Missions Challenge

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 31^st. 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/

Us with one of the children at Pasitos de Jesus Orphanage, Rosemery

Our GAP students of 2013-14