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T H E K I N O ' S B U S I N E S S
LESSON STORY: When Paul met these friends, he said something like this: “Do you know about John the Baptist?” And they said yes, they surely did. [Give a colorful description of John, based on Mk. 1:1-8.] Paul knew that these people had listened to the message of John, but that they did not understand the happiest part of it. Paul became their teacher, and ex plained to them like this: "John the Baptist told you to be sorry for your sins, and to stop doing bad things. That is the part of his message that you remember. But that is hot all. He wanted you to love the Lord Jesus with all your heart, because Jesus can give you everything you will ever need, and He will be a wonderful Saviour and Friend to you. Won't you love Him, right now?” The Bible says, “ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name o f tJie Lord Jesus” (v. 5), and were very happy. They went everywhere telling others about the Lord Jesus. Object Lesson H u m a n H e a r t s OBJECTS: Two plaster of Paris hearts, and a screw driver. (Valentine candy boxes can be used as forms for molding the hearts. One should be much smaller than the other. When mixing the plaster of Paris for the large heart, put in a small amount of lampblack. Before the small heart hardens, draw a cross on the face of it with the screw driver.) LESSON: The hearts Which I have brought this morning are very much like the hearts of people. One is much larger than the other, and represents an older person. The large heart is black, suggesting that it has sinned more and longer than the small one. Philemon 4 I thank my Qod, making men tion of thee alwaya In my prayera, - I Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou haet toward the Lord Jecua, and to ward all aalntai • That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledg ing of every good thing which la In you In Christ Jetue. 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 n r love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten In my bonds: II Which In time past was to thee un profitable, but now profitable to thee and to met 12 Whom I have sent again: thou there fore receive him, that Is, mine own bowels: 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that In thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do
Outline and Exposition . I.
T h e T h a n k s g iv in g for P h il e m o n (vs. 4-7) M ANY authorities have pointed Insincerity. Paul’s thanksgiving for Philemon was genuine, for he thanked God for all saints, of whatever sort they were. The apostle was not deal ing in flattery in order to gain his point, but was dealing with realities of which he knew. It is a helpful thing sometimes to encourage fellow Christians by letting them know their g o o d n e s s is recognized and appreciated. Perhaps there is too much hesitancy about this matter, too much concern lest com mendation lead to pride. All of us need encouragement, and we may leaf the man who thinks himself beyond the need of it n. H u e P le a for O n e s im u s ( vs . 8-19) Paul manifested grace when he be sought Philemon, when he had a right to enjoin him. He was approaching Philemon on the ground of grace, not merit. Having thus prepared his listen er’s heart for what he had to say, he boldly brought Onesimus into thé dis cussion. When a s l a v e found himself in trouble with his owner, the Roman law permitted him to get some friend of the owner to intercede on his be half. Thus it was that Paul appealed "for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten In my bonds.” "My son” would have a strong a p p e a l with Philemon, who himself evidently had been led to Christ by Paul. Paul requested Philemon to take back his slave, Insisting that Instead of being "unprofitable” as he had been, he would now be profitable to both Philemon and Paul. Onesimus must have given Paul ample proof of the reality of his conversion. P a u l ’ s plea may be gathered around three words. First, "receive him” (v. 12). Christianity does not interfere with existing institutions ; Paul recognized the institution of slav-. ery in those days, and intimated that it was possible, as a slave, for one to live consistently as a Christian. Sec ond, restore him (vs. 15. 16). The word “perhaps” (v. 15) may suggest that had Philemon given the gospel to his slave, the slave plight never have-fall en into his crime. "Perhaps” God al. lowed Onesimus to run away in order that he might hear the gospel which his owner had not given him. Third, respect him (v. 17). Philemon was to accord his former servant the same respect that he gave to Paul himself. Moreovèr, Paul’s plea recognized true righteousness (vs. 18,19). He did
out that this Epistle is a model of courtesy in letter writing. Yet in it there is nothing
Not only does the Small heart look cleaner than the large one, but- if you look closely you will see that it has a cross in it. Let’s take this screw driver and see whether we ban make a cross on the large heart It is hard and re fuses to be marked. People who do not hear the gospel of Christ while they are young are Often like this hard heart, in that they refuse to receive Christ as Saviour. I placed the cross in the small heart before it hardened, Boys and girls should hear the gospel and receive Christ before their hearts are hardened. I am reminded of a story in Acts 19. Paul preached in the synagogue at Ephesus. As he preached, many people were hardened and believed not the gospel. Not only were their hearts hardened, but they spoke evil of the. gospel Paul was preaching. Because o f . the hardness of their hearts, Paul went away, and gave the gospel to others who had not yet refused. I have wondered what would have happened to these same people if Paul could have visited Ephesus when they were young. Doubtless, some of them would have received Christ before their hearts were hardened. Boys and girls who have the gospel taught them while young, should re ceive Christ before their hearts are hardened by sin and added years. nothing; that thy benefit should not be as It were of necessity, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both In the flesh, and In the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; 19 | Paul have written It with mine own hand, I will repay It: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even tnlne own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have Joy of thee In the Lord: refresh my bowels In the Lord. 21 Having confidence In thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. LESSON TEXT: Phllem. 4-21. GOLDEN TEXT: "And be ye kind one to another, .tender-hearted, forgiving one an other, even as Qod for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph, 4:32). D E V O T IO N A L R E A D IN G ; Pea. 67.
JUNE 11, 1944 PAUL PLEADS FOR A RUNAWAY SLAVE P h il e m o n
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