It's not a good idea at all, but here we go. Laodicea, it's a bad idea because Laodicea and Colossae are very close. And one more city, Hierapolis, they are very close.
[39:38] But you let's grant Israel, you can go. Colossae said, oh no. No. Oh no. Onismus, I want to send you. Yes, apostle, my dad.
[39:50] I love you to death. I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. He said, okay, I want to send you. Yes. I know you love me, but what I need from you is not just love, faithfulness.
[40:03] I want to send you where? You are sending a letter to Ephesus. Ephesus. Ephesus. Once you say it, I'm happy to go. If it's for you, I'm committed. Even if it means I'll lose my life, I'll go.
[40:15] So I'll go. But not only Ephesus. Where again? Laodicea. But that's very close to Colossae where I'm wanted. So yeah. So okay. I'll go. Not only Laodicea.
[40:26] But Colossae. Colossae. Hey. Hey. Dad. Daddy. Daddy.
[40:38] Daddy. Colossae, you know, that's where I ran away from. He said, oh yeah, I know. And it's actually not even only Colossae. I want you to go and give a letter to Philemon. Philemon.
[40:54] Yes. I'm sending. I want to send a letter to him. But I don't have a guarantee that somebody will take it. And I need a second person. Two people to send.
[41:05] The Bible says that in the mouth of two or three witnesses. So it's two. Not one. You can't send one person. Two. To carry the word of God. But I look around me.
[41:17] Everybody has a role in playing. But people to send, it requires a certain level of faithfulness. And you are the one. So of course. I'm so happy to go. I'm so happy to go.
[41:28] If it means that they will kill me. What? As long as the letter will get there. I will be happy to go. So Paul said. I'm sending. But I'm also sending.
[41:41] Onesmo. I'm sending. Look at what he said to Philemon. I'm sending him back to you. You therefore receive him. That is. Can you imagine how close he was to Paul? That's my own heart.
[41:52] He used to be an unfaithful slave. He was not faithful to his boss. But today. Paul said. God has given him another chance. Onesmo.
[42:03] With the letter. Why would they give the letter to him? One. Because he's faithful. Faithful. Onesmo. With the letter.
[42:15] They give him a letter. Because. He has been found faithful. Paul. And he was sent. To send a letter. To check on the guys. To report how Paul is doing.
[42:26] And to call. Can you imagine. They were sending him to go and comfort. Philemon. And they told Philemon. When he comes. Receive him.
[42:38] He said. This time. Don't receive him as a slave. But receive him. As a fellow brother. Receive him back. As a fellow brother. And can you imagine. This one letter.
[42:49] Is in the New Testament. It tells you that people. Should be given another chance. People should be given. Don't judge people. With how you knew them. When. Before they came to Christ.
[42:59] When people are in Christ. Give them another chance. Give them another chance. Society might not give you. But the church. Is required. To give people.
[43:09] Another chance. In spite of what we know. About their past. Before Christ. Give them another chance. Give them another chance. You've heard so much.
[43:20] About this guy. It didn't. Ananias say. In Acts chapter. 9. From verse 11. 12 and 13. He told God. I've heard about this guy. He said. Killer. You are sending me to him. God said.
[43:30] Give him another chance. Paul was giving another chance. So he can never deny. Other people another chance. When he gets to the next week. You see how he gave Luke. Another chance. He said Mark. He gave Mark.
[43:40] Another chance. He gave Mark. Another chance. But there was also a Demas. We will talk about Demas. But he gave him. Another chance. Onesimus.
[43:50] Was giving another chance. And the chance. Was even. At the front. A very high pedestal. He was sent. Remember. Not because he was. An ex-prisoner. He was sent. Because he was faithful. That's why they sent him.
[44:03] He said. Pastor. Can I do this? Can I do this? Are you faithful enough? You want to jump on the instruments? Are you faithful enough? If they give you offers. To go and play. Somewhere. When is church time?
[44:14] Are you faithful? Because they are paying you big. In Wembley. Are you faithful enough? To stay in church. And do the work of God? Are you faithful enough? Some people are not faithful. To their church.
[44:25] Let me say this. Our church. We don't have this kind of problem. But there are people. Who are not faithful. To their church. Sunday morning. Someone is coming. To do a program in town. And you are not. In church. You have left it. To go and look for deliverance.
[44:38] You are not faithful. You are not faithful. It is required. Of a steward. To be faithful. Faithfulness.
[44:50] Someone shout. God is faithful. God is faithful. Faithfulness.
[45:01] God's system. Of reward. Of judgment for reward. In Jesus. Did you receive something? Come on. Let's give Jesus all of them.
[45:15] Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. We pray you have been strengthened and enlightened. You can connect to David Entry on all relevant social media platforms. Including Instagram and LinkedIn.
[45:27] You can also hear more messages from David Entry. On all relevant streaming platforms. And the Carriage Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed.