Philemon 1:1-7 “Acknowledging what’s right.”

INTRO> Does the name Dana White sound familiar to you? (PIC) Danna White is the current president of the UFC the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the largest and best mixed martial arts sports league, it’s a multimillion dollar business. One of my favorite things isn’t actually the fight itself, it’s the weigh in and face off. The fighter’s have to make a certain weight and then they do a promotion face off (PIC) Dana White has to literally put himself in between the two fighters because these guys want to go at it, and sometime it’s risky on his part! (PIC)

APP> That’s like the Apostle Paul in the book of Philemon, you see? Today we start a series on another book of the Bible, the shortest book actually but one of the most personal books of the bible, Philemon. Let’s get into some context to understand better…

CONTEXT>

• • • Author: The Apostle Paul v19
    • Audience: Philemon/Church in Col and Eph
    • Date: 55-58 A.D. *Muratorian Fragment
    • Purpose: To show how the gospel frees us to forgive others.

“Paul pondered the meaning of grace, the cross and the nature of salvation. In other epistles, he wrote about the meaning of the cross for Christian living. In this epistle, he demonstrated that he understood the implications of the gospel. Apart from personal salvation, nothing equals Christlikeness in attitudes and actions. The gospel demands it, in the Epistle to Philemon, Paul demonstrates it.” -New American Commentary, pg 346

Why does this matter for you?

• • • Have you ever been hurt? (Philemon)
    • Have you ever hurt somone? (Onesiums)
    • Are you a third party in the middle? (Paul)

APP> Each week we are going to learn a principle or step that will lead us on the path of forgiveness. I don’t know who you are, where you are or what’s going on but I do know this, God’s Word has the answer.

CONTEXT> The first principle on the path of forgiveness struck me as I was studying this letter. When it comes to this letter as a whole, Paul writing it, pressed for time. Takes 1/3 of the letter to get to the issue at hand. Did you catch what I just said. Paul waits until 1/3 of the letter to get to the issue. For the first 1/3 of the letter… he praises God and the people…. for what’s right rather than what’s wrong.

Big Idea> Before you address what is wrong, stop and acknowledge what is right.

1. The right people.

• • • look at how many names Paul mentions here. Look at how v4 is so communal. It’s crazy to think how this guy didn’t do ministry alone.

APP> This is a thought that is seen all through the scriptures. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 APP> The right path involves the right people.

Do I have these people in my life?

• • • • • • Am I surrounded by people who challenge and correct me? v2
          • Am I surrounded by people who help me with my biblical worldview? v4-6
          • Am I surrounded by people who speak life into me? v7

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (KJV)- Proverbs 27:6 *ILL> Courtnee’s situation.

2) The right perspective. v1

• • • “Paul a prisoner for Christ Jesus…” Did you know this is the ONLY letter that Paul introduces himself as a prisoner. He is in a Roman jail for his ministry for Jesus! Now, the tone of this letter is very loving but don’t you think he could have brought the hammer down on this knuckle heads. *ILL> Have you ever heard of Steven Covey, he wrote the book “7 Habbits of highly effective people” very poplar. He tells a story about being on a Suway with a man and his unruly kids.

“Can you imagine what I felt at that moment? My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior; my heart was filled with the man’s pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely. “Your wife just died? Oh I’m so sorry! Can you tell me about it? What can I do to help?” Everything changed in an instant.”

APP> The path to forgiveness requires a new perspective.

3) The right process.

• • • • I know what you are saying, Pastor Jason, how do I even start this process? Glad you asked look at what Paul does.

1. 1. Thankful. v4
   2. Prayerful.v4
   3. Joyful. v7

Big Idea> Before you address what is wrong, stop and acknowledge what is right.

APPLICATION> You have an insert in your bulletin. I want you to spend time in prayer this week, ackolweding what is right. Thank God for what he has done in your life.

Close with the Lords Prayer.

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”