Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-12-08
LESSON FOR DECEMBER II
PAUL WRITES TO A FRIEND.

ant.-Matt. 1921.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Deut. 16:l2-
10; John 1914, IS; Cor. 1858; Col
PRIMARY ToPIc-The Story of Run !
away Slave.
JUNIOR ToPIC-PauIs Kindness to |
Runaway Slave. |
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC |
Paul Pleading for Slave.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC !
The Social Teachings of the Letter 10
Philemon.
This is a private letter. Philemon
was n member of the church at Colos-
SO. Onesimus, his slave, wronged him, /
perhaps stole from him, and fled to +
| Rome. There he came under Paufs
| influence and was converted. Paul
sent Onesimus back to Philemon with
this letter. This is one of the most
fender and beautiful letters ever writ
ten, and the first anti-slavery petition
ever penned.
|. The SaIutation wv. 1-3).
His aim was to touch Philemon's
heart, so refers to himself as prls-
| oner and links Philemon to himself
| rs n fell0w-laborer in the Gospel OF
truth. He makes mention of Apphia,
philemon's wife, and Archippus, the
son, who had already enlisted as fell
lOW-SOldier.
II. PhIemon's Reputation wv. 40.
raul paid fire tribute to Phlie-
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.
I. His faith and love toward the
Lord and all saints ". 81. 1t was
his hone and desire that this faith
MIGHT bear fruit in Christ Jesus.
.. His ministry to the saints ". o..
Philemon was generous in his help to
the poor saints. ~
III. PauI's Request wv. S-1G).
He requested Philemon to receive
back Onesimus, the runaway slave, as
Il brother in Christ.
l. 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.
.. He makes his plea on the
grounds of grace wv. 1l-1G. lie
admitted that Onesimus had been un
proiitable-h forfeited all claim
upon Philemon, and that on grounds
of Justice his plea might well be re
iected. and yet Onesimus was beg0t
ten in his bonds ". 10)-was in rea
sense a part Of his own suffering ma
ure ". 12)-he ventured to sugSes
lhat he should be accepted. Though
Uncsimus hitherto had been unprofit
able to his master, now was profitable
to both Paul and Philemon. Pau
would gladly have retained him as
personal attendant, but sought frs
his friends permission.
3. Paul desired that Onesimus b
received back not as slave, but
a brother in Christ wv. 10, 16). Her
is the real fugitive slave law. PAT
never attacked slavery, though 1t wa
contrary to Christianity, and therefor
hateful to him, but emphasized priI
cples which destroyed it. The estal
lishment of Christianity changes til
whole face of human society. III
wise thing to do is to get men an
women regenerated and thus tran
form society instead of seeking chang
by revolution.
In Paurs request you can hear Il
pleadlngs of Christ for us sinners. A
meI, have broken loose-gone astray'
and have become Improbable. v
are reconciled to God through the
terceding Of Christ. He has made
profitable. We have been begOtten
HIS bonds-through His passion, q
ony of heart, we shall be changed.
III. The Basis Upon Which onesl1
US is to Be Received wv. 17-2D.
The debt of guilty Onesimus is
be put to the account of Paul, and
merit of Paul is to be put to the {
count Of Onesimus. This is a fine
lustration of the atonement of Chri
Whatever wrongs we have commit
debt incurred-all our Sn0rtcOmli
are debited to Him. Jesus Christ,
behalf of the whole universe, has ST
to God: Put that to my account
have written with my pierced hand
will repay" Onesimus was tak
back, noe as runaway slave, but
beloved brother in Christ.
w. Paul Requests Lodging wv.
25).
He expected a speedy release Fl
Imprisonment, and purposed to sojo'
with Philemon. In all probability
was realized. What a welcome
must have received! Jesus Christ
saying to every one OF His redeem
ones, prepare me a lodging"
The Lord changeth Not.
And will onma near 70 vOu