The Jasper news., 1921-12-08

ant-Matt. D.zf.
REFERENCE MATERlAL-Deut l5:12-
S:9-11 Jas. 2:1-s.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Ths Story of Rum
away Slave.
JUNIOR ToPic--Paurs Kindness to a
Runaway Slave.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Paul Pleading for Slave.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Social Teachings OF the Letter to
Philemon.
This is a private letter. Philemon
was a member OF the church az Colos-
Sc. Oneslmus, his slave, wrOnged him,
perhaps stole from him, and fed to
Rome. There he came under Paul's
influence and was, converted. Paul
sent Oneslmus back to philemon with
this letter. This is one of the most
| tender and beautiful letters ever writ.
ten, and the first anti-slavery>petition
ever penned.
/. The Salutation wv. 49,
His aim was to touch Philemon's
heart, so refers to himself as n pris-
oner, and links Philemon to himself
as a fellow-laborer ia the Gospel of
truth, He makes mention OF Apphia,
PhiIemon's wife. and Archippus. the
son, who had already enlisted as fell
low-soldier.
u. Philemon's Reputation wv, 40.
Paul paid fine tribute to Phile-
mon, reminding him that he never
prayed without bearing him up before
God. This is a fine example of tact
on the part of the minister.
!. His faith and love toward the
Lord and all saints ". 81. 1t was
his hope and desire that this faith
might bear fruit In Christ Jesus.
2. His ministry to the saints ". y.
Philemon was generous in his help to
the poor saints.
~. PauPs Request wv. S-16).
He requested Philemon to receive
back Onesimus, the runaway slave, as
brother in Christ. 49,,
1. He beseeches instead Of COM
mands (vv. S-10). Though conscious OF
his right to enjoln, he pleads as the
prisoner OF Jesus Christ for loves
sake.
2. He makes his plea on the
grounds of grace wv. 11-14). He
admitted that Onesimus had been I'M
profitable-had forfeited all claim
upon Philemon, and that on grounds
of justice his plea might well he re-
jected, and yet Onesimus was begot-
ten in his bonds ". 10)-was in u real
sense a part of his own suffering ma
ture ". 12)--he ventured to suggest
that he should be accepted. Though
Oneslmus hitherto had been unprOft-
able to his master, now was profitable
to both Paul and Philemon. Paul
would gladly have retained him ss a
personal attendant, but sought first
his friends permission.
3. Paul desired that Oneslmus be
received back not as slave. bit us
brother In Christ wv. 10, 16). Here
is the real fugitive slave law. Paul
mover attacked slavery, though II was
contrary to Christianity, and therefore
hateful TO him, but emphasized prln-
cipIes which destroyed II. The estab-
lishment Of Christianity changes the
whole face OF human society. The
wise thing to do is to get men and
women regenerated and thus trans
form society instead Of seeking change
by revolution.
In Pauls request you can hear the
pleadings OF Christ for US sinners. All
nen have broken loose--gone astray-
and have become Improbable. We
are reconclled to God through the in
terceding of Christ. He has made us
profitable. We have been begotten in
His bonds-through His passion. u.s.
ony Of heart, we shall be changed.
~. The Basis Upon Which oneslm-
Ne is to Be Received wv. 17-21).
The debt Of guilty 0neslmus is to
be put to the account of Paul. and the
merit of Paul is to be put to the ne
count Of Onesimus. This Is fine H.
lustratlon Of the atonemeIt Of Christ.
Whatever wrongs we have committed
debt incurred--all our shortcomings
are debited to Him. Jesus Christ, on
behalf OF the whole universe. has said
to God; "Put that to my account;
have written with my pierced hand;
will repay" Onesilnus was taken
back. not as runaway slave, but a
beloved brother in Christ.
| w. Paul Requests Lodging wv. %
26).
He expected speedy release from
Imprisonment. and purposed TO sojourn
with Philemon. In all probability this
was realized. What welcome he
must have received Jesus Christ Is