19
May '20
Becoming a Man or Woman of God
19
May '20
Text: Philemon
“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
Introduction: Are you facing challenges? How about time management? Balancing demands of life? Keeping priorities in line? Don’t you want to be known as a man or woman of God? Here are (6) marks of measurement that Paul articulates to Philemon that act as a mirror to see if we are known as a man or woman of God:
1. A man or woman of God has FAITH & LOVE for the LORD JESUS & all the SAINTS! (Philemon 5a)
“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward the saints.”
• Understanding the times – Faith in God
• Unconditional love for all of God’s people
• Understanding the times – Faith in God
• Unconditional love for all of God’s people
2. A man or woman of God is LIVING out his or her FAITH in JESUS by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Philemon 6)
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
• Living out!
• Pouring in!
• Living out!
• Pouring in!
3. A man or woman of God REFRESHES others! (Philemon 7)
” For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee brother.”
• Love gives
• Love receives
” For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee brother.”
• Love gives
• Love receives
4. A man or woman is willing to go beyond the CALL of DUTY! (Philemon 21)
“Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.”
• Just getting by?
• Going above & beyond!
• Just getting by?
• Going above & beyond!
5. A man or woman of God learns to EXERCISE FORGIVENESS! (Philemon 18)
“If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.”
“Wronged” is in the aorist tense- meaning past event – with Onesimus.
“Oweth ” is in the present tense- meaning still owes.
• 2 Wrongs
• Don’t make a Right
“Wronged” is in the aorist tense- meaning past event – with Onesimus.
“Oweth ” is in the present tense- meaning still owes.
• 2 Wrongs
• Don’t make a Right
6. A man or woman of God believes & practices the POWER of PRAYER! (Philemon 22)
” …for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.”
• Praying for others
• Needing them to pray
• Praying for others
• Needing them to pray
Conclusion: Staying the course set by a PROVIDENTIAL God is challenging! Do you agree? Look back on your life….
Hills, bumps, curves and plenty of u-turns can be expected along the way. Although not always pleasant, to be a man or woman of God is the ultimate calling. One last note; our Lord Jesus’ measuring stick can be found in the little book of Philemon.
Hills, bumps, curves and plenty of u-turns can be expected along the way. Although not always pleasant, to be a man or woman of God is the ultimate calling. One last note; our Lord Jesus’ measuring stick can be found in the little book of Philemon.
Thanks for being “A MAN & WOMAN” of God!
Love y’all,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese