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A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities. Philemon 1-25 Chapter 13 By Warren W. Wiersbe. Paul in Rome and Philemon in Colossae Human link between them was Onesimus, the runaway slave The law permitted a master to execute a rebellious slave, but Philemon was a Christian. Dilemmas!

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A Tale of Two Cities

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  1. A Tale of Two Cities Philemon 1-25 Chapter 13 By Warren W. Wiersbe

  2. Paul in Rome and Philemon in Colossae Human link between them was Onesimus, the runaway slave The law permitted a master to execute a rebellious slave, but Philemon was a Christian. Dilemmas! Letter of Philemon was carried by Tychicus and Onesimus (Col. 4:7-9)

  3. Paul, The Beloved Friend (1-7) • Paul didn’t found the church in Colossae nor visited it (Col. 1:1-8; 2:1) • Church in Colossae started in a result of his ministry in Ephesus. • Epaphras was the founding pastor (23) • Met in the home of Philemon and his wife, Apphia, & Archippus, their son? • New Testament churches met in homes (Rom. 16:5, 23; I Cor. 16:19)

  4. Paul won Philemon to Christ (19) and Philemon became a blessing to other Christians (7). • Paul opened the letters with word of thanks and praise to God except Galatians • Philemon as a man of love an faith, both toward God and God’s people. • His love was practical • He “refreshed” the saints through his word and work

  5. Paul prayed for Philemon to have effective witness and deeper understanding of all he had in Jesus Christ. Paul, the Beseeching Intercessor (8-16) • 60 million slaves in Roman Empire • The average slave sold for 500 denarii (one denarius was a day’s wage for a common laborer) • Educated and skilled slave was high as 50,000 denarii. • The master could free a slave or a slave could buy his freedom (Acts 22:28).

  6. If a runaway slave, he is on a “wanted” list. Many masters were humane and reasonable although some were cruel. • Appeals to Philemon • Philemon’s reputation as a man who brought blessing to others (8) • Paul wanted to give him an opportunity to refresh the apostle's heart since Philemon was a “refreshing” believer • Paul appealed in Christian love (9)

  7. 3. Onesimus’ conversion (10) • No longer a slave • Paul’s son in the faith • Philemon’s Christian brother • Doesn’t altered Onesimus’ legal position as a slave 4. Onesimus was valuable to Paul in his minstry in Rome (11-14) • “Onesimus” means profitable while Philemon mean an affection or one who is kind.

  8. Providence of God (15-16) • Onesimus departed so he can come back • God is in control Paul, The Burdened Partner (17-25) • Partner-koinonia: to have in common • Communication (6) means fellowship • “Receive him as myself” • “Put that (whatever he stole from you) on my account” • “The way you treat Onesimusis the way you treat me”

  9. He is to me as my own heart • An illustration of what Jesus Christ has done for us as believers • “We are accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6) • “Clothed in His righteous” (2 Cor. 5:2) • Receive in Philemon 17 means to receive in one’s family circle. • Love must pay a price and God • Grace is love that pays in price

  10. Doctrine of imputation: putting in an account. • When Christ died on the cross, my sins were put on His account • His righteousness was put on my account when I trusted Him as my Savior • Being accepted in Christ and acceptable to Christ • In for salvation and to Christ in daily life (Rom. 12:2; 14:18; 2 Cor. 5:9; Heb. 12:28) • Philemon 19 – Paul led Philemon to faith in Christ

  11. Philemon and Onesimus were spiritual brothers, and had the same spiritual father – Paul • Paul didn’t condemn slavery in any letter • First; the message of Christianity is primarily individuals and only secondarily to society • Second; it acts on spiritual and moral sentiments, and only afterwards and consequently on deeds and institutions • Third; it hates violence, and trust wholly to enlightened conscience • Alexander Maclaren

  12. Difficulty of crusade against slavery • Christian are the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matt. 5:13-16) • Joseph in Egypt • Esther and Nehemiah in Persia • Daniel in Babylon • Political government structure • Change from within • You: plural; visit (22)

  13. Epaphras – pastor of the church • Dedication to Christ and Paul • John Mark (Col. 4:10) • Paul was grateful and forgave (2 Tim. 4:11) • Aristarchus from Thessalonica • Demas – my fellow worker (24) • Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world (2 Tim. 4:10) • John Mark failed but was restored • Luke – beloved physician (Col. 4:14) • Paul’s benediction – Grace of God

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