You Cannot Escape God's Judgment

The Twelve: God has spoken!

The Book of Amos

Here's a link to the sermon video: http://fellowshipjoplin.org/index.php/sermons

The Bible may not have ever been on the New York Times Best Seller List, but - it’s without a doubt, the most important book ever. Period. It’s not like any other book. No other book is God’s Word. 

No other book is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword... judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  No other book is the inspired, inerrant, authoritative, sufficient Word of God. 

Few people pay attention to Amos, why? One reason is that it takes some work to understand, but also I think it’s because it’s too convicting. Amos speaks of social injustice, using other people, and the religion of “going through the motions...”

Things we’ve all done at one point or another. 

Always remember: The Centrality of Christ

We desire for Christ to be preeminent in everything. Even in Amos.

• The goal is your sanctification

• The Old Testament is the riddle to which Jesus Christ is the answer.

The Minor Prophets emphasize:

1. The Sovereignty of God

2. The Holiness of God

3. The Love of God

Remember these things as we walk through Amos. 

The Overall Message of Amos:

God judges injustice and masks!

Injustice - How we treat others.  Masks - The religious masks we wear.

• Does God care about the details of our lives?

Does He care when someone is mean to me? When someone’s actions cause me to suffer?

“Cosmic Top Theology” sayS that God created the universe, set things in motion, then stepped back to watch it. 

• Does God care about your life? My life?

Here’s a question I recently heard a Pastor ask: Do you really want God to care?

What about when YOU are the mis-treater?

What about when YOU cause the suffering of someone else?

When You talk about someone else behind their back?

Well I think He does. And I think that the book of Amos shows us that very clearly. 

• Amos was: an ordinary guy

He was a shepherd from Tekoa. A shepherd and a farmer. 

An ordinary guy that God called to bring an important message.

Lesson: God uses the insignificant to bring glory to Himself

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 

Three of the most significant OT Figures came from humble beginnings:

Abraham - He was a pagan, but became the father of a nation.

Moses - Born to slaves. God used him to give the law. He became the main figure of the Exodus. 

David - Nobody (including his family) expected anything from him. He became Israel’s greatest king.

Don’t think that God can’t use you to do something great. 

Three Stops

1. The Judge & Judged   1:1-3:8 

Jereboam, the King of the North didn’t want to risk his people becoming loyal to Rehoboam (the King of the Southern Kingdom) so he set up some alternate places for them to worship. This was, in fact, an abomination to God. 

.

• The LORD is the one sending the message. (the Judge)

Here’s how we know that God is concerned with the details of our lives: 

Amos 1:2 – The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; 

again in 3:8 – The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?” 

The Lord is the Lion, the main character. A Lion roars when it attacks. 

This is the roar of a pursuing lion. He roars. He’s interested in what’s going on (And He is not happy).

The people of Israel are the judged, especially their leaders.

• Ignorance of God, intentional or not, does not diminish your accountability to Him.

Amos begins with a list of other countries who have sinned and are under condemnation.

• The whole world is accountable to the One True God.

All people are the judged, not just Israel. After judging the nations, and Judah (Amos 2:4), Amos turns his focus to Israel  (Amos 2:7) This just got real personal. He’s definitely got their attention now. 

Have you ever been misquoted? Someone says Oh, I heard what you said......

• That’s NOT what I said...

We can only imagine how Amos’ prophecy would have been received. 7:9 was the last straw. the sanctuaries? OK now enough! Amaziah, the priest, sends a message to the king.

He said: Amos is raising a conspiracy against you. (not true) He said you’re going to die (again, not true).

Here’s something we see that we all know too well:

You can talk about religion and even God and Jesus as long as you’re vague. And broad generalities that everyone likes.

God is love. Jesus died for us. Come just as you are, there’s room at the cross. That’s fine. But talk about sin. Judgment. Wrath. Specific sins? Ouch! Then you’re intolerant. A bigot. 

Jesus is the ONLY way? How narrow-minded of you to think that. 

• The Religious Show doesn’t impress God.

It didn’t then - it doesn’t now.  Just showing up at church on Sunday and not living a life pointed toward the glory of God is a Religious Show. Don’t do that. 

Amos 5:21-22 – I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 

²² Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. 

²³ Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 

God is the judge. The people are being judged and especially their leaders. 

2. The Judgment   3:9-6:14 

(the focus of God’s judgment)

God will judge HIs people. They are not immune to judgment as “His People” 

Israel was prosperous, but instead of pointing to God, they decided that they earned them and deserved them. 

• Pride feeds so many other sins. 

Now the prophecy gets really personal:

4:1-3 – “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan...

This was an indictment of their lazy, luxurious, self-indulgent lifestyles. 

The women who were leaders didn’t care about others. But it didn’t stop there - 

6:1-7 – Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, ...the notable men of the first of the nations.   

The leaders aren’t worried about the problems. They’re lazy, secure. They don’t grieve - over the ruin of God’s people. They’ll be the first to go into exile.

They thought as long as they were going through the motions - that they were good and they didn’t have to worry about their sin. (this is so easy to do)

• We’re really good at convincing ourselves that we’re good with God while continuing in our sin.

In truth - continuing in our sin should be the first thing that tells us we’re probably not good with God.

He then says, in 4:12-13 – prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” 

This is pretty intense. It’s no passing comment.  It’s an active threat. 

You’ve ignored the warnings. They should be scared at this point. The Lion roars!

• Have you ignored any of the warnings God has sent your way?

No matter how popular you are, how powerful, it won’t help you.

Because God looks on the inside.

3. The Conclusion   7:1-9:15

No one will escape God’s judgment. Don’t think that God cannot or will not follow through. 

He is God. He only needs to touch the earth and it dissolves.  

• You cannot escape God’s judgment. 

To whom much is given, much is required - nowhere is this idea more clearly put forth. 

1 Peter 4:17 – For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Because God has taken Israel into a place of intimacy with Himself, He will all the more assuredly visit upon her head all her iniquities.

• The nearer we are to the Lord in relationship, the more faithfulness is required of us.

Well, I know it’s a sin. I know I shouldn’t do it, but.....   

The truth is you love your sin more than you hate it and you’ve forgotten that God hates ALL sin, not just the “BIG” ones that YOU have decided are big.  Oh - I would never do any of that stuff. I’m a Christian! Well Christian, what did you watch on TV last night? Did it glorify sin? Were you using sin as entertainment? 

Being near to God (here in church - growing up in church) is a Great blessing, but along with that comes the responsibility of obedience to His Word

The most tragic thing of all in the judgment God passed on them is

8:11 – “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,  “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. 

It is such a great gift to hear God’s Word. Don’t ever be here and not hear it.

Don’t try to convince yourself that because you’re here. All the other stuff doesn’t matter. Because it does.

Does God care about the details of your life?

Yes - He does. He cares so much that He sent His Son to do what you couldn’t.

You cannot escape God’s judgment. But Christ - took the punishment, the judgment - the wrath - that God has toward all sin. And in the cross we see how serious God is about sin. About His holiness.

His wrath was poured out on Jesus for all those who believe in Him.

You cannot escape God’s judgment, but if you have repented of your sins, turned to Him, and trust in, rely on, and cling to Christ alone - that judgment - that wrath is poured out on Jesus instead of you.

He made Him to be sin who knew no sin

• Does God care?

Yes - He cares so much that He will judge.

The real question is do YOU care? Do you care that God will judge Do you care that you have offended a holy God with your sin? Will you repent and turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone?

Your mask won’t save you.

Reflection Questions:

• Amos 3:3 – Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? 

God will not walk together with you when you are in sin. To walk together with God, you have to agree with Him.

Walking with God requires confession of sin. A life that is worthy of the Gospel. An obedient life.

• Amos 3: 4 – Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? 

The threats of the prophet are the result of the sinful state of the nation.

Are you under threat of punishment? Or does your life reflect the holiness that God requires?

• verse 5 – Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? 

Where is your sin leading you? God takes it seriously. It won’t go unnoticed. If you are constantly looking for sin and eliminating it, you don’t need to worry about snares. We cast of the sin that so easily entangles so that we can run the race with endurance.

• How does your life give testimony to God’s character?

Do others see God’s compassion and mercy and justice in the way you life your life? If you were their only example, how would someone describe God?

• Are you living a life giving or taking?

The people of Israel were taking.  The women - the cows - taking. The men - taking.

Jesus was the ultimate example of giving. 

• Are you wearing a mask, or is it genuine?

So many get up, put their mask on, come to church, go through the motions, go home, and hang up the mask for next week. It’s such a part of your routine, you don’t even think about it.

When the transforming work of the Spirit of God comes up against our lives, we become more like Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

• Does your life point to Christ?

• What would Amos say to you?

The Day of the Lord

The Twelve: God has spoken!

The Book of Joel - The Day of the Lord is Coming!

This is an outline-ish summary of yesterday’s sermon on the Book of Joel. For the complete sermon, visit our website: www.fellowshipjoplin.org and click on “Sermons.”

Always Remember: The Centrality of Christ

Colossians 1:18 – ...that in everything he might be preeminent

This includes the Minor Prophets (which aren’t “minor,” just shorter).

1:28 – Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Mark Dever says: 

• The Old Testament is the riddle to which Jesus Christ is the answer.

The overall message of of Joel - is this:

The Day of the Lord is Coming!

Romans 14:11  Philippians 2:10-11 

The Minor Prophets do emphasize three things:

1. The Sovereignty of God

Nothing is more central to their thinking God is the sovereign Lord of history 

Nothing happens that is not the result of His direct determination. 

• They never doubt for a second that the almighty God is in charge. 

2. The Holiness of God

Make no mistake - sin is an insult to God’s holiness.  Sin offends a holy God.

3. The Love of God

A question that comes up often. 

• How can a good God allow evil to exist?

We’ll never fully understand it, but Joel can help us with part of the problem and help us to think in the right direction.

• You definitely want a God that is sovereign and in charge.

Joel - means “Jehovah is God”

Five things we see as we walk through Joel

1. The Sovereignty of God in Suffering (Joel 1:1-20)

Joel wants to make sure that everyone sees the locus invasion for what it is: A DISASTER!

He calls on the Elders to mourn, appeals to the drunkards who aren’t going to have any wine, pities the farmers who won’t experience the joy of the harvest, and calls on the priests to lead a national day of mourning.

We should learn from Joel’s approach to suffering

• Wrong question/ right question:

We quite often ask the wrong question Why did this happen to me? My family? Etc.

Why do bad things happen to good people? This question has a fundamental flaw - you’re not a good person!

If you’re saved, it’s not because of what you did. It’s because of what He did.

Instead of asking “why did this happen? Why didn’t God give me... etc.”

You should be asking, “why am I still alive? Why do I have clean clothes? Why do I have a car that gets me here? 

Don’t we deserve to experience more pain and misery?

Why did God save me, a vile, wretched sinner? That’s the question we should be asking.

• This “Problem of Evil” really is only a problem for those who don’t truly understand the evil in their own hearts. 

That’s the problem of evil. 

Why would God strike these innocent people? (First - they’re not innocent!)

Jesus had the same question come to Him, he answered: Luke 13:2-5 

• Our problem is that we forget how sinful we are.

We forget - and it takes a huge disaster to wake us up from our laziness our complacency and our sin.

The delay in God’s judgment (the periods of grace) and the previews (what we see in Scripture and in our own world) are for our good, that we might repent.

2. The need for True Repentance  (Joel 2:1-17)

The day of the Lord is a phrase used to designate a future time  of catastrophic judgment.

• It points to the more intense final judgment.

The Day of the Lord is coming - a cruel day with fierce anger.

Matthew 24:29-31 ...all the tribes of the earth will mourn.... 

This points to the day when Jesus himself will judge everything.

• The goal is to lead us to repentance

The kindness of God is meant to lead us to repentance. His grace in not bringing this judgment on us immediately, when we deserve it The emphasis is on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7).

It’s a lot easier to rend your garments than to rend your heart. God wants you to be broken over your sin. 

Hosea 6:1-7:16 - They said the right words - but their hearts weren’t in it.

True Repentance looks like this:

Repentance isn’t just a one-time thing. 

Arthur Pink says: The Christian who has stopped repenting has stopped growing. 

1. Confession of specific sins

Search your heart for specifics. Agree with God that it is sin. Turn away from it.

2. Contrition - genuine sorrow for sin (Psalm 51:17). Your sin should bother you. Greatly.

3. Conversion - A change of mind that’s so comprehensive that the entire direction of your heart is changed. 

• True repentance will lead you to salvation

It will turn you around so comprehensively you’ll be saved!

Now to the heart of the book:

3. Restoration (Joel 2:18-27)

Where there is true repentance, there can be restoration.

God will bring it back. 

Joel is quoting God directly 2:12 – return to me with all your heart....

We need to know why we’re here and what we’re supposed to do.

• Go back to The First Commandment. 

Exodus 20:2-3 .  

--> Just because you’re not worshiping a clearly defined pagan god like Baal doesn’t mean you’re not committing idolatry.

Fundamentally, the Gospel is about: Who God is and what He has done.

The gospel is present in the First Commandent!

I am the Lord your God - who He is

Who brought you out of slavery - what He has done

He is God. He has delivered them. 

• He’s done that for us as well.

We have all been blessed by God. Even if we don’t know it. Even if we don’t acknowledge it. 

Even after the devastation of the locust plague in 1915 - things came back. God restored the plants. 

• Restoration is possible.

We must understand and acknowledge that it is God who does the restoring.

Joel 2:25-27 God can and will restore us. He can and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

True repentance and restoration go together.

4. Prophecies, Fulfillment, & the NT (Joel 2:28-32)

The NT interprets the old. This points us to the first ever sermon of the Christian era  (Acts 2). Here for the first time in Joel, we see spiritual blessing, not just physical. This is a pretty big deal. God’s Spirit is going to be poured out. Read through the Old Testament and you’ll find that while some were given the Spirit, it wasn’t very common. In the church age, however, everyone is given the Spirit and is a minister of God. We have different tasks and different gifts - but everyone has a job to do.

• Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God now! 

How amazing it that? This part of the prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost. 

What happened when people were filled with the Spirit in Acts?

They proclaimed Christ! The Gospel!!

• Repentance is the first visible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity.

5. The Valley of Decision (Joel 3:1-21)

Remember: Joel is a warning of judgment. It points to Acts 17:30-31. There’s not a countdown timer to God’s judgment.  There’s not a Two-Minute warning. 

• The Day of the Lord is coming. 

The parable of the Ten Virgins,  The parable of the Talents, and the Sheep and Goats of Matthew 25 show the sudden appearance of the Master to call them to account. 

• The sudden appearance of the Master catches people by surprise. 

It’s God’s kindness and patience that allows people to live when they deserve instant judgment and death.

• The things God does in our lives is for our good and His glory.

1 Peter 4:12-19 - It’s all about trusting God in the midst of whatever circumstances He has us in.

• Joel had warned Israel. Now he warns the pagans. 

The idea of God’s wrath isn’t a popular one (tragically) We like “God is love” but “God’s wrath?” Umm... yeah - let’s not talk about that... But, remember that iur redemption had a cost - that cost was high - it was His life.

• God is the one who delivers. (all the time)

God is good – all the time

In this passage, we see men getting ready to do battle with God. Okay - good luck with that. 

Psalm 2:2-5 ⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 

This points to the final judgment. The day of the Lord. When He judges all the people. 

The valley of decision in verse 14 isn’t the place where we’re called to make a decision. It’s where God hands down HIS decision. That decision is destruction for all. All but His people.

• Your only hope is Christ. 

The Sovereignty of God is written all over Joel. 

And here, we see: The Love of God

• His sovereignty in our situations weaves everything together for our good.

Is God in control? YES!

Of every detail? YES!

The good and the bad? YES!

Joni Erickson Tada: says “My spinal cord injury was a terrible accident... I could ask, “Was my diving accident God’s fault?”  

But, my pain and discomfort are not His ultimate focus ...this constantly reminds me of what I am being delivered from, exposing sin for the poison it is. In short, One form of evil (suffering) is turned on its head to defeat another form of evil (our sin) all to the praise of God’s wisdom and glory!  

Questions for Reflection

• Do you understand that God is Sovereign?

God really is in charge and that is such a beautiful, glorious truth that we should never forget it. 

• Are you asking the right question?

Be in wonder and awe and amazement at your own salvation!

• Have you trusted in Christ?

But the Lord is a refuge to those who have turned to Him.

Do you see the “built-ins?”

• An urgent plea for Sanctification (Holiness)

You should constantly strive for holiness. Make seeking Christ’s righteousness a priority.

• An urgent plea for Evangelism

We must be about sharing the message of Christ with others NOW!

(because the Day of the Lord and the Valley of Decision are imminent)

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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How many words to describe this picture?

Philemon 8-20

Remember: Forgiveness

• One of the main benefits of salvation is forgiveness.

Philemon 8-20 gives us a better understanding of what forgiveness looks like. 

We are wretched sinners. Every one of us. On our own, we deserve hell. But...

• In Christ alone – we can be forgiven. 

And that’s the theme of Philemon.

• Sub-theme: Community

Four things about Forgiveness:

1. We owe God

Psalm 51:3-4, Acts 17:30-31

It’s God who we have sinned against. And:

• It’s God’s forgiveness that we really need.

If we don’t have His forgiveness, then all the other people, while they might be nice, they’re not going to solve our deepest problem and they won’t meet our greatest need.

2. It’s not an idea, it’s experienced.

Like carrying something heavy. When it’s lifted off of you. It brings relief. 

Well - remember - we owe God first, right? He’s the one who lifts that burden.

• Part of our experience of being forgiven involves being a forgiver.

The OT sacrificial system was very experiential. Imagine being there when 1,000 animals were sacrificed. Now - it’s the once-for-all sacrifice. And still - it’s something we experience.

• We experience it most fully in community

Hebrews 10:19-25 

• Remembering what He did on the cross

Focusing on that. Thinking about that. Meditating on that.

• Engaging in community.

Being involved. Deeply involved in each other’s lives.

3. It brings radical change

2 Corinthians 5:17 –  the old is gone, the new has come!

We are all completely sinful and depraved without Christ:

Romans 3:11-12   Ephesians 2:1  Jeremiah 17:9   1 Corinthians 2:14 

(It won’t make sense before you’re forgiven)

Charles Spurgeon says it this way:

We declare, upon Scriptural authority, that the human will is so desperately set on mischief, so depraved, and so inclined to everything that is evil, and so disinclined to everything that is good, that without the powerful. supernatural, irresistible influence of the Holy Spirit, no human will ever be constrained towards Christ. (man he had a way with words!)

But when you experience forgiveness - it brings RADICAL change.

• Not just a little adjustment here. A little tweak there. It’s a complete turnaround. 

• Romans 6 says we were slaves to sin. Now we’re slaves to righteousness.

We have a new master. His name is Jesus. 

4. We must acknowledge our sin

1 John 1:10 – If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 

It doesn’t get much clearer than that.

The verse before 1 John 1:10?

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

So what is the foundation for this picture?  This is a very practical kind of book. Just let it paint a picture.

Foundation: Your Forgiveness

verses 10-14

He’s sending him back.   He doesn’t want to keep Onesimus without Philemon’s permission

YOUR consent   YOUR goodness   YOUR own accord.

• The foundation for forgiving someone else is your own forgiveness.

I think Paul knew Philemon would do the right thing. 

Onesimus had to talk to Paul face-to-face. 

• We should seek forgiveness

Forgiveness begins with going to the one you have offended. It involves acknowledging your sin. 

God draws us unto Himself and gives us what it takes to come to Him in faith and repentance.

Framework: Unity

verses 15-16 

Now this really is the center of it all. 

Paul points out the sovereignty of God. Everything flows out of God’s plan and purposes.

Now that Onesimus is back, now that he’s saved...

• There can be a unity between them that wouldn’t have been possible before. 

He’s saying that he’s more than your slave. He’s your beloved brother. It’s now a deep bond. 

I think this should put a smile on Philemon’s face.

• Who doesn’t want to see others get saved?

Who doesn’t want a close friend. One who could be described as a beloved brother?

And as close as Paul and Onesimus had become - and that’s pretty close - Philemon and Onesimus should be even closer. 

Their relationship will have this new, wonderful dynamic. 

They can serve Christ in new ways. Side by side. Paul is very excited about that. 

Finishing: Relational Realities

Here it all comes together.

verse 17 – if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 

We can’t forget who Paul was before he was saved. Paul’s career at one point had him throwing Christians in prison and doing everything he could to stop the cause of Christ.

The end result:

My heart will be refreshed in Christ. because:

• Forgiveness Refreshes

To see your relationship not only tension free, but fully restored. And not only restored, but this beautiful unity that works together and serves together. 

Because you are forgiven, you should forgive.

When you forgive - Unity is the result. When there’s unity, it’s refreshing.

John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Forgiveness and Unity

Their bond is now closer than a brother you grew up with. The forgiveness that came from Christ flowed through and is now a part of both of them. They are forgivers. 

• Because of (that) forgiveness, there is unity and because of that, there’s a new relational reality.

As you look around at your brothers and sisters in Christ here at Fellowship Baptist. And even those who aren’t here today. They are people for whom Christ died. They have experienced God’s forgiveness.

When God looks at them - He sees the perfect life of Jesus. 

• How can we hold something against someone else when the creator of the universe Himself has forgiven them?

Remember that 

Psalm 51:3-4

Ultimately, our sins are against God. And while we do sin against other people, our sins are primarily against God. And when God has forgiven - it’s done. 

• So. We. Must. Forgive.

And Paul knew that Philemon would have this attitude. He might need to be reminded from time to time (just like we need to be reminded about things from time to time - daily in fact). 

Reflection Questions

• Are you easily offended?

Do people have to tip-toe around you so that they don’t say the wrong thing?

• Are you becoming a quicker forgiver?

You will need to forgive someone soon (if not already)

Are you getting better at forgiving sooner?

• Are you requiring less forgiveness?

Meaning - don’t be someone who others need to forgive often. Don’t be the offender.

• Are you growing in your understanding of forgiveness?

Meaning - are you growing in your understanding of the Gospel?

• Has your experience of forgiveness resulted in your unity with the Body?

Are you an active, engaged member of a local church?

• Are you striving toward the picture this passage paints?

Understanding forgiveness

Expressing it - extending it

Seeking unity. 

Being a catalyst for unity and reconciliation

God is very concerned with the unity of His children. We should be too.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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Philemon - A Letter of Forgiveness

Filet Mignon

(but without the ign)

Philemon 1-7

• Who: Paul to Philemon

It’s Paul’s shortest book. Written from imprisonment in Rome.

• What: Not doctrinal but practical

Colossians, Ephesians, & Philippians are doctrinal. 

Philemon isn’t absent of doctrine, but has a more practical side.

• When/Where: 60-62 AD (with Colossians)

This letter was written at the same time as Colossians

From Rome. It was sent back to Philemon with Colossians 

• Why: A request to Philemon

Onesimus had run away. It’s likely taht he was a lazy slave and apparently made off with some of Philemon’s money.

Onesimus met Paul somewhere along the way and got saved.

Now, he needs to return and make ammends for his sin.

Kent Hughes - a commentator - says this: The letter to Philemon was the most brilliantly nuanced, compelling letter of reconciliation in ancient history. It is a model of grace and charm. As such, it can be a great help to us all if we care to enhance our human relationships—especially those in the Body of Christ where we have special stake in each other’s lives. 

• We have a special stake in each other’s lives. 

As believers - as fellow members of Fellowship Baptist Church - we have a special stake - a special interest - a special connection to each other’s lives.

There’s a central theme in Philemon 

The Theme: Forgiveness

And along with that – Fellowship. 

• True forgiveness will lead to fellowship. 

When you have fellowship - it will both require and be a result of forgiveness. 

• Forgiveness should be a primary characteristic of a believer.

If you don’t forgive:

1. It locks you in the past - what they did to you, how you were treated. It keeps your focus in the wrong direction.

2. It makes you bitter. The more you dwell on what someone has done to you, the more bitter you will become. Bitterness and anger, while not the same thing, are certainly brothers.

3. Opens the door to Satan. 

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 – what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 

It opens the door to what he would do in our hearts

4. It affects our relationship with God (negatively)

You can’t be right with God if you don’t forgive others.

There are at least 75 different word pictures of forgiveness in the Bible. 

• Forgiveness must saturate who we are 

as believers and especially as fellow members of Fellowship Baptist Church

We are to be intimately involved in the details of each other’s lives.

The primary thing we see here is 

The Character of Philemon

• Here we have a profile of the character of someone who is worthy of emulation.

Paul is pointing out all the good things he’s heard about Philemon right here in the beginning. He’s thankful for these thing.

verses 4-5 – I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

• Strong faith (in the Lord)

Paul knew Philemon. He had led him to Christ. 

Epaphras was with Paul and as Philemon’s pastor, could tell him what he was really like.

• Faith in Christ is faith that He has saved you and that every detail of your life is from Him. 

• Love for the church (the Body of Christ)

One of the things that was evident in Philemon’s life was that he loved the church. 

He had a love for Christ - and right along with that - for all the saints - for the church. He’s talking specifically about the Colossian church - Philemon’s church.

We should have this kind of love for those in our church. 

• The most practical ways our love for Christ demonstrates itself is in and through our love for the brothers and sisters in our own congregation.

We need to love what Jesus loved and hate what He hated.

verse 6 – and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective 

• Desire for Community

the sharing of your faith - 

The word for sharing here is koinonia - fellowship. 

The idea is fellow participation. Participating with each other.

• Technical Definition - an association involving close mutual relations and involvement

You know these people. You’re involved in their lives.

It’s more than just enjoying each other’s company.

The verse goes on to say: 

for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

• Knowledge of Scripture

We’ve talked many times about being saturated with Scripture. It’s a theme that comes up again and again.

The word for knowledge is epignosis - a deep, rich, full, experiential knowledge. It’s a thorough knowledge. Not just you know a little about it. 

• When we follow the truths and instructions of the Bible, it brings spiritual maturity. 

But when we turn around and forgive ourselves, when we forgive others - we’ll have a deeper knowledge of and understanding of forgiveness.

• No matter where you are, you need a deeper, fuller knowledge of Scripture

The end of verse 6 - for the sake of Christ

• The Glory of Christ

• Everything we do should be done for the glory of God.

Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, 

Q: What is the chief end of man? 

A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him 

     forever.

verse 7 – For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. 

• A Genuine Encourager

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear

In Philemon 7, we see one way that passage is worked out. One way it is experienced in community.

Joy - the result of someone whose desire is to build up and give grace.

Refreshed means – to cause someone to become physically refreshed as the result of resting from work

Now what is refreshed is the heart. In the deep core of who we are we have been refreshed. 

And how were they refreshed?

Through Philemon, someone who has:

• Strong faith (in the Lord)

   it’s expressed through:

• Love for the Church (the Body of Christ)

• Desire for Community - wants to see people drawn together and deeply involved and invested in each other’s lives.

• Knowledge of Scripture - growing in this.

• The Glory of Christ - seeks to glorify Christ first.

• Remember Forgiveness

Remember at the beginning of this message when we talked about what forgiveness is not?

What it doesn’t look like?

• bitterness

• wrath

• anger

• clamor

• slander

• malice

BUT

• forgiveness looks like

• Kind, • tenderhearted and • forgiveness

just like Christ forgave you.

The Theme of Philemon is forgiveness. We have to keep that in mind.

• We never look more like Christ than when we forgive others. 

You will be wronged.

You will have people do things against you.

Sometimes it will be intentional.

Sometimes it won’t be.

If claim to be a believer, being a forgiver MUST be something that can be said of you. 

Remember - Forgiveness and Fellowship are not synonymous, but they do feed each other. They’re like two halves of a circle that go together and lead to each other. 

• Forgiveness leads to fellowship leads to forgiveness leads to...

• Don’t miss this: Prayer is a Must

All of this is framed and wrapped by prayer. 

We see prayer over and over in Paul’s writings. 

Just like forgiveness is part of the picture, so is prayer.

Acts 2:42 – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers

We must be devoted to prayer. 

Reflection Questions:

• How would you characterize your faith? 

Are you convinced of God’s sovereignty in your life?

Do you really believe that what is happening is for your good?

Are you trusting in Christ for forgiveness?

• Do you love the Church?

Specifically - Fellowship Baptist Church Do you love the congregation here? 

Do you wrap your life around this place? Around these people?

Are you genuinely involved in their lives?

• Are you making effort toward Koinonia?

This goes with loving the church. 

Are you fostering connectedness?

What specific things will you do this week toward the goal of being knit together in love more than you are right now? When you come in to this room next week, you should be closer to someone in here because of something you did this week.

• Are you growing in knowledge of the Scriptures?

How? What have you learned? How are you learning it?

How are you becoming more saturated with Scripture?

• Are you becoming more and more focused on Christ and glorifying Him?

Remember - Christianity is about Christ

If you’re truly devoted to glorifying Christ, how should that change things? Daily decisions, details, etc. 

What are the details that should change?

• Are you encouraging others?

Is your life a picture of Ephesians 4:29 and Philemon 7?

Make plans right now to encourage others. 

• Are you praying with others?

Specifically - your brothers and sisters at Fellowship Baptist Church?