A personal letter between Paul and Philemon demonstrates a different way to:
1. Look at the world around you (in terms of vocation).
2. Interact with other Christians (in their lives of sanctification).
Philemon 1:4-21
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon, our dear friend and coworker, 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. 6I pray that this fellowship of your faith may become active in understanding every good thing that belongs to us in Christ. 7For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 8For that reason, even though I have plenty of boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9I am appealing to you instead, on the basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10I am appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. 11There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness. 15Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while: so that you would have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20Yes, brother, I am asking for a favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Immanuel Shirley: www.immanuelshirley.com
Immanuel Cares: https://immanuelshirleywels.podbean.com/
#Philemon #vocation #WELS #sermon