1. New Beginnings Church April 23, 2006
When Is Useless Useful?
New Beginnings Church
April 23, 2006

2. The caring of God for Onesimus - vs.10
God's Holy Spirit strives with souls
God wants us to be His Son's
He whispers to us through His Spirit
He draws us to Him

3. The changing of Onesimus - vs. 10-11
Paul had become his spiritual father
Onesimus was saved
Onesimus was different

4. The changing of Onesimus - vs. 10-11
Onesimus was a new creature
Onesimus was God's servant now

5. The challenge of Paul - vs. 10-18
See Onesimus as a brother or fellow believer
Forgive his sin and offense

6. The challenge of Paul - vs. 10-18
Give him another chance
Restore unto him his namesake - use Him for God

7. The conflict of Philemon - vs. 15-22
He had been wronged
He deserved to be compensated for his loss
Yet, Onesimus had returned

8. The conflict of Philemon - vs. 15-22
Onesimus was different
Christ was their savior
God was their Master

9. The call of Paul - vs. 17-25 Consider me your partner
Receive him as myself
I will pay for his indiscretion
I will come to you soon

10. How does this apply to us?
Do these not parallel the Lord's treatment to us?
Are you useful for the Lord?
Does He have the knowledge of you? - Are you His?
Do you represent Him well?

11. When is useless useful?

12. When God does it…
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new