EASTER DEVOTIONAL (19 OF 25)
Scripture: Philemon 17, Philemon 18, Philemon 19, Philemon 20, Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
This content is part of a series.
NOTE: This sermon is part 37 and 38 of a 50 part devotional series. Two sermons outlines are included in this download.
PREVIEWS:
Thirty-Seventh Day (37 of 50)
Series: Easter Devotional
Christopher Harbin
Philemon 17-20
‘‘If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account. With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don’t forget that you owe me your life. My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me.’’ Philemon 17-20
While Paul does not condemn slavery outright, this letter is the closest to a condemnation of the excesses and abuses associated with the institution. He condemns the patterns of injustice and mistreatment of others through illegal or legal means. What is legitimate from the standpoint of law, may not measure up to the ethical standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Thirty-Eighth Day (38 of 50)
Series: Easter Devotional
Christopher Harbin
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
‘‘Here is something else I have learned: the fastest runners and the greatest heroes don’t always win races and battles. Wisdom, intelligence, and skill don’t always make you healthy, rich, or popular. We each have our own share of bad luck. None of us know when we might fall victim to a sudden disaster and find ourselves like a fish in a net or birds in a trap.’’ Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
This is not the message our society longs to hear. We are much more interested in the concept of the Olympic competition in which we assume the best competitor will win. Somehow we yearn to believe that the best musicians are those on the popular concert circuit, the best record labels, and the front pages headlines. Then we are surprised by the likes of Susan Boyles - an unknown, dowdy, spinster who astonished both judges and audience in the program, Britain’s Got Talent.
PREVIEWS:
Thirty-Seventh Day (37 of 50)
Series: Easter Devotional
Christopher Harbin
Philemon 17-20
‘‘If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account. With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don’t forget that you owe me your life. My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me.’’ Philemon 17-20
While Paul does not condemn slavery outright, this letter is the closest to a condemnation of the excesses and abuses associated with the institution. He condemns the patterns of injustice and mistreatment of others through illegal or legal means. What is legitimate from the standpoint of law, may not measure up to the ethical standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
--------------------
Thirty-Eighth Day (38 of 50)
Series: Easter Devotional
Christopher Harbin
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
‘‘Here is something else I have learned: the fastest runners and the greatest heroes don’t always win races and battles. Wisdom, intelligence, and skill don’t always make you healthy, rich, or popular. We each have our own share of bad luck. None of us know when we might fall victim to a sudden disaster and find ourselves like a fish in a net or birds in a trap.’’ Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
This is not the message our society longs to hear. We are much more interested in the concept of the Olympic competition in which we assume the best competitor will win. Somehow we yearn to believe that the best musicians are those on the popular concert circuit, the best record labels, and the front pages headlines. Then we are surprised by the likes of Susan Boyles - an unknown, dowdy, spinster who astonished both judges and audience in the program, Britain’s Got Talent.
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