Onesimus

 In our message this morning, we will be looking at Paul’s letter to Philemon concerning Onesimus. Onesimus was a runaway slave, who most likely robbed his master and was hiding in Rome where he comes in contact with Paul. In last week’s sermon, we examined several people that Paul named as he wrote his letter to Timothy. We talked about Demas, Luke, John Mark, and Tychicus, (among others). In Paul’s letter to Philemon, we see some of the same names. Philemon 1:23-24 states, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers,” (ESV). Scholars believe Paul’s letter to Philemon may have been written around three or four years before his final letter to Timothy, but we still see some of the same names surrounding Paul’s journey.

 In those few names, something amazing is revealed to us. The New Testament accounts from the Acts of the Apostles through the book of Jude, (the last book before the Revelation to John), actually contains very few “named” people. No doubt, there were many unnamed, faithful followers of Christ who have made an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God, (and their labors do not go unnoticed by the Lord). However, scripture reveals that God used only a “handful” of people to share His message with the world!

 I am thankful for those faithful saints – and I am thankful that it is not our strength, our wisdom, nor our numbers today that give us power – rather it is the Power of the Lord and His salvation that has always changed lives! Acts 4:12 states, “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved,” (ESV). One of my favorite quotes by a missionary simply states, “Preach the Gospel, die, and be forgotten” (Nikolaus von Zinzendorf). This life should not be about “us” – rather it should be about praising the Lord and serving Him faithfully!