1. Now a New Perspective Rodney Sones August 4, 2019
Series: Runaway Grace

3. Paul
Onessimus
Philemon

5. One of the implications of being a new person: We gain a New Perspective

7. 1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker… 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
--Philemon 1, 3, 7 (NIV)

9. 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while… (cont’d)
--Philemon 8-17 (NIV)

10. …I am in chains for the gospel
…I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
--Philemon 8-17 (NIV)

12. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE

13. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave

14. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE

15. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE -Not a Slave, but a Brother

17. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
--Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

19. …the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
--1 Corinthians 7:22 (NIV)

21. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
--Philemon (NIV)

23. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE -Not a Slave, but a Brother

24. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE -Not a Slave, but a Brother -Not Enemies, Two Brothers

26. 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while… (cont’d)
--Philemon 8-20 (ESV)

27. …I am in chains for the gospel
…I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. (cont’d)
--Philemon 8-20 (ESV)

28. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand
19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
--Philemon 8-20 (ESV)

30. Paul has the authority to give an order
Paul has the authority to give an order. Instead, he approaches as a friend.

32. --1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)
14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (cont’d)
--1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)

33. --1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)
18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
--1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)

35. Paul’s approach is different because it is shaped by the Gospel

37. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
--Ephesians 6:5-9 (NIV)

39. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE -Not a Slave, but a Brother -Not Enemies, Two Brothers

40. PHILEMON’S PERSPECTIVE -A Useless Slave
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE -Not a Slave, but a Brother -Not Enemies, Two Brothers
A NEW PERSPECTIVE -Christ over Culture

42. Paul believed Philemon was a mature Christian who could be counted on to change his perspective

44. This is our calling too

46. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
--Philemon (ESV)

48. Now a New Perspective Rodney Sones August 4, 2019
Series: Runaway Grace