https://youtu.be/_oVQiOptN3U

From Useless, to Useful (Philemon 1:10-12)Context/History:– This is one of the Apostle Paul’s “prison letters”, he wrote while he was imprisoned in Rome.– Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.– The other 3 were written to all the believers in a particular city. This one was written specifically to one man, and his small house church.– Philemon is a respected spiritual leader in the city of Colossae. He is known for his loving kindness.– Onesimus was Philemon’s slave, who had run away. (Slavery was wide-spread in the Romans world. This in no way justifies it as right, anymore than incest, etc.. in the Old Testament.)– This letter reads like a compliment sandwich. (Praise him, critical feedback, praise him.)– Example: Just like when any boss wants to correct you! 1. Quick hello, and small talk. 2. Compliment. 3. Correction or critical feedback. 4. End with positive encouragement.– Paul writes this letter to Philemon with specific feedback that he wants to deliver to him.

1. Useless becomes Useful when the Holy Spirit enters the picture.– Onensimus was a runaway slave. The punishment if he was caught was beatings or even death!– What did he do to Philemon? Why would he risk the punishment of running?– The scripture says he was useless to him. He added no value to Philemon’s life.– Onesimus ends up in a Roman prison and is saved, because Paul shared the gospel with him.– Onesimus means “useful”, and he is finally living up to his name. (Play on words in v. 11)– In Col. 4:9, Paul now describes Onesimus as, “A faithful and beloved brother.”

– Forgiven and free in Christ, but not free of the worldly consequence of your actions. Your bad behavior ruins relationships, closes doors, possibly ends in punishment.– Example: Baptism scene from “O Brother Where Art Thou”. Delmar baptized…Delmar: The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.Everett: I thought you said you was innocent of those charges?Delmar: Well I was lyin’. And the preacher says that that sin’s been warshed away too. Neither God nor man’s got nothin’ on me now. C’mon in boys, the water is fine.(Pete runs into the water to be baptized too, Everett criticizes them)Pete: The preacher said it absolved us! Everett: Yeah, for him, NOT from the law!

– The world’s trash has become God’s treasure! Useless, has become Useful after salvation.2. God can change THEM, but you have to let Him change YOU too!– Philemon was wronged and betrayed by Onesimus. He has every right to punish him, and be made whole. The law is on his side. It’s natural that he wants what is right.– Humans need to “be right”. It’s in our nature.Example: Time Magazine Marriage Study, “Is it better to be happy, or right?” Husband secretly agrees with everything wife says, even if he really doesn’t. He ends up miserable, and she doesn’t end up much happier either.“The researchers concluded, shockingly, that humans need to be right and acknowledged as right, at least some of the time, to be happy. In politics, people often note that there can be no peace without justice, and that’s true of the domestic sphere as well.”– I’m not suggesting that you give up all your convictions, or never disagree with anyone. (Unhappy)– I’m saying that you should care more about the relationship, and the outcome, than you care about what’s fair, and the need for others to validate your “right-ness”.

– Easy example: Pedestrian right-of-way vs getting hit by a car. (Think of spiritual metaphor.)– Through Jesus Christ you can “give up being right”, and overcome your human nature.– Eph. 4:23-24, Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God,