Canaan Fellowship

Dr. Bill Teubl – Resentment and Reconciliation in Philemon

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Bruce Hempel – Psalm 73, Psalm 16, and Psalm 37

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Dr. Bill Teubl - Resentment and Reconciliation in Philemon

Philemon - Paul recognizes that there is offense and resentment. We should know from experience and the scripture that offenses will come. God allows these offenses that we can mature and overcome them. The outcome of overcoming is reconciliation, fellowship, and peace.

Background:
Philemon lived in Colose. He was a man of prominence in the church (the church met in his house) and wealth (he had slaves). Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, ran away—a serious crime in Roman law. Onesimus meets Paul and is converted. After conversion, Paul likely asked Onesimus to go back to his master, with a letter that Paul writes—the book of Philemon.

Insight:
Paul acknowledges those who are important to Philemon. He also recognizes Philemon’s work in the church. Paul’s love for Philemon, and recognition, is genuine. Philemon is a mature Christian who is helping to build the church—Paul understands that and appreciates it.

After an introduction like that, Paul (verse 11) says something subtle. [Sometimes the most important things that the Lord speaks are subtle.] Paul says that Onesimus was useless to Philemon. If you have resentment toward someone else, ask yourself if they are useless to you. Even though someone fails, we should never think that they are useless. If we cannot overcome our resentment toward another, a root of bitterness grows. Paul wants Philemon to overcome resentment, so he shows Philemon Onesimus’ usefulness. Before he does that; however, he announces and acknowledges Philemon’s love and faith. Paul speaks about Philemon’s love for the saints, and then links Onesimus to that love—he is now a saint.

If you want to overcome resentment toward someone, ask the Lord to show you the person’s usefulness.

Philemon 17 and Romans 15:7 have a word in common—“welcome” or “receive.” We are to receive others as Christ would, and did, receive us.

We must be ready to receive others in the Lord and overcome our resentment so that we can have fellowship with everyone in the church.

Bruce Hempel – Psalm 73, Psalm 16, and Psalm 37

The story of the Prodigal Son, is one that deals with the issue of resentment. In Kairos we teach on the need for forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer states that if we cannot forgive those who have harmed us, we will not be forgiven. Men who have been very weighed down, now have the ability to live free of anger. Resentment weighs us down, and makes our lives as Christians difficult. Forgiveness is an ongoing process, something that we need to do on a continual basis.

Psalm 73 outline: verses 1-3 – Asaph introduces the problem; verses 4-14 – He states how evil men have an easy life; verses 15-19 – He realizes his mistake; verses 20-28 – He conveys what the Lord has taught him. The key verse is, verse 25 – “whom have I in heaven.” When our heart’s desire is for ease and fun, then we become envious of others. When we have a revelation of the way our heart is wrong, we should take the opportunity to pray.

Sometimes our desires look like this continuum: <--Selfish-------------------------------Christ-likeness--> The Lord will honor a payer to become more like Christ.

Psalm 16:5-6: The Lord is my portion. If this is really true, then our inheritance will be good.

Psalm 37:1-7: An easier way of understanding verse 4: God will give me the desires he wants me to have, and then I will delight.

James 3:13-18: Learning meekness is the hallmark of any Christian’s life. Meekness means that you are willing and acceptable of teaching. Jealousy and selfish ambition are found in the heart.

There are two kingdoms, the one of this world—self; and the Lord’s kingdom—Christ. One yields strife, trouble, and frustration and the other yields peace, love, and faith.