Sunday – November 26, 2023, Kislev 13, 5784
Greetings dear children of God and welcome back to this stirring account of intercession, love, and forgiveness in the Bible Book of Philemon. Wow, this year is nearly spent, Thanksgiving is behind us, Christmas and the New Year is coming up rapidly before us. Perhaps you are still eating the Thanksgiving leftovers and now planning the Christmas meal. What a wonderful time of year, especially if we keep our eye on the Truth remembering to whom we are thankful and who we are celebrating. Before we delve into our primary Bible text for this Sunday, please take a moment and share this teaching as widely as possible. One last thing, don’t forget my newest book Awake, Arise, and Triumph – Be Love as a wonderful Christmas gift for someone. Use the following link to purchase now: https://amzn.to/3MVTysq
Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text in this wonderful Book of Philemon.
Philemon 1:18-25 (KJV)
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
As you will recall, the Apostle Paul is writing a letter to Philemon concerning a former slave by the name of Onesimus. This man apparently ran away from Philemon but later turned his life over to Christ by the Ministry of the Apostle Paul in prison. We don’t know if he was converted when the Apostle was in prison or before prison and then faithfully attended to the Apostle Paul in prison. In any event this man, Onesimus, has had a bona fide conversion and the Apostle is staking his reputation and relationship with Philemon on the line. This man didn’t just fill out a card at a meeting and then return to his old life. This man is changed and knows it is right that he returns to Philemon. There is nothing in this letter to suggest this is all Paul’s idea.
He is approaching Philemon on the basis of love (verse nine). Before that he had commended Philemon saying he had heard of his love and faith towards all saints. Then the Apostle Paul tells Philemon that this former and still a slave of his is now a beloved brother in the faith. The Apostle Paul does not just put his reputation and relationship with Philemon on the line but steps to the plate offering to pay any expense that Onesimus caused Philemon.
How often do we see this love and faith in action?
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Sunday.
Authored By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
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