CHRIST TRANSFORMS
Philemon 1:4-5,7
I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.
Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
The book of Philemon is a letter Paul wrote to Philemon telling him to accept Onesimus as a brother in faith.
Who was Philemon? He was a convert of Paul in Colosse, he was a wealthy man who gave his house to be used as a place of worship for the brethren. He was a generous worker and great help to Paul and the church.
Philemon 1:1-2
This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,
and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
Now let us look at a little background on this man called Onesimus, he was also from Colosse, he apparently was a former slave or worker for Philemon who most likely stole from him and ran to the city of of pleasures, Rome. While in Rome he got saved by meeting Paul, and his life was never the same:
Philemon 1:10
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
It was through him and Tychicus that Paul sent his letters to the Colossian church.
Colossians 4:18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen. ([Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.])
Colossians 1:1-2, 9
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.May God our Father give you grace and peace.
I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
Why are we looking at all these?
Firstly, we learn from the faithfulness and service of Philemon, his wealth and position made him a valuable asset to the work of God. Paul had only praises for Him and definitely the Heavenly Father was pleased with His work... What is your testimony?
Today we have many working for the Lord and sacrificing for the kingdom. However there are so many distractions, from the interference of earthly wisdom and practices that have nothing to do with salvation or eternal life to unnecessary competitions, strive for relevance, fame and of course money.
Do we still have that pure state of gathering together as brethren, are we still moved by the right motivation?
We should have a good testimony.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Let us look at Onesimus, and see what the salvation of the Lord could do to a man.
Philemon 1:10-13
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
Salvation transforms a man, a clear definition of 2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
This is what happens at salvation, a brand new person is born!
Halleluyah, we need to teach right!
Who does this transformation, the Heavenly Father by His Spirit. Who is the tool? The believer:
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
For before we claim elder, bishop, pastor etc, we ask ourselves, how many lives has the Heavenly Father transformed through us, are we still reaching out to the lost?
When people get acquainted with us do they become better, or do they say "if this is a believer, I don't want to be saved"?. Do we carry the right aura?
Paul could vouch for Onesimus, he said even what he may have stolen he would repay, he knew this was a brand new man:
Philemon 1:18-19
If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. and i won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!
The transformation Christ brings to a person is the best thing that could happen to anyone.
*If you are reading this and you are NOT saved, what are you waiting for?*
*If you are reading this and you are not sharing the gospel of truth, what are you waiting for?*
We must arise at these times to live the life which we have in Christ Jesus. We must stop going back and forth as if we were half baked. No, we were given birth to by God's Spirit when we got saved, we must understand this and live the life.
John 3:3,5-7
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
Glory to God. We are born of God’s Spirit, though our body is flesh, our spirit is alive in Christ Jesus. Let us live by the Spirit.
Halleluyah.
Thank you Heavenly Father for this grace.
Philemon 1:25
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
He calls us blessed.
Love
@the watcher
I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.
Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
The book of Philemon is a letter Paul wrote to Philemon telling him to accept Onesimus as a brother in faith.
Who was Philemon? He was a convert of Paul in Colosse, he was a wealthy man who gave his house to be used as a place of worship for the brethren. He was a generous worker and great help to Paul and the church.
Philemon 1:1-2
This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,
and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
Now let us look at a little background on this man called Onesimus, he was also from Colosse, he apparently was a former slave or worker for Philemon who most likely stole from him and ran to the city of of pleasures, Rome. While in Rome he got saved by meeting Paul, and his life was never the same:
Philemon 1:10
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
It was through him and Tychicus that Paul sent his letters to the Colossian church.
Colossians 4:18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen. ([Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.])
Colossians 1:1-2, 9
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.May God our Father give you grace and peace.
I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
Why are we looking at all these?
Firstly, we learn from the faithfulness and service of Philemon, his wealth and position made him a valuable asset to the work of God. Paul had only praises for Him and definitely the Heavenly Father was pleased with His work... What is your testimony?
Today we have many working for the Lord and sacrificing for the kingdom. However there are so many distractions, from the interference of earthly wisdom and practices that have nothing to do with salvation or eternal life to unnecessary competitions, strive for relevance, fame and of course money.
Do we still have that pure state of gathering together as brethren, are we still moved by the right motivation?
We should have a good testimony.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Let us look at Onesimus, and see what the salvation of the Lord could do to a man.
Philemon 1:10-13
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
Salvation transforms a man, a clear definition of 2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
This is what happens at salvation, a brand new person is born!
Halleluyah, we need to teach right!
Who does this transformation, the Heavenly Father by His Spirit. Who is the tool? The believer:
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
For before we claim elder, bishop, pastor etc, we ask ourselves, how many lives has the Heavenly Father transformed through us, are we still reaching out to the lost?
When people get acquainted with us do they become better, or do they say "if this is a believer, I don't want to be saved"?. Do we carry the right aura?
Paul could vouch for Onesimus, he said even what he may have stolen he would repay, he knew this was a brand new man:
Philemon 1:18-19
If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. and i won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!
The transformation Christ brings to a person is the best thing that could happen to anyone.
*If you are reading this and you are NOT saved, what are you waiting for?*
*If you are reading this and you are not sharing the gospel of truth, what are you waiting for?*
We must arise at these times to live the life which we have in Christ Jesus. We must stop going back and forth as if we were half baked. No, we were given birth to by God's Spirit when we got saved, we must understand this and live the life.
John 3:3,5-7
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
Glory to God. We are born of God’s Spirit, though our body is flesh, our spirit is alive in Christ Jesus. Let us live by the Spirit.
Halleluyah.
Thank you Heavenly Father for this grace.
Philemon 1:25
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
He calls us blessed.
Love
@the watcher
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