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PHILEMON 15 - 19

"CHARGE IT"

Intro: Slavery was an accepted way of life in the Roman Empire. An estimated  60,000,000
       slaves. They had no rights, total property of their masters. To run  away was a capital
       offense, no trial, your master could do with you as he  pleased. Mutilate, kill or
       whatever. Often a runaway branded in forehead with F.

I. PAUL'S RATIONALE, "PERHAPS HE DEPARTED FOR A SEASON THAT  THOU SHOULDEST RECEIVE HIM
   FOREVER."
        A. As Christians we do not look at life as accidental or happenstance.
                1. God has a purpose for good in all things that happen to me. 
                        a. We can't always see the good.
                        b. We often question.
                2. We seek to learn the lesson each experience is teaching us.
                        a. We look for the purpose behind.
                        b. Philemon probably wondered why his slave ran away.
                        c. Paul is suggesting a probable cause.
                3. It's very good we don't order our lives.
                        a. Some apparently bad experiences turn out very good.
                        b. Sometimes the attractive opportunity is blocked and we  complain.
                                1. When you see the disaster that was averted, you give
                                   thanks.
                        c. How foolish the teaching that declares you are to command  God.
                                1. That puts you in control, not God.

II. PAUL'S INTERCESSION.
        A. Receive him as myself.
                1. Philemon looked up to Paul.
                        a. He owed his salvation to Paul.
                        b. No doubt he loved him deeply.
                2. Paul is not asking that Onesimus be received again as a slave.
                        a. Treat him as a brother in Christ.
                        b. Treat him as an equal.
                        c. Treat him as you would treat me.
        B. Charge to my account any debt, I will repay.
                1. Paul accepts full responsibility for any past debts.
                2. He promises payment.

III. WHAT BEAUTIFUL INSIGHT INTO TRUE INTERCESSION. WE ARE TOLD  THAT CHRIST IS AT THE RIGHT
     HAND OF THE FATHER MAKING  INTERCESSION FOR US.
        A. "Receive him as Myself."
                1. "We are "accepted in the Beloved."
                2. Even as the Father loved the Son and received Him into glory.
                        a. The Father loves me in the Son and will receive me.
                        b. I am accepted as Christ for I am in Christ Jesus.
        B. "Whatever he owes, put it on My account."
                1. He was charged for my sin.
                        a. "And God hath laid upon Him the iniquities..."
                2. He paid my debt in full.
                        a. "There is therefore now no condemnation..."