Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-12-08

chief among you. let him be your serv-
ant-Matt. 1927.
REF ERENCE MATERIAL-Deut 15:l2-
Is; John 1874, IS: Cor. 1859: Col 3
8:9-11; Jas. 2:l-9.
PRIMARY ToPIC-The Story Of Rum
away slave.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Paul's Kindness to
Runaway Slave.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOFiC
Paul Pleading for a Slave.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The i,ocial Teachings Of the Letter to
Philemon.
This Is a private letter. Philemon
was n member of the church al Colos;;
Sc. Onesimus, his slave, wronged him,
perhaps stole from him, and fled to
Rome. There he came under Paufs
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 pelned.
|. The Saiutation wv. 1-3).
His aim was to touch Philemon's
heart, 50 refers to himself as a pris-
oner and links Philemon to himself
as a fellow-laborer in the Gospel OF
truth. lie makes mention of Apphia,
Philemon's wife, and Archippus. the
son. who had already enlisted as fel-
low-soldier.
u. Phiienion's Reputation (vv. 40.
Paul paid a fine tribute to Phile-
mon, reminding him that he never
prayed without bearing him up before
God. This Is fine example OF tact
on the part pf the minister.
1. His fai-h and love toward the
Lord and all saints ". 81. 1t was
his hope ana desire that this faith
might bear fruit in Christ Jesus.
.. His ministry to the saints ". q.
Philemon wap generous In his help to
the poor saints.
III. Paul's Request (vv. s-16).
He requested Philemon to receive
back Onesimus, the runaway slave, as
a brother in Christ
1. He beseeches instead of COM
mands wv. S-lO). Though conscious Of
his right to cnjoin, he pleads as the
prisoner Of Jesus Christ for loves
sake.
2. He makes his plea on the
grounds of grace wv. 11-1G. He
admitted that OneSimus had been un-
profitable-had forfeited all claim
upon PhileIaOn, and that on grounds
of Justice his plea might well be re
jected, and yet 0nesimus was beget-
ten In his bones Nv. 10)-was In a real
sense a part of his own suffering ma
ture ". 12)-he ventured to suggest
that he should be accepted. Though
Onesimus hitherto had been unpratit-
able to his master, now was profitable
to both Paul and Philemon. Paul
would gladly have retained him as
personal attendant, but sought tfrsf
his friends permission.
3. Paul desired that OneSimus be
received back mot as slave, but as
a brother La Christ wv. 10, 16). Here
is the real fugitive slave law. Paul
never attacked slavery, though 1t was
contrary to Christianity and therefore
hateful to him, but emphasized prin-
ciples which destroyed 1t. 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 Paul's request you can hear the
pleadings Of Christ for us sinners. All
nen have broken loose-gDne astray-
and have become Improbable. We
are reconcied TO God through the in
terceding of Christ. He has made us
profitable. We have been begOtten In
His bonds-through His passion, ag-
ony of heart, we shall be changed.
an. The Basis Upon Which onesim-
US Is to Be Received wv. 17-2D.
The debt Of guilty Onesimus Is to
be put to the account of Paul, and the
merit of Paul is TO be put to the ac-
count of Oneslmus. This Is fine H.
lustration of the atonement 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 l
will repay" Onesimus was taken
back, not as runaway slave, but a
beloved brother in Christ.
". Paul Requests Lodging (vv. %
25).
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
saying to every one of His redeemed
ones, prepare me lodging"