Middletown transcript., 1921-12-10
LESSON FOR DECEMBER II
PAUL WRITES TO A FRIEND.

PAUL WRITES TO A FRIEND.
LESSON TExT-Philemon.
GOLDEN TEXT-Whosoever would b.
chief among you. let him be your serv-
ant-Matt. 20:27.
REFERENCE MATER1AL-Deut. l5:r2-
a:i,i =. Ioha has 1s:h s:1ts $: Cor 1859; Col
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Story Of q Rum
away Slave.
JUNIOR ToP1c-Paurs Kindness to q
Runaway Slave.
INTERMEDIATE 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 q member Of the church at Colos-
Sc. Onesimus, his slave, wronged him,
perhaps stole from him, and fed to
Rome. There he came under Pauls
influence and was converted. Paul
sent Onesimus 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.
I. The 6aIutation wv. 1-3).
His aim was to touch Philemon's
heart, so refers to himself as pris-
orer, and links Philemon to himself
as a fellow-laborer in the Gospel Of
truth. He makes mention Of Apphia,
Philemon's wife, and Archippus, the
son, who had already enlisted as a fel-
low-soldier.
II. Philemon's Reputation tvv. 40.
Paul paid fine tribute to Phtle-
mon, reminding him that he nevSs
prayed without bearing him up before
God. This is fine example Of tact
on the part Of the minister.
1. His faith and love toward the
Lord and all saints ". 81. 1t was
his hope and desire that this faitb
might bear fruit in Christ Jesus.
2. His ministry to the saints ". y.
Philemon was generous in his help to
the poor saints.
I'll. PauI's Request wv. 8-18).
He requested Philemon to receive
back Onesimus, the runaway slave, as
brother in Christ.
1, He beseeches instead Of com.
mands wv. S-10). Though conscious Of
his right to enjoin, he pleads as the
prisoner Of Jesus Christ for loves
sake.
2. He makes his plea ION the
grounds Of grace wv. 11-1N. 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 real
sense part Of his own suffering ma
ture ". 12)-he ventured to suggest
that he should be accepted. Though
Onesimus hitherto had been unprOflt-
able to his master, now was profitable
to both Paul and Philemon. Paul
would gladly have retained him as q
personal attendant, but sought first
his friends permission.
8. Paul desired that Onesimus be
received back not as u slave, but as
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
pleadings Of Christ for US sinners. All
men have broken loosHgone astray-
and have become Improbable. We
are reconciled 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.
III. The Basis Upon Which onesim-
us is to Be Received (vv. 17-2I.
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 Onesimus. 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; I
will repay" Onesimus was taken
back, not as a runaway slave, but a
beloved brother in Christ.
~. Paul Requests Lodging wv. @
25).
He expected speedy release from
imprisonment, and purposed to sojourn
with Philemon. In all probability this
was realized. What a welcome he
must have received! Jesus Christ is
-