WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.820 And this week we're going to be starting a new series. 00:00:03.820 --> 00:00:06.160 We finished up the book of James last week. 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:09.160 And this week we're going to be in Philemon. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:11.200 Now I'm going to go ahead and tell you we're going to be in Philemon 00:00:11.200 --> 00:00:13.759 because it may take you a minute to find it. 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:16.179 It is one of the smallest books in the Bible. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:18.839 In fact, if you want to go ahead and start making your way there, 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:22.820 no shame if you look at the table of contents to help find it there. 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:26.519 But if you find Hebrews, then just go back one book of the Bible 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:28.600 and you'll be right there in Philemon. 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:32.620 But as you make your way there, I can remember the first time 00:00:32.620 --> 00:00:37.400 that I ever got to go see a PG-13 movie in the movie theaters. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:39.600 The movie was The Mummy. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:44.200 And this took place back in the 1900s. 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:46.060 And so, you know, just barely. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:47.480 It was 1999. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.299 But every time somebody says that, I felt so old. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:53.579 Like I didn't think the 1900s was that far ago. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:56.060 But I can remember this taking place. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:00:59.240 And we had talked Dad into taking... 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:01.040 Mom, I'm not even sure you know about this. 00:01:01.340 --> 00:01:06.020 But we had talked Dad into taking us to see The Mummy in the theaters. 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:09.420 And I was barely old enough at the time to see this, 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:11.820 which means that my younger brother, Blake, 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:14.760 probably wasn't quite old enough to see it. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:18.780 But for some reason, we talked Dad into allowing us to go see it anyway. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:22.659 And so I can remember going in and everything was great. 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:27.579 We thought we were big stuff being able to go see this PG-13 movie in the theaters. 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:29.980 But then we realized why it was rated PG-13. 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:34.400 And there were some pretty intense scenes for some younger kids. 00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:38.420 And I think my dad started regretting taking Blake to see this. 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:41.040 And so all of a sudden, Dad gets up. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:44.480 Towards the end of the movie, there's a good portion of the movie left, 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:48.820 but it's towards the end of the movie, he gets up and he motions for us to go with him. 00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:50.560 Well, Blake follows him. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:54.980 And again, I feel like I'm remembering this correctly, 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:57.200 but again, it was back in the 1900s. 00:01:57.960 --> 00:02:02.840 But I can remember him motioning for us to leave with him. 00:02:02.880 --> 00:02:06.180 And I just pretended like I didn't see that he was motioning us to leave. 00:02:06.260 --> 00:02:10.319 So him and Blake left the movie theater and were waiting in the car. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:11.860 And I feel like I remember this correctly 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:14.560 because I kind of remember seeing the look on my dad's face 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:18.680 when I finally emerged from the movie theater and made my way out to the car. 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:23.220 But the thing is, I don't like to miss out on what's going to happen. 00:02:23.260 --> 00:02:24.760 I like to know the story, right? 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:30.240 I don't like to come in at the middle of a movie or leave before it's over 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:32.740 because I want to know what happens. 00:02:33.220 --> 00:02:34.740 Now, some of you may not be that way. 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:37.080 Some of you may, it can get, you know, intense or whatnot, 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:40.100 and you're fine with not even knowing how it ends. 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:44.900 I like to have a good conclusion to the story. 00:02:45.519 --> 00:02:48.719 And so we like to know how a story ends. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:52.879 And nobody likes to come in late to a movie and leave before it's over 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:56.560 because we like to know the story. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:01.740 However, this is sometimes where we find ourselves when we come to Scripture. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:04.500 We don't always know how a story begins. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:07.319 We don't always know how a story ends. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:13.620 For example, if you look at the book of Jonah, for example, 00:03:14.239 --> 00:03:17.280 listen to how the last two verses of Jonah conclude. 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:18.759 Jonah, it says this. 00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:20.180 After everything that's happened, it says, 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:21.020 And the Lord said, 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:25.520 You pity the plant for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:28.400 which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:31.760 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.640 in which there are more than 120,000 persons, 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:37.340 who do not know their right hand from their left, 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:39.340 and also much cattle? 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:40.600 The end. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:43.319 It ends right there and you're thinking, 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:45.400 Well, God, what's the deal with the cattle? 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:46.500 Why all the cattle? 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:48.120 Why ending this with a question? 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:49.719 What happens next? 00:03:50.039 --> 00:03:52.120 How does Jonah respond to this next? 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:54.579 Or even if you look over in Judges, 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.000 Judges chapter 3, verse 31, 00:03:57.500 --> 00:03:59.159 this is the story of Shamgar, 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:01.199 and this is the whole story of Shamgar. 00:04:01.299 --> 00:04:02.060 It says this. 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:05.000 And after him was Shamgar, the son of Anath, 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:09.140 who killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad, 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:11.340 and he also saved Israel. 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:13.240 That's all we know. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:16.560 This guy kills 600 people with an ox goad, 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.100 which, what's an ox goad? 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.240 And also he saves all of Israel. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:24.720 But this is all that we have on this passage. 00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:27.720 But sometimes God in his wisdom 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:31.180 doesn't give us the rest of this story. 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:32.459 And so this week, 00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:34.000 we're going to be starting a new series 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:35.259 that's going to take us, 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:37.800 really for about the next three weeks or so, 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.079 through the book of Philemon. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:41.980 And in this story, 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.519 we find ourselves coming 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:45.379 into the middle of this story. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:48.220 We don't exactly know the beginning of this story. 00:04:48.280 --> 00:04:50.840 We don't know how Philemon came to faith in Christ. 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:52.699 We don't know a lot of those things. 00:04:52.699 --> 00:04:55.579 And we certainly don't know how this story ends. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:57.280 But in the middle section, 00:04:57.759 --> 00:04:59.319 what we're able to see 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.139 is the beauty of the gospel on display. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:05.300 In this middle section of this story, 00:05:05.719 --> 00:05:09.279 God is showing us the beauty of the gospel 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:12.019 and how that changes who we are. 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:14.779 And so with this being such a short book of the Bible, 00:05:14.779 --> 00:05:17.920 I want us to read this entire letter of Paul 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.360 to Philemon this morning. 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:22.519 And so I encourage you to follow along 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:23.959 as we read God's word. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:25.019 This is what it says. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:26.240 It says, 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:28.579 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:30.060 and Timothy, our brother, 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:32.500 to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:34.079 and Athia, our sister, 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:36.160 and Archippus, our fellow soldier, 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.319 and the church in your house. 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:41.420 Grace to you and peace from God our Father 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:42.879 and Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:45.120 I thank my God always 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:46.920 when I remember you in my prayers 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:49.439 because I hear of your love 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:51.019 and of the faith that you have 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:52.040 toward the Lord Jesus 00:05:52.040 --> 00:05:53.340 and for all the saints. 00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:56.359 And I pray that the sharing of your faith 00:05:56.359 --> 00:05:57.939 may become effective 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:59.239 for the full knowledge 00:05:59.239 --> 00:06:00.759 of every good thing 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:03.159 that is in us for the sake of Christ. 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:05.739 For I have derived much joy 00:06:05.739 --> 00:06:07.379 and comfort from your love, 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:08.060 my brother, 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:09.919 because the hearts of the saints 00:06:09.919 --> 00:06:12.120 have been refreshed through you. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:13.699 Accordingly, though, 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:15.239 I am bold enough in Christ 00:06:15.239 --> 00:06:17.379 to command you to do what is required. 00:06:17.859 --> 00:06:19.219 Yet for love's sake, 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:20.919 I prefer to appeal to you. 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:23.620 I, Paul, an old man 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:25.800 and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.780 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:31.920 whose father I became in my imprisonment. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:34.439 Formerly he was useless to you, 00:06:34.520 --> 00:06:36.800 but now he is indeed useful to you 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:37.960 and to me. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:40.220 I'm sending him back to you, 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:41.780 sending my very heart. 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:43.259 I would have been glad 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:44.200 to keep him with me 00:06:44.200 --> 00:06:46.040 in order that he might serve me 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:46.720 on your behalf 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:48.520 during my imprisonment for the gospel. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:50.779 But I prefer to do nothing 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:51.740 without your consent 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:53.299 in order that your goodness 00:06:53.299 --> 00:06:55.680 might not be by compulsion, 00:06:56.039 --> 00:06:57.479 but by your own accord. 00:06:58.419 --> 00:06:59.639 For this perhaps is why 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:01.539 he was parted from you for a while, 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:03.719 that you might have him back forever, 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:05.799 no longer as a bondservant, 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:07.500 but more than a bondservant, 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:08.779 a beloved brother, 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:09.839 especially to me, 00:07:09.919 --> 00:07:11.279 but now more to you, 00:07:11.359 --> 00:07:12.620 but both in the flesh 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:13.459 and in the Lord. 00:07:14.159 --> 00:07:16.479 So if you consider me your partner, 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:19.439 receive him as you would receive me. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:21.560 If he has wronged you at all 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:22.540 or owes you anything, 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:24.379 charge that to my account. 00:07:25.200 --> 00:07:28.100 I, Paul, write this with my own hand. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.120 I will repay it. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:32.360 To say nothing of your owing me, 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:33.960 even your own life. 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:34.660 Yes, brother, 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:36.480 I want some benefit from you 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:37.220 in the Lord. 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:39.180 Refresh my heart in Christ. 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.300 Confident of your obedience, 00:07:41.520 --> 00:07:42.480 I write to you, 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:43.879 knowing that you will do 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.480 even more than I say. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:47.200 And at the same time, 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.700 prepare a guest room for me, 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:49.600 for I am hoping 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:51.259 that through your prayers, 00:07:51.460 --> 00:07:53.819 I will be graciously given to you. 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:56.500 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ, 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:58.280 sends you greetings to you. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:07:59.759 And so do Mark, 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.780 Aristarchus, Demas, 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:02.379 and Luke, 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:03.420 my fellow workers. 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:05.879 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:08.319 be with your spirit. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:10.319 You see, the book of Philemon 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:12.180 is one of the prison epistles. 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:13.660 You're probably able to pick up on that 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:14.640 on all of the times 00:08:14.640 --> 00:08:15.580 that Paul talks about 00:08:15.580 --> 00:08:16.920 his imprisonment in here. 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:18.340 And Paul is writing 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:19.520 during his imprisonment 00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:21.200 at the end of the book of Acts. 00:08:21.660 --> 00:08:22.380 And it was written 00:08:22.380 --> 00:08:23.500 at the same time 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:25.780 as the book of Colossians 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:26.760 was delivered 00:08:26.760 --> 00:08:28.020 and probably would have been 00:08:28.020 --> 00:08:28.960 delivered with it. 00:08:29.640 --> 00:08:30.860 Most of the commentaries 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:31.520 that you see, 00:08:31.900 --> 00:08:32.580 for one, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.399 because Philemon is so short 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.259 and wouldn't require 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:37.440 a pretty extensive commentary, 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:38.180 most of the time, 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:39.440 they combine this 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:40.259 with Colossians 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:41.179 because it was written 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:42.059 at the same time 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:44.299 and the church was meeting 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:46.120 in Philemon's house 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.860 in Colossae. 00:08:46.939 --> 00:08:48.460 And so this would have been 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:49.600 written at the same time, 00:08:49.659 --> 00:08:50.799 most likely delivered 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:51.759 at the same time. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:52.740 And you can see 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.000 Colossians 4 and 9 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.500 as a reference for this. 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.240 And the book is written 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:58.019 to Philemon 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.000 from Paul 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:00.299 about Onesimus 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:01.779 who was a runaway slave 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:02.860 from Philemon. 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:04.559 And what's interesting 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:05.559 about this book 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:06.899 is throughout church history, 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:08.519 many people have used 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:09.500 the book of Philemon 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.819 for different purposes. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.679 There have actually been 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:13.559 those who've used 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:14.620 the book of Philemon 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:16.100 to make an argument 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.199 for slavery 00:09:17.199 --> 00:09:18.459 many years ago. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.740 But there's also been 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.819 so many that have used this 00:09:22.819 --> 00:09:24.279 as a means for calling 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:25.600 for the abolition of slavery. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.779 And I think we can all agree 00:09:26.779 --> 00:09:28.679 that that's where we land today, 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:30.039 that this book is calling 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:32.439 for the abolition of slavery. 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:34.120 Now that being said, 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:35.559 Paul doesn't take 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:36.419 this opportunity 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:38.099 to fully address 00:09:38.099 --> 00:09:39.559 the issue of slavery. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:40.819 And I think part of that 00:09:40.819 --> 00:09:42.019 is a huge population 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:42.559 of Colossae 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:43.099 would have been 00:09:43.099 --> 00:09:44.259 considered slaves 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:45.799 and it would be difficult 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:47.319 for a small house church, 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:49.779 probably 30 to 50 people in size, 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:51.939 to change a whole system. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.959 And I love how Danny Akin, 00:09:54.079 --> 00:09:56.059 he makes some notes about this. 00:09:56.119 --> 00:09:56.359 He says, 00:09:56.459 --> 00:09:58.099 Paul used great wisdom 00:09:58.099 --> 00:10:00.659 in not confronting slavery 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:01.399 head on 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:02.879 because to do so 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.299 would have been 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:04.339 very subversive 00:10:04.340 --> 00:10:05.440 and would have been 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:06.639 something that would have 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.480 gotten in the way 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.240 of the gospel. 00:10:08.680 --> 00:10:09.100 He says, 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:11.120 but Paul also knew 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.780 that the outworking 00:10:12.780 --> 00:10:13.440 of the gospel 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:14.420 would eventually be 00:10:14.420 --> 00:10:15.500 a death nail 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:16.660 to an institution 00:10:16.660 --> 00:10:17.680 like slavery. 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:19.060 In other words, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:21.040 the gospel is ultimately 00:10:21.040 --> 00:10:22.920 what changes people's lives. 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:24.540 And when we understand 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:25.240 the gospel, 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:27.379 it changes our lives. 00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:29.000 And understanding this 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:30.460 is key to understanding 00:10:30.460 --> 00:10:32.180 our first reminder 00:10:32.180 --> 00:10:32.879 in this passage. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.360 We're going to look 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:34.419 at two things today. 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:36.179 Our first reminder 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:36.840 in this passage 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:38.759 is honestly going to be 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:39.840 what is our theme 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:41.580 throughout this entire series. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:43.039 Throughout the next three weeks, 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:44.019 this is going to be 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:44.860 our theme 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:46.080 and it's going to be 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.139 what we take a moment 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:48.820 to consider this morning. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:49.879 So the first reminder 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:50.759 I'd like us to see 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:52.019 in this passage is this. 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:53.519 It's the gospel 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:55.340 changes everything. 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.100 The gospel, 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.399 it changes everything. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:00.539 These first three verses. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:02.120 Paul, a prisoner 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.079 for Christ Jesus 00:11:03.079 --> 00:11:04.360 and Timothy, our brother. 00:11:04.959 --> 00:11:05.599 To Philemon, 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:07.019 our beloved fellow worker 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:08.459 and Appiah, our sister. 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:09.519 Now this most likely 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:10.339 would have been 00:11:10.339 --> 00:11:11.899 Philemon's wife here. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.179 And then to Archibus, 00:11:13.219 --> 00:11:14.620 our fellow soldier. 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:16.039 Now there's a lot 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:16.620 of debate on this 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.620 but most likely 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.579 most people believe 00:11:18.579 --> 00:11:19.279 this would be 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:20.360 Philemon's son 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.399 because of their 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:22.219 close relationship 00:11:22.219 --> 00:11:23.740 and what Paul says next. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.179 And the church 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:26.639 in your house. 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:28.179 He says, 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:29.039 Grace to you 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.019 and peace from God 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:30.600 our Father 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:32.500 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.939 And so when we understand 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:34.659 that the gospel 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.679 changes everything 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.759 it's something 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.639 that you will see 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.460 each week 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:40.000 as we look at this 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.939 but to help us 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:41.620 understand this 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.399 I want to begin 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.399 by looking at 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.220 some of the characters 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.699 in this short 00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:47.039 book of the Bible. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.159 When you look at it 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:48.899 there's 12 people 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:49.620 who are mentioned 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:50.620 in this book 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.439 but there's three 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.139 main characters. 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.460 Actually four 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.220 but three that we're 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:55.399 going to look at 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:57.440 briefly for just a moment. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.460 And those three 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.000 main characters 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.220 are one the author 00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:01.000 of this which would be 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.420 Paul and then you 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.320 also have who he's 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.480 writing to Philemon 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.600 and who he's 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.960 writing about Onesimus. 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:07.500 And so when you 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.320 look at these three 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.680 people it's interesting 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:10.480 to look at their 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:11.480 different backgrounds. 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:13.019 You have Paul 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:14.399 who was a former 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:15.820 proud Pharisee. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:16.700 If you want to look 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.259 at kind of his 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.220 track record and look 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.100 at who he was 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:20.080 then go to the 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:20.840 book of Philippians 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:21.899 and look at chapter 3 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.460 and you'll see 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:23.300 all the things 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.659 that Paul was 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:26.519 as a Pharisee. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.339 And so you have 00:12:27.339 --> 00:12:28.599 this once proud 00:12:28.599 --> 00:12:30.059 Pharisee and then 00:12:30.059 --> 00:12:31.059 you have Philemon 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:32.419 this very wealthy 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:33.439 probably businessman 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.359 who was traveling 00:12:34.359 --> 00:12:35.199 some for business 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:36.219 but you have 00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.359 this really wealthy 00:12:37.359 --> 00:12:38.599 man and then 00:12:38.599 --> 00:12:39.919 you have Onesimus 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.439 who would have 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:41.639 been a slave 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.539 and one that 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.659 Alistair Begg describes 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.679 as one of the 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.000 dregs of Roman 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.819 society. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.099 And so you 00:12:48.099 --> 00:12:48.939 couldn't find 00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:50.519 three different 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.240 more different 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:51.879 people than this. 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:52.519 It almost sounds 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.019 like the beginning 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:53.840 of a joke, right? 00:12:54.199 --> 00:12:55.039 You have a Pharisee, 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:55.620 a wealthy man, 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.019 a slave. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:56.980 They walk into a bar 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:57.659 and then you get 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.519 the punchline, right? 00:12:59.059 --> 00:12:59.919 And so you have 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.600 all of these 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.600 three different 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:02.779 people that are 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.659 coming together 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.639 in this story. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.819 The backgrounds 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:06.600 could not have 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.539 been more different. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:08.659 People would look 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.259 on the outside 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.179 and say what 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:11.699 possible way 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.639 would you ever 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:13.679 find these three 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:15.000 people associating 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.899 with one another? 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:17.379 And the answer 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.399 that Paul would give 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:18.899 and I believe 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.079 that the Bible gives 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.379 is the only 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.580 possible way 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.860 is the gospel. 00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:25.660 The only 00:13:25.660 --> 00:13:26.379 possible way 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.020 that you'll see 00:13:27.020 --> 00:13:27.639 these people 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.520 from such 00:13:28.520 --> 00:13:29.720 different backgrounds 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:30.740 coming together 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.900 and associating 00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:32.500 with one another 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.800 is the gospel 00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:34.580 of Christ. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.580 Paul, Philemon, 00:13:36.660 --> 00:13:36.960 and Ismus 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.860 are the ones 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.680 that get the 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:39.420 attention in this 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.120 passage but the 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.940 one who brings 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.639 this all together, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.879 the fourth character 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.520 that we're talking 00:13:43.520 --> 00:13:44.220 about who's really 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:45.140 at work in this 00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:46.160 is Jesus. 00:13:47.020 --> 00:13:47.620 And understanding 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.679 that relationship 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.179 with him 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.419 that Paul has, 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.320 that Philemon has, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.440 that Onesimus now has, 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:53.580 understanding that 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.700 this relationship 00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:55.740 is present 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.980 is what brings 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.779 these three 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.720 together. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.120 Acts 2, 44 says, 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.899 and all who believed 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.679 were together 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:05.039 and had all things 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.580 in common. 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.460 When you're looking 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.519 at this passage 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.220 which happens 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.940 right here at the 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:10.600 beginning of the 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.440 early church, 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.680 what you're seeing 00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:13.759 is all these people 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.519 coming together 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:16.319 and Luke describes 00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:17.379 the scene of the 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.659 church and what 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.340 he says is they 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.579 were all together 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:21.879 and had all things 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.579 in common. 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:23.939 He doesn't mean 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:24.720 they all like the 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.299 same food, 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:25.899 that they all 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.720 preferred the beach 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:27.259 to the mountains 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.039 which they should 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:28.419 have, 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.759 but he's saying 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.980 that they had 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.299 the most important 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.600 thing in common 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.799 and that most 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.620 important thing 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.740 was Jesus. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.399 And because of 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.199 this it gave 00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:39.919 them a new 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.740 identity that went 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.039 far beyond their 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.120 cultural or racial 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.799 identities. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.539 The gospel had 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.519 taken root in 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.519 their lives and 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.679 had changed who 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.639 they were. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.019 The beauty of 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.019 this is that the 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.319 gospel still does 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:53.980 this today. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.779 The gospel still 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.879 has this power 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.240 today. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.539 Nothing changes 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.659 our identities or 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.120 what we value most 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.439 like the gospel. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.100 The gospel brings 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.039 people together from 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.840 different races, 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:06.500 from different 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.120 ethnicities, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.079 from different 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:08.539 interests, 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.480 different families. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.379 The gospel brings 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.659 together from 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.659 different economic 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.460 statuses, 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.360 from different 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.580 geographic locations. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.159 The gospel restores 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.419 broken relationships. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:19.980 It reconciles 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.960 relationships with 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.600 each other. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.659 Just this week, 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:23.340 our men's class, 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.000 we were talking 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.919 about this very 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:26.200 issue on our 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:27.060 Bible study on 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:27.820 Wednesday night, 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.279 of how the gospel 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.899 affects our 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.759 relationships with 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.899 people that are 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.879 tough to get along 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.320 with. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.399 People that we 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.860 oftentimes don't 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.580 get along with. 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.419 Many of your names 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:38.180 came up as we were 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:38.320 talking. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.820 I'm joking. 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:40.400 That is a 00:15:40.400 --> 00:15:40.820 hundred percent 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:41.120 joke. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.800 I shouldn't 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.440 have said that. 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:46.600 But the gospel 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.879 does change our 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.220 lives in so many 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:49.700 ways. 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.580 The gospel affects 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:53.020 everything about 00:15:53.020 --> 00:15:53.460 us. 00:15:54.160 --> 00:15:54.760 Those that have 00:15:54.760 --> 00:15:55.620 wronged us, it 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:57.500 changes our lives. 00:15:58.280 --> 00:15:58.620 C.S. 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.820 Lewis wisely 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.620 observed, he says, 00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:01.860 everyone thinks 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.960 forgiveness is a 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.660 lovely idea until 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.600 they have something 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.160 to forgive. 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:08.120 Everybody loves 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.879 the idea of 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:10.000 forgiveness until 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.980 they have something 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.939 to forgive. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.559 Until somebody 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:14.259 needs their 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:14.860 forgiveness. 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.839 We noted that 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:17.839 our relationships 00:16:17.839 --> 00:16:18.600 with one another, 00:16:18.719 --> 00:16:19.699 especially those 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:20.839 where we feel we 00:16:20.839 --> 00:16:21.620 have been wronged, 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.459 we must let the 00:16:22.459 --> 00:16:23.699 gospel speak to 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.879 those areas and 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.799 understanding that 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.799 first and foremost, 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.860 we are a sinner 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.539 ourselves and 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.779 secondly, we are 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.759 sinned against. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.500 First and foremost, 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.879 we are sinners in 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.139 need of God's 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.659 grace and only 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.779 secondly are we 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.199 sinned against. 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.039 That we will 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.220 never be asked to 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.580 forgive someone more 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.379 than we have been 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.639 forgiven ourselves. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.360 And understanding 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.439 the gospel really 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:50.080 does change 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.840 everything. 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.519 And this brings 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.840 us to our final 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.740 reminder that I 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.159 want us to 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.059 consider today and 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.740 it's this. 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:58.340 Let us be 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.600 thankful for 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.759 gospel community. 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.299 Let us be 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:03.080 thankful for 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.180 gospel community. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:06.100 verses 4 through 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.440 7. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:06.740 It says, 00:17:06.820 --> 00:17:07.759 I thank my God 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.779 always when I 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.900 remember you in my 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.620 prayers because I 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.700 hear of your love 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.740 and of the faith 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.220 that you have 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.380 toward the Lord 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:17.200 Jesus and for all 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.740 the saints. 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:19.160 And I pray that 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.240 the showing of your 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.259 faith may become 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.340 effective for the 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:23.600 full knowledge of 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:24.740 every good thing 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.640 that is in us for 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:27.279 the sake of Christ. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.860 For I have derived 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:30.400 much joy and comfort 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.680 from your love, 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.299 my brother, 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.680 because the hearts 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.519 of the saints have 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.299 been refreshed 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.480 through you. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.740 Even though 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.659 Christians may 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:39.839 experience trials 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.799 and conflicts 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.500 with one another 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.819 because of the 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.240 gospel, 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.819 because of our 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:46.000 relationship with 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.579 Christ, 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.240 we can lift each 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.000 other up in 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.419 prayer. 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.859 We can encourage 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.980 one another and 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.899 celebrate the 00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.879 change that God 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:55.259 has already begun 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.319 in our lives. 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.339 We see this 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.579 taking place in 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.559 the context of 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.579 gospel community 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.439 and the church 00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:02.179 when we look at 00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:02.559 this. 00:18:03.199 --> 00:18:04.079 Paul is writing 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:05.079 to an individual, 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:06.220 but he's also 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.000 writing to the 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.599 church that's 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.519 meeting in this 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.619 individual's home. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:10.899 And we know this 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:12.039 because he not only 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:14.199 addresses Philemon 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:15.099 here, but he also 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.039 addresses the church 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.740 when he uses the 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.339 plural form of you 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:18.619 here. 00:18:18.699 --> 00:18:19.899 He's understanding 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:21.019 that this is to 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.159 Philemon, but it's 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.099 also going to be 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.259 read for the church 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.859 and ultimately it's 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.579 going to be read 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.799 to us today. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:30.200 In these few 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.099 verses, Paul is 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.639 showing his 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.539 thankfulness for 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.519 the sanctification 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.339 that is taking 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.559 place in Philemon's 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:36.940 life. 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:38.019 And he does this 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.980 by stating his 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.819 thankfulness for 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.099 Philemon's devotion 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.099 to God, what God 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:43.899 has already done, 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:45.399 and by praying for 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:46.319 the change that 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.599 comes about because 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:49.200 of gospel community. 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.299 The change that 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.279 comes about because 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.139 believers are 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:53.200 gathering together 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.980 in fellowship, 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.259 doing life together, 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.379 and he writes 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:56.860 about this. 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:58.520 Much change has 00:18:58.520 --> 00:18:59.960 already taken place 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.720 in his life. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:02.440 Paul shows us of 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.520 how thankful he is 00:19:03.520 --> 00:19:04.200 for Philemon's 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.860 devotion to God as 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.800 he opens and he 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:07.960 closes this paragraph. 00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:09.360 If you look at 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:11.900 verses 4 and 5 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.900 and then also 7, 00:19:13.020 --> 00:19:13.860 you'll see he's 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.660 thankful for what 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.660 God has already 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.120 done. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.320 This is deeply 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:17.780 personal. 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.620 He says, I thank 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:20.400 my God and my 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.060 prayers. 00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:22.360 And he says, and 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.720 I hear about these 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.120 things. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:26.059 This is a deeply 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.839 personal and genuine 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:29.839 relationship that he 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:31.399 has with Philemon 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:32.279 that he's writing 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.339 to, he's thankful 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:33.899 for. 00:19:34.439 --> 00:19:35.879 It's not hard to be 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:37.059 thankful and pray 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.839 for this dear 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.039 friend who has 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.439 already been so 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:40.979 faithful. 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.819 It's not hard to be 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.479 thankful for this 00:19:43.479 --> 00:19:44.919 man who's opened up 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:46.139 his home so that 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:46.679 there can be a 00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:47.759 church in Colossae. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.359 Who's this wealthy 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.419 man who has a house 00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:51.359 large enough for a 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.939 church to meet in. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:54.500 It's not hard to be 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.420 thankful for his 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.920 generosity and the 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.480 ways that he's 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.900 already been faithful 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.000 to God. 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.340 But also in 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:02.980 anticipation of his 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.059 request for Onesimus, 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.420 Paul wants Philemon 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.720 to know that he is 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.980 aware of all the 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.940 good things that he 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.500 is doing. 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:12.279 I laughed when I 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.120 read Spurgeon's 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:13.799 thoughts on this 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.220 this week. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.380 He says, and when 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.340 you are about to 00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:17.519 ask a favor for 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:19.340 anyone, of anyone, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.680 it is always well to 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.700 show your gratitude 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:24.539 for what you or 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.580 others have already 00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:26.820 received from them. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:29.060 Most children learn 00:20:29.060 --> 00:20:29.759 this pretty quickly, 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.140 right? 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.299 Mom, dad, or better 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.480 yet, Nana and Papa, 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:35.039 you are the best. 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:36.160 Can you please buy 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.799 this for me? 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.060 You know, can you 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:38.500 buy it? 00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:39.240 And so you're 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.420 sharing what you're 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.160 thankful for, but 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.900 then you're bringing 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:44.120 this request to them. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.340 Now this is not 00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:46.720 exactly what is going 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.019 on in this passage. 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:49.200 It's not exactly the 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.640 same thing because 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.740 manipulation and 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.319 flattery is not 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.720 exactly Paul's style. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.660 It's not exactly the 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.580 way that he usually 00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.400 operates. 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.620 Rather, I think Paul 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:01.660 is using this as a 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.900 discipleship moment. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.000 He's using this as a 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.380 way of encouraging him 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.660 and challenging him 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.080 at the same time. 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.640 He's reminding 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.480 Philemon of his 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.360 relationship with 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:14.039 Christ and how that 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:16.279 changes everything in 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.440 anticipation of the 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.980 request for Onesimus. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.519 Paul wants Philemon to 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.480 know that he is aware 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.740 of all the good 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.000 things he is doing. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:26.160 And Paul is hearing 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:27.420 good things and he's 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:29.620 hoping for even better 00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:30.819 things from this man 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.539 of God. 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:33.319 So let us be thankful 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:35.140 for the gospel change 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:36.819 we see in our lives 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:38.299 because of what Christ 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.900 has done. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.460 The gospel not only 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:42.080 changes how and where 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:43.299 we spend our eternity, 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.039 but the gospel changes 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.880 here and now as well. 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.200 The gospel absolutely 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.580 absolutely has the power 00:21:49.580 --> 00:21:51.160 to change our eternity 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:52.420 of how and where 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.380 we're going to spend 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.779 that. 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.500 But the gospel also 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.100 has power to change 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:58.400 here and now 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.460 in our lives. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.660 And so this is what 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:02.039 we see taking place 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:04.019 in Philemon's life. 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.299 But we also see 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.140 another component 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:07.500 in this encouragement 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.440 to Philemon. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.900 And that is Paul's 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:12.140 prayer for continued 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:12.700 obedience 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.779 experience that is 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:16.519 fostered in the context 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:18.160 of gospel community. 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.860 Listen to verse 6. 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.700 It says this, 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.720 And I pray that the 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.120 sharing of your faith 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.279 may become effective 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.960 for the full knowledge 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:29.080 of for the full knowledge 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:30.160 of every good thing 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.860 that is in us 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.700 for the sake of Christ. 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:32.860 Christ. 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.580 This verse is probably 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.360 the verse I spent 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.440 most of my time 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.900 trying to wrap my mind 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.660 around this week. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.519 And it was actually 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.299 really encouraging 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.019 when I was reading 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.019 Douglas Moo on this. 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.220 He started off saying 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:45.100 this verse is universally 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.319 recognized as the most 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:48.259 difficult in all of 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.819 Philemon. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.900 Part of the difficulty 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.240 comes from the phrase 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:54.660 sharing of your faith. 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.319 Alistair Begg, 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.080 he noted that 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:58.240 regretfully, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.420 he regretfully taught 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.240 on this passage 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.779 one time 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.700 and used it 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.740 as speaking 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.660 to the importance 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:05.059 of evangelism. 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:06.680 And while evangelism 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:08.259 is absolutely important 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.299 to sharing our faith, 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.779 that's missing the point 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.960 of what Paul 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.940 is saying here 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.920 in this. 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.700 Many translations 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.559 like the ESV 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:18.380 translate koinonia here 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.519 as the sharing 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.880 with others. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.039 Like CSB, 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.120 it translates this verse, 00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:26.120 I pray that your 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.819 participation in the faith, 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.120 not sharing, 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.599 but your participation 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.659 in the faith 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.679 may be effective 00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:32.319 through knowing 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.259 every good thing 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.099 that is in us 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:35.559 for the glory of Christ. 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:37.199 And I think Paul's point 00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:38.179 is this, 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.699 is that we share 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:40.480 in fellowship, 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.899 which is what koinonia 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:43.059 ultimately means 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:44.279 is this fellowship. 00:23:44.459 --> 00:23:45.039 We participate 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.019 in fellowship 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.459 within the church, 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:49.219 this sharing of our faith, 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.539 that we should pray 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.740 that our faith 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.899 will be active 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:54.259 and effective. 00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:55.959 In other words, 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.639 that our faith 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:58.859 will actually be fleshed out. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:01.199 That we won't just claim 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:01.939 to be followers 00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:03.480 of Christ in community, 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.240 but that this community, 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.779 this community of faith 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:09.699 will put our faith 00:24:09.699 --> 00:24:10.619 into action. 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.339 That it'll make it effective 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.199 to go out 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:15.839 and to spread God's word 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:17.099 throughout everybody 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.199 we come in contact with. 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.319 Paul is praying 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:21.119 that their shared life 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.819 in the gospel 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:23.759 will be what energizes 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.599 the manner in which 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.879 they conduct themselves. 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.520 because fellowship 00:24:27.520 --> 00:24:28.140 within the church 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.100 is far more than 00:24:29.100 --> 00:24:30.400 sharing a meal together. 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:32.100 It is life-giving. 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:34.160 It's life-transforming. 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.520 It is crucial 00:24:35.520 --> 00:24:37.020 in our sanctification. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.380 All too often, 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.520 we see our sanctification 00:24:39.520 --> 00:24:41.220 as a task to be completed 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.340 that we're just going to 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:43.940 hopefully complete it one day 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.500 and we'll be done with it. 00:24:45.760 --> 00:24:46.980 Many of you recently 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.300 have started reading through 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:49.580 together as a church 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:51.180 doing a chronological reading 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.260 through the New Testament. 00:24:52.760 --> 00:24:53.540 And many of you 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.180 are going through that, 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.779 but let me go ahead 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.299 and tell you, 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.519 at the end of the year 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.259 when you finish 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.019 the New Testament, 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.519 we're not going to give you 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.700 a certificate that says, 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.200 alright, 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.440 you are completely sanctified. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.000 You're done. 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.220 You don't have to be 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.080 discipled anymore. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:05.980 Congratulations. 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:08.060 That's not going to happen. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:10.720 This is a lifelong process 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:12.460 that we're supposed to 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:14.400 live out in the context 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.700 of community. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.920 And reading scripture 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:18.160 is a great place to start, 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.880 but we also must understand 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:21.779 that we're made for fellowship. 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:23.279 We're made for community. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.899 We need fellowship 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.680 with other believers 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.799 to help us grow. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.299 We need Sunday school. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.500 We need life groups 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:31.099 to help us in this journey. 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:33.180 We need corporate worship. 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.079 In short, 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:36.440 we need our family. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.599 We need each other 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.619 in this process 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.379 of growing in our relationship 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:42.740 with Christ. 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.460 When Catherine and I 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.240 first got married, 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.720 there was little that I thought 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.599 that she could do wrong. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.480 I thought that she was just perfect, 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:50.740 you know, 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.440 that she would never 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.160 do anything wrong. 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:53.779 And I definitely thought 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.740 that I was going to be 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.860 the easiest person 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:57.059 to ever live with. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.860 I thought, I mean, 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:59.600 I had no obnoxious qualities 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.299 about me. 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.620 And so I was going to, 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.380 it was just going to be 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.160 great for her, 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.799 great for me. 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.480 It's just going to be 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.640 smooth sailing, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.600 really easy. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.860 But then all of a sudden 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.580 I realized, 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:10.500 I learned some really 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.640 horrible things 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.519 about Catherine. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.740 Like she likes 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.059 to squeeze the toothpaste 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.960 from the middle 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.740 of the toothpaste. 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:17.600 All right, 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.279 who does that? 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.279 It just squeezes it 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.720 from the middle 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.220 of the toothpaste. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.360 And then she also 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.799 had these horrible things 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.559 that she did 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:26.720 with syrup and flour. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.500 She would put them 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.240 in the refrigerator. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.380 She would put flour, 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.460 baking flour, 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.220 in the refrigerator, 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.319 put syrup in the refrigerator. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:33.519 I'm like, 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.860 who does this? 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.880 And then all of a sudden 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.480 she had these 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:38.380 unrealistic expectations 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.019 of me. 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.460 Like wanting me 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.200 to go to bed 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.900 at the same time 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.819 that she goes to bed. 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.720 I mean, 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.819 unrealistic things. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.759 Hopefully you can see 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.420 that Catherine 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.200 was not the problem 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.720 in this. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.160 That it was my selfishness. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:55.859 Who cares if the flour 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.019 is in the refrigerator? 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.599 Who cares if you squeeze 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.099 the toothpaste 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.259 from the middle? 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.079 Who cares? 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.559 Well, actually, 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.279 I don't like syrup 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.160 because nobody wants 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.299 cold syrup on their pancakes. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.160 But all of these things 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:08.920 were things that I had issues with. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:11.500 They were all surrounded by me. 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.720 And then all of a sudden 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.660 I realized that I had 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.940 some pretty selfish tendencies. 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:16.720 And then kids start coming along 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.460 and all of a sudden 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.259 even if you want everything 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.980 in your life 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.039 to revolve around you, 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.279 you learn pretty quickly 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.240 that it doesn't. 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:26.100 Just in my immediate family 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.680 because of those relationships 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:29.500 I've been able to identify 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.700 selfish tendencies 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:32.000 and begin working 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.960 on those things. 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.420 Now, it's a process 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.839 and you can ask 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:37.420 any person in my family 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.559 that I am still 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.640 a work in progress. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.680 That there are many things 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:43.440 that I need to change 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.440 about my life. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.600 There are many things 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.899 that I need to do differently 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:48.199 in my life. 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:50.119 But what we're seeing 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.299 in a similar way 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.980 is that we are encouraged 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.699 in this passage 00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:55.179 to let our family, 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:57.179 our faith family, 00:27:57.179 --> 00:27:59.639 be a part of our sanctification. 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.819 How do we do this? 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.119 Well, one, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.719 we let our family 00:28:04.719 --> 00:28:05.819 be our family. 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.579 We let our family 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:09.419 actually be our family. 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.819 We understand that fellowship 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.959 is far more than 00:28:11.959 --> 00:28:13.099 a covered dish meal 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:14.279 that we do once in a while. 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.039 But it's doing life 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.859 with one another. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.379 And when we do life 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.299 with our family, 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.579 then we'll not only be able 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:22.180 to see our sin more clearly, 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.759 but we'll let our family 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.680 be able to hold us 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.920 accountable for that sin 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.920 that is in our life. 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.500 And so what we must do 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:30.480 is to let this community, 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:32.139 this gospel community, 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.899 this church, 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.720 be our family 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.240 to get plugged in, 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.700 to get invested in it. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.799 And so let us first and foremost 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.359 be transformed by the gospel. 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:43.119 That's where we must start. 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.539 We must do this personally. 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:46.219 May we never lose sight 00:28:46.219 --> 00:28:47.179 of the fact that Jesus 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:49.459 is our only hope. 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:51.479 That's our only hope in life. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.599 And that the news 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.739 that Jesus left, 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.579 the glory of heaven, 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.659 lived the life 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.859 that we couldn't live 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.799 and died the death 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.379 we deserve 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:00.859 is the greatest news 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:02.019 the world has ever heard. 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:04.679 It's the absolute greatest news 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:06.939 the world has ever heard. 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:08.859 And if you have not experienced 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:10.119 that relationship personally, 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.039 then I encourage you 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.740 to talk with me 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.579 after the service. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.079 Talk with a parent 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.659 that brought you. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.440 Talk with a friend 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.079 that brought you. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.139 Talk with a Sunday school. 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.319 Talk with somebody. 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:20.180 But make sure you get this right 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:21.319 before you leave today. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.539 But for those of us 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.519 who have a relationship 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.159 with Jesus, 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:27.039 then let us lean 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.079 into our family. 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:30.480 Let us lean 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.839 into our family. 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.879 Maybe that means joining 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:35.399 or at least starting 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.220 a conversation. 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:38.319 I would love to talk 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:39.100 with you about this. 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.880 And you have an incredible 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.960 opportunity today. 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.980 If you're thinking about that, 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.880 you can join us 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:46.140 for breakfast right after 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:48.079 the service in the youth room. 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.279 And if we're running low 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.799 on breakfast items, 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.079 Evan doesn't have to eat. 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:52.880 He'll be all right. 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.519 But we want you to start 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.960 having those conversations. 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.920 We want you to be thinking 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.079 about those things. 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:01.220 Because it's not just, 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:03.319 this isn't just a nice thing 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.119 that we do 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.200 when we come together. 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:07.259 But this community, 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:08.599 this gospel community, 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:10.099 when we understand it 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.299 the way that we're supposed 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.159 to understand it 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:13.819 is life transforming. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.500 It's life giving. 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.500 It becomes something 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:18.019 that we desperately need 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.859 in our lives 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:20.419 to grow in our relationship 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.220 with Christ. 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.159 And so maybe that means 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:23.980 getting plugged 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.200 into a Sunday school class. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.559 Maybe that means 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.859 joining a life group 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.779 on Wednesday nights. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:31.339 But it absolutely means 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.919 leaning in 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:34.980 to our gospel community 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.779 that we call 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:37.120 our church here. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.519 Understanding that 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.380 those relationships 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:41.279 are incredibly important. 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.840 So as we think about this, 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.080 may we be transformed 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:45.560 by the gospel 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:48.039 and continue to be transformed 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.700 by gospel community. 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.900 Father, thank you so very much 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:54.200 for your word, 00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:55.900 for what it teaches us about you. 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.940 And Lord, I thank you 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.420 for giving us a glimpse 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.860 into the early church 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:02.180 where it's not just 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.880 a letter written 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.539 to the church, 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:05.000 but it's a letter written 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:07.039 to individuals of the church 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:08.480 and letting us get a glimpse 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:10.299 of real life things 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.840 that the church 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.799 was going through. 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:14.180 And God, thank you so much 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.519 for making it so clear 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:18.100 that the gospel changes 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:19.440 everything about us. 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.420 That it's good news 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.460 for our eternity, 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.220 absolutely, 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.440 but it's good news 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.440 for us today 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:27.100 because it transforms 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:28.560 our life today. 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:30.519 And God, thank you 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.259 for giving us 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:33.220 a window into the church 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:35.139 to help us understand 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:36.759 that we're made 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.639 for community, 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.919 that we're made 00:31:38.919 --> 00:31:40.359 to experience 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:41.460 this fellowship 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.480 that can happen 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.579 when believers 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.339 come together 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.919 and do life together. 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.119 And so Lord, 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:48.740 help us to lean into that. 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.279 Help us to lean into 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.319 that gospel community 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.299 that transforms 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.379 our lives 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.919 in powerful ways. 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.059 So Lord, 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.879 thank you so much 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.380 for Jesus. 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:59.160 Thank you for the difference 00:31:59.160 --> 00:32:00.160 that he makes in our life 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:01.120 each and every day. 00:32:01.520 --> 00:32:02.460 We ask all this 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.100 in his name. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:03.760 Amen. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.320 I'm going to invite you 00:32:05.320 --> 00:32:05.740 to stand. 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:06.380 We're going to sing 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.560 a song of invitation. 00:32:07.780 --> 00:32:08.980 If God is speaking 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.580 to you this morning, 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.340 won't you respond 00:32:10.340 --> 00:32:11.300 as we stand together 00:32:11.300 --> 00:32:12.240 and sing?