More Deeply Share more deeply, contribute more deeply, fellowship more deeply, communion more deeply
1. Paul’s letter to Philemon
• The letter is a very personal message to a man who is a slave-owner.
• In the letter, Paul encourages Philemon to forgive a runaway slave and welcome him back — not as a piece of property, but as a brother in Christ. “I pray that the sharing of your faith,” writes Paul, “may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ” (v. 6).
• In this Letter , Paul prays that Philemon will embrace the Christian faith ever more deeply, so that he will see his runaway slave in a whole new light: “no longer as a slave,” writes Paul, but as “a beloved brother” (v. 16).
2. Paul encourages us as well as Philemon to embrace the Christian Faith more deeply by Sharing, Contributing, fellowship, and communion
• Share more deeply 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints
• Philemon apparently had reinvigorated others by sharing his faith
3. Paul asks us to embrace the faith more deeply by Contributing
• In his letter to the Romans, Paul reports that Christians in “Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources” — literally “make certain gifts to” — “with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem” (15:26). “
• In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul brags that the Macedonians made contributions “beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints” (8:3-4). Their sharing was giving of generous gifts.
• Writer of Hebrews, says, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (13:16).
4. Paul asks us to embrace faith more deeply by keeping Fellowship( Like Companionship, friendship, and Pardoner ship)
• Notice the great friendship expressed in the relationship of the church members 1Paul, claims he and Timothy are brothers yet are no kin, “They are companions in Fellowship”
• Philemon is considered a fellow worker but also a Dear friend
• The book of Acts, says that the first converts to Christianity “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (2:42). “There is great Friendship in fellowship”
• “God is faithful,” says Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, “by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1:9).
• And John writes in his first letter that “we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1:3). fellowship – Companionship
5. Paul asks us to embrace faith more deeply by keeping Communion
• Paul writes in verse 9 I am an old man now but I am in communion ( I am a prisoner) with Christ
• Paul writes, I appeal unto you with love about my son Onesimus and now he is your son as well he is useful to me and you.
• Paul says, “Onesimus is my heart my deepest blessing he has helped me tremendously. He was separated from you welcome him home as you would welcome me”.
• We are together in this gospel Philemon I will see you soon prepare me a room
• The way is long; let us go together. The way is difficult; let us help each other.
• The way is joyful; let us share it The way is Christ’s, for Christ is the Way; let us follow.
