Luke wrote two letters to an individual. Luke 1:1-4 – Luke wrote a letter to Theophilus concerning Jesus Acts 1:1-3 – Luke writes an additional letter to Theophilus

John wrote a couple of letters to individuals. 2 John – a letter to the elect lady and her children 3 John – a letter to Gaius

All of these letters offer words of encouragement to the reader. The letters to Theophilus offer him accounts of Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel so he might have confidence in whom he has believed. John’s letters are very short and pointed. One encourages continued faithfulness and the other commends and warns.

Lessons From a Personal Letter Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, 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. I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, I appeal to you for my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while for this that you might receive him 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. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay, not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

Lessons From a Personal Letter In this letter there are just a couple of things to examine. 1. Philemon’s character 2. Onesimus’ character

Lessons From a Personal Letter 1. Philemon’s character: Phile. 1-7 – Philemon’s character shines through Paul describes Philemon as his beloved and fellow laborer. Rom. 16:2-16, 21-23; 1 Cor. 16:19-20 – Paul always demonstrated his love for the saints

Lessons From a Personal Letter How was Philemon a fellow worker? vs.2 – he had a church in his house Rom. 16:3-5 – Priscilla and Aquila Col. 4:15 – Nymphas hosted a church He had a love for the saints. Vs. 5 1 John 4:7-11 – our love for one another is a proof of our love for God

Lessons From a Personal Letter He refreshed the saints. Vs. 7 1 Cor. 16:17-18 – Paul was refreshed by Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus Col. 4:8 – Tychicus would comfort the hearts of others Refreshing the hearts of others involved physical necessities and knowing the condition of others.

Lessons From a Personal Letter Philemon was a man who Paul could depend on. Vs. 21 2 Cor. 7:16 – Paul had confidence in the church at Corinth 2 Thess. 3:4 – Paul had similar confidence in the Thessalonians 2 Tim. 1:12 – Paul wrote of his confidence in God

Lessons From a Personal Letter 2. Onesimus’ character Vs. 10-16 – Onesimus’ character is one that has grown Onesimus was a slave who ran from his master.

Lessons From a Personal Letter He fled to Rome and providentially met Paul. Vs. 15 Gen. 45:5-8 – Joseph understood the providence of God Esther 4:14 – Mordecai reminds Esther that she may be in the right place at the right time

Lessons From a Personal Letter He obeyed the Gospel. Vs. 10 Col. 3:11 – there is neither slave nor free in Christ He was an aid to Paul. Vs. 13 Acts 28:30-31 – Maybe Onesimus was one who went to see Paul He seems to be willing to return to his master. Vs. 11-16 Paul had to have confidence that if he wrote the letter, Onesimus would deliver the letter, if he was the carrier.

Lessons From a Personal Letter If Onesimus was the one who delivered the letter it would show Philemon his profitability. Paul recognizes the position that Onesimus can have among other slaves and among the church at Colossi.

Lessons From a Personal Letter The letter to the Colossians has some similar themes to the situation between Philemon and Onesimus and would give both men a chance to demonstrate the true Christian character. Col. 1:19-23 – the reconciliation offered through Christ is for all

Lessons From a Personal Letter Col. 2:1-10 – the philosophy of man and his traditions will cheat man of the salvation offered through Christ Col. 3:8-11 – put off the old man and put on the new because all are equal in the sight of God Col. 3:22-4:1 – the relationship between master and servants

Lessons From a Personal Letter By Paul sending Onesimus back to Philemon the opportunity to reconcile two individuals would be reminiscent of the reconciliation offered by God to man. Onesimus and Philemon would be able to reach many others by their example, individually and collectively.

Lessons From a Personal Letter Both Onesimus and Philemon demonstrate the character of a Christian. We can look to these two men and see the character we should have. What characteristics do you see in yourself?