June 25, 2008
Philemon 1:8-20
“For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”
In his famous piece entitled Meditation XVII, John Donne writes that, “no man is an island entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main, if any piece be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or thine own were, any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind . . ..”
When I read this passage of Paul, I cannot help but think of John Donne’s writing of this piece. Of course, Paul is not writing about death exactly but by its very nature slavery is a death. It is a death of equality and a death of Christian values. Paul, understanding this fact, calls Philemon to a new and radical means of operating in that society. It would have been easy for him to admonish Philemon out of his position as a respected teacher but as a friend Paul wants Philemon to realize the essence of what it means to be a Christian. Christians stick out in society. They are meant to be different because at their very base level they love. That is their default system—love. If Philemon, as a Christian, is going to be involved in humankind, he has to see Onesimus on the same plane as himself. Paul can’t deny that what Onesimus has done is not wrong. He’s stolen from Philemon and proven to not live up to his very name that means “useful.” So Philemon is called not only to forgiveness but also toward being a bearer of freedom.
I listen to many of you talk about your jobs in these great big corporations where you are working 80 hour weeks, barely seeing your families, not finding fulfillment and at the mercy of the bosses and in some cases still struggling to make ends meet. In listening to you, I find myself appalled that in the year 2008 we still live in this society that condones slavery. It has just taken a slightly different form. Just because you need to make a dollar, you are confined to a position that offers less than what you desire and I so long to find a way to help you find empowerment over the inequities that both remain and confine us within our society. From my idealistic vantage point, these things should not be. Unfortunately, I am no Paul. I cannot waltz into your offices and call your bosses to loving postures thus I am left feeling helpless for your situations. I realize that there are many other ways in which we all feel helpless in the face of inequalities and so I ask you what your answer is. I’m inclined to believe that it is wrapped up in the practice of our love toward others. The question is, then, what does the practicality of that look like in our work environments, in our relationships with oppressive people and in any form that modern slavery may take. My prayer is that in the face of our oppression, whatever form that takes, that we will find peace and freedom. Amen
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Refreshed Saints
June 18, 2008
Philemon 1:4-7
“When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all of the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.”
When I was coming along, my youth leaders would take us on retreats and they would post sheets of construction paper all around the room. Each person’s name was on one of those sheets that became known as IALAC cards. IALAC stood for I Am Lovable And Capable. During the course of the weekend, each person was to go around the room and write something on the cards of other people that demonstrated to them the person was lovable and capable. At the conclusion of the weekend, people would go home with their cards and on a sad day they could pull the cards out and get a lift!
In some ways this is like Paul’s IALAC card to Philemon. At first, we are led to believe that Paul and Philemon don’t know each other very well but as the scripture goes on we find that Paul has been instrumental in Philemon’s faith. At this point, it is as if Paul is buttering Philemon up for something that he wants to ask him to do later.
When I read these words several questions come to mind for me that I would pose to you today. Paul is beginning to call Philemon to an active example of his friend’s faith. This begs the question, how do our actions demonstrate our faith? If people in the car next to us look over at us, can they see a person of faith? What is it that we think that they see? What is that we want others to see? What justifications do we make for ourselves as we are striving to live a Christian life?
As we think about the fact that Philemon is a slave-owner and a Christian, we know that Paul is about to call him to a radical life change. So our challenge this week, may well be to identify the ways in which we are called to radical life change within our own hearts. What does that look like for you? Whatever it looks like, may we be found as those who have the “hearts of the saints” and may others be “refreshed through” us. Amen.
Philemon 1:4-7
“When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all of the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.”
When I was coming along, my youth leaders would take us on retreats and they would post sheets of construction paper all around the room. Each person’s name was on one of those sheets that became known as IALAC cards. IALAC stood for I Am Lovable And Capable. During the course of the weekend, each person was to go around the room and write something on the cards of other people that demonstrated to them the person was lovable and capable. At the conclusion of the weekend, people would go home with their cards and on a sad day they could pull the cards out and get a lift!
In some ways this is like Paul’s IALAC card to Philemon. At first, we are led to believe that Paul and Philemon don’t know each other very well but as the scripture goes on we find that Paul has been instrumental in Philemon’s faith. At this point, it is as if Paul is buttering Philemon up for something that he wants to ask him to do later.
When I read these words several questions come to mind for me that I would pose to you today. Paul is beginning to call Philemon to an active example of his friend’s faith. This begs the question, how do our actions demonstrate our faith? If people in the car next to us look over at us, can they see a person of faith? What is it that we think that they see? What is that we want others to see? What justifications do we make for ourselves as we are striving to live a Christian life?
As we think about the fact that Philemon is a slave-owner and a Christian, we know that Paul is about to call him to a radical life change. So our challenge this week, may well be to identify the ways in which we are called to radical life change within our own hearts. What does that look like for you? Whatever it looks like, may we be found as those who have the “hearts of the saints” and may others be “refreshed through” us. Amen.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Letters of You
June 11, 2008
Philemon 1:1-3
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Maybe in our day and age it happens most at funeral services. I cannot think of a time other than that when it happens, but maybe you can. I’m referring to the reading of a personal letter in the context of a public audience. Sometimes we hear letters that the deceased has sent to others and sometimes we hear of letters sent to them. Maybe it happens in the context of formal commendations. If we put our heads together, we could probably think of a number of ways in which this happens.
This epistle to Philemon is exactly that—a personal letter to be read in the context of a larger church setting. The church setting would have been a house church maybe of no more than twenty or so people that met in Philemon’s home. We can surmise that Paul is the one writing the letter and most likely it is being written about the same time that the Colossians letter was written and sent. Tychicus, who carried the letter to Colossae, is likely carrying this letter as well and is probably traveling with Onesimus who is the topic of this letter as we shall see.
Paul offers the traditional greeting in these verses to Philemon, Apphia (who is likely to be Philemon’s wife) and Archippus who may have been a family member a well. Notice the address to Philemon. Paul intentionally calls him his dear friend and co-worker. This address speaks to the point that will play out in the letter—that we are to treat each other as equals with respect and Christian love.
For now, in these words, Paul extends his love and care to these people and hopes for a profitable communication.
These words of scripture are not unlike the many letters that we have studied already but maybe they can prompt us to begin thinking about a number of things:
1. In what ways are we prisoners for Christ Jesus or can we even say that about ourselves?
2. Are we guilty of dealing with each other in unequal fashion? If so, how do we seek to remedy this?
3. If a letter were read about you in a public fashion, what would you hope that letter would say?
4. Do we live our lives as if someone were reading that desired letter publicly?
Knowing myself as a sinner, I know my answers to these questions easily and they remain for me a challenge. I hope you find in your answers a sense of challenge but also a sense of great hope! God’s best to you!
Philemon 1:1-3
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Maybe in our day and age it happens most at funeral services. I cannot think of a time other than that when it happens, but maybe you can. I’m referring to the reading of a personal letter in the context of a public audience. Sometimes we hear letters that the deceased has sent to others and sometimes we hear of letters sent to them. Maybe it happens in the context of formal commendations. If we put our heads together, we could probably think of a number of ways in which this happens.
This epistle to Philemon is exactly that—a personal letter to be read in the context of a larger church setting. The church setting would have been a house church maybe of no more than twenty or so people that met in Philemon’s home. We can surmise that Paul is the one writing the letter and most likely it is being written about the same time that the Colossians letter was written and sent. Tychicus, who carried the letter to Colossae, is likely carrying this letter as well and is probably traveling with Onesimus who is the topic of this letter as we shall see.
Paul offers the traditional greeting in these verses to Philemon, Apphia (who is likely to be Philemon’s wife) and Archippus who may have been a family member a well. Notice the address to Philemon. Paul intentionally calls him his dear friend and co-worker. This address speaks to the point that will play out in the letter—that we are to treat each other as equals with respect and Christian love.
For now, in these words, Paul extends his love and care to these people and hopes for a profitable communication.
These words of scripture are not unlike the many letters that we have studied already but maybe they can prompt us to begin thinking about a number of things:
1. In what ways are we prisoners for Christ Jesus or can we even say that about ourselves?
2. Are we guilty of dealing with each other in unequal fashion? If so, how do we seek to remedy this?
3. If a letter were read about you in a public fashion, what would you hope that letter would say?
4. Do we live our lives as if someone were reading that desired letter publicly?
Knowing myself as a sinner, I know my answers to these questions easily and they remain for me a challenge. I hope you find in your answers a sense of challenge but also a sense of great hope! God’s best to you!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Grains of Sand
June 4, 2008
Colossians 4:7-18
“Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting, with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
“To be a grain of sand lost on a beach with millions of other grains is to be nothing.” I recently read these words of David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates as they wrote about a certain personality type. It struck me as completely contrary to how Paul would interpret life. Paul was aware that he had a calling and that every one of us has a calling. Our callings take different shapes and forms but each of us is called to a purpose.
As Paul closes this letter, he takes the usual form of sending greetings to and from significant people in his ministry. Tychicus is his friend and courier in this effort. Onesimus is Philemon’s slave. John Mark and Paul once had an estranged relationship but now he, Aristarchus and Jesus Justus are imprisoned with Paul. Epaphras is someone that they know well and who had a role in bringing a sense of assurance to the people when foreign teachings were upsetting them. Luke, Paul’s physician, Demas and Nympha would all have played important roles in Paul’s ministry. All of these people were central to Paul’s ministry but there is one named about whom we know little and yet who is most significant. Archippus may well have been a member of Philemon’s family. It is noted that he has some sort of calling left to fulfill. Some might assume that his calling is wrapped up in the freeing of Onesimus. We simply don’t know.
What is significant here is that Paul is living in prison, in chains and manacles. In the midst of this difficult life he understands that for all of the sufferings and struggles of life, he is a grain of sand that matters and he knows that his obedience to that call is what brings his spiritual freedom. This raises two significant questions. First, what is your call? And second, are we giving appropriate obedience to our calls? What does life and world look like when we do? Are we grains of sand with millions of others that equate to nothing or is there significance to our living? A few questions to ponder as we leave this book! God’s best! -Blythe
Colossians 4:7-18
“Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting, with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
“To be a grain of sand lost on a beach with millions of other grains is to be nothing.” I recently read these words of David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates as they wrote about a certain personality type. It struck me as completely contrary to how Paul would interpret life. Paul was aware that he had a calling and that every one of us has a calling. Our callings take different shapes and forms but each of us is called to a purpose.
As Paul closes this letter, he takes the usual form of sending greetings to and from significant people in his ministry. Tychicus is his friend and courier in this effort. Onesimus is Philemon’s slave. John Mark and Paul once had an estranged relationship but now he, Aristarchus and Jesus Justus are imprisoned with Paul. Epaphras is someone that they know well and who had a role in bringing a sense of assurance to the people when foreign teachings were upsetting them. Luke, Paul’s physician, Demas and Nympha would all have played important roles in Paul’s ministry. All of these people were central to Paul’s ministry but there is one named about whom we know little and yet who is most significant. Archippus may well have been a member of Philemon’s family. It is noted that he has some sort of calling left to fulfill. Some might assume that his calling is wrapped up in the freeing of Onesimus. We simply don’t know.
What is significant here is that Paul is living in prison, in chains and manacles. In the midst of this difficult life he understands that for all of the sufferings and struggles of life, he is a grain of sand that matters and he knows that his obedience to that call is what brings his spiritual freedom. This raises two significant questions. First, what is your call? And second, are we giving appropriate obedience to our calls? What does life and world look like when we do? Are we grains of sand with millions of others that equate to nothing or is there significance to our living? A few questions to ponder as we leave this book! God’s best! -Blythe
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