I Am Going To Ask You To Do Something

Introduction

It’s amazing to watch God work in our lives. As we submit ourselves to God it never ceases to amaze me how much more we understand about God; how much louder we can hear His voice; how much clearer we see and understand the ministry God has called us to do. In a non-threatening way Paul approached Philemon with some mighty truths from God in verses 1-7. In our text today we see him getting to the point. In essence Paul now says, Philemon, I’m going to ask you to do something.

Notice how Paul approaches this problem.

I. He Wants Them All To Be Brothers, vs. 8-13.

A. The Rights On Which Paul Could Stand, vs. 8.

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, vs. 8.

To do something because of constraint is the most difficult task we have to perform. Paul shows us clearly here that our ministry should be a cooperative effort, not a compulsion. This verse literally says that Paul had the spiritual authority to command Philemon to give up on Onesimus and turn him over to him. Paul knew this type of behavior would not impress anyone. Brothers in Christ should  be able to honor God in all that they do! We not only see the rights on which Paul could stand, but also the rights by which Paul could surrender.

B. The Rights By Which Paul Could Surrender, vs. 9.

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., vs. 9.

Paul said, because of love, that he would forego his authority and rather appeal to Philemon as a brother. Now listen! Paul was not in love with possessions - Paul was in love with people! He wanted to make a point without making a mess. He pointed out …as Paul the aged, vs. 9. In other words; I’ve been at this a little longer than you.

It’s sometimes favorable to listen to someone who may have walked a little further down the road than you. Take time to listen to the older folks in the ministry.

Let's take a journey down Paul’s life:

1. He’d been beaten time and time again.
2. He’d been scourged.
3. He had suffered in the stocks.
4. He had been afflicted with a thorn in the flesh.
5. He had suffered through four shipwrecks.
6. His ministry had been marked by constant peril.
7. He needed the constant care of a physician because of the abuse his body had endured.

People who put up with this type of abuse surrender their rights that others might be saved! Paul wanted Philemon and Onesimus to love each other out of desire, not out of duty!

Some of you have surrendered your own comfort, your own money, your own authority so that a great love might exist between us for each other.

Not only do we see the rights by which Paul could stand and the rights by which Paul could surrender, but also the rights by which Paul could serve.

II. He Wants Them All To Be Busy, vs. 10-13.

A. The Rights By Which Paul Could Serve, vs. 10-12.

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus… vs. 10. …but now profitable to thee and to me: vs. 11. … receive him… vs. 12.

Paul says, Philemon, “I’m asking what I’m asking so that you and I and Onesimus can all serve the Lord!” Notice verse 10 again. He mentions the value of a saint and his relationship to the body of Christ “…for my son…” When we’re right with each other we serve God!

Now notice vs. 11 …but now profitable to thee and to me: You know the people in this church, against whom you have a grudge, could serve God and bless us all if we’d let them up by removing that grudge!

Notice vs. 12 “…receive him…” Get this point! Paul says, “If you receive him you will make my service to God of great effect.” We all like to see results from the effort we put forth in service to God because the “effect” of those results is to spur us on. Get this great truth! We can kill people with the sword and rid ourselves of their body, or we can kill them with kindness and rid ourselves of our bitterness, resentment and enemies.

B. The Rights By Which Paul Could Be Served, vs. 13.

…he might have ministered unto me… vs. 13.

What happens when we remove the grudge from our hearts? We allow those against whom we have a feeling of resentment to become engaged in helping to carry the burden of those who have been serving a long time. We allow them to serve God. We can make our enemies our ministers if we seek God! Paul says, “I’m going to ask you to do something. I'm going to ask you to forgive this man

…’receive him…’”

I believe God would ask us to do the same thing.