Title Now~ (Mon 1:11-12)
Contents
Paul, who was imprisoned while preaching the gospel, met Onesimus.
Onesimus is the servant (slave) of Philemon's house. Then he escaped and was caught and imprisoned. Fortunately, he met Paul and accepted the gospel. So Paul writes to Philemon. “Once upon a time I was of no avail to you, but now you and I have come to profit, so take Onesimus.”
In this letter of Paul we look at two things.
1. This is Onesimus.
At that time, slaves escaped when they stole their master's property or raped or murdered their wives and daughters with malice. In Paul's letter, "If he has done you any wrong or you have lost anything, account this to me." From what you've done, perhaps Onesimus stole his wealth.
The fidelity of this book of Philemon is in verse 11, “before” and “now”.
Christianity must be completely different from before and now.
It is not the cultivation of the life of faith. It's not about being morally better.
Christian faith means complete regeneration.
In John 3:3, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
To be born again means to be completely born again.
Paul confesses in Galatians 2:20.
“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Now that I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Verse 12, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, not to live according to the flesh.”
An unregenerate person cannot be called a Christian in the true sense of the word.
Onesimus' rebirth did not just happen.
Paul says, “I am the son who was healed in prison.” It was as painful as a woman giving birth. Moreover, to be born here means to “made like me”. It's not just about adopting. Onesimus was made like the apostle Paul.
Onesimus said, “I believe in Jesus.” Not only that, but his life changed. Changed your mind, changed your behavior, changed your heart. My priorities in life have changed. The value of life has changed. I used to be like a child, but now I am an adult, a person who understands, forgives, and can help.
Faith is not just a thought. Faith means that your life will change soon.
Onesimus. It used to be paper. was not responsible. You just do what you are told. There was no hope. Because it was paper. There was no freedom. Because it was paper. In other words, he didn't have his own. That life belongs to the owner. Nothing exciting. There is no joy. It's always an annoying life.
In Matthew 5:9, He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” The Son of God is at peace and they also make peace. But not a species. When you are a slave, there are complaints, dissatisfaction, and irritation. So we always fight. Maybe it was a life that didn't do much for society or for the life itself.
But now it has changed.
A wish has come true. There is hope for the kingdom of God. I also got freedom. Paul refers to Onesimus as “his son.” Now he is the master of his life. You have become responsible for your own life.
Humans are responsive beings. We must respond to God, our neighbors, and ourselves. I believe that the answer to God is faith, the answer to our neighbor is love, and the answer to ourselves is godliness. To respond means to take responsibility.
Now he has joy.
In Genesis 3, man was expelled because of sin. where? Eden. Eden means joy and joy. Therefore, the expulsion from Eden also means that he soon lost his joy.
John 15 tells the relationship between God and Jesus and us. There, in verse 11, Jesus said, “I am giving these names to you, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” When you have such joy, you become a peacemaker.
So Onesimus is now a good person for everyone.
Christians should be useful to whom.
It is useless when it is unbelief. You have to be a believer to become a useful being. It is faith that distinguishes the useless from the useful. So, faith comes first. In other words, faith should be your main job, and living should be your side job.
Confessing that Jesus is Lord is believing that He is the One who will take charge of my life.
In Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom and its righteousness. Then all these things will be added to you.”
How do you do all this, eating, drinking, and dressing? “You do more,” he says. To do more means “to do more.” It is the saying, “You make it more abundant.” So, don't worry about tomorrow. I'm not saying don't worry about it. Don't worry because God will give you more.
To do this, we must first seek the kingdom and righteousness of God. Because the more you do it, the more you will do it.
OUTSIDE Even though they believe in Jesus, there are people who, on the other hand, eat, drink and wear first. It worries me and worries me. So what's increasing? Anxiety only increases.
The life of faith is not something you do with spare time. First, you must live a life of faith. When you get a salary, first prepare tithing. Give yourself time to God first. You have to set the time of worship first and make an appointment with the rest of the time or do anything.
What has Onesimus changed? Life, thoughts, actions, values, priorities, etc. have changed.
This must change to become a true Jesuit.
wedding house in Ghana. Water turned into wine. The essence has changed.
A person who likes alcohol What do you think of first when you have money? Alcohol. But what if the essence changes? So what if you love your family? When you have money, what do you think of first?
early church.
According to Acts 2:45, he sold his treasured possessions and possessions and distributed it according to each person's needs. Is that really possible?
But because my thoughts change, my priorities change, my values change, I used to be my own greed, but now it is for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Think for yourself.
What has changed since you believed in Jesus? Still not?
In James 3:5-12, “How can you praise and curse with the same mouth? How can a fountain bring out sweet and bitter water from one hole? How can a fig tree bear the fruit of an olive tree, and how can a vine bear figs?” Says
It must be changed now. must be distinguished. They must be fundamentally different from those who do not believe in Jesus. Previously, we lived only by looking at the ground, but now we must be able to see up.
Anyone can come to church. But once you come in, you have to change.
A person who was troubled should become a person of peace. A person who was tormenting others should become a person who helps others. A lazy person must become a diligent person. A person who only quarrels should become a peacemaker.
2. Christians must change themselves, but they must also change others.
Paul changed Onesimus. It is not just that Onesimus, who was formerly unprofitable, has now been turned into a useful person. It was Paul's effort.
“He is the son I bore in prison,” he says. There was such a pain as the pain of childbirth.
In 1 Corinthians 4:15, the apostle Paul said to Timothy, “By the gospel in Christ Jesus I have begotten you.” But Timothy had a grandmother of faith and a mother of faith. But not Onesimus. He was a paper. There was no hope. A person who has given up on life. It will not be easy for such a person to believe in Jesus. But Paul made him believe in Jesus Christ. Many prayers and every opportunity I had, I preached the gospel.
Paul was the mediator between Jesus Christ and Onesimus.
Paul was also a mediator between Onesimus and Philemon. Onesimus was sent to Philemon. I wrote and sent back the changed Onesimus. I begged him to give it back to me, if possible. In fact, Paul doesn't have to send Onesimus, and you can just take it with him. Then he said to Philemon, “I have Onesimus with me.” “He used to be unprofitable, but now he has become useful through faith in Jesus Christ.” Anyway, Philemon has nothing to say. But Paul sent Onesimus to Philemon. He wanted Philemon to forgive Onesimus for his sins.
Christians are to be mediators not only for their own salvation, but also for the salvation of others. We must be mediators between non-believers and Jesus Christ. You must also become a mediator between people. By prayer and witnessing the gospel. You must become a person who sows love and achieves peace.
What if I feel good every time someone thinks of me? What if I feel bad every time someone thinks of me?
You must be a good mediator.
Romans 15:2 says, “Let each one of us please his neighbor, for the good and for the edification.”