Nov 18, 2018
Part Two: Christ and Culture
By: (All)
Series: Philemon
Last week we noted that the Kingdom of God already has come with the appearance of King Jesus. But we saw that the first order of business was not destroying evil armies and dethroning rebellious kings, but subduing hearts. Jesus has brought the New Covenant, enacting it with His own blood, a Covenant which transforms us from the inside out, placing God’s law in our hearts rather than formal legislation. Jeremiah 31:3-34             In this book, Philemon is  not commanded to free his slaves, and Onesimus is not instructed to lead his fellow-slaves in an insurrection against their masters. Rather, Jesus is now IN Philemon and IN Onesimus as a righteous, transformational power Who recasts their relationship in terms of God’s creative image and the powerful effects of His love.             So slavery is addressed as individuals are instructed AND empowered to act in one another’s best interests. Is this a pattern of God’s acting within culture? Let’s explore God’s strategy to hasten the day when “the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15
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  • Nov 18, 2018Part Two: Christ and Culture
    Nov 18, 2018
    Part Two: Christ and Culture
    By: (All)
    Series: Philemon
    Last week we noted that the Kingdom of God already has come with the appearance of King Jesus. But we saw that the first order of business was not destroying evil armies and dethroning rebellious kings, but subduing hearts. Jesus has brought the New Covenant, enacting it with His own blood, a Covenant which transforms us from the inside out, placing God’s law in our hearts rather than formal legislation. Jeremiah 31:3-34             In this book, Philemon is  not commanded to free his slaves, and Onesimus is not instructed to lead his fellow-slaves in an insurrection against their masters. Rather, Jesus is now IN Philemon and IN Onesimus as a righteous, transformational power Who recasts their relationship in terms of God’s creative image and the powerful effects of His love.             So slavery is addressed as individuals are instructed AND empowered to act in one another’s best interests. Is this a pattern of God’s acting within culture? Let’s explore God’s strategy to hasten the day when “the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15
  • Nov 11, 2018The Book of Philemon Battleground for the Clash of Kingdoms The Battle for the Heart
    Nov 11, 2018
    The Book of Philemon Battleground for the Clash of Kingdoms The Battle for the Heart
    By: (All)
    Series: Philemon
    Part One: The Battle for the Heart                                  When we pray, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” do we realize that those two requests are really similar? The Kingdom of God already has come with the appearance of King Jesus. What remains is the subduing of all else to Him. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:14, 27; Revelation 11:15.          But before Jesus destroys evil armies and dethrones rebellious kings, He first must conquer our hearts! He does this, not as the Lion, but the Lamb, dying for sinners, and encouraging His followers to take up their own crosses and follow Him, laying down their lives for others. But how does that work in practice? The Book of Philemon shows us, as Paul seeks to reconcile a newly converted runaway slave to his wronged, believing master.
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