September 8, 2019 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“1 ¶ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 8 ¶ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you  — being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ —  10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave — a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay — not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.” (Philemon 1:1-21 NKJV)

From prison Paul deals with so many topics in this Epistle (letter). While written to a house church the large part of the message is intended for Philemon (one who kisses). On another sheet list the topics Paul brings up to Philemon and explain what they mean to you.

In verses 3 – 7 Paul gives a most gracious and very personal greeting. More than a pious reading it is a heartfelt statement of love and devotion. Have you ever prayed for someone or greeted someone like this?

If so who and why?

What does it mean having church in their home?

Because of how Paul served Philemon he can demand Onesimus’s freedom but Paul asks for Philemon to allow Onesimus to be sent back to serve him.

Why does Paul request Onesimus rather than just keep him?

When a slave was captured or returned they were usually severely punished. How does Paul deal that?

How does Paul deal with slavery?

Onesimus means to be “profitable or useful”. It comes from a root word meaning the full process of giving birth. (After becoming a Christian some would change their name to say what they wanted to be or had become.)

Does Onesimus live according to his name?

As Jesus has purchased us from the slavery of sin how should we respond?

Jesus touched me

Jesus touched me, as a child I was overlooked by adults but Jesus touched me!

I looked into the eyes of Jesus and saw everything!

I saw God’s love for me, I saw God’s guidance throughout my life.

I saw hope for me and for everyone. because Jesus came to love.

I saw sadness of the Lamb of God who would die for me.

I saw the joy of all who believed in life, in the life of Jesus.

I saw so much more in just a short glance.

And then Jesus looked at me and smiled, joyous that I understood.

I wanted to cry for all Jesus would suffer but His hands tightened on my shoulder and I knew it was right and good.

Then I knew Jesus touched me.

As Jesus walked off I knew He would never leave me because Jesus touched me!

September 1, 2019 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

“32 ¶ And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented —  38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Hebrews 11:32-40 NKJV)

There are so many Heroes of the faith in this passage they must be listed by how they suffered! Their sacrifice would conquer armies and nations. Rome first persecuted Christians but later it would lift up the cross as a nation.

List all the ways the Heroes of the Faith are tortured or killed on another sheet and write down what they mean.

Persecution took place in the days of the Early Church. Does persecution take place now? (If you are not sure get information from Voice of the Martyrs.)

If so, where?

39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

This verse seems hard to fit in this list of the Heroes of the faith. What do you believe this means?

40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”

What does this mean? What does it reveal about the Body of Christ?

Are you a Hero of Faith?

August 25, 2019 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

“8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude — innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” (Hebrews 11:8-31 NKJV)

The writer continues the lineage of faith and these Patriarchs (fathers) of the faith not only continue the lineage but also give us a greater meaning of what faith really is. God includes a Matriarch (woman) in the Hall of Fame of Faith.

Abraham

Put the story of Abraham’s faith in your own words. You should need enough room to write it on another sheet.

When you make an important decision do you seek God’s guidance?

What is important about verses 17-19? Is there a similar event in the New Testament?

Sarah

Sarah made Abraham have sex with a servant so she could have a child. When told she was going to have a child herself Sarah not only laughed but when called on it she lied and denied it. Yet it says Sarah trusted God is faithful.

What does Sarah’s story teach us about faith?

What part does faith play in your life?

What part does faith play in the now and in the future?

Issac, Jacob and Esau

The story of these three men has the making of a soap opera! The lineage of faith seems to stumble along with very human characters doing very human things. Yet God guides and builds this lineage of faith and hope which will become the nation of Israel and the lineage of Jesus Christ the Messiah!

What is their place in the Hall of Fame of Faith?

Why are these three, who are called heroes of faith, so broken and so human?

Joseph

Joseph is often called a “type” of Jesus which means you can see the life of Jesus in the life of Joseph. Joseph by faith asked when the Israelite's returned to the promised land they would take his body back with them.

Of all the amazing happenings in the life of Joseph why is this one chosen?

Why was it important for Joseph’s bones be returned to the Holy Land?

Moses

Moses is a remarkable man with many twists and turns. This description of Moses is very different from the one usually shown in movies.

Starting at verse 23 list the actions Moses did and describe what you think they mean. List those on another sheet to give you room.

What part does faith play in these actions?

Take time to meditate on what it means to live by faith and if you are living by faith.