How Will This Story End?

June 16, 2009

Text: Philemon 1:8-16

Title:  How Will This Story End?

Thoughts:

One of the beauties of Scripture is the vast facets in which God uses it to speak to His people. For centuries nothing has been added to the holy writ, yet for centuries God has used His Word to challenge, correct, and encourage His people.

Working through the book of Philemon again recently, I’ve been a bit consumed with the following sentence and have used it as a lens through which I have studied this marvelous letter as of late.

“You own something that God has redeemed and desires to use for His Kingdom.”

Though we none agree with slavery, in the context of Paul’s letter to Philemon, Philemon was the rightful owner (we’ll discuss this more tomorrow) of Onesimus. This slave, once useless to Philemon, had experienced a powerful transformation and was now useful to the Kingdom of God. As his superior, Paul could have rightfully commanded/demanded compliance from Philemon. Nevertheless, he appealed for love’s sake and to the spiritual maturity of Philemon.

Throughout this week we will be breaking down this thought. “You own something that God has redeemed and desires to use for His Kingdom.” Like Philemon, we are the rightful owners of a certain amount of time, talents, and treasures. And, though He could demand it from us, God has appealed to us for love’s sake and because of our spiritual maturity. Now we, like Philemon, must determine our response, which is something you have to love about the letter to Philemon. Though it is believed that Philemon responded in obedience, we are not told of his response. Perhaps, we are Philemon and we finish the letter.

Application:

In what ways has God used the same passage to speak to you in more than one way?

Take a few moments to meditate upon this sentence as you reread Philemon.

You own something that God has redeemed and desires to use for His Kingdom.

Imagine you are Philemon. Consider the emotions, sensitivity, and costs of accepting and returning Onesimus. Scripture tells us clearly that there are costs to discipleship. What emotions and costs must you face in accepting God’s request from you and responding in obedience?

Prayer:

Father,

Prepare my heart for what You desire to speak to me this week. I know that You use Your Word in a variety of ways. May You use it this week to refine me. I know that You have given me incredible gifts and talents to use for Your Kingdom. And, You are appealing to me for love’s sake and to my maturity to return them. May I consider the costs and respond in obedience to You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.