Philemon
is a short little book that not many people pay attention to. Thankfully our
pastor did, this past Sunday he finished up a 3-message series on the book.
That’s when I realized Philemon is an incredible “missionary” book.
As
a Sunday school book, it’s all about a crook who “got religion.” Paul probably
got his evangelistic hooks into Onesimus (the crook) when they were in jail.
Now, Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, probably the person Onesimus
had robbed earlier.
As
a Theology book, it’s all about “imputation.” Imputation is an accountability
term, it has to do with transferring or in-putting/imputing something onto
someone else’s account. Adam’s sins were imputed to us. Then they were imputed
to Christ. Lastly, as a believer, God’s righteousness or justice has been
imputed to us (Romans 5:12).
As
a Missionary book, it’s all about “missions.” Paul, as a great missionary, is
commissioning a new believer (Onesimus) and he is challenging the church that
was in Philemon’s home. The book of Philemon is Paul’s prayer letter.
Missionaries write prayer letters for a lot of reasons but mostly because they need your prayers. Without your prayers,
support, and encouragement we could not do what we do. You are part of our
team. I want to focus on verses 20, 21, and 22.
Yes, brother, let me benefit from you
in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience, I
write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. At the
same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I
will be given to you. (Philemon
20-22)
1)
Paul was unashamed in seeking benefit from his supporters. Sometimes as
missionaries we are cowardly and don’t dare think to ask for any sort of
benefit. But Paul was unashamed because it wasn’t a self-centered thing. It was
a benefit from the Lord. Your
generosity is a reflection of God’s generosity. Someone once said that you are
never more like God than when you are giving.
2)
Missionaries need to be refreshed in Christ. Your encouragement keeps us going.
It cheers us up whenever we get feedback from you about our letters, our
ministries, etc.
3)
Missionaries need to trust the Church. After all, it is God’s vehicle for
impacting the world through evangelism and the discipleship of believers. We
need to trust that you, as the Church, have our backs. That you pray. That you
give. That you visit. That you help. That you read. That you respond. Like
Paul, we need to trust that you will do
even more. The Church can go above and beyond for what is asked or needed.
4)
We need to count on your prayers. They help keep us on the field. They help us
get home. They give us the rest we need. They give us the courage we need. We
earnestly count on your prayers and need to count on them seriously. Paul asked
for “lodging” (accommodations) even before his release from prison because he
took their prayers seriously. That’s faith. When we pray, we need to pray with
faith.
The
benefit we need from you in the Lord, the refreshment we need in Christ. Our
Christmas Wish this year is 5 dollars. Twice a year we host a 5 Dollar
Challenge. Our winter challenge is really simple. All we are asking you to do
is forfeit a cup of coffee, sacrifice a snack, to invest 5 dollars to help keep
us on the field. We trust that you, the Church, will give 5 dollars to help our
ministry.
This
year we have added a new element to our 5 Dollar Challenge. We’ve never done
this before, but this year we set a goal. Our goal is to raise 500 US Dollars.
Our deadline is December 31st. We think you can help us meet our
goal. Please share this challenge with others in your Church. With your gift
and serious (faith-filled) prayers, we can meet this goal. If you would like to
donate, please go to: https://scoresponsor.org/missionaries-staff/shop/carter-charles-ashley/
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| Us with one of the children at Pasitos de Jesus Orphanage, Rosemery |
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| Our GAP students of 2013-14 |
