3D Devotional 9.6.2019
3D Devotional: September 6, 2019
Philemon 1-21 NRSV
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.8For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty,9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Most of us know this letter from Paul to Philemon is requesting that he receive his slave Onesimus back as more than a slave but as "a brother." However, there is a great deal more to the letter than the issue of slavery. Allow me to say that Paul is often unfairly criticized for his stance on slavery. Personally, I think Paul's primary concern is for the beginning of the New Age and not for addressing and changing social inequalities. Any justice and social problems would soon be set right by the New Age. Notice that Paul uses sound arguments to try and persuade Philemon to do the right thing. He does not invoke law or try to play upon guilt in order to have Onesimus freed. It is abundantly clear that Paul wanted Philemon to honor their new tie as Christians above and beyond any legal or social demands. This whole situation and especially their relationship was to be conditioned by love, not law or guilt, now that they were linked by faith.
The church community at Colossae is believed to be the area that Philemon and his family were actively engaged in the life of the house church. The church was fortunate to have a host home where the fledging church community could meet. Stated church buildings would come only in the future; the third century to be exact. The church community in the beginning promoted its mission through gatherings in homes. Homes were central to the tasks envisioned, the place where worship and learning could take place and fellowship could be experienced. Churches in our time are discovering anew the importance of small group life in teaching, in learning, and in community ministry. A church gains something vital when cells of believers can meet for prayer, Bible study, or fellowship in a home setting. Despite the conveniences afforded in other places available for congregational uses, it is in the house that openness beckons, love is promoted, unselfishness is modeled, intimacy deepens, encouragement is gained, and integrity is nurtured.
Holy God, help us to open our hearts and homes to the work of your grace. May our lives be open to your love. Begin this O Lord, in us in our homes. Amen.
Ken Casey
Philemon 1-21 NRSV
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.8For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty,9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Most of us know this letter from Paul to Philemon is requesting that he receive his slave Onesimus back as more than a slave but as "a brother." However, there is a great deal more to the letter than the issue of slavery. Allow me to say that Paul is often unfairly criticized for his stance on slavery. Personally, I think Paul's primary concern is for the beginning of the New Age and not for addressing and changing social inequalities. Any justice and social problems would soon be set right by the New Age. Notice that Paul uses sound arguments to try and persuade Philemon to do the right thing. He does not invoke law or try to play upon guilt in order to have Onesimus freed. It is abundantly clear that Paul wanted Philemon to honor their new tie as Christians above and beyond any legal or social demands. This whole situation and especially their relationship was to be conditioned by love, not law or guilt, now that they were linked by faith.
The church community at Colossae is believed to be the area that Philemon and his family were actively engaged in the life of the house church. The church was fortunate to have a host home where the fledging church community could meet. Stated church buildings would come only in the future; the third century to be exact. The church community in the beginning promoted its mission through gatherings in homes. Homes were central to the tasks envisioned, the place where worship and learning could take place and fellowship could be experienced. Churches in our time are discovering anew the importance of small group life in teaching, in learning, and in community ministry. A church gains something vital when cells of believers can meet for prayer, Bible study, or fellowship in a home setting. Despite the conveniences afforded in other places available for congregational uses, it is in the house that openness beckons, love is promoted, unselfishness is modeled, intimacy deepens, encouragement is gained, and integrity is nurtured.
Holy God, help us to open our hearts and homes to the work of your grace. May our lives be open to your love. Begin this O Lord, in us in our homes. Amen.
Ken Casey
Posted in 3D Devotional
Tagged with open, hearts, homes, Prayer, Bible study, fellowship, Love, welcome, encouragement
Tagged with open, hearts, homes, Prayer, Bible study, fellowship, Love, welcome, encouragement
Recent
Archive
2022
March
2021
February
Lenten DevotionalsWeird is the New Normal: Day OneWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisDay 5: Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: Day SixWeird is the New Normal: Day SevenWeird is the New Normal: Day EightWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis Day NineWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis: Day TenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day ElevenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day Twelve
March
Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day 13Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day FourteenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis-Day FifteenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day 16Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day SeventeenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day EighteenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day NineteenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day TwentyWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Twenty-OneWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Twenty-TwoWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Twenty-TwoWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis-Twenty-FourWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Twenty-FiveWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Twenty-SixWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day Twenty-SevenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Twenty-EightWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day Twenty-NineWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day ThirtyWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Thirty-OneWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day Thirty TwoWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day Thirty-ThreeWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day Thirty-FourWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Thirty-FiveWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Thirty-SixWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Thirty-SevenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Thirty EightWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Thirty-NineWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis - Day Forty
August
September
2020
2019
June
Sermon Notes3D June 10, 20193D June 11, 20193D Sermon Notes- June 16, 20193D Devotional 6.13.193D Devotional 6.14.153D Devotional 6.17.193D Devotional 6.18.19Sermon Notes 6.23.20193D Devotional 6.21.193D Devotional 6.24.20193D Devotional 6.25.193D Sermon Notes, 6 30, 20193D Devotional 6.27.193D Devotional 6.28.19
July
3D Devotional 7.1.20193D Devotional 7.2.2019Sermon Notes, 7.7.20193D Devotion 7.5.20193D Devotional 07.08.193D Devotional 7.8.20193D Devotional 7.10.20193D Devotional 7.12.20193D Devotional 7.15.20193D Devotional 7.16.20193D Sermon Notes- July 21, 20193D Devotional 7.18.20193D Devotional 7.19.20193D Devotional 7.22.20193D Devotion 7.23.2019Sermon Notes for Sunday, July 28, 20193D Devotional 7.25.20193D 7.26.20193D Devotional 7.29.20193D Devotional 7.30.2019Sermon Notes Sunday, 8.4.2019