Sermon Notes / September 9, 2007/ Philemon/Luke 14:25-33

 

The Second reading is from the letter written by Paul to Philemon.  It is a very interesting letter which requires our attention this morning. Here is some background information, some of this you may know: 1.) Philemon is a friend of Paul.  He converted to a disciple of Jesus –therefore was given hope in Jesus Christ by the hands of Paul. 2.) Paul writes from prison. 3.) Onesimus is a run-a-way slave. 4.) Run-a-way slaves are crucified by Roman Law as punishment and as example to other slaves who may be thinking about running away. 5.) Paul befriends Onesimus in prison but knows that Onesimus has done a wrong in running away from Paul’s friend, Philemon. So Paul needs to have this wrong corrected.  He can’t hide Onesimus.  He must face this issue with his friend. 6.) Paul sends Onesimus back to his friend with this letter. 7.) The issue: Onesimus must be crucified for running away. 8.) Onesimus is scared to death—literally.  Philemon a wealthy and powerful man is angry. Emotions are very high. 10.) This letter is read to Philemon in the presence of Onesimus.

 

Let’s relive this great moment: Read the letter and stop at the verse listed:

Verses 1-7 Friendly welcome, good flattery. Verse 8-9 Paul appeals to commanded duty verses love. The duty is the duty owed to Paul for being the bearer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Paul is saying you owe me one and it is time to collect.  The love Paul is talking about is the Love of Jesus Christ who has died for our sins and who has given all for us and we as disciples need to give—even when we don’t want to—even when it hurts—because it is what Jesus expects of us.  After all, Philemon is mad—angry at Onesimus who is standing right in front of him. Verse 10  Look at the language.  Paul is calling Onesimus his child.  Philemon is angry at Paul’s child!  Philemon probably realizes at this point that he is being asked to forgive Onesimus. That probably is making Philemon angrier. Verse 11-14 Paul is putting his friendship on the line.  Philemon is being appealed to out of duty and love.  Both of which are strong motives for mercy.  There is no other way for Philemon to respond—whether he likes it or not. Verse 15-17 Paul is masterful.  Paul is saying “would you kill me?” Welcome him as you would welcome me. Paul is saying welcome him back—a run-a-way slave because he has won his freedom by running away and coming to the Lord’s work in helping me. Verse 18-20 Philemon is angry but what choice does he have?  How can he not free Onesimus?  Verse 21-25 Oh, by the way, I am coming to check up on you and see my friend Onesimus.

Paul is really cleaver.  He asks –or corners his friend Philemon into sparing the life of Onesimus when Philemon and all the slave owners in town want him crucified. Paul draws on the example of Christ Jesus to motive Philemon to give in ways he doesn’t want to give—in the midst of his anger—for the good of the church.

 

 

Philemon was asked to carry the cross of Jesus Christ—instead of nailing Onesimus to it. Jesus asks us to do things that hurt.  Jesus asks us to forgive our children.  Jesus asks us to do the things that we do not want to do.  I think we get the notion that being a Christian that Jesus doesn’t impact our lives.  Maybe Philemon had that notion, but not before he got that letter form Paul.

 

There is an aspect of faith that we all have that God loves us—we are chosen by God—look at the whole Old Testament Theology.  Look at what Jesus did for us—surely Jesus loves us. But that is not the end.  There is a cross.  Jesus took on that cross for us and says to us…you know what…you need to get our of your comfort zone. If you want to be my disciple—you need to do something for me—you need to take up you cross.

 

How do we know what God is asking us to do something? The first condition is that whatever it is does not benefit us. It does not make us feel comfortable. It does not make us feel great.  It does not give us more money. We are completely unmotivated to do it—if we do benefit from it, we are doing it for the benefit not because we are being asked. Jesus asks us to do something we do not want to do. And we are to do it like we are enjoying it.

 

Second condition is that it is voluntary.  You choose to do something for Jesus it is not something done to us.  We may choose our attitude toward what is being done, but we need to choose to bear the suffering. Jesus chose.  Philemon needed to choose to let Onesimus go free.  He needed to choose not to crucify him. These hard choices—these decisions to carry the cross are not popular decisions.  Our families will not like them.  Our friends will not like them.  We will be left alone with our cross.

 

How did you think Philemon’s status changed amongst his peers since he did not make an example of his run-a-way slave? I’d be willing to bet that they did not speak to him for a while. How did the Apostles felt about Jesus death?  Peter said—I will not let that happen…remember? Then they all ran when it happened leaving Jesus alone.

 

Being a Christian is not easy.  It is doing what Jesus wants when we want something else.  Philemon didn’t get his way. Onesimus didn’t get his way either.  I am sure he did not want to go and face his old employer with the threat of crucifixion. It is giving and giving and giving--carrying the cross when it hurts.

 

So on this day, think about what cross you carry?  What things that are taking you out of your comfort zone for the sake of Jesus. Think of what you can do to give of yourself to help share in Jesus Christ’s ministry—to be a living witness of Jesus Christ.  No one is exempt.  No-one has an easy road as a disciple. We all have something to do in Christ name.