Full Transcript for When Obedience Takes Courage

she thinks I'm joking. 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:03.359 That's life. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:04.200 Life is hard. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:06.640 And then we get blindsided by the unexpected. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:07.859 Life is hard. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:11.500 But there's another truth that life is an adventure. 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:13.120 Life is discovery. 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:16.419 Life is facing challenges to do good things. 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:21.479 And that makes it hard as well. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:26.939 And what gives us hope is it's all rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:28.840 We can face the hard things. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:34.159 We can face the adventure of the challenges of fulfilling the calling that God has given us 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:37.199 rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:43.660 I would actually say that apart from that relationship, it's hopeless. 00:02:44.820 --> 00:02:45.580 It's hopeless. 00:02:46.660 --> 00:02:49.640 That was one of the tragedies of spending eight days in the ICU. 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:56.039 We went from being the first person there to being the longest tenured member of the ICU, 00:02:56.259 --> 00:02:56.899 as far as I know. 00:02:57.899 --> 00:03:01.139 And we saw people filled with hope who knew Jesus. 00:03:01.399 --> 00:03:07.599 But we met quite a few who were in despair as they faced a loved one stuck in a bed. 00:03:08.739 --> 00:03:09.519 No hope. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:16.580 But we have hope. 00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:18.500 We have hope. 00:03:18.939 --> 00:03:24.760 The mystery of life, the answer to those mysteries, what unravels them and solves them, 00:03:25.160 --> 00:03:27.280 is revealed in Jesus Christ. 00:03:27.660 --> 00:03:32.200 The mystery is this, Christ in you, the hope of glory. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:37.479 If you've put your trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have the answer. 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:41.419 And we're going to look at that this morning in the story of Onesimus. 00:03:42.959 --> 00:03:52.979 It is so cool to see very tangibly in a very real, real life experience of this first century man, 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:55.099 seeing the gospel play out. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:04:01.079 There's something I was thinking about the other day, getting ready for this sermon. 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:06.219 One of the mistakes that the evangelical church made in the 70s and 80s, 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:08.159 probably going back a little bit sooner than that, 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:12.579 was we taught that the gospel was all about what happens to you when you die. 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:19.420 Didn't talk much about today, but we talked about what happens when you die. 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:21.600 The frequent question from an evangelist was, 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.439 if you were to die today, where would you go? 00:04:25.340 --> 00:04:28.000 Many of us came to Christ because of that question. 00:04:29.760 --> 00:04:33.379 But the problem is, the flaw in that thinking is we lose sight of the fact 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:36.800 that the gospel isn't just about what happens on the other side of death's door. 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:43.200 The gospel has impact today on the trials that we're facing today, 00:04:43.460 --> 00:04:48.040 on the challenges that are presented by our pursuit of God's calling in our life. 00:04:48.640 --> 00:04:50.100 Those are addressed today. 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:52.640 And that's what we're going to see in the life of Onesimus, 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:56.000 is that Christ in you, the hope of glory, 00:04:56.919 --> 00:05:01.899 is not just glory, I have a transformed body, I'm made like Christ after I die, 00:05:01.979 --> 00:05:02.879 or after He returns. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:05.300 Christ is in me now. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:08.620 And glory is promised now, 00:05:09.479 --> 00:05:12.039 in this life as well as life to come. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:15.300 That's the whole gospel, and that's what we're going to talk about this morning. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:21.000 Now as we went through Colossians, Paul was looking at two different ways 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.060 that people addressed the mysteries of life. 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:30.960 The book of Colossians was written specifically to address this rising cult of Gnosticism. 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:36.460 Gnosticism was just one way that men were trying to figure out, 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:39.139 how do we solve the problems of life? 00:05:40.099 --> 00:05:42.659 And what they believed was that the material world was bad, 00:05:42.899 --> 00:05:45.939 that God was up in heaven and really didn't like us, 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:53.259 was a distant tyrant that we had to please in order to get into His presence. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:57.799 It sounds a lot like the gods of the Greeks and the Romans and the Mesopotamians. 00:05:59.679 --> 00:06:02.859 It's not a God that's of love by any means. 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:06.740 And so what they believed is you've got to deny yourself. 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:10.060 You've got to keep certain holidays. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:12.819 You have to eat certain foods and not eat other foods. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:15.580 You've got to pray in a certain way. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:22.160 You've got to engage angelic help to storm the gates of heaven 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:25.460 in order to earn an audience with this God who wants nothing to do with you. 00:06:26.340 --> 00:06:30.120 And if you prove worthy, maybe you'll get that audience. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:33.079 It's depressing. 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:37.079 It gets worse because they believe that most people didn't attain to it. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:42.759 And so there were a few gurus who mastered that highest level of spirituality 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:45.360 and the

rest of us, the rank and file, 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:49.500 were just left going to them and asking for their help to intercede for us 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:51.819 to get into the presence of God. 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:55.240 Remember we talked about chapter 2. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:56.460 Paul really develops that. 00:06:56.980 --> 00:07:02.540 And where chapter 2 ends is rules have no benefit to change our behavior. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:03.560 They just don't work. 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:07.199 We can stack up rules all day long and we're still going to just break them. 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:10.519 Rules don't change us where we need to be changed. 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:13.579 And fundamentally, deep down, we know that to be true. 00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:14.840 Rules don't work. 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:21.719 So what Paul offers is the alternative to that false way of solving the mystery of life. 00:07:22.599 --> 00:07:26.819 That alternative, Christ in you, the hope of glory, 00:07:27.479 --> 00:07:31.000 is becoming a mature man in Christ. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:34.839 In chapter 1 of Colossians, Paul says, 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:53.659 That's the goal. 00:07:54.659 --> 00:07:57.439 Our mission statement says we exist to glorify God. 00:07:58.479 --> 00:08:03.719 Walking closely with Him, striving together to become more like Jesus every day. 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:06.320 Why does that matter? 00:08:08.760 --> 00:08:10.800 Because in becoming more like Jesus, 00:08:11.260 --> 00:08:15.720 we are able to take a hold of the means that God has provided 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:18.740 to solve the mysteries of life. 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:22.740 To address hardship and trial and challenge 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:26.600 and live the life that we're supposed to live in the way that He intended. 00:08:28.460 --> 00:08:32.960 We're going to see that unpacked very practically in the life of Onesimus. 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:36.820 I'm really excited to bring this to you because it's really cool. 00:08:37.540 --> 00:08:40.080 So open your Bibles to Colossians chapter 4. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:46.780 And I'm going to read verses 7 through 18. 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:49.259 But we're only going to do 7, 8, and 9. 00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:54.460 I used to have a friend who was a pastor who would tell people, 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:57.220 if he was preaching, if he had to read a long quote 00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:58.759 or read a long stretch of the Bible, 00:08:58.840 --> 00:08:59.600 he'd say, pay attention. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:00.940 You're going to fall asleep. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:01.920 Don't fall asleep. 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:03.200 Listen. 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:04.160 Pay attention. 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:06.759 So hone in on what's being said here. 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:09.840 Colossians 4, starting at verse 7. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:15.399 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:18.360 and fellow bondservant in the Lord, will bring you information. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:23.360 So he's telling the Colossians about this man that's delivered the letter. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:26.539 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:30.259 that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:33.680 And with him, Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:35.139 who is one of your number. 00:09:35.779 --> 00:09:38.000 They will inform you about the whole situation here. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:42.120 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings. 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:47.200 And also Barnabas, cousin Mark, about whom you received instructions. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:49.259 If he comes to you, welcome him. 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:51.799 And also Jesus, who is called Justice, 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:55.960 these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:58.000 They're the only ones who are Jews. 00:09:59.059 --> 00:10:01.100 And they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:05.439 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bond slave of Jesus Christ, 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:10.139 sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:14.240 that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:23.080 For I testify for him that he has deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea in Heropolis. 00:10:23.940 --> 00:10:27.680 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings and also Demas. 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:33.100 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha in the church that is in her house. 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:37.740 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans, 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:42.620 and you, for your part, read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:48.399 Say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:51.940 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.159 Remember my imprisonment. 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:55.659 Grace be with you. 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:57.539 Let's pray. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:06.980 God, I love how you've put together the book of Colossians and the way Paul wrote. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:13.560 God, that you deal with deep theology and then you tell us how to live out of our identity of being followers of Jesus. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:17.420 And then you show us specifically what that looks like. 00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:21.519 God, you know that we need different ways to learn. 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:26.820 And you give us each different pathway to get a better

understanding of what you have for us. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:33.280 Lord, I pray for us this morning that as we look at the life of Onesimus and the challenges that he faced, 00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:38.120 that we would see ourselves in him, that we would take hope, and that we would follow his example. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.260 God, we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.200 Amen. 00:11:43.260 --> 00:11:50.300 So the reason I read that entire passage is that Paul, I think in every one of his letters, 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:53.679 I could be wrong because I didn't check it as thoroughly as I should, 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:56.299 but I'm pretty sure in every letter, Paul ends with a list of names. 00:11:57.079 --> 00:12:00.719 A few months ago, Tim did a sermon on those names. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:04.479 And if you're like me, that's like reading the phone book. 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:05.899 That's nice. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:06.479 Big deal. 00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:09.659 I'm sure those people cared, but why do I care? 00:12:09.979 --> 00:12:11.219 I don't have any idea who they were. 00:12:11.359 --> 00:12:13.839 And honestly, who even knows how to pronounce their names? 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:15.699 Tell you a little secret. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:18.559 If anybody ever asks you to read out of the Bible and you come across a name, 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.279 don't sound it out. 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.459 Greek is a dead language. 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.519 Nobody knows how it's pronounced. 00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:29.559 So the secret is you square your shoulders, look people in the eye, 00:12:29.619 --> 00:12:31.199 and just pronounce it however you want. 00:12:32.099 --> 00:12:33.139 Who's going to tell you you're wrong? 00:12:34.119 --> 00:12:37.139 Maybe some seminary professor, but he has nothing to stand on. 00:12:37.359 --> 00:12:38.179 It's a dead language. 00:12:38.239 --> 00:12:38.899 Don't worry about it. 00:12:39.619 --> 00:12:40.819 So why do I care? 00:12:41.359 --> 00:12:45.139 Because in those names, this is what I discovered in preparing this message, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:55.460 in those names is woven actual tangible application of what Paul was writing in the first part of the book. 00:12:56.939 --> 00:13:00.960 If we take the time to look at these men and women, we discover, 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:04.639 oh, Paul's still speaking to me. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:07.120 He's just using a different medium. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:09.620 Now he's using these people's lives. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:12.419 So we want to look at it from that perspective. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:17.980 Now the theme that's woven through Colossians 4, 7 through 18, 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:20.659 is a word that Paul sent to Timothy, 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:28.460 who he had sent to appoint elders in churches that had been planted during earlier missionary journeys. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:31.659 2 Timothy 2, 1 through 2. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:35.000 Just read it on the screen and listen. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:38.879 You, therefore, my son, so Paul is writing to Timothy, 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:41.580 be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:48.840 Now this next sentence is lived out in Colossians 4. 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:54.279 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:59.679 entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.039 Do you know why you're a Christian today? 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:07.159 Yes, Jesus called you. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.579 Yes, somebody shared the gospel with you. 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:10.659 Yes, you responded. 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:13.539 But ultimately, do you know why you're a Christian today? 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:24.699 Why it was possible for you to get the message of the gospel delivered accurately 2,000 years plus after Jesus died? 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:31.860 Because an unbroken chain from you all the way back to Jesus Christ, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:36.640 of men and women who obeyed this. 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:41.900 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:44.140 entrust, entrust. 00:14:45.140 --> 00:14:47.320 We're looking for faithful people who can share it. 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:51.300 Entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:53.620 And so on and so on and so on and so on. 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:54.740 And so it goes. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.500 I got saved at 14. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.979 People you've never heard of. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.299 Steve Reinhardt. 00:15:06.959 --> 00:15:07.899 John Peckham. 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.599 Bob Larson. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:14.279 Dan Faulkner. 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:16.279 Paul Sapp. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:25.220 Took this young, fiery Christian who didn't know anything and taught me the Bible. 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:28.019 They taught me how to teach the Bible. 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:30.259 They corrected me when I was wrong. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:33.320 They entrusted me with a message. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.960 They gave me opportunity to share what I learned. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.300 And they taught me and refined it. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:44.440 Really, you're beneficiaries of their work in my life. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.560 That's an example. 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:50.240 And that's what we see in Colossians chapter 4. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.960 You don't know these people. 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.620 You'll meet them in heaven. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.259 But they've impacted your life. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.100 And if I was writing a letter, their names would be there. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:04.519 That's the

theme that we're going to see as we look at Onesimus. 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:07.220 And because we're looking at Onesimus, we'll be looking at Philemon. 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:17.659 And these other names, as we unpack it over the next couple or three weeks, you're going to see this passage, this command to Timothy lived out. 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:19.539 Because Paul practiced what he preached. 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:21.879 And we want to be people of the same note. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.360 So keep that in mind. 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:25.740 2 Timothy 2, 1 through 2. 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:30.360 That's essential to our core value of making disciples. 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.299 That's how it's done. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.299 So let's talk about the story. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.259 We're going to talk about three people. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.659 I feel kind of bad, but time is limited. 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:40.399 So I'm not going to talk about Tychicus at all. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:44.240 Other than to say, look at how Paul describes him. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.700 Beloved brother. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.799 Faithful servant. 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.960 Fellow bond servant. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:51.100 This is a man that Paul clearly trusted. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:17:01.540 Trusted him with this letter and the letter to Laodicea and the letter to Hierapolis and sent him to those places as a messenger to make sure that that message was faithfully delivered. 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:03.540 That's all you're going to get on Tychicus. 00:17:03.660 --> 00:17:04.259 You want to know more? 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.140 Look him up. 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:09.759 Because Onesimus is captivating. 00:17:10.600 --> 00:17:12.819 So the story of Onesimus has three characters. 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:17.380 Onesimus himself, Philemon, and Paul. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:21.799 And I'm going to unpack each of those so you see how their lives intertwine. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:24.160 So first we're going to talk about Onesimus. 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:29.000 What we know from the book of Philemon is that Onesimus was a slave. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:32.180 He belonged to Philemon and he ran away. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:37.799 There's several different views about how Onesimus came to meet Paul. 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:40.819 The view that I hold is that he was a fugitive. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:44.819 He didn't like Philemon, didn't like being a slave, so he ran away. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:52.720 And if you're from a small town, we know Colossae was a small town, the best place to hide if you're a fugitive is a big city, which would be Ephesus. 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:56.639 But Onesimus was on the run. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:18:01.660 Because slaves belong to somebody. 00:18:03.280 --> 00:18:12.060 And Roman law required that if you found a slave who was on the run, you were bound by law to return that slave

to his master. 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:15.859 You couldn't aid and abet a slave. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:24.659 The Romans did frown very much on allowing slaves to be free unless there was a due process. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.440 So Onesimus is on the run. 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.619 He was a slave. 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.240 He's a runaway. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.359 He's a fugitive. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:31.299 He's always looking over his shoulder. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:37.680 Now you think, today, a fugitive's really got a hard road. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.419 There's cameras everywhere. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:54.279 If you've watched any crime show at all on TV, you know that the ATM machine across the street, or the camera on a traffic light, or even someone else's cell phone could get your picture, and boom, you're busted. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:57.319 It's hard to be a fugitive in the 21st century. 00:18:57.319 --> 00:19:01.659 Well, don't think it was any easier in the 1st century. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:08.000 As a fugitive, and you're going to find this out in a few minutes, you're on the risk of running into somebody you know. 00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:12.179 Who says, dude, what are you doing in Ephesus? 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.779 Does Philemon know you're here? 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:18.139 And so you're living in constant fear of being exposed. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.759 And you never know who to trust. 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.720 Because you just don't know. 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:26.139 Does this person know somebody who knows Philemon? 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.960 Have they heard about me? 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:30.400 And so you're always in fear. 00:19:30.580 --> 00:19:32.020 It's a horrible way to live. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.140 You're lost. 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:39.800 At this point in the story, Onesimus is not only lost in the sense that he is unmoored. 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.480 He has no community. 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:43.220 He's away from everywhere he's ever been. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.600 But he's lost in the spiritual sense. 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:49.460 He hasn't met Jesus yet. 00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:51.120 So that's Onesimus. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:54.020 Our other character is Philemon. 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.579 Philemon. 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:57.279 We know Philemon was wealthy because he was a slave owner. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:06.680 It says in the book of Philemon that he was wealthy enough that he had a big enough home that a house church met in his home later in the story. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.059 So he's wealthy. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.240 He's a slave owner. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.400 He's well-traveled. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:17.700 Paul said in Colossians that he had never met most of the recipients of his letter. 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:22.160 But when we get to Philemon here in a few minutes, you're going to see

that he knew Philemon well. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.740 He loved Philemon. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:30.400 So it's logical to assume that if Paul didn't go to Philemon, Philemon probably came to Paul. 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.240 He's wealthy. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.800 Maybe he did business in Ephesus. 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:37.099 Maybe he was looking for a runaway slave in Ephesus. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:51.639 Regardless of the reason that he was in Ephesus, ultimately because he too was lost, he met Paul, the third character of our story. 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:58.280 Now we all know Paul, the apostle, the missionary, the evangelist, the disciple maker. 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:05.400 Paul was in Ephesus as part of the third missionary journey. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.500 This is in Acts chapter 19. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:12.440 He was there and God did amazing work. 00:21:13.560 --> 00:21:15.360 There was a revival that happened. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:22.000 And while he was there, people came flocking to Christ, caused a riot. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.379 Christianity does that sometimes. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:26.000 We're following the Lord. 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:29.719 But God was moving in Ephesus. 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:34.500 To such a degree, it says in Acts 4.19, you can just listen to this. 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:37.099 This took place for two years, so Paul's in Ephesus, 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:41.779 so that all who lived in Asia, look at a map sometime. 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.199 Asia's huge. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:49.480 All who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks, from Ephesus. 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:58.340 And so Philemon goes to Ephesus, blah, easy for me to say, Ephesus, and meets Paul. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.840 And comes to Christ. 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.779 Onesimus meets Paul. 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.480 And comes to Christ. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.400 And then it gets complicated. 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.120 As life does. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:20.220 So Philemon, he goes to Ephesus, he hears the gospel, he accepts Jesus' offer of salvation, 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.120 and he becomes a disciple of Paul. 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:26.019 We don't know how long he was in Ephesus. 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:28.900 But it was long enough for him to learn some core truths. 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:31.559 To understand what the gospel meant for him. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:35.240 Enough that he would go home and start a church in his home. 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:37.360 He was a transformed man. 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:43.219 Onesimus, hiding it on the run, somehow comes across Paul. 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.240 Here's the gospel. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.639 Accepts Jesus. 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:50.059 Becomes a disciple of Paul. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:52.619 I kind of think there was a gap. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.579 I don't think it was simultaneous. 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:57.159 But he's also discipled. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:23:04.539 He learns what it means to walk with Jesus and to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:07.519 So Paul's discipled Philemon. 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.859 Paul has discipled Onesimus. 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:15.579 Can you imagine the day that Paul goes, wait a minute. 00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:18.299 Philemon was looking for a fugitive slave. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.859 Onesimus is... 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:24.319 Look at that. 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:26.919 We're going to talk about divine appointments in a few minutes. 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.500 Look how God works. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:31.660 So these men are brought together. 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:34.640 But they don't cross paths yet. 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.000 Paul meets Philemon. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.119 Paul meets Onesimus. 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.940 But they're separate. 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:47.880 To understand what happens. 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.579 What's going on here. 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.259 To take the next step in the story. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.839 I want you to listen very carefully. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.059 The words are going to be up on the screen. 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.200 But I want you to listen. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:00.200 Because this is an even longer passage. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.299 But listen carefully. 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.759 Not to the words necessarily themselves. 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:06.620 But to what Paul... 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:08.080 The tone that Paul uses. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:11.240 When he speaks to Philemon. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:16.580 Listen to what he says to Philemon. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.500 About Philemon himself. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:23.259 Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus. 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:26.559 Timothy, our dear friend. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.880 To our fellow worker. 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.940 To... 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.259 To... 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.840 To... 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:32.880 To... 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.019 To... 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.039 To... 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.140 To... 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:33.240 To... 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.500 To... 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:33.940 To... 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.559 To... 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.799 To... 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.080 To... 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.299 To... 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.480 To... 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:35.580 To... 00:24:35.580 --> 00:24:35.640 To... 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:35.720 To... 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:35.759 To... 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:35.799 To... 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:35.860 To... 00:24:35.860 --> 00:24:35.940 To... 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.039 To... 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.200 To... 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.420 To... 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:36.660 To...

00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:36.779 To... 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:36.920 To... 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.080 To... 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.200 To... 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.380 To... 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.559 To... 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:37.700 To... 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:37.900 To... 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.059 To... 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.420 To... 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:38.740 To... 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:38.980 To... 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.360 To... 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:39.559 To... 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:39.779 To... 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:39.960 To... 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.160 To... 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.580 To... 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:40.860 To... 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.120 To... 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.380 To... 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:41.640 To... 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:41.860 To... 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.019 To... 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.319 To... 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.660 To... 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.000 To... 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:46.039 God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:51.099 Always thank my God as I remember you from my prayers, 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:54.220 because I hear about the faith in the Lord Jesus 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:56.339 and your love for the saints. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:59.980 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:03.940 so that you will have a full understanding, 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.799 a very good thing we have. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:10.500 Your love has given the great joy and encouraged you, 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:15.680 because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:21.200 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:24.839 in order you to do what you ought to do, 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:28.500 yet I appeal to you on the basis of life. 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:31.980 I, then as Paul, as an old man, 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:34.799 now also prisoner of Christ Jesus, 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:39.160 I appeal to you for my son, Onesos, 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:42.279 who became my son while I was in Shugis. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.900 Poorly he was useless to you, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:49.380 but now he has become a useful hope to you and to me. 00:25:50.340 --> 00:25:54.140 I am sending him, who is my very heart, back to you. 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:58.080 I would have light to keep him with me, 00:25:58.800 --> 00:26:01.000 so that he could take your face and help me, 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.860 while I am in chance for the gospel. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:07.979 I do not want to do anything without consent, 00:26:08.479 --> 00:26:11.619 so that a favor you do will be spontaneous. 00:26:12.479 --> 00:26:13.139 Of course. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:16.899 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while 00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:18.879 was that you might have him back, 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.000 for good, 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.319 no longer as a slave, 00:26:22.959 --> 00:26:23.579 but better, 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:25.740 very dear, 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.699 and better, 00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:30.000 better than a slave, 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.819 as a dear brother. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.019 He is very dear to me, 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.659 but even and dear to you, 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.879 both as a man, 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.519 and as a brother in the Lord. 00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:40.059 So if you considered me on the heart, 00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:41.000 and you are welcome again, 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.639 as you have welcomed me. 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:45.439 He has done you any wrong, 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.759 or owes you anything, 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.059 charge it to me. 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:51.419 I fall in writing this with my own hands. 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.059 I will pay it back, 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:56.559 not to mention that you owe me your very self. 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.379 I do wish, brother, 00:26:58.500 --> 00:27:02.000 that I may house and benefit from you in the Lord. 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:05.519 Refresh my heart in Christ. 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:07.819 Confidence of your obedience, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.779 I write to you, 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:11.940 knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.339 One thing more, 00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:16.440 prepare a guesting for me, 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:18.640 because I hope to be restored to you, 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.840 in answer to your prayers. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.559 Bethelus, 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:25.580 my fellow prisoner in Christ, 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.120 Jesus, 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.480 thanks his greeting, 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.400 also Mark, 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.840 and Eris Sarvis, 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.279 him as, 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:34.160 and both my fellow workers, 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:36.960 the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:38.200 Be with you. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.740 Thanks, Jim. 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.519 Did you catch the language? 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:46.440 This is, 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.180 this, 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:50.259 Paul's daughters to the Thessalonians are pretty tender, 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.079 but this, 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.180 is a whole other level. 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.319 You can tell, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.859 Paul invested his life in Philemon, 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.940 he loved that man. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:02.200 He trusted him, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.019 he respected him, 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.619 they had a deep friendship. 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.759 Then look at how he describes Onesimus, 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.660 my son. 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.460 He

describes him as, 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.319 as his beloved. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.740 What a gift. 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:24.339 He's a faithful and beloved brother. 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.759 Do you see the tone? 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:30.819 There's, 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:32.599 there's some themes here that we're going to, 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.519 that we're going to explore, 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.180 and then we're going to wrap up the story. 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:38.640 The first of the themes that comes through the story is redemption. 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:41.000 Both men got saved. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.539 They came to Christ. 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.700 I love the word redemption, 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.100 because in Onesimus' case, 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:50.160 it's not just metaphorical. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:53.279 Theologians use the word redemption metaphorically. 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.519 We've talked about that in the past. 00:28:55.060 --> 00:28:55.740 My sin, 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.039 my, 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:58.840 I have been bought out of bondage to sin, 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.980 slavery to sin, 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.940 through Jesus' death on the cross. 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.700 That's redemption. 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.860 That's a metaphor. 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.059 Therefore, 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:07.059 Onesimus and Philemon experienced that, 00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:11.539 but you're going to see Onesimus experiences literal redemption. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:17.219 He is taken from bondage as a slave to freedom. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.839 That's our experience in Christ. 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.559 Redemption. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:26.579 Paul wrote in Romans 8, 28, 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:29.319 all things work together for good for those who love God, 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:33.159 for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.579 That's redemption. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:38.980 He takes the messy things of our lives and creates things that are beautiful out of them. 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.279 That's redemption. 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:44.119 That's what we see here going on with these two men. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.000 Onesimus is freed from slavery. 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.039 That's redemption. 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:52.379 Philemon has the opportunity to be on the other side of redemption, 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:54.120 paying a price. 00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:55.700 He's losing an asset. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.840 If he sets Onesimus free, 00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:59.840 he's short a slave. 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:01.920 Redemption. 00:30:02.760 --> 00:30:03.960 The other one is friendship. 00:30:04.260 --> 00:30:06.100 Did you catch that in the book of Philemon? 00:30:06.820 --> 00:30:09.100 You can tell your friends that you read the entire book of

the Bible. 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.880 Actually, Jim read it, but you participated. 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:19.480 But did you catch this wasn't just a boss writing to an employee. 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:24.040 There was tenderness and emotion and friendship. 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:28.180 I was thinking as Jim was reading, there was audacity. 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:31.820 I expect you to set him free. 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:34.060 Count his debts against me. 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:37.320 And oh, by the way, you owe me your very soul, my brother. 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.340 That's audacity. 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:43.419 Oh, by the way, make a bed for me. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:46.220 And he just assumes that Philemon is praying for him. 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:47.459 That's friendship. 00:30:47.959 --> 00:30:49.000 That's true friendship. 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.119 That's what the body of Christ should have. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.699 That's what we should have together, 00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:55.240 is that level of friendship, 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:57.639 that we can make audacious requests, 00:30:58.459 --> 00:30:59.599 nervy requests, 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:01.379 without the other person saying, 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.980 well, who do you think you are? 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:06.500 Instead we say, of course. 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.919 It's my pleasure. 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:12.640 That's the type of friendship that he's talking about. 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:16.640 There's a deep friendship between Philemon and Paul. 00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:19.740 There's an equal friendship between Onesimus and Paul. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:23.700 I'll just say this real briefly. 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:26.660 You know I'm manic about discipleship. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:30.140 Discipleship being the process of following Jesus. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:34.500 Discipleship and friendship are inextricably linked. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:37.759 You can't disciple somebody who's not your friend. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:41.460 You may not start as friends, 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.660 but you're going to land there. 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.079 Which is the way it works. 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:47.160 And that's what we see in the lives of these men. 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:51.279 We see discipleship taking place. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.960 Paul is living out that command that he gave to Timothy 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:57.019 to entrust to faithful men the message that he had received. 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.740 We see discipleship happening. 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:04.799 And it's discipleship that isn't just passing on knowledge and information, 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:08.319 but it's discipleship with its shoes on. 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.759 It's being put to work. 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.839 It's being put to action. 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:13.079 We're going to talk about that here in just a minute. 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:17.240 These men are challenged to act out of their new identities in Christ. 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.539 There's community. 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:22.380 This letter was not sent to Philemon's mailbox, 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:25.200 and he read it in his office by himself. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:30.100 Tychicus had specific instructions that are actually reflected 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:31.360 in the letter of Philemon itself. 00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.779 Read this publicly, 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:35.400 because we do these things in community. 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:37.319 Number one, there's pressure on Philemon. 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.380 It's a little bit. 00:32:40.080 --> 00:32:41.000 What are you going to do, Philemon? 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:42.660 The rest of the church is wondering. 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.600 But I think there's also another element. 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.819 There's social pressure, yes, 00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:50.400 but there's also a sense of everybody knew Onesimus. 00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:52.539 It's a small town. 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.200 They knew Philemon. 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:57.519 What Paul was saying through this letter to Philemon, 00:32:58.059 --> 00:33:02.680 church, you've got to welcome this guy into a different type of relationship. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:06.380 You've got to welcome him as an equal into the community. 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:08.440 He's not Philemon's slave. 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:09.160 He's your brother. 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.340 So we see community. 00:33:11.880 --> 00:33:12.640 We see redemption. 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.480 We see friendship. 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:16.600 We see discipleship or apprenticeship taking place. 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.400 We see community. 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:17.460 We see community. 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:26.660 We see Paul immersed in a community of friends. 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.539 If you read the book of Acts, 00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:30.799 one thing becomes very obvious very quickly. 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.620 Paul didn't travel by himself. 00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.960 Luke was along for the ride. 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.720 Silas was along for the ride. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.120 Or they went, 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:39.140 it sounds like they're all hanging on to Paul. 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.220 They were working together. 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.480 But you had Barnabas, 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:42.360 John Mark, 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:43.880 Silas, 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:44.539 Timothy, 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.519 Luke. 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.720 You go on and on. 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:51.180 All these guys that he lists in writing to the Colossians. 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:54.559 Paul didn't live life alone. 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:57.799 He was in community all the time. 00:33:57.799 --> 00:34:01.639 That's the life that we're

called to live. 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:08.659 The church should be like a small town in a good way. 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:13.199 And this is un-American in the 21st century. 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.639 We should be in each other's business. 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.199 Seriously. 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:20.159 We should be in each other's business. 00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:20.500 Not, 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.019 oh, 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.940 did you hear what happened? 00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.860 Did you hear what they did? 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.259 No, 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.039 not like that. 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:27.639 But in the sense that you collectively, 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:29.199 have been in my business. 00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:33.659 If I had said no, 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:35.179 and trust me, 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.679 it's tempting. 00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:37.799 I'm a self-sufficient, 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:39.960 independent guy who's got pride. 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:42.319 But if I had said no, 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:47.359 Kara and I would be in a serious world of hurt right now. 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:51.219 This is an area where God's working on me. 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.839 He's been teaching me 00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:57.700 to say yes. 00:34:58.720 --> 00:35:00.059 We need to say yes to each other, 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:01.079 to offer us of help. 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:04.280 We need to be unoffended 00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:06.059 when people ask us personal questions. 00:35:07.640 --> 00:35:08.920 Because they care. 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:12.400 That's what Paul is talking about. 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:13.940 That's the community of faith. 00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.800 We're a small town 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:18.539 that we're totally invested in each other's well-being, 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:20.059 in each other's success. 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:24.440 That's echoed in 1 Corinthians 12. 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.340 When one rejoices, 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.440 we all rejoice. 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:30.059 In Romans 12. 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:35.940 Same exact concept. 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:39.900 We should celebrate with Emily 00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:40.659 that it's her birthday. 00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:44.559 We should celebrate the good things 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.460 that we experience. 00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:47.719 A clean bill of health for Jim. 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.699 All these things. 00:35:49.819 --> 00:35:50.739 Progress for Kara. 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.639 Promotions. 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:54.619 Kids who are being successful. 00:35:55.899 --> 00:35:57.079 A promotion at work. 00:35:58.099 --> 00:36:00.119 We should share these things with each other 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:01.440 because we're excited. 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:04.159 And we're excited for the person. 00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:05.539 Or we're mourning with the person 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:07.019 and we're shouldering the burden with them. 00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:12.599 That is a community of faith. 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.119 That's what God has. 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:18.340 So let's talk about the rest of the story. 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.340 What happened? 00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:21.559 The Bible doesn't tell us. 00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:24.099 Don't you hate cliffhangers? 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.920 Did Philemon release Onesimus? 00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:28.280 Did he throw him in jail? 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.380 What happened next? 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.119 Where'd he go? 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.880 What happened to the church in Colossae? 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.139 We actually don't know that one either. 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:36.480 God, why don't you tell us? 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.559 Well, there are hints. 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:40.719 Tradition tells us that 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:45.340 from the end of the first century 00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:46.000 into the second, 00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:51.960 from the end of the first century 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.500 into the second, 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.179 there was a leader 00:36:53.179 --> 00:36:54.900 in the Ephesian church 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:58.320 named Onesimus. 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.920 What do we conclude? 00:37:04.119 --> 00:37:05.099 He was free. 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.139 He was free. 00:37:06.780 --> 00:37:08.500 He wasn't in Colossae anymore. 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.099 He was in Ephesus. 00:37:10.740 --> 00:37:11.940 He was set free. 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.480 He was able to travel. 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.039 He grew. 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.980 He became a leader in the church. 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:20.280 He blessed other people. 00:37:21.240 --> 00:37:22.860 He continued to live out 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:25.300 the 2 Timothy 2.2 command 00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:27.340 as he developed people 00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:28.400 and introduced them to Jesus 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:29.659 and helped people 00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:31.280 walk more closely with Jesus. 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:33.960 That's the rest of the story. 00:37:36.220 --> 00:37:37.280 Now, as we round the corner 00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:38.019 and wrap up the sermon, 00:37:38.080 --> 00:37:38.900 I want to bring this home. 00:37:42.620 --> 00:37:43.420 So I've alluded, 00:37:43.620 --> 00:37:44.420 I mentioned this earlier 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.220 when I was doing the announcement. 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.620 Colossians 1, 11, and 12 00:37:47.620 --> 00:37:50.060 has become a core passage 00:37:50.060 --> 00:37:50.860 for Kara and I. 00:37:52.160 --> 00:37:53.600 She's struggling to read right now, 00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:55.739 so we have a ritual every morning 00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.179 where I go, 00:37:56.619 --> 00:37:57.799 we talk about this verse

00:37:57.799 --> 00:38:00.599 because I want to cement it in her head. 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.940 I'm going to read it to you first 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:03.579 in the New American Standard. 00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:25.860 That's a mouthful. 00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:28.739 There is so much rich, 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.719 deep truth in there. 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:33.380 You should meditate on it. 00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:34.400 Think about it. 00:38:34.739 --> 00:38:35.920 Look at it through the lens 00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:37.319 of trials and tribulations 00:38:37.319 --> 00:38:37.940 you're facing 00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:39.380 or people you know are facing. 00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:41.420 But I'm going to make it easier for you. 00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:43.139 I'm going to read it again 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:44.340 out of the message. 00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:47.719 This paraphrase 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:49.460 is a home run. 00:38:54.259 --> 00:38:55.599 And this is what Kara and I 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.400 go through every day. 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:00.400 We pray 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:03.119 that you'll have the strength 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:04.480 to stick it out for the long haul. 00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:07.099 Not the grim strength 00:39:07.099 --> 00:39:08.239 of gritting your teeth, 00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:10.139 but the glory strength 00:39:10.139 --> 00:39:11.619 that God gives. 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.420 Listen to this. 00:39:15.699 --> 00:39:16.859 It is strength 00:39:16.859 --> 00:39:18.339 that endures the unendurable 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:22.220 and spills over into joy. 00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:26.719 thanking the Father 00:39:26.719 --> 00:39:28.279 who makes us strong enough 00:39:28.279 --> 00:39:30.480 to take part in everything bright 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:30.959 and beautiful 00:39:30.959 --> 00:39:32.159 that he has for us. 00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:34.599 Thanking the Father 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:35.939 who makes us strong enough 00:39:35.939 --> 00:39:37.379 to take part in everything bright 00:39:37.379 --> 00:39:37.839 and beautiful 00:39:37.839 --> 00:39:39.199 that he has for us. 00:39:39.359 --> 00:39:40.659 Let me explain what that means 00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:41.959 because that's actually a theme 00:39:41.959 --> 00:39:42.719 in Paul's writing. 00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:45.919 That we are being made strong enough 00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:48.420 to handle the presence of God. 00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:50.420 We're being made strong enough 00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:51.940 to walk the path 00:39:51.940 --> 00:39:53.300 that God has for us. 00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:56.940 He's making us something 00:39:56.940 --> 00:39:58.320 so that we can handle 00:39:58.320 --> 00:39:59.300 what comes next 00:39:59.300 --> 00:40:00.700 all the way into eternity. 00:40:01.840 --> 00:40:03.639 Let's go back to Onesimus 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.200 and Philemon. 00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:07.480 So Philemon was discipled by Paul. 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:08.440 Sent home. 00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:10.960 Onesimus gets saved. 00:40:11.019 --> 00:40:12.019 He's discipled by Paul. 00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:13.340 Paul connects the dots 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:13.920 and realizes, 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:16.659 oh, oh, you're that Onesimus. 00:40:17.960 --> 00:40:19.519 Brother, we got to talk about something. 00:40:23.219 --> 00:40:25.360 Onesimus, you're here based on a lie. 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:30.480 You're not a free man. 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:31.880 You're a slave. 00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:33.219 And worse than a slave, 00:40:33.259 --> 00:40:33.880 you're a fugitive. 00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:36.579 And my brother, my son, 00:40:36.759 --> 00:40:37.559 this is Paul speaking, 00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:40.059 we got to do something about that. 00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:42.139 Because I know something 00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:42.840 you don't know. 00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.440 Your master, 00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:50.719 the one that has first claim 00:40:50.719 --> 00:40:51.380 on your life, 00:40:52.340 --> 00:40:53.860 actually isn't Jesus. 00:40:54.519 --> 00:40:55.279 It's Philemon. 00:40:58.119 --> 00:40:59.059 He's your brother. 00:41:01.099 --> 00:41:02.360 Can you imagine Onesimus? 00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:03.500 Uh-oh. 00:41:04.179 --> 00:41:05.579 I don't want to have this conversation. 00:41:05.920 --> 00:41:06.880 I don't want to go back. 00:41:07.639 --> 00:41:08.960 I don't want to face the music. 00:41:09.059 --> 00:41:09.840 I don't want to pay the penalty. 00:41:10.920 --> 00:41:11.679 But Paul, 00:41:11.900 --> 00:41:12.799 being a faithful 00:41:12.799 --> 00:41:15.219 disciple-maker, 00:41:15.599 --> 00:41:16.799 being a faithful friend, 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.059 speaks truth. 00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:18.980 Brother, 00:41:19.239 --> 00:41:20.719 you have got to close this loop. 00:41:20.779 --> 00:41:21.639 You have to make this right. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:25.639 And you're going to have to trust me. 00:41:26.779 --> 00:41:27.679 You're going to have to trust 00:41:27.679 --> 00:41:28.440 the work of God 00:41:28.440 --> 00:41:29.420 in the life of Philemon 00:41:29.420 --> 00:41:32.119 that you can take this risk 00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:33.559 of obedience 00:41:33.559 --> 00:41:37.440 to get to the other side. 00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:39.800 because if you don't, 00:41:40.599 --> 00:41:42.139 you're still a fugitive. 00:41:42.639 --> 00:41:43.360 Now, you're going to heaven, 00:41:44.099 --> 00:41:45.539 but you're going to be on the run 00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:46.920 for the rest of your life. 00:41:47.659 --> 00:41:48.480 And by the way, 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:50.300 now I have obligations 00:41:50.300 --> 00:41:53.099 because as a Roman citizen, 00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:55.440 I'm supposed to turn you in. 00:41:56.019 --> 00:41:56.800 That's the law. 00:41:59.380 -->

00:42:00.619 We've got to close this loop. 00:42:00.619 --> 00:42:03.759 talk about risk. 00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:06.279 So when Paul says, 00:42:08.400 --> 00:42:09.059 think of the Father 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:10.960 who makes us strong enough, 00:42:11.480 --> 00:42:13.079 that's not metaphor. 00:42:13.619 --> 00:42:14.599 That's literal. 00:42:16.259 --> 00:42:17.159 It's literal. 00:42:17.779 --> 00:42:19.099 God is at work in you 00:42:19.099 --> 00:42:20.299 to give you the strength 00:42:20.299 --> 00:42:21.579 to face the hard things 00:42:21.579 --> 00:42:22.639 that you've got to face. 00:42:23.319 --> 00:42:24.559 To have the conversation 00:42:24.559 --> 00:42:25.859 that you have to have. 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:27.420 To set aside the sin 00:42:27.420 --> 00:42:28.399 that you really like. 00:42:30.599 --> 00:42:32.399 It takes strength and courage 00:42:32.399 --> 00:42:33.420 because it's scary. 00:42:34.859 --> 00:42:36.659 It's terrifying in some cases. 00:42:37.619 --> 00:42:38.799 We don't want to do it. 00:42:39.019 --> 00:42:40.179 But Onesimus does. 00:42:41.019 --> 00:42:41.679 How do we know? 00:42:43.819 --> 00:42:45.799 Colossians 4, verse 9. 00:42:45.800 --> 00:42:48.680 I'm sending Onesimus to you 00:42:48.680 --> 00:42:49.660 with Tychicus. 00:42:50.160 --> 00:42:51.120 He's actually carrying 00:42:51.120 --> 00:42:51.740 a second letter. 00:42:54.560 --> 00:42:57.640 So, Onesimus gained 00:42:57.640 --> 00:42:58.400 the strength he needed, 00:42:59.260 --> 00:43:01.019 took the risk of obedience, 00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:02.120 and trust me, 00:43:02.880 --> 00:43:04.720 obedience takes risk. 00:43:05.640 --> 00:43:06.980 If you haven't experienced that 00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:08.160 and you're following of Jesus yet, 00:43:08.539 --> 00:43:09.100 just wait. 00:43:09.700 --> 00:43:10.500 It's coming. 00:43:11.120 --> 00:43:11.840 Obedience to the Lord 00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:12.460 takes risk. 00:43:12.600 --> 00:43:13.280 But when you step 00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:14.019 into that risk, 00:43:14.380 --> 00:43:15.580 God is working in you 00:43:15.579 --> 00:43:16.699 to build strength. 00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:18.159 And what comes next? 00:43:26.299 --> 00:43:27.239 Thanking the Father 00:43:27.239 --> 00:43:28.639 who makes us strong enough 00:43:28.639 --> 00:43:30.559 to take part 00:43:30.559 --> 00:43:31.619 in everything 00:43:31.619 --> 00:43:33.360 bright and beautiful 00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:36.699 that he has for us. 00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:38.799 That's not just heaven. 00:43:40.259 --> 00:43:41.319 What do we know, 00:43:41.739 --> 00:43:42.360 or think we know, 00:43:42.619 --> 00:43:44.039 about the life of Onesimus? 00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:45.719 He went on 00:43:45.719 --> 00:43:47.659 to be a godly, 00:43:47.980 --> 00:43:49.679 influential man 00:43:49.679 --> 00:43:50.960 in the center, 00:43:51.699 --> 00:43:53.559 one of the central hubs 00:43:53.559 --> 00:43:54.820 of the spread of the gospel 00:43:54.820 --> 00:43:55.980 through the known world. 00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.719 The slave 00:43:57.719 --> 00:44:02.739 experienced light 00:44:02.739 --> 00:44:03.940 and beauty 00:44:03.940 --> 00:44:06.920 because he obeyed, 00:44:07.559 --> 00:44:11.039 because he exercised courage, 00:44:11.039 --> 00:44:12.440 because he accessed 00:44:12.440 --> 00:44:13.179 the strength 00:44:13.179 --> 00:44:14.900 that was available to him 00:44:14.900 --> 00:44:15.900 because of his relationship 00:44:15.900 --> 00:44:16.440 with Christ. 00:44:17.619 --> 00:44:18.099 That 00:44:18.099 --> 00:44:22.759 is what I've been learning 00:44:22.759 --> 00:44:24.759 over the last two and a half weeks. 00:44:27.039 --> 00:44:28.480 As you face trials, 00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:30.719 as you face challenges, 00:44:31.719 --> 00:44:33.519 and you're afraid, 00:44:33.759 --> 00:44:35.820 go back to Onesimus. 00:44:35.820 --> 00:44:40.300 Take the risk of obedience 00:44:40.300 --> 00:44:42.800 because God is working in you 00:44:42.800 --> 00:44:43.880 to create the strength, 00:44:43.980 --> 00:44:45.340 to give you the ability 00:44:45.340 --> 00:44:48.160 to get to the other side, 00:44:48.519 --> 00:44:50.720 to all things bright and beautiful 00:44:50.720 --> 00:44:51.740 that he has for you. 00:44:52.880 --> 00:44:53.680 It's there 00:44:53.680 --> 00:44:55.360 on the other side of obedience, 00:44:55.600 --> 00:44:56.820 of following Jesus. 00:44:58.240 --> 00:44:59.740 That's the lesson of Onesimus. 00:45:00.420 --> 00:45:01.240 And that's why 00:45:01.240 --> 00:45:02.300 we need to pay more attention 00:45:02.300 --> 00:45:04.100 to the list of names 00:45:04.099 --> 00:45:05.099 at the end of a book. 00:45:05.980 --> 00:45:06.799 Let's pray together. 00:45:21.199 --> 00:45:22.679 God, it's breathtaking to me 00:45:22.679 --> 00:45:24.599 the way that you work 00:45:24.599 --> 00:45:25.819 all things together for good, 00:45:26.219 --> 00:45:27.480 the way you bring people together, 00:45:27.759 --> 00:45:29.739 the way you orchestrate connections, 00:45:30.380 --> 00:45:32.659 to not just fulfill 00:45:32.659 --> 00:45:34.099 your big glorious plan, 00:45:34.339 --> 00:45:35.379 but also your plan 00:45:35.379 --> 00:45:36.539 in each of our little lives. 00:45:38.319 --> 00:45:39.359 God, you brought together 00:45:39.359 --> 00:45:40.440 Paul and Philemon 00:45:40.440 --> 00:45:41.299 and Onesimus, 00:45:41.679 --> 00:45:42.420 and together 00:45:42.420 --> 00:45:44.839 they discovered 00:45:44.839 --> 00:45:47.259 a whole new depth 00:45:47.259 --> 00:45:48.460 of relationship with you 00:45:48.460 --> 00:45:50.259 and life in you. 00:45:50.899 --> 00:45:52.239 God, I pray for each of us 00:45:52.239 --> 00:45:53.759 that we would experience 00:45:53.759 --> 00:45:54.519 that same courage, 00:45:55.639 --> 00:45:56.619 that we would draw strength 00:45:56.619 --> 00:45:57.079 from you 00:45:57.079 --> 00:45:59.460 to face risk with courage, 00:45:59.460 --> 00:46:02.179 to discover all things 00:46:02.179 --> 00:46:03.360 bright and beautiful 00:46:03.360 --> 00:46:04.360 that you have for us 00:46:04.360 --> 00:46:06.019 because we trust you, Lord. 00:46:06.079 --> 00:46:06.599 We trust 00:46:06.599 --> 00:46:08.800 that you do have good things for us. 00:46:09.119 --> 00:46:10.139 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:46:10.639 --> 00:46:10.840 Amen. 00:46:10.840 --> 00:46:10.940 Amen.