R sbc
Date: August 13th 2006
Sunday Morning
Series: Christ the Sum & Substance of The Bible
Sermon # 91
Subject: Christ the Substance of Circumstances
Text: Philemon 1
Intro: To be saved and know it, is without doubt a great accomplishment in life. To serve in a capacity such as Paul and others have done is achievement in life. To encourage others in similar situation is without question admirable. Let me introduce you some men in this book that is not well known by many while the others are.
(1.) The man whom the book is named after: vs 1 Philemon Who himself was a very rich and influential man whom most believe was led to Christ by Paul. Paul remembers this man for his character as a Christian... vs 5 “ love and faith vs 7 His encouragement to the brethren brought joy to Paul. Vs 21 Paul’s confidence in him vs 22 The hospitality of this man of God...
(2.) The man who’s name means “master of the horse”..vs 2 Archippus Col 4-17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
(3.) The man who’s name means profitable: Onesimus, the runaway slave. In Paul’s instruction to Philemon in receiving this man back, remember he is a brother now vs 16
I... “ THE PRISONER OF CHRIST” VS 1
Paul frequently used this approach in his writings: Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, No question in my mind that Paul considered himself a prisoner of Christ...
(1.) He was arrested by Christ:
Acts 9-3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
(2.) Because he was imprisoned for Christ:
In this book he refers to it vs 10, vs 13. He also mentions it several other places in the Bible... Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Also in Hebrews Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Jesus Christ is in that circumstance of being imprisoned, this is why he is the sum and the substance not only of the Bible but of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It was at midnight that Paul and Silas sang praises unto the Lord and he came to their rescue, It was Peter who was in Jail and the church prayed for him and the Lord sent an angel. Take courage this morning whatever your circumstance is...
II... “ THE GRACE AND PEACE OF CHRIST”..VS 3
This is what the Lord Jesus Christ said: oh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Peace in jail, peace in the storms of life, peace while you sleep, peace if you are called to field of service. The Lord gives peace of heart, peace of mind, peace if soul. Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
(1.) It is a peace that passes understanding: Php 4-7
(2.) It is a peace that accompanies the gospel:
Ro 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(3.) It is a ruling peace: Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
(4.) It is a peace that is evident in our hearts: Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Listen to me this morning, is there a longing in your heart this morning for peace, are you tired of the fighting and rebelling against the Lord, his word, and his ways, then surrender to him now in your heart...
III... THE PRECIOUSNESS OF BEING ABLE TO LOVE CHRIST NO MATTER WHAT..VS 4-5
Anyone can love the Lord when things are going well, but to love him in the midst of circumstances is proof of a genuine salvation in you. The man came to the Lord and ask him which is the greatest commandment?
Matt 22-36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The love mention in these verses was twofold, toward the Lord and toward his neighbor, Philemon demonstrated this kind of love. Here was the test, his runaway slave Paul is sending to him. Now his life would be tested, will he love this saint now or will he turn his back on him?
Paul made it clear:
1 cor 13-11 ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
The Lord told his disciples three times: Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Joh 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Paul said: Ro 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
1Jo 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Take heart this morning God is Love and we are love, and we must love him and if we do we will love one another....what will the Lord do with a church that loves him, loves one another, loves it’s pastor and his wife? He will bless it beyond measure.
Lessons from this story:
(1.) Be prepared to be a prisoner if life calls for it:
(2.) Know that the peace of God will be us:
(3.) Learn to love inspite of what one does or does not do...
To love like the Lord commands us to do takes:
(1.) An unselfish attitude:
I Kings 3-16-28
(2.) An willingness to pay the price:
Genesis 22:1-14