Philemon - Keep Learning, Keep Growing

How much can we learn from Scripture?  How much can we learn from an old man writing from an ancient Roman prison?  Is there any ceiling on our growth in Christ?  Do we ever reach a point where we stop needing the encouragement to grow and learn in Christ?  What’s the power of an ancient message, a letter from a prisoner, a preacher, a co-worker, a partner in the Gospel, a brother, and a fellow soldier in Christ?  We get the answer in Philemon.

Honesty.  Paul tells the truth.  Philemon knows it because he’s worked with Paul.  He knows Paul’s character.  And he knows very well the power of the Holy Spirit.  Without truth, there is no love, no God-fearing relationship.  Truth can be hard to hear (you may want to burn the message like King Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 36 rather than letting the message transform you and bring you to a place of repentance and forgiveness).  With honesty, we can be useful for Christ - productive.

        But make no mistake, unlike the platitudes we are so accustomed to today when Paul says he is praying for Philemon and thanking God for his faith and love - he means it.  Philemon knows that Paul loves him and that Paul will fight for him as a fellow soldier, to the end.  Paul is no hypocrite.  And Philemon knows that.

        There is a difference between flattery and encouragement.  We hear in this message what could be taken as flattery, but it’s not.  And it is not boasting.  It is Paul encouraging Philemon by letting him know how proud Paul is of Philemon’s growth.

        We too should be hearing about each other’s growth, our strong faith in Jesus, and our love for all of God’s people (v. 5).  We should hear about the joy and comfort that Christians bring to each other.  It is okay, nay, good, to encourage others by highlighting God’s goodness exemplified by their love in action.  But be honest.  Be encouraging, not flattering.  You’ll know it when you see it.  Know the difference.  Make an effort today to let your friends know how much you are encouraged by them.  

        Prayer.  Pray to God, directly to Jesus Christ.  And mean it.  Ask people to fully experience all the good things we have in Christ.  Such an earnest prayer convicts, it has the power to transform a believer in Christ, renewing and refreshing them from the inside out - Holy Spirit renewal.

        Boldly ask.  As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are bound together in love.  Fellowship in the Holy Spirit has amazing and miraculous power - it can dissolve the indissolvable (disputes, rank, order, age, and every distinction and difference imaginable - even time and place).  And it binds the unbindable (think of Jesus and the woman at the well or Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan).

        When we are unified in Christ, there is no limit to growth.  No ask is off-limits.  But be right with God when you boldly ask (James 4:2-3).  Have faith in God alone.  As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are God’s people, His family.  Let’s act like it as we trust in God alone.

        Respect freedom.  Don’t force people.  Ask people.  Overcome your selfish asks to ask for something on behalf of others.  Don't be a critical know-it-all - a person who is critical of everyone else and every organization.  It's easy for us to slide down that slope.  The know-it-all knows about the speck and the plank as Jesus teaches (Luke 6:42), but they have no forgiveness.  Let's turn from that type of thinking today.  And let's show grace.  Show forgiveness.  Pray the Lord’s prayer and mean it (forgive us our trespasses…).  Be bold for others today.  Take risks for others.  No risk, no reward.

        I believe that we need fear of God and repentance in America today.  I believe that we must turn to God for forgiveness and revival.  I pray that our Holy God encourages us today as Paul encouraged and challenged Philemon.  May revival start in my heart and in my home.  May each of us turn to God today for forgiveness and encouragement.

        In God’s economy, payday doesn’t come on Friday.  Your reward - all of our rewards - come on the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.  God is our Judge and our King.

        Thank you Lord Jesus for this message to Philemon - may it be a message to each of us today.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ teach us and guide us today.  Jesus, please give us your grace and peace.  Amen.

Isaiah 55:11 says, "It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."