POPG

  Lessons Learnt by Neil Adam Momin As I was listening to the sermon this Sunday, the verse that kept coming to my mind was “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God”. I have learnt so many lessons from the three characters in the book of Philemon. From Onesimus: Many times I am like Onesimus – ungrateful, unfaithful, untruthful and unlawful. God had blessed me with so many things, yet many times I do things which are not pleasing to Him. There are times when I complain, grumble and lose faith. From Philemon: Philemon was in constant communion with God which enabled him to readily forgive Onesimus and accept him back. His forgiveness of a person who wronged him in every way is a reminder to me that even I need to learn to forgive not just my family or friends from church, but others I meet every day at work. This is one way to shine the light of Jesus. From Paul: Paul’s desire and priority was to honour God even in a difficult or unpleasant situation. He...

  The POPG Situation By Allan and Farida Situation : Philemon Understandably this Philemon was a rich person perhaps having a high standing in the society as well as in the commerce & industry community in the city of Colossae. Philemon had been converted and attained salvation through Paul owing to which Philemon should not forget the debts he owed to Paul. Situation : Onesimus Onesimus was engaged as a slave by Philemon (may be this term ‘slave’ has a different connotation then which perhaps is the equivalent of ‘hired professional’ in present day). Onesimus handled the business operations & transactions of his master - Philemon. Onesimus might have falsified the financial accounts and pilfered the stocks & assets of his master following which he fled to another country to avoid arrest and escape punishment (like the ‘Ones..’ that are still around today honing this kind of skill!). While in Rome he met Paul through whom he changed his heart and repented fo...

 In depth study and devotional on the book of Philemon  By Corey Audience and Occasion: This letter, both personal and corporate (v1-2) in nature was written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in Philemon’s house. It is believed that this was written during Paul’s Roman imprisonment (Acts 28) around AD 60-61. The purpose of this letter is for Paul to appeal to Philemon on behalf of a runaway slave, Onesimus, who escaped to Rome where he met Paul and was converted to Christianity (v10-11).   Introduction: Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Based on the introduction we learn a few things: 1.       Paul is the author of this letter and his disciple Timothy is with h...

  Philemon and Revelation 7:9 By Rachel Philemon and Onesimus.  Onesimus fled from his master.  He heard some bad news.  All have sinned.  He embraced the Good News. All who believe can be sons.  He believed.  He was adopted.  He returned to his master.  Barriers broken. Slave now a brother.  Servant now a co-heir. Brothers. Co-heirs.  Co-laborers on earth.  Living with the hope.  One day.  Worship together.  Around the throne.  Forever. 

  Onesimus  – A Runaway Slave  By Mercy Samuel We run away from people who define us We run away from fears that bind us We run away from those who abuse us Are we, the runaway, Onesimus?   Let’s meet Philemon’s slave, Onesimus Philemon thought he was, Oh! so useless, Paul adopted this slave as his own son It’s time for us to ponder on this one!   Paul’s letter to Philemon states, I heard your slave left in haste Why not forgive and let his debts go If he’s my son, he’s your brother too   When people say we are useless God declares, we are so priceless His favor rested on a runaway slave God’s love for us will always prevail

  RECONCILIATION   by Ojit Laitonjam   When I read the book of Philemon and listened to pastor's sermon on it, a very distinct parallel picture came to my mind between Onesimus and me. Once I was a runaway slave just like Onesimus . But the difference was that Onesimus was a slave to his master Philemon and I was a slave to my  own sins. Onesimus met Paul in Rome,  received the gospel of Jesus Christ and became a new person. Paul appealed Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother in Christ Jesus, as he received Paul himself.  In the course of time,  I came to meet my Saviour through the sharing of His Word. From that time onward I kept changing toward the Lord until my last sinful habit left me. Now,  I am no more a slave to my sins. I am a free man just like Onesimus who had been reconciled to Philemon his master. The Lord Jesus Christ paid for my sins on the cross to reconcile me to the father :  "I am send...