Two Examples of What it Means to be a Believer
Philemon • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsIn this message, we will consider the importance of suffering together and being part of a church.
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Introduction:
Introduction:
In the introduction to the letter, we know Paul identified himself and his recipients.
He writes of four different types of relationships.
Last week, we learned of Paul’s relationship to Christ as a prisoner.
We were reminded that being a believer makes on a prisoner of Christ.
Christ serves as the boundaries around our lives.
Such a relationship sometimes brings hardship.
We also learned of the transcendent power of Christ to make from male and female as well as from people of multiple ethnicities one new people.
Today, we will think about two key relationships that help us understand what it means to be a believer, and indeed, are essential to living as a believer.
Paul’s Relationship with Philemon and Archippus - A Shared Work in Christ
Paul’s Relationship with Philemon and Archippus - A Shared Work in Christ
Paul addresses the letter to Philemon who takes the primary position and thus the main recipient of the letter.
Paul uses two terms to describe him.
Beloved (this would be in Christ).
Fellow- worker (this would be a specialized term that shows Philemon’s past financial assistance to Paul).At a minimum, it shows that a past relationship has existed between them.
Paul sees Philemon as integral to his work as an apostle and thus includes him as a fellow worker.
Notice how this transcends racial lines as well as those of rank.
Paul is a Jew.
Philemon most likely is not.
Included in the list of recipients is someone named Archippus.
Paul refers to him as a fellow soldier.This may imply that Archippus had experienced hardship and suffering before.
Paul was not the only one who faced difficult circumstances.
Contra Dunn, Paul does opt for military terminology frequently in his letters. The most well-known example of this occurs in Ephesians 6 where the Apostle calls upon the congregation there to “put on the whole panoply of God.”
In 2 Timothy 2:3, he called upon Timothy to join with him in “suffering evil” as a good soldier in Christ would do.
We might consider that Paul viewed those who were able to undergo the wrongs done to believers while continuing to mature in the faith, and demonstrating themselves to be mature, were those he considered to be involved in joint soldiering with him.
This assumes the presence and expectation of suffering.
It is essential that we prepare for suffering before it comes.
Those spiritually unprepared for hardship will struggle to get prepared if it comes.
We can see how much the expectations have changed. Does “they who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” resonate with us anymore?
Do we consider suffering for Christ normal or abnormal?
Philemon and A House Church
Philemon and A House Church
Any biblical understanding of Christianity begins with three things.
Salvation by grace through faith.
A public confession of faith through water baptism.
Growing, worshipping, encouraging, forgiving, and loving with others in a scripturally formed congregation.
Philemon’s personal relationship with his slave was a church matter, not a private one.
Paul concludes the letter by his usual expression of desire for them.