Always seeking opportunities for grace and peace《Phm1:1-12》

Prelude:

* It is not easy to forgive, because there is a need for complete righteousness and restitution.

* Prayers are needed for opportunities for grace and peace to happen.

* The epistle of Philemon and its purpose – forgiveness.

Read <Phm 1:1-25>

<Philemon>: an epistle of light persuasion, a tacit appeal for forgiveness.

1. <1-3> We must feel the apostle's profound desire to make Christian love the first rule of human action

<1> A prisoner of Rome for Christ Jesus; To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker.

* The letter is carefully structured, building up appropriate authority is for pleading for forgiveness later

<2> Church in your house.

<3> Grace to you and peace.

* Similar with other epistles for the opening greeting, Paul applies grace of the gospel together with accurate doctrine.

2. <4-7> Confirming and affirming Philemon's life - Paul interwoves thanksgiving with supplications.

* The character of a person that can forgive.

<4> Why give thanks to God for Philemon? Perseverance and progress.

<5> Love and faith - the perfection of a Christian man.

<6> The Apostle is not continuing to give the praise of Philemon.

* He prays for Philemon's "fellowship of faith to become effective".

<7> Because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by you.

* Philemon knows the pains of people.

3. <8-12> The plea for reconciliation.

<8-9> Commanding versus plea of love.

* Love has far greater power for Paul to obtain his wish.

* The right of Philemon to forgive.

<10> I plead with you for my child Onesimus

* Onesimus was born again through the Word of God, preached through Paul.

<11> The meaning of Onesimus is "useful".

<12> He is my very heart.

* An emphasis: the assault to Paul's heart if Philemon refused forgiveness.