Reset 3.0

Fort Caroline Baptist Church

The final week of our sermon on the New Testament book of Philemon called "Reset". Big Idea: Paul models substitutionary atonement for Philemon, a picture the Lord Jesus Himself modeled when He paid our debt on the cross. I. A Model of The Gospel’s Tenets (vs. 17-20) v. 17 - “So if you consider me” - literally “if, therefore, me” Paul appeals to Philemon to change his view of Onesimus; to view him through a different lens. No longer is he a runaway slave. He is now a returning “beloved” brother (v. 16). Paul says treat him in the same manner that Philemon would treat his friend and mentor, Paul. Vs. 18-19 - Look at the words “charge” and “repay.” It’s transactional. It’s that simple. No emotion is needed. Paul says in Onesimus has wronged Philemon, stolen anything, damaged anything, Paul literally says he’ll cover the bill. This is penal substitutionary atonement… We have a sin debt we can’t pay. So, Jesus went to the Lord on our behalf and said, “Father, if they owe you anything, I will repay it.” v. 19b - “to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.” Let’s unpack this. Paul isn’t saying that Philemon owes Paul his life or soul. That, always and forever, belongs to Jesus. But, Paul did, most likely, share the gospel and disciple Philemon, so Paul seems to be asking for a little latitude on behalf of Onesimus. RC Sproul says this about grace, “It is impossible for anyone, anywhere, anytime to deserve grace. Grace by definition is undeserved. As soon as we talk about deserving something we are no longer talking about grace; we are talking about justice. Only justice can be deserved…God never “owes” grace….God reserves for Himself the supreme right of executive clemency.” MERCY - God withholding that which we do deserve (His wrath). (EPHESIANS 2:1-6) GRACE - God imputing that which we do NOT deserve (His forgiveness). (EPHESIANS 2:7-9) V. 20 - Philemon forgiving and reconciling with Onesimus would be a “refreshing” of Paul’s spirit. When we forgive and reconcile, the Lord is refreshed. Also, the house church is refreshed to see a display of selflessness and unity. II. A Model of The Gospel’s Triumph’s (vs. 21-22) Vs. 21-22 - Valuable theology is found here. We see the correlation between knowing the scriptures, and doing what the scriptures command. Paul is confident that the grace he once showed Philemon can and will be replicated in his encounter with Onesimus. One day, Paul hoped to be released from to come back to Colossae and see how things turned out. V. 21 - Paul knew that Philemon probably just needed a little perspective, and that he would most likely go far beyond what Paul is asking. That kind of trust is somewhat scarce in our society these days. III. A Model of the Gospel’s Testimony (vs. 23-25) You do know that people watch us, right? We profess to be Christians, and they want to see if we’re willing to put our figurative (and sometimes literal) “money where our mouths are.” They want to know that we don’t just preach the gospel, we give testimony to it! vs. 23-24 - These are names…and names mean things. These men are also watching to make sure Philemon lives the gospel he proclaims. Let’s introduce you to these men (hat tip to my seminary president, Dr. Danny Akin, for the assist with these biographies): 1) Epaphras was from Colossae and certainly well known to Philemon (Col. 1:7-8; 4:12-13), but now he is imprisoned alongside Paul in Rome. Paul sees Epaphras as he sees himself, not as a prisoner of the Empire but as a prisoner “Christ Jesus.” He is where he is because he is captive to Christ. 2) Mark is John Mark, author of our 2nd Gospel. Formerly, like Onesimus, he had been useless (Acts 15:38), but now he was useful both to Paul and the Lord (see esp. 2 Tim. 4:11). 3) Aristarchus was a close associate of Paul possibly from Macedonia (Acts 19:29; 20:4). He had traveled with Paul to Rome (Acts 27:2). Colossians 4:10 calls him Paul’s “fellow prisoner.” Tradition says he was martyred in Rome during the persecution under Nero (MacArthur, 230). 4) Demus is honorably mentioned here and in Colossians 4:14. However, 2 Timothy 4:11 informs us that he deserted Paul, “because he loved the present world.” 5) Luke is “the dearly loved physician” (Col. 4:14) who penned the 2 volume work Luke-Acts. Some believe he may also have written Hebrews. He traveled with Paul, helped care for him, and became a dear and faithful friend. He was the only person with Paul in the last days of his 2nd Roman imprisonment as he waited execution (2 Tim. 4:11). These men, then, stand with Paul on behalf of Onesimus. Paul knew they were faithful and trustworthy, and so did Philemon. Their “vote” in favor of Onesimus would have carried significant weight. As a matter of fact, these men are nearly an identical rendering of the greetings to the church at Colossae. Philemon knew these men. Their vouching for Onesimus would carry weight. v. 25 - I love how Paul ends here. He ends the way he began this letter…with Jesus.