From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM

Subject: 6-21-24 THOUGHTS

6-21-24   THOUGHTS

A fugitive slave is brought to Christ by Paul.  Paul knows the slave’s owner very well.  Verses 15 and 16 speak volumes!  What appeared negative (and was illegal) turned totally positive.  A slave is now a brother with a refreshed attitude.  Paul says “that you would have him back forever.”   One other interesting thought here, Paul knew Philemon well enough to exert his influence and demand his compliance in his dealing with Onesimus..  That wasn’t good enough for Paul.   Verse 14 says  “but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.”  We note also that Paul says of Philemon  “because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.”  What a powerful complement!  Finally, the before/after comments on Onesimus USEFULNESS teaches us.  Onesimus was just another slave until he became a child of God.  Then eternal potential awakened in him.   When we see Jesus, our lives should explode in potential  (“both in the flesh and in the Lord”) for many  reasons!    

Phm 1:4-16     I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5  because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;  6  and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7  For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.  8   Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,  9  yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you —  since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus —  10  I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,  11  who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12  I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13  whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;  14  but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. 15  For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,  16  no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

My  Prayer:
O Father, You are the God only true God who changes the lives of men.  We praise You and thank You that You have changed us.  We are Your adopted children, freed from sin and death and Satan.  We awaken this morning to a living hope that is eternal.  Your loving kindness amazes us.  Empower our desire and willingness to serve You in the blood bought Church.  It is from You and by your design.  Help us to see the Church as you see it.  Teach us to love one another with pure hearts, fervently.   May we abide in Your  presence.  
In the name of Jesus we pray,    Amen.