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PHILEMON

I. CENTRAL TEACHING - PICTURES OF CHRISTIANITY IN ITS WORKING.
        A. Onesimus no longer unprofitable, but well profitable.
                "Who is sufficient for these things."

II. PHILEMON ONE OF FOUR PRISON EPISTLES WRITTEN IN ATMOSPHERE  OF EPH., PHILI. AND COLO.
        Eph. 5:18, "Be not drunk with wine where in is riot, but be filled with the  Spirit."
        Phil. 2:5, "Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
        Col. 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom."
        Central one Phil., which is impossible one of the three in ourselves.

Other two express responsibilities "Be filled."

"Let the word dwell in you."

Eph.
1:13, 14 Sealing
2:18 Access
2:22 Habitation
3:16 Strengthened
4:1 -3 Unity
5:18 Be filled with the Spirit
        6:17,18

PHlLEMON 8-19

CHARGE IT TO MY ACCOUNT

Intro: Paul a prisoner in Rome. Young runaway slave Onesimus converted. Had  evidently stolen
       from his master and fled. Paul knew his master Philemon, and  sends Onesimus back with
       this letter of intercession.

I. THE TRUE SPIRIT OF INTERCESSION VS. 8.
        A. Because of Paul's relationship to Philemon he could have demanded.
                1. Vs. 8 "Though I could be very bold and order you."
                2. Vs. 19 "How thou owest unto me thy very self."
        B. "For love's sake I rather intreet or beseech."
                1. We many times ready to demand our rights.
                2. I have even heard people commanding God.
                        a. That is not prayer.
                        b. Prayer is presenting a petition or request.
                3. Love's way is always gentle and soft.
                4. Love's way is always best.
                5. Should one submit to commands inner resentment possible.

II. THE ONE FOR WHOM INTERCESSION IS BEING MADE.
        A. Paul calls him "my son, Onesimus"
                1. Paul's close relation to his converts. Timothy.
        B. Vs, 11 Paul's play on words.
                1. Name Onesimus means "profitable."

III. THE PURPOSE OF INTERCESSION.
        A. To change the attitude of Phi lemon towards Onesimus.
                1. Considered by Phi lemon as unprofitable runaway slave.
                2. Paul wants him to consider him as a brother in
                        Christ.
                        a. To receive him even as he would Paul.
        The Hidden purposes of God. vs. 15.

IV. THE HEART OF THE INTERCESSOR.
        A. "Receive him as myself."
                1. You stand for the guilty.
        B. "Put it to my account."
                1. Charge it to me.
                2. Onesimus, as a slave in the Roman Empire, had no right to own  anything.
                   Thus he had nothing for repayment.
        C. "I will repay."
                1. I accept it as my personal obligation.

V. CHRIST OUR INTERCESSOR.
        A. Heb. "Wherefore He is able to save to the uttermost." 
        B. Rom. "Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ who hath died, yea rather  is risen
           again, who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh  intercession for us."
        C. Man was created for the pleasure of God Rev.
                1. We through Adam became unprofitable servants.
                        a. We take all the benefits.
                        b. We enjoy the beauties of the world He created yet we  runaway from
                           him.
                2. All that we possess really belongs to Him anyway, so my offer to  repay
                   ridiculous. "I am repaying with that which I stole from Him."
        D. Christ as my intercessor restores me to God.
                1. A servant with potential of King.
                2. "If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee anything."
                3. Put it to my account. "All my iniquities on Him were laid."
                4. "I will repay."
        Note: lngatius one of the early Christian fathers.