Friday, July 24, 2015

Conclusion

If you are looking for the posts about
God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!
here's the link to the first Part: 
Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.
There are 10 parts in all.
I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—
and God took care of each and every one! 

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This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.
At the same time prepare a guest room [in expectation of extending your hospitality] to me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be granted [the gracious privilege of coming] to you.
Greetings to you from Epaphras, my fellow prisoner here in [the cause of] Christ Jesus (the Messiah),
And [from] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with your spirit. Amen (so be it). Philemon 1:22-25 (AMP)
Paul closes his letter to Philemon with another request, "get a room ready for me". He had an expectation that the prayers of those at Colossea would be answered, and he'd be released from prison. 

Do I earnestly pray for others, expecting my prayers to be answered? Do I trust that God can do the "impossible" and act accordingly? Or do I wait until God answers and then hurriedly, and often unthankfully, make the necessary preparations? Earnest prayers met with expectations of God's answers. 

Paul also ends his letter as he does so many, mentioning others who are serving along with him. Paul realized the importance of having the help of others. He knew that he couldn't do it alone. And the support of other godly men and women were vital to the ongoing ministry of sharing the gospel. 

Alone or with support of others? Often we view the "I'll do it myself" mentality as "super-christain", where in reality, it's only stubbornness and actually, not biblical. 
So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Romans 12:5 (AMP)
We each have different responsibilities and gifts which we are to use to help each other in the overall ministry of sharing the gospel. 

Paul finally concludes his letter with, "grace to you". 
What is wished and prayed for: Grace, the free favour and love of God... Observe, Grace is the best wish for ourselves and others; with this the apostle begins and ends.
From whom: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, second Person in the Trinity, Lord by natural right, by whom, and for whom, all things were created, and who is heir of all things, and, as God-man and Mediator, who purchased us, and to whom we are given by the Father. Jesus, the Saviour . 
To whom: Your spirit, not of Philemon only, but of all who were named in the inscription. With your spirit, that is, with you, the soul or spirit being the immediate seat of grace, whence it influences the whole man, and flows out in gracious and holy actings.
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)
Philemon is a short letter, however, we can learn a lot from the relationships found within this letter. First and foremost the relationships of each individual to Christ. And that personal relationship with Christ has a profound impact on the lives and relationships with others. And from what we read, the key individuals in Philemon, each had a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).
I wonder what would be written about me....... 

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