The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1921-12-08
IMPROVED UNlfORM INTERNATIONAL
LESSON FOR DECEMBER II
PAUL WRITES TO 4 FRIEND.

LESSON TExT-Philemon.
GOLDEN TExT-WhosoeveT would %
chief among you. let him be your sers-
ant-Mat1 a0.27.
REFERENCE MATERALDeut l5:l2-
s:s-i; Jas. a:i-s.
PRIMARY ToPIc-The Story Of Run
away Slave
Runaway Slave.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Paul Pleading for Slave
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Social Teachings OF the Letter 70
Philemon.
This Is a private letter. Philemon
was a member OF the church at Colos-
Sc. Onesimus, his slave, wronged him,
perhaps stole from him, and ned to
Rome. There he came under Paufs
influence and was converted. Paul
cent Onesimus back to Philemon with
this letter. This is one OF the most
tender and beautiful letters ever writ
ten, and the first anti-slayeFy petition
ever penned.
!. The SAIutation wv. 1-3).
His aim was to touch Phflemon's
heart, SO refers to himself as a pfis-
oner, and links Philemon to himself
as fellow-labofer In the Gospel OF
truth. He makes mention OF Apphia.
Philemon's wife, and Archfppus. the
son, who had already enlisted as fell
low-soldier.
u. PhiIemon's Reputation wv. 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 of the minister.
Z /. His faith and love toward the
Lord and all saints ". 81. It was
his hope and desire that this faith
might bear fruit In Christ Jesus.
@ His ministry to the saints ". y.
Philemon was generous In his help to
the poor saints.
Ill. PauIs Request wv. S16).
He requested Philemon to receive
back Onesimus, the runaway slave, as
q brother In Christ.
I. He beseeches instead OF COM
mands wv. 500. Though conscious Of
his right to enjoin, 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 un-
profitable-had forfeited all claim
upon Philemon, and that on grounds
Of justice his plea might well be re-
jected, and yet Onesimus was begot-
ten in his bonds ". 1O)-was In a real
ture ". 12)-he ventured to suggest
that he should be accepted. Though
Onesimus hitherto had been unprofit-
able to his master, now was profitable.
to both Paul and Philemon. Paul
would gladly have retained him as
personal attendant, but sought first
his friends permission.
8. Paul desired that Onesimus be
received back not as slave, but aa
q brother in Christ wv. Is, 16). Here
Is the real fugitive slave law. Paul
never attacked slavery, though it was
contrary to Christianity, and therefore
hateful to him, but emphasized prin.
ciples which destroyed it. 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
Of Christ for us sinners. All
nen have broken loose gone astray-
and have become improbable. We
are reconciled to God through the In.
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.
III. The Basis Upon Which onesin,,
rs Is to Be Received wv. 17-21).
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 &C.
count of Onesimus. This Is fine IL. |
Of the atonement of Christ.
Whatever wrongs we have committed
debt incurred-all our shortcomings
ire debfted to Him. Jesus Christ, on
behalf Of the whole universe, ha-. said
% God: put that to my account; ! I
nave written with my pierced hand; I
will repay" Onesimus was taken
Jack, not as a runaway slave, but
beloved brother In Christ.
~. Paul Requests Lodging wv. %
~.
He expected a speedy release from
Imprisonment, and purposed to soiourn
With Philemon. In all probability this
vas realized. What a welcome he 4
must have received Jesus Christ isl
aging to every one Of His redeemed
mes, Prepare me lodging
The Lord changeth Not.