• When it comes to having a dream, we need to die to it in our hearts and move toward it with our feet.
• This means we move toward what we desire but we leave the results to God.
• He can then pivot us in any direction He wants.
• The same is true with prayer.
• We ask for what we want but we do it according to His will - we leave the results to HIM.
• This is what Paul models for us in his request to Philemon.
• They moved toward his desire (to be released) but he left that in God’s hands.
• But you’ll only do this when your HOPE is in Christ.
Philemon 22 (10/28/16)
Pursuing Your Dream
October 28, 2016 • Benham Brothers
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Lessons From Philemon
Philemon 4-6 (10/25/18)
October 25, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Your faith becomes effective as you grow in the knowledge of what’s inside you. * The only way to grow in faith is to grow in the “fellowship” of your faith. * This means we must identify with other believers. * For Philemon this meant identifying with his slave Onesimus as a brother in Christ. * They were both changed on the inside through salvation. * Now they had to identify with that change and recognize each other as brothers. * If you want to have effective faith you must identify with other believers, seeing them as brothers and sisters and serving them as such, and you will begin to grow in the knowledge of what’s inside you. * You don’t get saved and then become an island unto yourself. * You’ll never grow in faith that way.
Phil 11 (10/31/13)
October 31, 2013 • Benham Brothers
Onesimus wasn't profitable until after he met Jesus Before conversion Onesimus was his own, now he was God's! Now that he was God's he had to honor the law of the land and go back to his owner Onesimus was in full-time ministry, but Paul sent him back to be a full-time slave! Paul told Philemon to accept him not as a slave, but as a brother, as an equal Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus were all on the same playing field - there was no hierarchy
Philemon 8-10 (10/28/16)
October 28, 2016 • Benham Brothers
• This is so good for parents. • Paul could have ordered Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother, but he didn’t. • He chose to make an appeal - a request. • This would put Philemon in the driver’s seat so he could obey out of his heart and not out of compulsion. • Parents can control kids’ behavior through commands, but making an appeal gets to their heart. • This is the difference between a commander and a shepherd. • A commander controls behavior but a shepherd prompts the heart. • If we make an appeal we give them the opportunity to obey out of a heart of love. • An appeal gives them the ability to honor us and not just obey us. • An appeal lists all the reasons why a certain decision should be made and then allows a person to decide for themselves. • This prepares our kids for adulthood.