Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 18th, 2023 Paul – A Peacemaker, Problem Solver, and Picture of Christ

Today’s Passage – Philemon – Hebrews 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 27:15

Read the “1218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 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 beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:” (Philemon 1:8-10)

Paul’s Letter to Philemon is one of the epistles that Paul wrote while he was imprisoned at Rome. Philemon was a member of the church at Colosse, which was located in Asia Minor in an area known as Phrygia. It is not too far away from Ephesus where Paul had labored for 3 years as a missionary. It is even nearer (about 13 miles) to the City of Laodicea, which is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. At one time Colosse was an important city with a large population.  It was located in an area that connected the markets of the far east with the markets of Europe.  It was known for a particular kind of purple wool called colossinus that was in demand around the world.  As time went on, however, Laodicea became the prominent city and Colosse eventually faded off the scene.  Only ruins are left today of both cities.  It is probable that both cities were eventually destroyed by a series of earthquakes.

At the time of this writing, Paul had never personally visited this church or the city, but had apparently become acquainted with Philemon somewhere else, and was influential in leading him to Christ. Philemon had apparently opened up his home as a meeting place for the church at Colosse. He was very likely the husband of Apphia and the father of Archippus. Although Philemon was saved, he apparently had been a slaveholder, which was unfortunately an accepted part of the Asian culture in that day.  Interestingly, neither Paul nor Peter condemns slavery in their writings, though they were obviously opposed to it, and did not participate in it.  Instead they chose to teach principles to both the servants and the masters regarding how they should treat each other: 

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” (Ephesians 6:5-9; see also Colossians 3:22 – 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1 – 2; Titus 2:9 -10; 1 Peter 2:18 – 19)

This Letter to Philemon was delivered by Onesimus, along with the Letter to the Colossians. However, the Epistle to Philemon is very different from the Letter to the Colossians. Colossians is written to a church and is both doctrinal as well as practical.  Philemon, on the other hand, is very personal; written primarily to encourage reconciliation between Onesimus, who was a runaway servant from Colosse that was gloriously saved in Rome, and Philemon. 

Notice that the heart of this letter is about reconciliation and Paul is very bold to interfere in the matter to help bring it about.  Paul does not pull any punches either.  He makes it crystal clear what each party should do. 

In this little letter we see four steps that Paul took to be a peacemaker and a problem solver in bringing about reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. In these four things we will also recognize that Paul is a picture or type of Christ. He is truly acting on behalf of the Lord Jesus as His ambassador. 

I. He prayed for him and praised him (Philemon 4 – 7)

Paul prayed for Philemon. He also prayed for Onesimus. Jesus prayed for us also:

“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32)

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” (John 17:9)

Notice also that even though Paul is writing to Philemon to correct him about something, he also was careful to praise him for what he was doing right. 

Parents can learn a lesson from this. Teachers can learn a lesson from this. Employers can learn a lesson from this.  A little bit of genuine praise will go a long way. Paul also expressed confidence that Philemon would do what was right. Notice v. 6:

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual (ἐνεργής – energēs – meaning active or powerful) by the acknowledging of every good thing that is within you in Christ Jesus.”

Paul was telling Philemon that he had the opportunity to put his faith into practice, that his faith would become a powerful testimony for Christ if he did the right thing here.

II. He gave him a choice to do right (Philemon 8 & 9)

Paul had the power to force his will, but he gave Philemon a chance to choose to do the right thing. Jesus does the same thing. He could sovereignly force His will upon us, but He allows us to choose to do right.

III. He interceded on behalf of Onesimus. He was willing to give him a second chance.  (Philemon 10 – 16)

Paul sticks his neck out here and begins to beg (beseech) Philemon to forget about the wrong that was done in the past, and, for the cause of Christ, release him from his debt. Jesus does the same thing for us. We are guilty sinners deserving of punishment, and the accuser is always there to point out what we have done wrong; but Jesus is always there to intercede on our behalf.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

IV. He was willing to pay Onesimus’ debt himself. (Philemon 17 – 21)

Christ paid our debt of sin.

Conclusion

When Paul found out that his new convert Onesimus had a problem with Philemon, another friend of  his, he did not avoid the problem; he tackled it head on. He didn’t allow Onesimus to run from the problem, either. He sent him back to Philemon to face him, but with a letter from Paul that would hopefully encourage Philemon to make the right decision.

Paul’s intercession on behalf of Onesimus  enabled him to get right with his boss, and also provided Philemon with an opportunity to demonstrate Christ to the people who were watching. The result of this was that God was glorified, the devil suffered a defeat, and the cause of Christ – the Gospel – was advanced. 

            Three lessons we can take away from this:

1. Be a peacemaker and a problem solver. When we have an opportunity to help bring about reconciliation between people, we ought to do it.
2. Don’t run away from your problems – face them head on.
3. When someone who has wronged you comes to you to get things right – let him. In fact, don’t wait for them to come to you – take the initiative to get things right with them. 

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

In this little Letter to Philemon we see that Paul truly was a peacemaker, a problem solver, and a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.