Philemon 4-7

The Disposition of a Forgiving person

Philemon 4-7

Introduction:

A] We live obviously in a society that knows little about forgiveness. We live in a society that cares little about forgiveness. In fact I would think that one of the major contributors if not THE major contributor to the destruction of relationships in our culture and the flooding of the courtroom is the absence of forgiveness.

B] Now for a Christian, a failure to forgive is unthinkable. I don't care what the issue is, I don't care what the offense is, a failure to forgive is a blatant open act of disobedience against God. We have been told as explicitly as we could possibly be told that if anybody offends us we are to forgive them. How many times? Seventy times seven, or that is an endless number of times. And that the reason we are to forgive is because our Father in heaven has forgiven us and will continue to forgive us as we are faithful to forgive others.

I. Let’s gaze into the structure of an unforgiving spirit. What really happens when a person fails to forgive another person seeking forgiveness?

A] First, you are shackled and enslaved to the past. Unforgiveness keeps that pain alive. Unforgiveness keeps that sore open. Unforgiveness never lets that wound heal. You will go through life feeling angry with no relief in sight.

B] Secondly, unforgiveness produces bitterness. The longer you remember the offense the more data you accumulate on it, the more recited memory you have for it. It controls your thinking. The more it controls your thinking the more it basically shapes your person. You get a distorted view of life and you have literally diseased your whole existence.

C] Thirdly, unforgiveness gives Satan an open door. Unforgiveness throws the welcome mat out and invites the demons in. Where you have unresolved anger, where you have unresolved bitterness, where you have an unforgiving spirit, you have given place to the devil. Eph 4:26-27; 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

D] Fourthly, unforgiveness hinders your fellowship with God. Jesus said if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. In the ongoing relationship with God if we don't forgive others He doesn't forgive us. So if I'm not right with man, Romans 12:18, then I'm not right with God. Why would I sentence myself to being anything less than in the place of maximum blessing from God?

II. Notice some “word pictures” of a forgiving spirit. In other words, what happens when true forgiveness takes place?

“To forgive is to turn the key, open the cell door and let the prisoner out. To forgive is to write in large letters across a debt "nothing owed." To forgive is to pound the gavel in a courtroom and say "not guilty." To forgive is to shoot an arrow so high and so far that it can never be found again. To forgive is to bundle up all the garbage and all the trash and dispose of it, leaving the house clean and fresh. To forgive is to loose the moorings of a ship and release it to the open sea. To forgive is to grant a full pardon to a condemned criminal. To forgive is to relax a strangle hold on a wrestling opponent and give him his life. To forgive is to sandblast a wall of graffiti, leaving it looking like new. To forgive is to smash a clay pot into a thousand pieces so that it can never be put together again. This matter of forgiveness is very important and it's right at the very heart of our spiritual well-being.”

III. Notice the character of the man Philemon

A. He cultivated pleasant thoughts in Paul's heart

1] I thank my God, = to be grateful, to be thankful for
2] making mention of thee always in my prayers, = remembrance

B. He had a true concern and interest in the Lord’s work; the Lord’s work involves the people of that work.

1] Hearing of thy = to consider what has been said; Epaphras, vs. 23, Onesimus was there with Paul: he didn't run away because Philemon was bad.

2] love = self-sacrificial love; highest degree of love

3] and faith, = conviction of the Truth

4] which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; = for, on account of. The goal of Philemon's love and faith was fellowship with God.

C. Philemon’s faith was directed toward a correct application of knowledge

1] That the communication of thy faith = fellowship, joint participation

2] may become effectual = powerful, active

3] by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you = The word for knowledge is epignosis, not just knowing, gnosis, but epignosis, deep knowledge, rich knowledge, full knowledge, listen to this, experiential knowledge. It is the knowledge through personal acquaintance with truth. It is the knowledge that comes through experience.

4] in Christ Jesus. = this can only consistently be accomplished in Christ

D. A person who forgives is concerned about being a blessing to others

1] For we have great joy = pleasure, delight, grace

2] and consolation in thy love, = encouragement, comfort

3] because the bowels of the saints = the seat of our inner feelings

4] are refreshed by thee, brother = to take a rest, to bring refreshment

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