WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.839 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.760 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:22.199 All right. Well, good morning, 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:24.920 Ontario Community Church. 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:29.960 As we're, let's go ahead and head back to our seats. 00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:33.759 And it's great to be with all of you this morning. 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:35.920 My name is Patrick Daley, 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:40.760 and I'm the pastor here serving at Ontario Community Church. 00:00:40.760 --> 00:00:42.760 You know, for the past two weeks, 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:46.519 we have been going through the book of Philemon, 00:00:46.519 --> 00:00:49.280 and we have been doing an overview, 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:51.960 and we started a line-by-line, 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:55.799 verse-by-verse study in God's Word. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:00.799 I want to start off with our opening question here. 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:05.799 Did you ever have to face a consequence, 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:08.799 even though you got away with doing wrong? 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:10.799 You don't have to raise your hand. 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:13.799 But I know for many of us, right? 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:16.799 I think of sometimes the classic scenario 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:18.799 where there's a cookie jar and you're a child, 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:20.799 and you want an extra cookie. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:22.799 So you place your hand in the cookie, 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:24.799 and you eat it, 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:28.799 and somehow mom and dad know that you ate from it. 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:30.799 Somehow something's going on here. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:32.799 What's going on with that? 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:35.799 Well, today we're going to go over the idea 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:38.799 that even though we may clean up our act, 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:40.799 and even though we get right with God, 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:43.799 sometimes we still mess up, don't we? 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:46.799 We still take from the cookie jar, don't we? 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:50.799 And sometimes we need to face the consequence 00:01:50.799 --> 00:01:52.799 for the actions that we do. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:55.799 I know nobody likes hearing that word consequence. 00:01:55.799 --> 00:01:57.799 Oh, no, we don't like hearing that word. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:00.799 But sometimes we need to ask forgiveness 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:02.799 for the wrong that we've done with others, 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.799 and sometimes we feel moved by the Holy Spirit 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:07.799 to make things right, 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:11.800 even though you did get away from the wrong that you've done. 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:13.800 I want you to think about that as we move through 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:15.800 our scripture reading today, 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.800 because we will learn about how one man goes, 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:21.800 he did something wrong, 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:25.800 and he's being sent back to make things right 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:27.800 with the person he did wrong. 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:30.800 So the title for the sermon today is 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:33.800 Grace Over Judgment, 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:39.800 which in turn is the idea of reconciliation over retribution. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:41.800 You know, as Christians, 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:43.800 the critical moment in your life 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:46.800 is when you make a decision for Jesus Christ. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:47.800 Amen? 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:48.800 That is the critical moment. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:51.800 That is the most important part of the Christian walk. 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:53.800 It's to become a Christian. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:55.800 It is to say yes to Jesus Christ, 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:58.800 to have him at the center of your life. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:00.800 And once you make that decision, 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:02.800 your life will never be the same, 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:04.800 and that is the most positive, 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:06.800 reassuring the confidence, 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:09.800 the trust that we have in our Lord and our God. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:12.800 To have Jesus Christ at the center of your life 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:16.800 is to allow for God to work in and through you, 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:18.800 allowing for transformation. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:21.800 It's letting go of the former things in this life 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:24.800 and letting go of the old way of doing things. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:27.800 Some of us may remember the time when we were, 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:29.800 when we didn't know the Lord. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:30.800 I know I do. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:32.800 I was not a good person. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:34.800 But when I made a decision for Christ, 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:36.800 God worked in and through me, 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.800 and God will work in and through you as well. 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:42.800 Transformation of your old life, 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:44.800 letting go of the former things 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:48.800 and allowing God to have your new identity, 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:50.800 letting go of the former things. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:54.800 I think of 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17, 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:56.800 which goes on to say, 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:59.800 therefore if anyone is in Christ, 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:02.800 he is a new creation. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.800 The old has passed away and behold, 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.800 the new has come. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:09.800 So last week we learned about these people. 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:11.800 We learned who are the people 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:13.800 in the beginning of Philemon. 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:16.800 Paul, Ephesians, Archipus, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:18.800 who are all these people. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:20.800 We learned more about them. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:23.800 We learned about how Paul is going to continue 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:25.800 to pray for Philemon's ministry, 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.800 that people will come to know the Lord. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:30.800 It is a prayer of transformation 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:33.800 in the lives of those that he ministers to. 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:35.800 And we learned about what it meant 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:38.800 to be refreshed in Christ. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:42.800 And so today, we're going to learn about Paul's appeal 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:44.800 to Philemon. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:46.800 Paul could have commanded Philemon, 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.800 but he chose to appeal to him. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:50.800 And I want you to think about that today. 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:52.800 He could have commanded Philemon 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:54.800 to take Onesimus back, 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:58.800 but instead he is choosing to appeal to him. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:00.800 We're going to learn about the back story 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:03.800 of Onesimus and his transformation in Christ. 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:05.800 We all have a back story. 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.800 We have our testimony, 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:10.800 our story of the former life. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:13.800 We learn about the closeness that Onesimus had with Paul, 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.800 the brotherly love. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:20.800 There's, when Paul mentions our brother, 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:24.800 it's such a closeness, a bond, a connection. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:27.800 We learn about how we are useful when we choose Christ, 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:29.800 no longer useless. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:34.800 We go from disobedience, disobeying God, 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:38.800 and God works in powerful ways for good, 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:42.800 to show us, to lead us, to guide us to Christ. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:45.800 We learn about freedom from sin and slavery, 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:49.800 and we learn about grace over judgment. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:52.800 So let's open in prayer and go right to it. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.800 Father, we thank you for this time and this opportunity 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:57.800 to come together as the body of Christ. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:00.800 We are, may we be ready to read, to study, 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:06.800 to learn, and to apply your word to our lives. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:10.800 Lord, there's so much truth, wisdom, and insight in your word. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:13.800 We ask that you speak to us. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:16.800 May you move in us and through us. 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:21.800 We ask that our hearts will be open to love and to live like you, 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:24.800 and our minds will be transformed by you. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:26.800 May we make things right with you 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:30.800 if there is anything that needs to be reconciled. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:34.800 You, God, are the great transformer of our lives 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:36.800 and the great transformer of culture. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.800 We ask that you are with us today 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:41.800 as we learn more about you and your word. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:43.800 We thank you. We praise you. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:46.800 We glorify you and we honor you. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:48.800 It is in Jesus' name that we pray, 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:50.800 and we all say together, amen. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:53.800 I'd like us to turn to Philemon. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.800 We'll put that on the slide. 00:06:55.800 --> 00:07:01.800 Let's turn to page 1186 in your ESV Pew Bible. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.800 You're welcome to use any translation 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:06.800 if you have a preferred translation. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:09.800 NIV, New King James, whatever translation. 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:14.800 We use our ESV Study Bibles just so we can read together. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:19.800 It says here, 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:26.800 it's going to be from verse 8. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:33.800 We're reading from verse 8 all the way to verse 16. 00:07:33.800 --> 00:07:38.800 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:40.800 to do what is required, 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:43.800 He could have commanded Philemon. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:45.800 That's just right away. 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:48.800 Yet for love's sake, I prefer to appeal to you. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:55.800 I, Paul, an old man, now a prisoner, also for Christ Jesus. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:58.800 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus. 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:01.800 Paul is calling Onesimus his child. 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:04.800 That's, there's a closeness there. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:07.800 Whose father I became in my imprisonment. 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:10.800 Formally, he was useless to you, 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:13.800 but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:15.800 I am sending him back to you, 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:18.800 sending my very heart. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.800 I would have been glad to keep him with me 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:22.800 in order that he might serve me on your behalf 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:25.800 during my imprisonment for the gospel. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:28.800 But I prefer to do nothing without your consent 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.800 in order that your goodness might not be 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:34.799 by compulsion but of your own accord. 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:37.799 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:41.799 for a while, that you might have him back forever. 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:44.799 No longer as a bondservant, 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:46.799 or as some translations say, 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:49.799 no longer as a slave. 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:53.799 But more than a bondservant has a beloved brother, 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:57.799 especially to me, but how much more to you, 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:01.799 both in the flesh and in the Lord. 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:04.799 And we start off with verse 8. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:06.799 Accordingly though I am bold enough in Christ 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:09.799 to command you to do what is required, 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:11.799 what does that mean? 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:13.799 We start off with verse 8, right? 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.799 Paul is saying that he could have commanded Philemon 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:17.799 to take him back. 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:20.799 And this is the apostolic authority 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:23.799 towards Philemon. 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:26.799 You will note that I am bold enough in Christ. 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:28.799 What does that word specifically mean? 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:32.799 It is boldness, it is confidence in Christ. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.799 This would have been Paul, like I said, 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:36.799 using his apostolic position of authority 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:39.799 to command Philemon to take Onesimus back. 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:42.799 This wouldn't have come from a place of arrogance or anger. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:44.799 This would have been I am the authority, 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:47.799 and I am going to command you. 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:49.799 But does Paul do that? 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:51.799 He does not. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:54.799 So it says here to command you to do what is required, 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:57.799 to do what is required, although Paul does not say 00:09:57.799 --> 00:10:00.799 command you to take Onesimus back, 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:03.799 we can look at the context of the entire book 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:06.799 to conclude that Paul is implying to take him back, 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:08.799 to do what is required. 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:13.799 I could have commanded you to take Onesimus back, Philemon, 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:16.799 but instead I'm appealing to you. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:19.799 I am appealing to do what is required. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:22.799 I could have commanded you, but I'm going to make an appeal. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:26.799 Verse 9, yet for love's sake, I prefer to appeal to you. 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:33.799 I, Paul, an old man, now a prisoner, also for Christ Jesus. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:36.799 And Paul is choosing to appeal to Philemon 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:38.799 instead of that command. 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:42.799 Well, why did Paul choose to appeal 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:44.799 instead of command Philemon? 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.799 Why could he have just said, take him back? 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:48.799 Done deal, case closed. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:52.799 Well, it says right in here, it's out for love's sake. 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:56.799 This appeal is out of the agape love, 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:00.799 the same kind of love that God has for us. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:02.799 You know, it's very interesting. 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:05.799 God's love is unconditional. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:08.799 It's a different kind of love that we have from the Lord, 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:11.799 different than our human kind of love. 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:13.799 We love our pets. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.799 We love the things that we have. 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:16.799 We love our house. 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:17.799 We love our car. 00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:19.799 We love our family. 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:21.799 We have that brotherly love. 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:25.799 But we're talking about this agape love. 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:28.799 It's very different than what the world has to offer. 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:32.799 We know that throughout scripture, love is patient, love is kind. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:35.799 So what's happening here is Paul is saying, 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:38.799 because of this agape love, 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:42.799 I am going to appeal to you rather than command to you. 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:46.799 And it reminds me, it should remind us, 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:50.799 of the kind of love that God has for us. 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:55.799 Does God force us to love him? 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:58.799 It's a more difficult question. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:01.799 God gives us the choice to choose him 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:04.799 instead of forcing us to love him. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:08.799 So there's a little bit of a mirror here. 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:12.799 Is it love if it's forced? 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.799 I don't think so. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:18.799 So when we think of how God loved us so much, 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:23.799 he's giving us the choice, the opportunity to choose him, 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:28.799 or as some people have chosen, to not choose the Lord. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:33.799 So when we think of that agape love that Paul has for Philemon, 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:35.799 I'm not going to force you. 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:37.799 I'm going to appeal to you. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:42.799 The ball is now in Philemon's court. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:44.799 Paul goes on mentioning two things. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:48.799 He's being an old man and a prisoner for Christ. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:50.799 Well, an old man, right? 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:53.799 Well, we know that Paul is saying that he's older in age, right? 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:55.799 That's pretty obvious. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:57.799 It means that he's wiser as well. 00:12:57.799 --> 00:13:01.799 Paul is saying to Philemon to listen to him. 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:04.799 Because of his age and because of his wisdom. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:09.799 It's kind of like if grandma and grandpa are telling grandchildren to listen. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:15.799 They're using their age, listen to my wisdom, listen to my experience. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:19.799 I think of my own grandparents when I was growing up, 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:24.799 how much older and wiser they are, even though I didn't fully understand. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:27.799 So you see that Paul is appealing, saying, 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:30.799 look, I am an older man, listen to me. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:35.799 And now a prisoner in Christ, Paul goes on mentioning once again 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:39.799 how he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:44.799 Now this can mean literal prison, as this was written in the time of Colossians. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:51.799 It can also mean how Paul has mentioned that he is a servant or a slave for Christ, 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:56.799 meaning that he is dedicated for the cause of Christ. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:59.799 So I would say it means both. 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:03.799 So verse 10, I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:08.799 whose father I became in my imprisonment. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:12.799 Paul now is making an appeal for Onesimus. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:18.799 Paul had such a close love, bond, affection, if you will, 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:24.799 with this man that he's referring to him as my child, taking someone under your wing. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:29.799 The language that is used here is like a mentor. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:32.799 We know that Paul guided many people to come to know the Lord. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:37.799 Think of a relationship to where Paul, like I said, he's a mentor, 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:41.799 he's like a spiritual father, if you will. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:48.799 One who guides people, who takes them under their wing 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:52.799 and helps them grow in Christ. That's beautiful language. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:57.799 Mentorship and discipleship, they require time, they require effort and energy 00:14:57.799 --> 00:15:01.799 to pour into people and help people along their walk in the Lord. 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:07.799 That's one of the beautiful things of church, is that we can help one another grow in faith. 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:13.799 And if there's ever a time of crisis, of trial or tribulation, we can help one another. 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:19.799 I know that many teachers and educators out there, 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:23.799 you know your students and you get to see them grow. 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:32.799 You get to see the little struggles that they have, you get to see them getting things, understanding concepts. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:37.799 Think of how Paul had that bond with Philemon. 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:44.799 When my wife and I, we were in Hawaii, we were both administrators for a school. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:52.799 And we would see children as they would grow up. We were at a preschool and we had 35 students who attended there. 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:56.799 And these 35 students, you get to see some that were just frustrating. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:16:00.799 And you get to see some that were thriving, your favorite students, right? 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.799 We all have them, let's be honest here, right? 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:11.799 You get to see them grow. You get to see them grow into the young men or the young women who God wants them to be. 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:17.799 And you kind of see a trajectory, like, wow, I wonder who this person is going to be over time. 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:21.799 I wonder how they're going to turn out because I see them growing. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:27.799 That's the kind of language that Paul is using for bonusiness, writing to Philemon. 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:31.799 This is my child, he's growing, can't you see this? 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:40.799 I found it interesting, you know, let's put this on the slide that Paul mentored and discipled many people. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:46.799 He saw them as his own children and you'll find that in 1 Timothy and Titus and 1 Corinthians, 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:51.799 there's many references that Paul says to his children. 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:55.799 Well, they're not biological children, children in the Lord. 00:16:55.799 --> 00:17:05.799 And 1 Timothy, to Timothy, my true child in the faith, Titus 1.4, to Titus my true child in a common faith. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:11.799 In 1 Corinthians, I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:19.799 So it's that language that Paul uses as he is taking these young believers in and discipling them and growing them. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:23.799 It's a beautiful thing to see when someone grows in the Lord. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:29.799 Verse 11, formally he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and me. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:35.799 Useful, Onesemus means useful. 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:41.799 So useful was once useless, but now he is useful. 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:44.799 He is useful to you and to me. 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:50.799 It's a play on words which goes to show that Paul has a sense of humor here. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:57.799 Now, we don't know specifically what happened between Philemon and Onesemus. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:00.799 What did Onesemus do wrong to Philemon? 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:04.799 What did he do? What is this wrong? We don't specifically know. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:15.799 What we do know is that Paul later on in verses 17 and 18, there is an implication that Onesemus did some wrong that could have financially affected Philemon. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:19.799 He could have stolen, he could have cheated or swindled. We don't really know. 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:26.799 But all we know that whatever he did, there's some implication that there was a financial burden, if you will. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:30.799 A lot of scholars say that he stole or he cheated. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.799 But again, we don't really know. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:36.799 We also know that Onesemus ran due to whatever happened between them. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:46.799 So maybe it was he stole something and ran off, you know, if you think of jewelry or fine pottery or whatever. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:51.799 Not only do we know that Onesemus was a changed man. I want you to listen to this. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:55.799 We know he ran off. We know he did something wrong to Philemon. 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.799 But he's a changed man. 00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:04.799 In the next slide here, it says that Onesemus is known in Colossae. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:10.799 Was known in Colossae. In Colossians chapter 4 verse 7 through 9. 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.799 I'll just read it briefly here. 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:19.799 I have sent him, so Titicus will tell you about my activities. He's a beloved brother, faithful minister. 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:25.799 I have sent Titicus for this very purpose that you may know how we are and that you will be encouraged. 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:38.799 And with him, Onesemus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you, they will tell you everything that has taken place here. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:50.799 Onesemus became a changed man in the Lord. Much like how we, when we make a decision from Christ, going from useless to useful, 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:56.799 getting rid of the former life into the new life and the new identity that exists in Christ. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:20:03.799 I bring up this verse to show you that Paul is letting Philemon know that Onesemus is useful now. 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:07.799 He's a changed man. Wouldn't you want to hear that about someone? 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:14.799 This man, this woman is changed. They have come to know the Lord. It's beautiful knowing that. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:21.799 Verse 12, I am sending him back to you, sending my heart. This is of course concern that Paul has for his child. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:31.799 We have to know that slaves or bond servants who ran away in biblical times, they would face legal consequences at that time. 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:37.799 Although culturally that was accepted. We'll see here what Paul has to say about that. 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:43.799 Paul is sending Onesemus back. He wanted to send him back in a honorable manner. 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:49.799 Doing this wasn't easy for Paul to do, to send your own heart. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:57.799 This is as though Paul is saying that I'm sending you my child. Please treat him well. He has changed. 00:20:57.799 --> 00:21:02.799 You got to see this Philemon. You got to see how much he has changed. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:10.799 It's a very powerful bond and just reading this, it's emotional. It's moving to me. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:16.799 It's a sacrifice for Paul to send Onesemus back, but he needs to do it. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:24.799 In verse 13, I would have been glad to keep him with me in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:32.799 This is pretty self-explanatory because Paul loves Onesemus. He wishes to keep him as a changed man. 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:39.799 He is so useful to Paul that it's as though Philemon was there on his behalf. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:47.799 Now talk about a changed man, that he is so useful that it's difficult to send him back. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:22:04.799 This is what we are called to do. We're called to love God and love others and to be so useful that it would be as though we're serving on behalf of Philemon, if you will, or serving on behalf of someone else. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:14.799 This goes to show that Onesemus was valuable. He was useful to Paul. It was as though Philemon was right there with him. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:23.799 Verse 14, I prefer to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might be by compulsion but of your own accord. 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:33.799 Paul does not wish to do anything without Philemon's consent. This is Paul showing respect to Philemon as another believer. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:40.799 We learned earlier about how Philemon had a big house that hosted a house church. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:47.799 So he wants Philemon to make his own decision on the matter, not to force him like we were learning earlier. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:57.799 Paul does not wish to take advantage of Philemon, but wishes for Philemon to act on his own, not out of command or obligation. 00:22:57.799 --> 00:23:06.799 We can learn from this, certainly we can learn straight away not to take advantage of other believers, to respect them and their emotions. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:15.799 This is also a reference for how God acts with us. Like I mentioned, God loves us so much, is he going to force us to love him? 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:25.799 Well, no. He gives us the opportunity to choose to love him or to not love him, to choose to draw near to the Lord or to run away. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:36.799 And time after time you find in Scripture this constant story of people who love the Lord and then there's people who run away from the Lord, right? Turn their backs against the Lord. 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:42.799 They repent and they get restored. It's this cycle that happens. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:53.799 The ball is now in Philemon's court. God wishes for us to be in that relationship and we're speaking in regards to authentic faith. 00:23:53.799 --> 00:24:03.799 Paul is wanting Philemon to genuinely make that decision. What is Philemon going to do when Onosemus comes back? 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:07.799 Is he going to be restored or not? That's the question. 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:14.799 Verse 15, for perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever. 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:31.799 Paul is making mention that it's very possible that Onosemus could have done wrong just because God would have intervened in Onosemus's life to meet Paul, to get to know Paul, to come to know the Lord and to be taken under Paul's wing, 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:43.799 to become useful, to become a believer in Christ so useful that it says, though Philemon is there with him, talk about the hand of God. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:51.799 That's what Paul is saying here. It's possible that this all could have happened for a reason so that he came to know the Lord. 00:24:51.799 --> 00:25:03.799 That reminds us, it should remind us, that sometimes when we do wrong, God will still use wrong that's happened to you or bad that's happened to you so that you come to know the Lord, 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:10.799 so that his will or his ways somehow happens. It's very difficult to understand, certainly. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:21.799 But in this sense, Paul is saying, it's not by chance that this happened. It's not by chance that Onosemus came to know the Lord. 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:29.799 Yeah, he did wrong. But look at what's happened because of the wrong that he's done. Much like how we do wrong. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:38.799 Sometimes in the wrong that we do, we learn our lesson, don't we? We learn not to take from the cookie jar again because mommy and daddy are not going to be very happy with us, right? 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:50.799 We learn, I hope that we all learn, we should all learn the lesson that when we sin, we are separated from the Lord and it is up to us to get right with the Lord. 00:25:50.799 --> 00:26:06.799 Verse 16, no longer as a bond servant, but more than a bond servant, as a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you both in the flesh and in the Lord? 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:16.799 Onosemus is no longer a slave to sin. I've always had difficulty with that language being a slave to sin. Very difficult language. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:28.799 But he's saying that Onosemus is more than that. His value is beyond. He's no longer a slave to sin. He is a brother. He is a believer in Christ. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:38.799 Onosemus is a changed man. He now has freedom in Christ. There's that close relationship that has been established. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:51.799 Paul is saying how much more to you both in the flesh and in the Lord? Onosemus is now a brother in Christ. He's free from the chains of sin, if you will. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:27:02.799 And Paul is seeing Onosemus as a free man and he's saying to Philemon, look, he's much more valuable than a bond servant. He's much more valuable than a slave. 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:16.799 I see him as a brother. Take him as a brother. Do you realize the statement that's being made here? Being free from sin and being free from slavery? 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:27.799 That's a very, I know it's a very difficult topic, but it's such beautiful language of a man who once was a slave to sin and literally a slave, now being free from sin. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:33.799 Now there's the appeal to be a free man. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:42.799 We are talking about spiritual freedom and physical real world freedom. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:54.799 It's no longer about this master and slave relationship. That's what Paul is talking about. It's about two men who are now brothers in Christ. 00:27:54.799 --> 00:28:06.799 Just as Galatians chapter three verse 28 says there is neither June or Greek, there is neither slave nor free. There is no male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:19.799 Do you see the connection there that we are all equal in the eyes of God? We are made in the image of God. Brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:29.799 That's beautiful language. It's not about what's what class are you in? It's not about what your skin color is. It's not even about where you come from. 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:41.799 What matters is if you have that relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be rendered useful. You will be seen as a brother or sister in Christ. 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:50.799 You will be changed men or changed women because God will work in and through you in your life with transformation. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:59.799 I want you to think of a caterpillar, right? That one day they become a butterfly that God works in and through us. 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:15.799 I am not the man that I once was five, ten years ago. God has worked in and through me and I know that God works in and through those who believe, those who seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:28.799 And all these things will what be given unto you. So what can we learn from these verses? Well, like I said, you can always come to the Lord. 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:35.799 It doesn't matter what wrong you've done. Yes, there will still be consequences, but you can still turn to the Lord. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:47.799 Seek him first. Seek a relationship with Jesus Christ to have him as your savior and Lord. Saviour is beautiful language. Lord is a little more difficult. 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:51.799 Having the Lord in charge, that's certainly a difficult one. 00:29:51.799 --> 00:30:05.799 Romans 623 is famously known for saying the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life. In Christ Jesus, our Lord, Amen. 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:11.799 When we seek to have that relationship with Jesus Christ, all we need to do is believe in him. 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:21.799 Is it about how much money I give? Is it about what material things I owe? I must own a twenty thousand dollar car. That's salvation right there. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:28.799 That's not. Salvation is not something you can buy. It's not for sale. 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:38.799 I know there's certainly some religions out there that sell salvation. It's called indulgences and fun fact, it's still actually practiced today. 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:45.799 There's a church in New York that they have a website where you can purchase salvation. I cannot make this up. 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:56.799 But all that to say, we don't believe in buying salvation because scripture says that salvation is a free gift, my friends. 00:30:56.799 --> 00:31:01.799 It's not something that we can buy. It's not for sale. 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:11.799 It's about what Jesus Christ has done for us. That's what makes biblical Christianity, at least, different from any other faith. 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:19.799 If you look at the other religions of the world, you'll see it's about the things that you have to do. It's this checklist, if you will. 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:27.799 And if you mess up the checklist, I'm sorry, you're out of luck. At least that's what their belief system says. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:33.799 As opposed to what has been done by Jesus Christ dying on the cross. 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:43.799 When we look at Jesus Christ, we look that his arms are open. There is an invitation for us to come to him. 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:54.799 It's not about what we do, but it's about what has been done. And because of that free gift of salvation, that moves us to do good in his name. 00:31:54.799 --> 00:32:00.799 I want to put up this slide here for some of those next ones. 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:05.799 How many of you are math people here? Anybody here is a math person? 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:12.799 Well, this should be a simple equation, right? Reconciliation over retribution equals grace over judgment. 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:18.799 I hope this is very simple. This should be one of the more simpler equations out there. We're not talking about the Pythagorean theorem. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:24.799 We're not doing an intro to calculus course. And for those who are math people, I'm sorry in advance. 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:40.799 Simple equation though. Reconciliation over retribution. It means, think about it, our sins are covered by the death, the burial, the resurrection of Jesus Christ that grace is free. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:51.799 It is available for us and it is over judgment because we deserve judgment. But when we choose Christ, that grace is greater. 00:32:51.799 --> 00:33:01.799 Reconciliation over retribution is just another way of saying forgiveness is greater than the price that we have to pay. 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:11.799 Now, I have to add though, it doesn't give out a consequences. I'm sorry guys. I apologize in advance. 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:23.799 We still have consequences for our actions, right? And in this story, when Onosemus is going back to Philemon, there appears to be some discussion that needs to happen. 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:33.799 Onosemus is going to have to speak with Philemon. There has to be some sort of discussion. Now, it may not be death. It may not be going to hell. 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:44.799 But there is still a consequence there. And I know that's difficult. Who here likes suffering consequences? Is any of us? Absolutely not. 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:55.799 But there is still consequence for the actions that we do. But knowing that we are changed by Jesus Christ, by His salvation, by His grace, we can face the consequences. 00:33:55.799 --> 00:34:09.800 We need to right the wrong that we've done. In these verses we've gone over, look, it's not, Paul is not writing all about, oh look at the wrong that Onosemus did, Philemon. 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:19.800 No, it's about how he is a changed man. Paul is focusing on the new life, the new relationship, and the transformative change that has happened. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:29.800 It is a call for Onosemus to go back to Philemon and yes, there was some wrong. Did he steal? Did he cheat Philemon? There's a little bit of that that has to happen. 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:43.800 We later learn, we'll actually learn that Paul is offering to pay, this will be next week, Paul will offer to pay for any debt or any wrong that Onosemus has done. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:54.800 We'll see a connection there. It reminds us that God's desire for us is to focus on reconciliation. It is to focus on forgiveness. It is to focus on God's grace. 00:34:54.800 --> 00:35:04.800 And the new life that is in Christ rather than the former things, rather than the retribution of sin. The wages of sin is death. 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:12.800 That's the reality of scripture. That is the truth of the word of God. If you don't have God, well, what is your wages? 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:21.800 Think about that. When you have Christ, it's much different. I'd rather, I don't want to have that spiritual death. 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:30.800 The wages of sin is death, but the free gift, the free gift of God, the gift of salvation. 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:41.800 Our closing question is how can we seek God? How can we seek God's grace and exhibit grace to each other? 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:54.800 And I want to share with you, there's a set of verses that some of you may know. It says here, 00:35:54.800 --> 00:36:07.800 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come. All this is from God who through Christ reconciled us. 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:14.800 Let's go back to that formula slide. Reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:26.800 That is, Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting us to the message of reconciliation. 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:34.800 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. God making his appeal through us. Do you see the tie in here? 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:42.800 For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:51.800 When we become a Christian, we have Christ at the center of our lives through faith in him. We go from being useless to useful. 00:36:51.800 --> 00:37:01.800 We go from the former life and from the former things, the new life, the new things, the new direction, the confidence, the trust that we have in God. 00:37:01.800 --> 00:37:15.800 God reconciled the world by sending his son Jesus Christ so that all some only the rich only the poor. 00:37:15.800 --> 00:37:25.800 No, everyone, all so that all will not perish but have everlasting life. 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:35.800 Instead of getting what we deserve, we deserve death. We receive grace through faith. That's why it's grace over judgment. 00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:45.800 It is through Christ that we are set free from the chains of sin, no longer to be slaves but to be free in him. 00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:52.800 Free from sin, not free to sin. I always have to bring that up. 00:37:52.800 --> 00:38:01.800 And I have one final slide for you. There's many connections. 00:38:01.800 --> 00:38:13.800 Just as we go from useless to useful, we go from lost to found. We go from death to life. 00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:26.800 We go from slave and sinner to brother and sister in Christ. We go from the retribution of sin to reconciliation through Christ. 00:38:26.800 --> 00:38:38.800 Through Christ, it is reconciliation over retribution, which in turn is God's grace over judgment. 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:48.800 So in closing, I know this is a lot. All this is to say, we were once dead. There's death and there's life. 00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:55.800 There's truth. There's newness in Christ. That's all I'm talking about. 00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:59.800 I know this is probably the most complicated sentence I've put in there. 00:38:59.800 --> 00:39:11.800 But all that is to say, like I said, lost and then to found, from darkness into light, from being a slave to being free in Christ. 00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:20.800 That is the transformation that happens when we make a decision for Christ. 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:35.800 So what we do from here is choose Christ. We learn about Jesus Christ and we go in God's name, proclaiming, sharing our testimony, sharing in our faith with others. 00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:49.800 That is how we serve God. So I hope today I know it's a more difficult message for us, but it is something that we can all learn together. 00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:54.800 So in closing, I'd like to invite us all to pray. Let's pray together. 00:39:54.800 --> 00:40:02.800 Father, as we close our time here this morning, we thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life. 00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:09.800 You have taught us in your word that when we choose you through faith in Christ, we are made useful. 00:40:09.800 --> 00:40:14.800 We are a new creation and we have everlasting life through Him. 00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:24.800 It is in Christ who sets us free from sin to live a righteous life, united with Him, not separated from the Lord, but to draw near to be connected. 00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:30.800 And we do all this so we can help build other believers, refresh them. 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:38.800 Lord, we wish to be a church that lives and loves like you. It is in Christ who sets us free. 00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:51.800 Be with us as we conclude in our worship song today and let this be a place where we love God and love people, where we see transformation happening, 00:40:51.800 --> 00:41:02.800 where we see people going from death to life, from darkness to light, from being lost to being found, from not being confused but being in Christ. 00:41:02.800 --> 00:41:12.800 You give us clarity, you give us purpose, you give us everything, God, and we are thankful for that. 00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:20.800 You have given us grace and that grace is over judgment. We are ever so thankful. 00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:30.800 Let us take this time to sing praises to you and be with us as we go with this week. It is in Jesus' name that we pray and we all say together, amen. 00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:34.800 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:42.800 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:41:42.800 --> 00:42:02.800 May God's blessings be with you.