Delivered Aug. 26, 2007
by Pastor Eric Henderson
Before and after our baptism when we choose to follow Jesus and seek first the kingdom of God what changes? Language, friends, our spirit, what we do on Sunday morning, use of money, use of power, some parts or all of life? The Apostle Paul wrote a letter requesting change to a man named Philemon known for faith in Jesus and love of the saints. As I read the letter listen carefully for the clues in the letter that help determine the situation being addressed and what is being requested.
The key verse again is vs. 11 which reads
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
Paul was a prisoner because of his witness for Jesus Christ. During his imprisonment the runaway slave Onesimus has become a follower of Christ and a help to Paul. With hesitation and a sense of loss, Paul decided to send Onesimus back to his former master Philemon with the letter of request. Notice that the letter is going to be read before the church that meets in the house of Archippus in v. 2. Everyone hears the letter and will know how Philemon responds to the request. Regardless of what our culture tells us the Bible affirms again and again that our faith and obedience to Jesus Christ is not a private individual matter-it is public and affects everyone we meet and all the decisions we make.
After the opening greetings and address in v. 1-3 and the affirmation of Philemon in v. 4-7, Paul appeals to Philemon or makes requests. The essence of the request is to change because now both Philemon and Onesimus have been affected by Jesus Christ.
The two lists help name the changes requested.
| Formerly | But now |
| Useless | Useful |
| Slave-Owner | Free in Christ |
| Powerless-Powerful | Both have the power to benefit Paul |
| Unbeliever-believer | Brothers in Christ v. 16 |
| Philemon helped Paul while in chains | Onesimus helped Paul |
Formerly social status was affected by environment, but now in Christ all are members of the body of Christ-social status is affected by unity in Christ.
An encounter with Jesus can change all areas of life, including social status and relationships.
For centuries many societies have granted some people favorable social status and power. Usually those of wealth often owned land and could afford education resulting in positions of authority.
It was possible to travel 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class on the ship Titanic advertised as unsinkable. When the unsinkable started to sink, guess which class travelers were not allowed on the limited lifeboats? 3rd class. After the sinking of the Titanic people of Halifax and the surrounding area took up the unsavory task of dealing with the 1500 dead bodies. Those traveling First class were put in caskets, those traveling 2nd and 3rd class in canvas bags, regular crew members were put on a stretcher.
Some churches have followed the norms of the culture rather than the way of Jesus. Some church buildings, especially in the southern states of the US, had special "colored sections" separated from the privileged powerful white folks. Other church buildings rented sections of pews with the best view of the front while those unable to pay rent were provided benches at a distance from the front.
A funeral director said he had fond memories of attending a church where the ushers wore tuxedoes with tails and everyone wore special cloths-inferring of course that if you didn't have the money to buy special Sunday cloths the church was not the place for you.
When we commit ourselves to follow Christ, and regularly seek the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, our relationship to others changes. Formerly our culture dictated which people had worth and which didn't. But now in Christ all have worth to God and to us.
A Maryland State Senator-a man of political power and influence-warmly hugs and greets a fellow church member whose family lives marginally on a disability pension. But it should also be noted that the church building is located in an area where most whites and people of color attend separate churches.
There's a man who formerly lived for the thrills of music-making and lived a sexually promiscuous life. But now in Christ makes music for the Lord, is a faithful husband and a youth group leader. Formerly most Christians hoped their children would not be like him, but now he models marital faithfulness and consistent devotion to Christ and the church.
Mennonite Seminaries and Universities include men and women from Laos, Vietnam, Africa, China and other countries preparing for ministry who are esteemed equally with North Americans. However, even though there are now more people of color in the Mennonite church world-wide, people of European origin hold the majority of prominent leadership positions.
Our culture would say we try to make money from the labors of others around the world, but for those in Christ we say we will try to serve them and become partners with them to sell their products and help them earn what they need to live.
From my perspective, being followers of Christ has made a difference for this group and relationships.
Petitcodiac Mennonite Church