Radical Reconciliation and Transformative Fellowship in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Yesterday, we had the privilege of supporting our sister church, Set Free Butte, in Montana. We hosted a block party to help them spread the word about their first church service. It was a joyful event filled with popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, hamburgers, hot dogs, and even a bounce house. Our efforts not only helped them connect with the community but also allowed us to serve them by distributing leftover food to the homeless. Today, we lift them up in prayer, asking God to bless their launch service and establish a vibrant, healthy church.
We then delved into the book of Philemon, a letter from Paul to a slave owner in Colossae. This letter, though ancient, holds a powerful message for us today. Often, we treat the Bible like a reference book, only consulting it when it suits us. However, Scripture is meant to be a transformative tool, like a surgeon's scalpel, cutting away our pride and sin. The Gospel is not an addition to our lives but a complete demolition and rebuilding project, aiming to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ.
Philemon was a wealthy man who came to Christ through Paul's preaching. Onesimus, one of Philemon's slaves, ran away and later met Paul, who led him to Christ. Paul then wrote to Philemon, urging him to reconcile with Onesimus, not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ. This radical call for reconciliation and equality was countercultural in ancient Rome and remains challenging today.
The Greek word "koinonia," meaning sharing or fellowship, is central to this letter. True koinonia involves deep, actionable participation in the body of Christ. Paul prays for Philemon's koinonia to be effective, refreshing the saints and pointing them to Jesus. He also appeals to Philemon to embrace Onesimus as a brother, reflecting the radical reconciliation found in the Gospel.
Paul's confidence in Philemon's obedience and the greetings from fellow believers underscore the communal nature of our faith. God is not just giving us a ticket to heaven but creating a new humanity, transforming us from the inside out. Are we praying for, striving for, and expecting this kind of deep fellowship in our church?
### Key Takeaways
1. True Fellowship Requires Action: Koinonia, or fellowship, is not just a concept but a call to action. It involves deep, meaningful participation with other believers, refreshing and pointing them to Jesus. This kind of fellowship is essential for a vibrant Christian community. [29:50]
2. The Gospel Demands Radical Reconciliation: The story of Philemon and Onesimus teaches us that the Gospel calls for radical reconciliation. Paul urges Philemon to accept Onesimus not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel. [38:06]
3. Scripture as a Transformative Tool: The Bible is not a reference book to be consulted occasionally but a transformative tool meant to cut away our pride and sin. When approached properly, it acts like a surgeon's scalpel, leading us to repentance and deeper surrender to God. [18:16]
4. God's Sovereignty in Our Circumstances: Paul recognizes that even difficult circumstances, like Onesimus running away, can be used by God for His glory and our good. This perspective helps us trust God's sovereignty in our own lives, knowing He can bring good out of challenging situations. [37:30]
5. Equality at the Foot of the Cross: The concept of koinonia emphasizes that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Regardless of our background, social status, or roles in the church, we are all equal before Christ. This truth should deeply influence our relationships and interactions with one another. [25:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:11] - Mission Trip to Butte, Montana
[06:40] - Prayer for Set Free Butte
[16:26] - Introduction to Philemon
[17:24] - Misuse of Scripture
[18:16] - Scripture as a Transformative Tool
[19:10] - The Gospel as a Demolition Project
[20:06] - Background on Philemon and Onesimus
[21:45] - Onesimus' Conversion
[22:25] - Slavery in Ancient Rome
[23:32] - Paul's Radical Teachings on Slavery
[25:03] - The Meaning of Koinonia
[26:58] - Praying for Koinonia
[29:50] - Koinonia Requires Action
[32:18] - Striving for Koinonia
[38:06] - Radical Reconciliation
[42:15] - A New Reason to Reconcile
[46:43] - Expecting Koinonia
[48:07] - Greetings and Conclusion
[50:59] - Invitation to Non-Believers
[57:12] - Offering and Final Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Philemon 1:1-25
- Colossians 3:11
- 2 Corinthians 5:19
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the purpose of Paul's letter to Philemon, and who were the main individuals involved? ([20:06])
2. How does Paul describe the concept of "koinonia" in his letter to Philemon? ([25:03])
3. What specific request does Paul make of Philemon regarding Onesimus? ([38:06])
4. How does Paul express his confidence in Philemon's response to his request? ([46:43])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Philemon and Onesimus teach us about the nature of true Christian fellowship and reconciliation? ([38:06])
2. How does Paul’s appeal to Philemon challenge the social norms of ancient Rome, and what implications does this have for us today? ([38:42])
3. In what ways does Paul’s letter to Philemon illustrate the transformative power of the Gospel? ([19:10])
4. How does the concept of "koinonia" as described by Paul in Philemon relate to the idea of equality at the foot of the cross? ([25:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to reconcile with someone. How did your faith influence that process, and what can you learn from Paul's approach to Philemon? ([38:06])
2. Paul describes "koinonia" as involving deep, actionable participation with other believers. What are some practical ways you can engage in this kind of fellowship within your church community? ([29:50])
3. The sermon emphasized that the Gospel is a demolition and rebuilding project. What areas of your life need to be "demolished" and rebuilt in the image of Christ? ([19:10])
4. How can you actively pray for and strive towards deeper fellowship (koinonia) in your church? What specific steps can you take this week to foster this kind of community? ([31:02])
5. Paul’s confidence in Philemon’s obedience suggests a deep trust and expectation of growth. How can you cultivate a similar attitude of trust and expectation in your relationships with fellow believers? ([46:43])
6. The sermon mentioned that God can use difficult circumstances for His glory and our good. Can you identify a challenging situation in your life where you can see God’s hand at work? How does this perspective change your approach to that situation? ([37:30])
7. The concept of equality at the foot of the cross was highlighted. How does this truth influence your interactions with people from different backgrounds or social statuses within the church? ([25:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Fellowship in Action
True fellowship, or "koinonia," is more than just a concept; it is a call to action. It involves deep, meaningful participation with other believers, refreshing and pointing them to Jesus. This kind of fellowship is essential for a vibrant Christian community. In the book of Philemon, Paul prays for Philemon's koinonia to be effective, refreshing the saints and pointing them to Jesus. He also appeals to Philemon to embrace Onesimus as a brother, reflecting the radical reconciliation found in the Gospel. This kind of fellowship requires us to step out of our comfort zones and actively engage with others in our community, serving and loving them as Christ loves us. [29:50]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can actively participate in the life of someone in your church this week. How can you refresh and point them to Jesus through your actions?
Day 2: Radical Reconciliation
The Gospel demands radical reconciliation. The story of Philemon and Onesimus teaches us that the Gospel calls for radical reconciliation. Paul urges Philemon to accept Onesimus not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel. This radical call for reconciliation and equality was countercultural in ancient Rome and remains challenging today. It requires us to see others through the lens of Christ's love and to seek reconciliation even when it is difficult. [38:06]
Colossians 3:11 (ESV): "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life with whom you need to seek reconciliation? How can you take the first step towards mending that relationship today?
Day 3: Scripture as a Transformative Tool
The Bible is not a reference book to be consulted occasionally but a transformative tool meant to cut away our pride and sin. When approached properly, it acts like a surgeon's scalpel, leading us to repentance and deeper surrender to God. Often, we treat the Bible like a reference book, only consulting it when it suits us. However, Scripture is meant to be a transformative tool, like a surgeon's scalpel, cutting away our pride and sin. The Gospel is not an addition to our lives but a complete demolition and rebuilding project, aiming to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. [18:16]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: How can you approach your Bible reading this week with the intention of allowing it to transform you? What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to God's Word?
Day 4: Trusting God's Sovereignty
Paul recognizes that even difficult circumstances, like Onesimus running away, can be used by God for His glory and our good. This perspective helps us trust God's sovereignty in our own lives, knowing He can bring good out of challenging situations. When Onesimus ran away, it seemed like a hopeless situation, but God used it to bring him to Paul and ultimately to Christ. This story reminds us that God is in control, even in our most difficult circumstances, and He can use them for His glory and our good. [37:30]
Romans 8:28 (ESV): "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you trust God's sovereignty and look for ways He might be using it for your good and His glory?
Day 5: Equality at the Foot of the Cross
The concept of koinonia emphasizes that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Regardless of our background, social status, or roles in the church, we are all equal before Christ. This truth should deeply influence our relationships and interactions with one another. In the book of Philemon, Paul appeals to Philemon to embrace Onesimus as a brother, reflecting the radical reconciliation found in the Gospel. This kind of fellowship requires us to step out of our comfort zones and actively engage with others in our community, serving and loving them as Christ loves us. [25:44]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the equality we have in Christ in your interactions with others this week? Is there someone you need to treat with more love and respect as a fellow believer?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So often in our lives, we want to keep Scripture at arm's length. Right? We want the Bible to be more like a reference, kind of like we treat a dictionary. When I need something, I pick it up, find what I'm looking for, especially if it already agrees with me. Look for it, find it, and say, okay, good. And then put it away, and then don't look at it again for a while." [17:24] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Gospel is not just an addition to our lives, like we just go about our lives to add a little Jesus. Rather, the Gospel is a demolition and rebuilding project. Where the goal is to gut the inside of our house so it's no longer recognizable as it was in the beginning. To build a brand new inside. Instead of looking like our old rebellious life, God wants to transform us into the image, of Jesus Christ." [19:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In Christ, Christians ought to be able to reconcile beyond what we ever thought possible. Koinonia also requires a new reason to reconcile. In verse 17, Paul uses this sentence in the second use of this word koinonia. He says, So if you consider me your partner, your koinonia, receive him as you would receive me." [42:15] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Nothing in your life can prevent you from receiving new life in Christ. I don't care if you've spent the last 30 years of your life as an alcoholic. The ground is leveled. The gospel is offered to you just as it was offered to me at the age of 12. Nothing in your life can prevent you from receiving new life in Christ except one thing, and that's your refusal to surrender to Jesus Christ." [50:59] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Son of God came down from heaven, took on the form of a servant, was made in the likeness of man. He took on full humanity, lived a perfect life, suffered and died on the cross. Three days later, he rose again for your sin and for mine. Every single one of them, past, present, and future, so that we might, our relationship with God might be made right. You can be reconciled to God today by placing your trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross." [52:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "However, this is not only one of the worst possible ways to use the Bible, except for just not reading it at all, but the Bible, if approached properly, will be like a surgeon's scalpel in our lives. It will find that area in your life where you have yet to surrender to the Lord, and it will seek to cut away our pride, and our tight hold, on that sin. And then, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we'll be called to repent and surrender that area to the Lord." [18:16] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Sometimes the Scripture calls us to do very hard things. Things that go against every fiber of our being, every fiber of our upbringing and our culture. Those things are very difficult to obey. But it also reveals to us just how deeply God expects the Gospel to change us." [19:10] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Koinonia is not just something we think about as if it's just another good idea but it's something that you must do in your relationships with one another. Jumping into the text then we see number one if you have an outline with you we see number one that we must pray for koinonia." [26:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "True koinonia involves action within the body and toward the body. And it brings joy because saints will be refreshed. Let me ask you, do you pray for this kind of deep fellowship in your church? Is this what you desire and long for? When you gather on Sunday morning with believers? Do we pray that our faith and our fellowship would be more than a mere mental exercise and instead become something, instead be something that becomes feet exercise?" [31:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul takes things a step further. He offers himself as a cross-shaped intermediary between Onesimus and Philemon. Just as Christ put himself In our place for our sin so now Paul puts himself in Onesimus' place for his sin against Philemon. Paul tells Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would Paul." [42:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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