Sunday – October 22, 2023, Cheshvan 7, 5784
Greetings brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God and welcome back this study of the Book of Philemon. You have likely noticed that the individual teachings, not just of this series, but in general are trending shorter. We are in a sound bit, microwave, generation, a shorter teaching may enhance digestibility, and may increase readership. The main theme of the Book is intercession (intervention, mediation, arbitration, negotiation) and upon that I will focus. As with any Book of the Bible there are lots of Truths spoken of but I will do my best to stick with intercession. What a wonderful gift given to mankind.
Please take a moment to share this teaching, all of this Ministry’s teachings, as widely as possible. Thank you so much for sharing. Your sharing is vital to the dissemination of the Truth, the Gospel, the Good News. Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text from, you guessed it, Philemon. Please be sure you are reading out loud, yes out loud. You know why.
Philemon 1:5-9 (KJV)
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
I will move into verse seven this week as the Apostle Paul builds his case with Philemon to intercede for a man named Onesimus. I think this verse in another version of the Bible will clear away some of the archaic speech.
Philemon 1:7 (NIV)
7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Paul is apparently greatly encouraged by the reports of Philemon’s’ love not only as a willing servant of Christ but in a favorable response to Paul’s intercession. Remember the central Truth of love (agapē) is obedience to Scripture (all the time), a selfless lifestyle, and abiding in Blood Covenant. Again, get my book on love if you don’t have it and study it, don’t just read it. Philemon’s consistent walk of love is a great encouragement to the saints around about him. A few of the synonyms for refreshed are revived, enlivened, rejuvenated, and energized. He was a mighty testimony for a life of love and the fruit thereof. Now, we come to the beginning of the Apostle Paul’s intercession for Onesimus.
Philemon 1:8-9 (NIV)
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul–an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
The word love in verse nine is Godly love (agapē). Yes, we have this love, it is one of the fruit of our spirit and yes sometimes we need the Lord to augment our love with His. We must stretch ours as far as it will go before, He will step in and give us a perfect expression of love.
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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