Philemon 1:1-3
Much change in “cultural landscape” during lifetime of many here. Consider things like: one-room school (Donna W); corner store (Jimmy Brooks); neighborhood church (N. & E. Limington) => consolidated school; box store; multi-site church campus. Sometimes argument from “economies of scale” – think how much we’ll save if…; all things we can do if…; all the benefits of having… this, that, other. How often is serious consideration given to costs of things w/o dollar value but get sacrificed along the way? Matter of grave concern especially when focus of attention is the church.
Paul directs greeting to individuals and also the church in Philemon’s home. 10+ years from Lydia to Philemon – think how church family can change over time, how many present who weren’t at the beginning. Yet Paul sees no need to do more than give name and circumstance of prisoner. Perhaps presuming everyone who heard letter read would have some idea who wrote it. Presumed they would also know the others called by name. When local church no longer has that level of relationship with one another, have begun to lose their way… what it means to be a church.
Paul piles up titles—“brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier”—showing increasing intensity: family bond, co-labor, then battle partner. Paul doesn’t explain, however he clearly chose words judiciously in all letters we have. Also use of “our”: our brother; our beloved friend and fellow laborer; [beloved] our sister; our fellow soldier. Impossible in that kind of setting to simply “slide in, slide out”. So what can we learn about house church at Philemon’s?
A. fellow laborer – Philemon
beloved
term that carries substantial weight, not how would describe simple acquaintance or somone in comparable position/role
signifies level of knowledge / closeness that takes time to develop – things you know about “beloved” other people don’t
implies degree of satisfaction w/ relationship and desire for it to continue – mutual desire for shared time, experience, closeness
Matt. 3:17 “a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
worker
“fellow worker” focuses on shared ministry activity – term Paul used often, not gender specific, e.g Priscilla & Aquila (Rom 16.3)
number of settings, varying roles and levels of responsibility – have this in common: working according to calling in Gospel ministry, with Paul immediately or at great distance
more detail in next section of letter, know from start Paul’s great respect for Philemon and how God has used for good of church
if Apphia was wife, could easily expect she was important team member, working with Philemon in mutually supportive way
B. fellow soldier – Archippus
side by side
“fellow soldier” adds the idea of standing side by side in spiritual warfare and costly suffering, marking a stronger emphasis on tested commitment
Paul intentionally working on front lines – Rom. 15.20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation
specially demanding when at end of supply line, pushing Gospel forward into areas where no nearby Christians to support efforts
common enemy
whether under house arrest in Rome or in meeting area in Philemon’s home, enemy not far away yet always vigilant
reasons might be different but both Paul and Archippus represented serious threat to Satan/… b/c of who empowered them
people present everywhere who could be reached by Gospel – everyone knows someone not yet committed to following Jesus
shared suffering
Paul’s list of afflictions, experiences of suffering far above and beyond what any of us expect to be our lot… we hope
each one’s experiences are different but… Jesus made plain in his teaching there is substantial cost to following/serving him
God often graciously enables to see tough times as other than suffering, focusing on good things he is accomplishing
C. fellow believers
assembly
group of people called together, gathered together in one place for purpose – no inherent size, more about kind than number
descriptions of early church gatherings cover variety of settings – first 200+ years of church, no specially designated building
Christians gathered where they could – inside, outside, caves, wooded areas – wherever satisfied need, perhaps some protection
common purpose
word use in NT usually refers to gathering for worship – exact order of worship not printed for us, what did/did not include
involved reading of Scripture (e.g. Jesus, Nazareth), some before it “officially” thought of as such… this letter from Paul
also included breaking bread, iow Lord’s Table, prayer and praise – same basic elements that make up worship today
overlapping friend list
would be united by common purpose, worship, and common relationship – each a child of God worshiping w/brothers & sisters
would also have mutual relationships with others from community – neighbors, coworkers, other family members
D. blessing
grace first
of course God is gracious – Ex. 34:6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
don’t presume, take it for granted, Paul didn’t even for others – asked/prayed for God to continue being gracious
is really 2nd thing… love comes first… love for Son spread also to us – b/c God loves, calls us out of world into his family
love has nothing to do w/ merit, neither any of blessings God pours out on his own whom he loves – depends entirely on Jesus
peace included
peace one of first blessings… peace with God, no longer enemies b/c Jesus by death applied to us reconciles to Father
then there’s peace from God that in process takes away fear – John 14.27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
from Father and Son
grace and peace extended to us from both Father and Son in accomplishing our salvation draws us closer to God
if God is point toward which we all are being drawn, requires us being drawn closer to one another at same time
God’s overarching love fueling grace and peace grows appreciation/love for each other, valuing time spent together serving one another, showing world what family should be like
Is not place where we meet or what hymnbook we use or number of people or denominational label that is most important. What is of greatest importance is the work God does in us when we are gathered together, the work God does through us all the time as we obey and serve him. Begins with what Jesus accomplished at Calvary and empty tomb, will be completed when we see him coming “coming in the clouds with great power and glory”. Meanwhile, live between those events, if trust in Christ as Savior it can definitely be well with our souls.
Reformanda 