WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.040 Well, this morning, I want to ask a question to you. Have you ever known people who aren't very tactful? 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:11.019 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:49.939 And she goes, you know, what you're saying is good. It's good. It's great. But sometimes how you say it, it could come across a little angry. And I was like, no, we can't. I didn't say it. But I said, okay, well, I'll take that and try to think about that and think about how I say things. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:01:10.920 And I think it's something that is important for all of us to begin thinking about how we say things. Dr. Danny Akin was one of my professors in cemetery. People have made that joke so many times to me that I didn't. I promise I didn't. In seminary, he was one of my professors. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:33.599 And he would often part from his notes sometimes and he would just share some words of wisdom that he had learned from many years of ministry. And I remember one of the things that he would often tell us. He says, in ministry and life, for that matter, few things are more important, more valuable than knowing how to say the right thing. 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:44.699 Think about that. He said, in ministry and life, for that matter, few things are more important, more valuable than knowing how to say the right thing. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:50.739 What do you mean how to say the right thing? If you're saying the right thing, it doesn't matter how you say it, right? Says every man who's never been married. 00:01:51.239 --> 00:02:02.039 But he says, but Dr. Akin, he went on to say, he says, we need to learn how to say the right thing in the right way at the right time and to the right person. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:13.420 So much in life is not just being right, but it's understanding how to graciously show our brothers and sisters what the truth is. 00:02:13.760 --> 00:02:25.360 And so in our passage today, Paul is showing us by his example of the importance of dealing with potential issues in a tactful and godly manner. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:35.320 He is also showing us we're not to avoid difficult conversations, but we're to approach them in a manner that brings God's name, honor, and glory. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:43.540 We mentioned last week that we're coming into the middle of the story of Philemon, and we don't know the history of Philemon and Onesimus' relationship. 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:49.259 Although, what we're going to be able to see next week especially is there seems to be some tension. 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:59.639 There seems to be something that happened there where Onesimus probably stole from Philemon because we see next week in verse 18 where Paul says, 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:06.120 and he tells Philemon, he says, if he's taken anything from you, if he owes you anything, put that on my account. 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:16.659 And so we'll unpack that a little bit next week, but we see at least from the get-go that there seems to be something going on that would cause tension in this relationship. 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:24.280 And so he begins to address this, and so it's pretty safe to assume that Onesimus most likely took something from Philemon, 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:33.379 and for a slave to have stolen from his master, that would have been a very serious offense that came with serious consequences. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:39.759 So the amount of confidence that Paul and Onesimus show in the gospel here, 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:45.259 the amount of confidence they have that the gospel changes lives is pretty staggering to think about. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:51.639 They're sending, they're confident enough in the gospel, and the gospel, the fact that it changes people's lives, 00:03:51.699 --> 00:03:55.659 that they're sending Onesimus back to reconcile this relationship. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:04:00.319 And it's a beautiful picture of the power of the gospel to change. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:05.459 And that's what we emphasized last week, the fact that the gospel changes everything in our lives. 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:10.900 The gospel brings people together, makes us thankful for transformation. 00:04:11.079 --> 00:04:14.259 It works through gospel community in powerful ways. 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:19.980 And this week, we begin to see how the gospel changes, how we deal with conflict, 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:27.259 or at least the potential for conflict within the church, but really outside the church walls as well. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:33.519 And so this is important because conflict almost seems to be unavoidable in our life. 00:04:34.039 --> 00:04:38.259 You know, the last few months, we've been studying through the book of James. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:44.219 And in James chapter 4, James addresses this very issue within the church. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:48.399 He addresses the fact that they're experiencing conflict. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:52.959 And we know that James was one of the first books of the New Testament to be written. 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:58.699 And so very early on in the life of the church, James is having to ask this question, 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:02.000 what causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:04.399 Because they're experiencing these things. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:09.139 And conflict many times seems to be unavoidable in our day and time. 00:05:09.239 --> 00:05:15.359 I've been to many pastors' conferences and read books on the importance of church health 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:16.939 and dealing with conflict in the church. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.180 And one of the things that always comes up, they always say, 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.740 well, even if you're not dealing with this now, 00:05:22.080 --> 00:05:25.580 just store it away because you're going to be dealing with it at some point. 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:30.160 I'm like, well, that doesn't, it's not really encouraging for long-term ministry somewhere, is it? 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:33.319 You know, you may not be dealing with it now, but just hold on, it's coming. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:36.580 You're going to be able to, you're going to have to deal with conflict. 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:39.680 And so many times it feels unavoidable. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:45.800 But thankfully, the Bible is not silent on the issues that occur within the church. 00:05:46.660 --> 00:05:49.079 I'm thankful that it doesn't hide those issues. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:58.019 I'm thankful that it doesn't paint an unrealistic picture of doing ministry with people who are saved, 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:00.460 but at the same time are still struggling with sin, 00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:03.139 that are still struggling with these different things. 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:07.079 And it understands that there's going to be these things that happen. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:13.899 But what we see as the case with Philemon is we get to see real-life examples of how to deal with it. 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:17.019 And so that being said, if you have a copy of God's Word, 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:20.139 I want to invite you to turn with me to Philemon. 00:06:20.599 --> 00:06:24.819 And we're going to start in verse 8 and read through verse 16. 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:27.099 And this is what God's Word says. 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:28.000 It says this, 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:58.000 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:28.000 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:42.139 And so in this passage, we see not only does the gospel have the power to change our relationship with God, 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:50.839 but the gospel has the power to change our relationships and restore broken relationships here on earth as well. 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:53.619 And so as we think about this passage this morning, 00:07:53.679 --> 00:08:00.099 there are a few reminders that we see from Paul's actions that we would benefit from, 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:05.359 and also those around us who are hurting would benefit from us using them. 00:08:05.799 --> 00:08:10.500 And so to begin with, what I want us to see is the gospel promotes humility. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:13.939 The gospel promotes humility. 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:16.279 He says, 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:20.199 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:24.600 yet for love's sake, I prefer to appeal to you. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:29.879 I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus. 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:32.460 He says in effect here, he says, 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:34.559 I'm an apostle, I'm your spiritual father, 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:38.840 so I could have spoken to you with authority. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:41.980 I could have demanded that you do what is right. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:47.240 I could have given you specific instructions on how you need to handle this situation. 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.000 He says, 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:51.060 But for love's sake, I appeal to you. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:54.420 I ask you to do what is right. 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:56.940 I'm asking you to do what is right. 00:08:57.039 --> 00:09:02.779 Paul is telling him that he doesn't want Philemon to be forced to do something that he doesn't want to do, 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:03.779 but rather, 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:07.980 Paul wants Philemon to look at his own relationship with Jesus 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:12.659 and understand that the gospel changes differently. 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:15.899 The gospel doesn't just change our actions, 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:18.420 but it changes us from the inside out. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:19.220 He says, 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.500 You have a new heart now, 00:09:20.560 --> 00:09:24.440 and so I'm appealing to you to do what it is that you are called to do. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:26.420 It doesn't just change our actions, 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:28.460 but it changes our desires. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:29.700 What he's saying is, 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:29.920 He says, 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.180 I don't want you just to do the right thing, 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.220 but I want you to want to do the right thing. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:40.259 I want you to do this because this is what God has called you to do. 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:41.300 And you see, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.740 He could have asked him to do, 00:09:42.780 --> 00:09:46.019 He could have just told him to do what He wanted him to do. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:50.500 Because apostolic authority would have been something very significant at this time. 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:55.100 If you were to get a letter from one of the apostles like Paul 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:56.960 and asking you to do something, 00:09:57.039 --> 00:10:02.899 it would pretty much take a blatant contradiction to the teachings of Jesus for you not to do it. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:04.620 And so Paul could have easily said, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:04.919 Look, 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:07.320 I'm the apostle here. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:09.419 I have some authority here. 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:10.820 You need to do this. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.679 But that's not how he approaches this. 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:17.519 That's not how he goes about doing this. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.600 In fact, 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:24.679 it would have been taken as the word of God for him to do this, 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:26.659 but he doesn't want to do that. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.039 He doesn't want to. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:28.279 He says, 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:31.439 I don't want you to do this because of who I am. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:32.259 He's saying, 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:35.860 I don't want you just to change your actions because of who I am, 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:37.720 because I'm asking you to do this. 00:10:38.079 --> 00:10:38.679 But he says, 00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:41.460 I want you to change because of who Jesus is. 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:44.360 Because of your relationship with Him. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.139 You see, 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:49.340 to demand that wouldn't be the heart of Paul or the heart of Christ. 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:53.000 Because love is foundational to being a follower of Christ. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.379 It dictates how we treat one another. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.200 In fact, 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.360 Philemon's name, 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.980 it meant the loving one. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:01.680 And so what Paul is asking him to do, 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:04.500 he's asking him to live up to his name, 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:04.820 say, 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:10.139 to live up to being who he is called as the loving one. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:16.080 Paul's asking him to live up to this and let his attitude towards Onesimus be the same 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:19.319 as his attitude towards other people in his life. 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:20.419 But Paul, 00:11:20.679 --> 00:11:21.000 once again, 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:22.720 is showing his humility by saying, 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.039 he says, 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:23.419 I, 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:23.980 Paul, 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.360 an old man, 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:27.980 and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.019 He's saying, 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:29.240 look, 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.279 I'm doubly helpless. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:34.379 I'm not demanding anything because I'm doubly helpless. 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:36.340 I'm an old man now and I'm in prison. 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:41.540 And most scholars believe him to be around the age of 60 here. 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:42.600 Real old, 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:42.899 right? 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:43.500 So, 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.000 you know, 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:44.840 of course, 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:45.519 you know, 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.259 somebody told me, 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.540 I think it might've been clay. 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:48.600 Hurt my feelings. 00:11:48.660 --> 00:11:48.960 He says, 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:49.180 you know, 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:51.540 you're closer to 60 now than you are 20. 00:11:51.920 --> 00:11:52.420 And I was like, 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:55.080 20 just seems like it was yesterday. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:59.680 And so I know this next 20 years is going to go by very quickly as well. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.300 But yeah, 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.440 he, 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:02.519 so he's not really that old of a man, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:04.360 but he's lived a hard life. 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:09.620 He's experienced a lot in his life and had many difficulties in his life. 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:13.539 And so he probably felt his age a lot more than we might today. 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.340 He says, 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:16.500 I'm an old man and I'm in prison. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:17.740 He says, 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:18.019 look, 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:21.960 I'm not in a position right now that I'm going to demand something of you, 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:23.659 but I want to appeal to you. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:26.720 I want you to ask you to do what is right. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:30.220 So Paul is asking Philemon to show this old man and the prisoner, 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:35.500 the difference that Christ has made in his life and to do the right thing. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.680 And Paul in making his appeal, 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:42.259 his request out of love is modeling for us an example of humility. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:47.180 You might can force someone to do something they don't want to do for a little while, 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:50.899 but God is concerned with far more than right actions, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:53.300 but he's concerned with a right heart. 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:55.979 Jumping down to verse 14 really quickly, 00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:56.279 he says, 00:12:56.399 --> 00:13:02.919 but I prefer to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion, 00:13:03.099 --> 00:13:04.399 but by your own accord. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:05.599 He says, 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.219 I didn't want to, 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:10.699 I didn't want to ask you in a way that you're going to do it because you feel bad for me or because 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:12.599 I'm demanding this. 00:13:12.819 --> 00:13:16.079 I want you to do this because this is what you want to do. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:23.980 We must first look at our own actions and make sure that we are acting in love as we deal with conflict. 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.220 One commentator, 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:25.900 he put it this way. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.180 He says, 00:13:26.280 --> 00:13:28.520 it's never right to be rude. 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:33.100 It's never right for those who follow Jesus to be arrogant, 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.200 abrasive, 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.220 or uncouth. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.000 He says, 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:39.920 to be called obnoxious for Jesus is not a badge of honor, 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:42.400 even if you may be in the right. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.100 And he says, 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:47.199 our evangelism would be more effective if we would remember this. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.419 And he says, 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:51.340 so would our marriages and family life as well. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:56.059 So let us respond to each other within the church, 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.500 within our families, 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.360 within our homes, 00:13:58.459 --> 00:13:59.500 within the workplace, 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:02.559 in us with a sense of humility. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:06.879 And so the next reminder that we see in this passage is something that's, 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:09.759 that I would say is difficult at times. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:15.000 And sometimes it's avoided because we try to avoid conflict at all costs. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:18.720 And while the Bible does promote unity within the church, 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:20.080 and it never wants us to, 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:23.000 to have conflict for the sake of conflict. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:26.200 That's not a biblical principle that we see in scripture, 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:29.399 but it does want us to stand firm on the truth. 00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:33.539 It does want us to speak up for those who have no voice. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:40.000 And so that's what I want us to see next in this passage is the gospel promotes advocacy. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.919 The gospel promotes advocacy. 00:14:43.099 --> 00:14:45.599 Listen to Philemon 10 through 14. 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:46.360 It says, 00:14:46.360 --> 00:15:16.340 It says, 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:21.379 And so we see advocacy in two ways here. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:24.379 We advocate for those with no voice, 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:30.919 and we advocate for those who may be seen like a lost cause to everyone else. 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:33.139 So we advocate for those with no voice, 00:15:33.180 --> 00:15:36.940 and we advocate for those who others might see as a lost cause. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.460 To begin with, 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.720 we advocate for those with no voice. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:49.879 We might miss the significance of verse 10 here because of the amount of background that we've given up to this point. 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:53.000 But I don't want you to lose the significance of verse 10. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.399 In verse 10, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:16:00.500 this is the first time that Paul actually uses Onesimus' name in this letter. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:06.240 About halfway through is the first time we see who this letter is about. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:09.139 The whole letter is a plea for Onesimus, 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:12.319 but this is the first time that he brings his name up. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.960 And in fact, 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.580 in the Greek, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:16.840 he doesn't bring his name up until the very end of this sentence. 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:17.860 It says, 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.840 in our translation series, 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:19.059 it says, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.899 I appeal to you, 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.179 therefore, 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.199 my child, 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.100 Onesimus, 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:24.000 whose father I became in my imprisonment. 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.019 But in the Greek, 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:27.159 it would have been read more along the lines of, 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:29.059 I appeal to you for my child, 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:32.119 whose father I became in my imprisonment, 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.539 Onesimus. 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.379 And so all of a sudden, 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.819 this buildup to this point, 00:16:38.099 --> 00:16:42.899 this buildup to his request for who this request is for is significant. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:43.959 He's saying, 00:16:44.099 --> 00:16:49.559 I appeal to Paul very graciously and humbly speaks up for Onesimus. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.479 Now, 00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:56.639 Philemon probably had already seen him since Colossians tells us that Onesimus accompanied Tychius 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:59.460 in delivering the letter to the Colossian church, 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:01.799 which was meeting in Philemon's home. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:09.359 And so unless he was hiding behind the barn somewhere and trying to figure out how Philemon is going to take this letter, 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:12.039 he's probably already seen him. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:19.519 But the significance of what Paul is about to ask him would still have taken him by surprise. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.119 David Garland notes, 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.420 he says, 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:26.619 Philemon's culture had conditioned him to view slaves as less than full of slaves. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:31.300 persons who were deservedly consigned to their lot by faith. 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:38.740 And Philemon would have been expected to exact revenge on one who stole away. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:43.220 But Paul is not advocating for him. 00:17:43.520 --> 00:17:46.360 But Paul is now advocating for his brother in Christ. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:50.840 He's asking Philemon to not do what is culturally permissible. 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.659 And also, 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.159 honestly, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:54.779 what is culturally expected to do. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.879 But in a radical way, 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:59.139 show this former slave, 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.859 show this Onesimus, 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:05.039 the radicalness of God's grace in our life. 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.279 Don't just, 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.359 don't just do what is expected. 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:11.099 Don't do what everybody's expecting you to do. 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:14.279 But in a very radical display of God's grace, 00:18:14.659 --> 00:18:17.779 bring him in as your brother in Christ. 00:18:18.719 --> 00:18:19.219 F.F. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:23.399 Bruce describes the significance of this appeal by summarizing his request. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.259 He says, 00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:26.519 He is requesting his friend and convert, 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:28.040 Philemon of Colossae, 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:30.060 to receive back his slave, 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.920 Onesimus, 00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:31.960 on new footing. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:34.280 No longer as a slave, 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:38.259 but a fellow Christian and partner in the service of the gospel, 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:39.320 to which Philemon, 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.780 like Paul himself, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.620 is dedicated to. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.700 Paul, 00:18:43.800 --> 00:18:44.880 in his appeal to Philemon, 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:47.720 is advocating for his brother in Christ, 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.580 Onesimus. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.759 Paul, 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:50.379 the apostle, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.539 one of the key leaders of the early church, 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:56.099 the greatest missionary and church planner the world has ever seen, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:59.439 one of the key leaders in the spread of Christianity, 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:01.059 in the spread of the church, 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:05.339 is now graciously and humbly using his voice 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:08.339 to speak up for one who has no voice. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:11.359 Think about the significance of this. 00:19:12.199 --> 00:19:13.919 Paul is humbling himself. 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:16.179 He is one of the greatest missionaries, 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:18.779 the greatest leaders of the early church, 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:21.440 and he's now using his voice, 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:23.380 his position of influence, 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:26.759 to speak up for someone who has no voice. 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:30.259 This is what God has called us to do as well. 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:33.500 If God has given us a position of authority, 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:35.080 if God has given us things, 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:38.340 he doesn't just give us those things to use them for ourselves, 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:41.580 but he gives them to use for his honor and his glory. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:44.799 And so we are called to use our voice 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:48.439 to speak up for those who have no voice. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:51.460 This is what it means to love our neighbor. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:56.019 The mission of God involves speaking up for those who have no voice. 00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:59.279 This is a vital part of sharing the gospel. 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:02.960 May we never over-spiritualize missions 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:06.659 and reduce it to only being concerned about a person's eternity 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:09.199 and not what they're going through right now. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:13.100 Spurgeon pleaded with his congregation when he said these words. 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.539 He says, 00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:16.100 Some cannot receive Christ 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:18.960 because they are so full of anguish 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:21.200 and are so crushed in spirit 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:23.980 that they cannot find strength enough of mind 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.740 to entertain a hope 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:29.080 that by any possibility salvation can come to them. 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.580 The mere struggle to exist 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:33.860 exhausted all of their energy 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:36.880 and destroyed all of their hope. 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:39.060 I do not wonder that a great many 00:20:39.060 --> 00:20:41.080 are unable to receive the gospel 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:42.480 in the city of ours 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:45.900 because their struggle for existence is so awful. 00:20:46.760 --> 00:20:49.540 If any of you can do anything 00:20:49.540 --> 00:20:51.560 to help the toil-worn workers, 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.720 I pray that you do it. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.720 I pray that you do it. 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:58.200 Let us do all we can for the weak 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:00.100 to alleviate their present suffering 00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:02.280 and let us do all that we can 00:21:02.280 --> 00:21:03.720 to tell them of a Savior 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:06.579 who made a way where there was no way. 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:09.259 Who left heaven and lived the life 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:11.100 they couldn't and died the death they deserve 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:14.360 so that they now can have new life in Him. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:17.079 Not only do we advocate for those 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.539 who have no voice, 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.579 but we advocate for those 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:23.640 who others may see as a lost cause. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.279 He says, 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:27.600 Formerly He was useless to you, 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:31.299 but now He is indeed useful to you and me. 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:33.339 I am sending Him back to you, 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:35.240 sending my very heart. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:38.220 You see, the name Onesimus means useful. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:41.039 And so often slaves would be given this name 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:43.859 in hopes that they would live up to their namesake, 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.339 in hopes that they would be useful. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:48.839 And now there's almost this play on words 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.619 where He says, 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:51.519 Useful was useless. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.319 A useless runaway slave 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:56.940 would have seemed like a lost cause to many. 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.359 It would have seemed like, 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:00.659 what's the point in even addressing this? 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:03.800 What's the point in even giving Him the time of day? 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.580 As we noted last week, 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:07.140 Alistair Begg described Him 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.680 as what would be considered 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:11.240 one of the dregs of Roman society. 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:14.160 But the reality of the gospel 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:16.259 is that we are all lost. 00:22:16.800 --> 00:22:20.040 That we are all lost causes apart from Jesus. 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.840 But the beauty of the gospel 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:24.060 is that with Jesus, 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:26.040 there are no lost causes. 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:28.920 The beauty of the gospel is 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:31.599 that nobody is too far gone. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:33.319 There's no such thing. 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.159 In society today, 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:36.420 many people fall into two categories. 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.619 They'll fall into one category 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.500 of saying, 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.220 You know what? 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.399 I think I'm a pretty good person. 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:44.839 And I've lived a pretty good life. 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:47.019 And because of that, 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.639 if you look at my life 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:50.519 compared to everybody else's life around me, 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.899 I'm doing pretty good. 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:54.040 And the problem with this 00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:57.100 is you don't see your need for a Savior. 00:22:57.780 --> 00:22:59.500 If you think that you've got this 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.680 on your own pretty good, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:03.040 that you've got everything under control pretty well, 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.840 then all of a sudden, 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:06.160 you don't see your need for a Savior. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:08.920 If you don't see the significance of your sin, 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:10.400 you're not going to see 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:12.040 the significance of the cross. 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:14.120 But at the same time, 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:15.840 there's a whole other group 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:16.800 that in society today 00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:19.120 that I feel like they're just lost causes. 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:21.179 They look at their life 00:23:21.179 --> 00:23:23.019 and they think about all the ways 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:25.379 they've messed up over and over again. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:27.299 And they seem to just have 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:29.879 this overwhelming sense of sin in their life. 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.259 And they think, 00:23:30.439 --> 00:23:31.439 What's the point? 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.199 God's not going to want this. 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.799 God's not going to want to do anything with this. 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:37.399 But nothing could be further from the truth. 00:23:38.239 --> 00:23:40.059 And so we must not find ourselves 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:42.099 in either one of these categories. 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.759 But let us understand 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:46.379 that yes, our sin is a big deal. 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:48.839 Our sin has separated us from God. 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.500 And apart from Christ, 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:52.079 we are all lost causes. 00:23:52.939 --> 00:23:54.980 But because of what Jesus did, 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:56.679 because of who He is, 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.119 what He accomplished on the cross, 00:23:58.319 --> 00:24:00.879 there's no such thing as a lost cause. 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:02.819 And so if you're here today 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.879 and you think, 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.819 Well, I just, 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:06.959 there's no way that God would want me. 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:09.059 I've messed up too much in my life. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.959 There's no way, 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:12.480 there's no way that He can bring me back from this. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.879 There's no way He would want 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:15.220 to bring me back from this. 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.059 Understand, 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:18.079 nothing could be further from the truth. 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:20.679 That what God accomplished on the cross 00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:22.079 can count for you 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.519 by placing your faith 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:25.299 and your trust in Him. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.500 Ultimately, 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:27.919 Paul is asking Philemon 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:30.639 to love Onesimus as himself. 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:33.199 Love the one that everybody else 00:24:33.199 --> 00:24:34.539 would have given up on 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:36.439 as yourself. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:38.360 Jesus said, 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.380 The greatest commandment is, 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.759 You shall love the Lord your God 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.779 with all of your heart 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.940 and with all of your soul 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.920 and with all of your mind. 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:46.980 This is the great and first commandment. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.299 He said, 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.600 And the second is like it. 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:51.000 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.840 On these two commandments 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:54.440 depend all the law 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.720 and the prophets. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.840 You are to love God 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:59.900 and you are to love your neighbor 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.180 as yourself. 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:03.700 This means that every aspect 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.960 of human existence, 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.380 every part of us 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:08.039 is touched with the gospel. 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.200 All of a sudden, 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.539 our priorities are different. 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:12.000 We're to love God 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.779 with all of our heart, 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.700 soul, and mind. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:16.460 And we're to love our neighbor 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.160 as ourself. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.860 Carl F.H. Henry once spoke 00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:22.660 of the evangelical tendency 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:25.620 to speak only of the spiritual aspect 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.400 of mission. 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:27.460 He said, 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:30.259 Only speaking directly to evangelism 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.200 and not speaking to mercy 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.340 that people need. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:33.980 He says, 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:36.420 This mercy asks the simple question, 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.640 If I am to love my neighbor 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:40.000 as myself, 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.480 do you minister to yourself 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.319 in the same way? 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.519 He says, 00:25:44.600 --> 00:25:46.400 Do you refuse to feed yourself 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:48.039 because you have the gospel? 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.080 He said, 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:51.620 Do you refuse to clothe yourself 00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:53.480 because you have the gospel? 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:56.279 No, of course not. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.380 So love your neighbor 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.640 as yourself, 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.559 your whole self. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.559 Advocate for those 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:05.160 who have no voice. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.600 Advocate for those 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:08.039 that the world would see 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:09.240 as lost causes 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.000 and share the greatest news 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.880 the world has ever heard. 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.660 And so the final reminder 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.860 that I want us to see 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:17.340 from this passage is this. 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:19.580 The gospel promotes 00:26:19.580 --> 00:26:20.960 dependence on God. 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.220 The gospel promotes 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:25.000 dependence on God. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.380 15 and 16, 00:26:27.520 --> 00:26:27.960 it says this, 00:26:28.040 --> 00:26:29.140 For this perhaps 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.920 is why he 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.480 was parted from you 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.180 for a while 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.860 that you may have him 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.880 back forever. 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:37.740 No longer as a bondservant, 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:39.340 but more than a bondservant, 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.980 as a beloved brother, 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:42.500 especially to me, 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.200 but how much more to you, 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.440 both in the flesh 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:47.259 and in the Lord. 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:50.620 Achan makes a powerful observation 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.559 from this passage. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.000 He says, 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.940 The Roman Empire 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:55.259 saw Onesimus as a slave. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.539 It saw only with its, 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:59.480 with the eyes of the flesh. 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.400 Paul, 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.640 in stark contrast, 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.740 saw Onesimus 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.500 as a dearly loved brother. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.819 He was now part of 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.079 a special family, 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.439 God's family. 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.119 For Paul, 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:12.319 this was especially precious 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.779 because he saw Onesimus 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.899 as not only his brother, 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.859 but as his spiritual son. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.619 Now, for Philemon, 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.519 the new spiritual status 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.199 of Onesimus 00:27:22.199 --> 00:27:24.559 should be much more special. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.740 He is getting Onesimus back 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:29.059 both on an earthly 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.460 and a spiritual plane. 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:32.579 Philemon had to see this. 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.939 He had to rejoice in this. 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:37.039 Only the eyes of faith 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.799 and faith in one crucified 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.420 like a slave himself 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:42.160 could enable Philemon 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:44.960 to see things as they were. 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:47.559 Only God can do this. 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:50.900 Only God can transform like this. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:53.440 Only God can transform our lives, 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.340 restoring our broken relationships 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:56.460 with Him, 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:58.380 but also our broken relationships 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.400 with one another. 00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:01.620 Only He can do this. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.600 And maybe it was because 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.759 there are so many groups 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.839 that are studying 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:08.079 the book of Esther right now 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.839 on Wednesday nights 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.759 in our life groups. 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.079 But there's a passage, 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.859 there's a verse 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.439 that kept coming to mind 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.740 from the book of Esther 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.399 as I was reading through this, 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:21.119 especially this verse 14 right here 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.399 or 15 where it says, 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.419 for this perhaps 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:25.439 is why He was parted from you 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:25.919 for a while 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:28.980 that you may have Him back forever. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.480 See, in Esther 4, 14, 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.039 it says, 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:34.740 Who knows whether you have come 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.579 to the kingdom 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:37.920 for such a time as this? 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.400 For perhaps 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:43.099 this is why He has parted from you 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.559 for a while 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.860 that you may receive Him back. 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.640 Who knows whether you have come 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.140 to the kingdom 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.500 for such a time as this? 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:50.480 I love how these verses 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:54.019 recognize the sovereignty of God 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:55.759 while at the same time 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.480 humbly recognizing 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.740 our inability to know. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:01.079 We don't always know 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:03.579 why God has placed people 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.579 in our lives, 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:06.000 but we do know 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.319 what He's called us to do. 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.880 We don't always know 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.200 why God has placed us 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.440 in different places 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.539 at different times 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.420 in our lives. 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.700 We don't always know 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.059 why God has put people 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:17.299 in our lives, 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.920 but what we do know 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.500 is that God has called us 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.160 to love. 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.279 God has called us 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.019 to love them 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.120 and point them 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:25.339 to the greatest hope 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:27.200 this world has ever heard. 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.960 Perhaps 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:31.519 God is placing people 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.200 in your life 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.960 that you need to do 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.880 all that you can 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.960 to point them 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.640 to the gracious 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.680 and loving Savior 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:38.059 who died on the cross 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.940 for their sins. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.940 Perhaps God is placing 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.819 people in your life 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:44.000 who desperately need 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.420 to know 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.680 the only hope 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.400 in this life 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.180 is a relationship 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.860 with Jesus. 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.799 Perhaps we need 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:51.640 to respond to others 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.420 in a gracious 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.720 and humble way, 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:55.400 in a way that we see 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.420 modeled for us 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.320 throughout Scripture. 00:29:58.420 --> 00:30:00.759 Perhaps God is placing 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.420 people in our life 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.200 who desperately need 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.539 to know Him. 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:03.539 Perhaps we need 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.980 to open our eyes 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.660 to the needs 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.820 that are around us. 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.340 Perhaps we need 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.640 to be more intentional 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:11.300 in allowing people 00:30:11.300 --> 00:30:12.279 into our lives 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.240 and pointing them 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.900 to hope. 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.320 Perhaps we need 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:16.000 to advocate 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.940 for those who 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:18.320 have no voice. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.640 Perhaps we need 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.920 to understand 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.500 that there are 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.880 no lost causes. 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.740 perhaps we need 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.260 to look at 00:30:25.260 --> 00:30:26.260 our own lives 00:30:26.260 --> 00:30:27.220 and realize 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.400 that we are sinners 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.420 and that this 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.340 is a big deal. 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.680 And that we recognize 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.480 that our only hope 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.320 in this life 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:36.560 is a relationship 00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:37.580 with the King of Kings 00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:38.520 and the Lord of Lords. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.900 The one who 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:41.420 left the glory of heaven 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.460 for us 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.440 to restore 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.660 that broken relationship. 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.560 So perhaps 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:46.660 we need to look 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.540 at our lives 00:30:47.540 --> 00:30:49.060 and see what God 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:50.320 is calling us to do 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.200 in the places 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.139 that He's called us 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:53.179 at this time. 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.700 Father, 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.200 we thank You 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.980 so very much 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:58.559 for all that You do 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.779 for us each and every day. 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.659 God, 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.259 we thank You 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.179 for this story 00:31:02.179 --> 00:31:03.359 of Philemon here. 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:05.139 A story that reminds us 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:06.639 of the mighty ways 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.419 in which You work 00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:08.159 in this world. 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:10.639 A story that reminds us 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.399 that we are to 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.779 approach conflict, 00:31:12.939 --> 00:31:13.720 that we approach 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.019 difficulties 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.939 in the church 00:31:15.939 --> 00:31:16.819 and in our lives 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.899 in a humble way, 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.559 in a humble 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.659 and gracious way. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.059 But Lord, 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:22.220 also a story 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:24.019 that reminds us 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.700 that You've called us 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.559 to speak up 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.439 for those who have 00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:28.139 no voice. 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.899 That You've called us 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:31.179 to show hope 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:32.200 to those 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.159 that the world 00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:34.419 claims are hopeless. 00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:35.960 But Lord, 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.819 we recognize 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.460 that You 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.619 and You alone 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.339 are worthy 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.099 of our worship. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.319 And we recognize 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:41.819 that You 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.720 and You alone 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.539 are the one 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.439 that can save. 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.359 And so Lord, 00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:46.240 help us to give 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.299 our lives to You. 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.319 And I pray 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.139 that if there's someone 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:49.839 here today 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.599 that doesn't know You 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.220 as their Lord 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.720 and Savior, 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.079 Lord, 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.619 that You would 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.579 burden their hearts, 00:31:54.959 --> 00:31:55.459 that they would 00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:56.099 come to You, 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.559 that they would 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.799 recognize that yes, 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:58.959 we all, 00:31:59.159 --> 00:32:00.079 apart from Christ, 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.779 are hopeless, 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.619 that we can't do 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.579 this on our own. 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:05.000 But because of 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.659 what You accomplished 00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:06.240 on the cross, 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.599 because of who You are, 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.299 there's no such thing 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.359 as someone who's hopeless. 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:11.959 And so Lord, 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.599 help us to give 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.599 our lives to You. 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.539 Help us to follow You 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:15.959 in everything 00:32:15.959 --> 00:32:16.959 that we say and do. 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.160 So thank You 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.079 so much for Jesus 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:20.279 and the difference 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:20.740 that He makes 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.259 in our life. 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:22.220 And we ask all these 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.279 things in His name. 00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:23.920 Amen.