“From eating Humble Pie to Man of Integrity”
Text: Book of Philemon!
Introduction: The book of Philemon introduces us to three unique men, different backgrounds, ages, culture, and even a difference in purpose in life. However, they all had something in common, let look at these three men! Some say that I have a wild imagination, the scripture don’t give a personal account of each the men character, or thinking … Here some of my thoughts!
1) Omenius (Name means Useful/profitable) … “Walked away and had to humbly return!”
· Slave/Servant … scripture is not clear! What is clear is that he was indebted to Philemon!
□ I’m not staying here in this house!
□ They can’t tell me what I should do!
□ They owe me, so I’m taking their stuff with me!
◊ God Movement in his life … Early Church Father Ignatius wrote in 111 A.D. about the Bishop in Ephesus
2) Paul … had to get to know Oneimus, and humbly encourage him!
· Paul meets him in Prison! Wonder what his thoughts were?
□ This kid is a punk …
□ If he did that to my friend Philemon, what will he do to me!
□ Why don’t he get it … it not that hard
□ He isn’t like me, he don’t walk and talk like me! … So I don’t if I have time for him!
· Paul to humbly agree to help him develop an understanding of Christ!
3) Philemon had to except him back and humbly teach/mentor him!
· I don’t know what Philemon was like as a Boss/Master … Task Master or Compassionate.
· Couple things are clear when Oneimus returned the had some choices.
□ Had to forgive him
□ Had to move on with him
□ Help him be accountable
□ Help him learn the scripture
□ Help him find God’s purpose
Tradition tells us! I’m not staying here in this house!
Philemon was stoned while still serving in Colossae
4) God had to challenge them, that they could be used by him!
· God has a unique calling for each man! Yet they are similar in a lot of ways.
□ Challenge their Christian walk
□ Challenge them to continue to learn
□ Challenge them to follow him
□ Challenge them to teach others
□ Challenge them to be faithful until the end
Question!
We know that we are not doing God’s part, so the question is which are you currently doing?
□ Are you like Omenius, need a touch and forgiveness for what you have done, and someone to step in your life and care?
□ Are you like Paul, encouraging someone and helping them come to a personal knowledge of Christ?
□ Are you like Philemon, leading and teaching men to become the man of God they should and can being?
