Sunday – December 24, 2023, Tevet 12, 5784
Merry Christmas Eve to all especially those of the household of faith in Christ Jesus. Enjoy today and Christmas Day tomorrow but don’t let the heathen traditions mar or obliterate the real meaning of this time. There nothing that should overshadow our celebration of the One who came to save us all. Welcome back to this interesting study of the Bible Book of Philemon. This is a book of love, faith, intercession, and restoration. 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 New Years gift for someone. Use the following link to purchase now: https://amzn.to/3MVTysq
The invitation is always open for those who God calls to financially partner with this ministry. You can go to our website (link below) and examine our beliefs and mission. You can give the old-fashioned way or electronically on the website. If mailing a check be sure it is postmarked no later than 31 December to count for 2023 deductible contributions. We are a 501©3.
Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text in this wonderful Book of Philemon.
Philemon 1:18-25 (MSG)
18 If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.
19 This is my personal signature—Paul—and I stand behind it. (I don’t need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?)
20 Do me this big favor, friend. You’ll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.
21 I know you well enough to know you will. You’ll probably go far beyond what I’ve written.
22 And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.
23 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello.
24 Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!
I left off last Sunday pointing out that verse nineteen looks like a non-Christian approach. The “you owe me” approach of the world. Are we under the impression that the characters of Scripture, in this case the Apostle Paul, did not have a flesh, a carnal side? Listen to the Apostle James.
James 5:17-18 (KJV)
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
What about the account of the man of God and the old Prophet in 1 Kings chapter 13? The man of God was clear as to the will of God, but he allowed the old Prophet to sidetrack him and was killed by a lion. Okay, now back to our text in Philemon picking up with verse twenty and following. The Apostle tells Philemon of his exceeding confidence in him, that he will exceed any of the Apostle’s expectations. He lets Philemon know he expects to be released from prison and visit one more time. Paul then greets others associated with Philemon.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here on New Years Eve.
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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