South Attleboro Assembly of God

How are we as Christians to live in a sin darkened world? Jesus answered that question this way: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough (Mt 13:33 NIV).’ Yeast? In other words, Jesus compared how we are to live in the world to a chemical reaction, a quiet change agent. This week we will face hundreds of decisions as Christians, how are we to live in a sin darkened world?

I believe a look at Philemon & Onesimus’ story will give us an answer in at least two areas of life - authority and culture. Today I would like to look at the book of Philemon as it will give us a glimpse into how Paul and the early church dealt with living in a sin darkened world. Specifically, how the early church dealt with slavery. It may not be an exact parallel, but it’ll give us an idea of how we are to live in the world.

First a little background.

Philemon & Onesimus:
Authority, Culture and the Christian Life

1. Background.

Paul’s relationship with Philemon began when he started churches in Asia Minor. Paul led Philemon to the Lord, probably in Ephesus (v. 19). Philemon went on to become the leader of a home church probably in Colossae (v. 2, 5-7). At some point Paul is thrown into jail for preaching the gospel and yet has sufficient freedom to have visitors, and write letters (2Co 11:23).

Sometime later, one of Philemon’s slaves, named Onesimus, decided to quit and runs away. It is probable that he stole some money, v. 18.

· It was not uncommon for a slave to seek help from his owner’s friend, in fact by Roman law it was not really considered ‘running away,’ if you were just seeking resolution to a problem.
· However, if the Romans were to catch Onesimus he would either be put to death or be severely beaten and returned to his owner.

Onesimus found his master’s friend, Paul. This letter is from Paul to the slave-owner Philemon about his slave.

Again, we are looking for patterns and Biblical examples that show us how we are to interact with our culture and in authorities over us – even if it is evil. For example, what if your boss is keeping two sets of books? What do you do as an employee?

2. Slavery as an Example.

Let’s pause the story for a moment and look at what slavery meant in that day. For us today, slavery is evil and usually based on race or gender. But slavery in some cultures was not evil but merely a way to handle one’s debt or survive.

Slavery in the Old Testament.
1. Generally, slavery was harsh. There are many examples in the Bible, including, Egyptian, Assyrian, and Babylonian slavery.
2. Jewish slavery consisted of:
· Trophies of war, Nu 31:26; Dt 21:10; 1Ki.
· Purchased in a market, Le 25:44; Ho 3:2.
· Those who sold themselves for 7 years, Ex 21:7; Dt 15:12-18; 2Ki 4:1; Mt 18:25.
· Slaves were to be treated well, Ex 20:10; Dt 16:10-11; 23:15-16; 2Ki 5:2-3.
· Slaves often had great responsibility and were well educated, Ge 24, 39-40. There is Eliezer who sought a wife for his master and Joseph.

I read a fascinating article this last week. It was about the trafficking of under aged girls in Cambodia in Christianity Today. It told the story of what Christians have done in that country from 2003 until today. When Christians began to do something about the sex trafficking of underage girls in their country, Cambodia was known for its sex tourism. Young girls could be bought for $5 or $10 a night. Young girls would enter the sex work at the encouragement of their family and friends as a way to make money. It reported, ‘one would often see a boyfriend dropping off their girlfriend at work on their motorcycle.’

We will come back to that story in a minute.

3. Paul’s Plea for Onesimus, Phlm 8-11.

‘Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul-- an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus-- 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains (Phlm 8-10).’

It is amazing that Paul wrote, ‘I could be bold and ordered to do what you ought to do.’ That means that there are two authority structures in Paul’s mind. There is the Roman authority structure, earthly government, and spiritual authorities.

Two authority systems.
· Secular authorities, Ro 13:1. ‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Ro 13:1 NIV).’ Remember, Jesus said give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (Mt 22:21). We are to obey those authorities over us, government and employers.
· Spiritual authorities, Ep 4:11-12. ‘It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ep 4:11-12 NIV).' Just as there are secular authorities, there are spiritual authorities over us as well. Paul said, ‘I could order you,’ meaning that he had full authority to command Philemon to take care of the situation in a particular way.

Instead, he wrote, ‘I appeal to you on the basis of love.’ In other words, Paul appealed to the principles that were foundational to the Christian community rather than hierarchical authority. Here, the kingdom principle is love. ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (Jn 13:34-35 NIV).’ Paul asked Philemon to submit to the kingdom principle of love and accept Onesimus back. Paul could have said, ‘I’m the apostle, now do this.’ But instead he appealed that ‘Love … keeps no record of wrongs (1Co 13:5 NIV).’

How Paul encouraged Philemon to change.
· Philemon’s love for the saints, vv. 5, 7. ‘I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints …7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints (vv. 5, 7 NIV).’
· Useless to useful, v. 11. ‘Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me (v. 11 NIV).’ This is a play on words. Useless in the Greek sounds like anti-chreston and use full sounds like chreston. In other words, he used to be against Christ and useless, but now he is for Christ and use full.
· Onesimus is now a Christian, vv. 15-16. Through all the drama of a runaway slave trying to save his life, Paul was able to bring Onesimus to faith in Jesus. And everything changed. ‘Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good-- 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord (vv. 15-16 NIV).’ Not only does salvation change everything. Onesimus was a new man in Christ and now would be content for ever as a slave. Note the contrast, v. 15: ‘little while,’ v. ‘for good.’ Onesimus was now ready to accept his fate as a slave. He was willing to submit to the authorities in his life.
· Restitution, vv. 18-19. If an appeal to love was not going to move Philemon, the promise of Paul personally paying restitution might make the difference. ‘If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 … I will pay it back-- not to mention that you owe me your very self (vv. 18-19 NIV).’ That last clause, ‘you owe me your very self,’ means that Paul led Philemon to the Lord. You your eternal life to me.

Friends, each one of us has authority figures in our life, and we need them in our life. Authority, whether it be parental authority, governmental authority, or employment authorities help us to become who God wants us to become. It is like a firecracker: too much pressure and there is no bang, not enough pressure and we just fizzle. Submission to God-given authorities in our life, help us to fulfill the purposes of God.

In my own life, on several occasions it was very difficult to submit to the authorities in my life. When I was younger I was less likely to submit to them, but now that I’m a little older I find it easier to submit to them because I see God’s hand working through those authorities.
Philemon and Onesimus’ story also illustrates how we are to interact with our culture. How we are to deal with the evil in our society. In this case, the evil is slavery.

4. Slavery and the Early Church – Yeast.

Given how prevalent it was, it is strange that the Bible only condemns slavery in one spot, 1Ti 1:10. There Paul lists slave traders among those who break the law of God. Paul did not encourage insurrection. The New Testament does not envision Christians storming the castle and throwing the king from the ramparts. Rather the New Testament envisions the church as yeast slowly working its way as a change agent in all areas of culture and society.

Let me illustrate with Paul’s yeast like advice regarding slavery. Again, slavery is an example of the evils we face daily. How the early church handled slavery is an example to us.

Paul’s yeast-like advice.
1. Create a new social order, Ga 3:18; 1Co 12:13; Ro 10:12; Ep 2:15-16; Col 3:11. By the time Onesimus found Paul, he had already envisioned a new social order for Christians: ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, make nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Ga 3:28 NIV).’ Paul would write several times in his letters. He encouraged Christians to live peacefully in the world, but to also live according to the kingdom principles of Christ.
2. Slaves were to obey and work hard, Ep 6:5-8; Col 3:22; 1Ti 6:1; Titus 2:9; 1Pe 2:18. Paul envisioned slaves honoring God to hard work, so that they could be yeast.
· ‘Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart (Ep 6:6 NIV).’ We all know the coworker who works hard only when the boss is looking. Paul says, don’t like that.
· ‘Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh (1Pe 2:18 NIV).’ In other words the moral character of this slave owner was irrelevant. Be yeast where God has put you.
3. Owners were to treat slaves fairly, Ep 6:9; Col 4:1. ‘You slave owners must be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master-- in heaven (Col 4:1 NLT).’
4. Slaves were to free themselves, if possible, 1Co 7:21.

Friends, the kingdom of God is a new social order in the church that transcended race, gender, or ethnicity. Slavery was crucial test for the early church. How did these early Christians live in their sin-darkened world?

They were respectful and brought change where they could around them, like yeast. As Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough (Mt 13:33 NIV).’

Conclusion.

In Cambodia in 2003, the Christians discovered they just could not rescue girls from brothels. If they rescued 20 girls, another 20 girls would quickly take their place. The Christians realize they had to change their culture.

1. First, Christian leaders came alongside law enforcement and social services and built good relationships with them. Eventually the Christians were able to gently ask questions like, ‘isn’t that a bit awkward to interview the victim in the same room as the perpetrator?’ ‘Because these are children, shouldn’t there be a minimum age before they are allowed to work as sex workers?’ Eventually, laws came into being and law enforcement officers learned the best way of handling victimized children.
2. Second, Christians began to work to eliminate every excuse families had for prostituting their young daughters.
· Can’t afford education? The church started kids clubs, community schools, and adult English classes.
· Need money for medicine? The church started free clinics.
· Need a job? The church realized they had to offer jobs on the spot. So the Christians built a clothing factory. Today 200 workers make cardigans and T-shirts that are sold at Macy’s. It pays two to five times the average wage and offers free childcare to its workers.
3. Third, what to do about the men who paid for sex? The church opened up nice gyms and kick-boxing studios for free. They offered free classes and specifically invited pimps, brokers, and abusers to train. Then they supplemented workouts with discussions on godly manhood.

What about Philemon and Onesimus? Philemon and the young church at Colossae took Paul’s letter to heart.

· Can you imagine that awkward moment when Philemon saw his thieving, run-away slave? Onesimus humbled himself before his earthly master and gave him Paul’s letter.
· Philemon released Onesimus for temporary service with Paul (Col 4:7). I imagine slave and owner worshipping together in church.
· In time, Philemon became the bishop in Colossae, and his entire family was martyred under Nero’s reign.
· During his time in Colossae as a slave, Onesimus became a prominent member of the house church. Philemon must have seen signs of spiritual giftedness because eventually, Onesimus became bishop over the whole region (bishop of Ephesus, according to Ignatius, [Ign. Eph 1:3; 6:2]).

From slave to bishop, from useless to useful, from selfish to selfless; only God can turn a life around and only the people of God acting as yeast can change a nation. Peter wrote, ‘Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world (1Pe 2:12 NLT).’