Moral Choices, Resets, and Aging - Paul and Philemon

 We Are All Getting Older and, Hopefully, Wiser.

 That includes both spiritual and moral maturity.

That involves an evolving understanding of ethics and how we apply the Bible to evolving social circumstances and questions of behavior in this world. 

It is always general and it is always personal.

 How Do We Know What Is Right?

 We have to walk through it, and work through it.

Paul the Aged teaches us

1. The lessons we learn and keep learning.

2. The living we lean into to learn.

3. The law of love that informs it all

 Philemon

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To our beloved coworker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your house: 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. 

For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 

One thing more: prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you. 

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Never to Old to Learn

For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 

Paul was old enough to sit back on his laurels and let the world pass him by. He did not have to take on new challenges, learn new lessons, or invest in new loves except for one thing: the call of God. There is no retirement plan in discipleship and ministry. So, when Onesimus came to him, he was ready to take on at least one more new challenge. My fictional friend from Polecat Hollow understands that as well.

Paul, the Aged

The K.J.V. phrases it this way:

“Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” -Philemon 9

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Where did the time go?

What we were, we, in many ways, still are.

In other ways, it does not seem that we still are what we were.

In still other ways, we are more.

Among the things we may be now and we never were before, is aged. We are older than we were. Not only are we older, but we have become prisoners of Jesus Christ in ways that have developed over the years.

We have become locked in by limitations of age, restrictions of circumstance, and progressions of health impediments. We have seen some opportunities pass us by. If we focus upon our infirmities, we might believe that we have fewer options and bleaker prospects.

That would be a fallacy, but we will continue to indulge it for a moment.

We are all heading in the direction of advancing years. It can be depressing.

Enough of that now!

That is, let us call “enough” to bemoaning the onsets of age. Paul’s stance is not that advancing age is something to groan over but something to celebrate.

We celebrate age with all of its lessons. Those lessons are not just for our benefit, but for the benefit of the young. With them come special responsibilities and higher standards:

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things … “-Titus 2:2-3

We, who have walked longer miles have great capacity of sobriety, gravity, temperance, faith, charity, and patience along with holiness and honesty. These are teaching tools for our use in instructing and setting an example for the next generation.

It is from that stance that Paul is able to beseech Philemon, as one who is his elder, to do the right thing at a critical time in his life.

Others have done that for you and you have or will have the opportunity to do it for others.

The lessons we learn and keep learning.

The living we lean into to learn.

The law of love that informs it all 

Third Party Summary of Message

SUMMARY

In this meeting, Tom Sims delivers a sermon focusing on the moral and ethical challenges faced by Christians, using the biblical story of Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus as a central example. He discusses the complexities of interpreting scripture in the context of modern ethical dilemmas, such as slavery and social justice, emphasizing the importance of evolving understanding and application of biblical teachings. Sims highlights three guiding principles: the lessons we learn and keep learning, the living we lean into to learn, and the law of love that informs all actions. He encourages personal growth and moral maturity, urging listeners to apply these principles in their lives and communities. The sermon concludes with a call to action for small groups to discuss and apply the law of love in their own contexts, reflecting on what love demands in various situations.

ACTION ITEMS

Small Group Leaders

Facilitate discussions in small groups to explore questions and applications related to the sermon, focusing on the law of love and its demands in various situations. Gather feedback from group members and prepare to share insights in the next meeting.

DISCUSSION

Moral Ambiguity and Biblical Interpretation The speaker discusses the moral ambiguities in the Bible, such as slavery and war, and how they are perceived differently today. He emphasizes that following Jesus' teachings leaves no room for slavery, war, or hatred. The speaker highlights Paul's approach in the Bible, particularly in the book of Philemon, where Paul addresses slavery by promoting individual treatment and the law of love. The discussion encourages personal reflection on ethical questions and the evolving understanding of ethics.

Paul's Letter to Philemon The speaker reads and analyzes Paul's letter to Philemon, focusing on the relationship between Philemon, Onesimus, and Paul. Onesimus, a slave who became a Christian, is sent back to Philemon with a request for his freedom. Paul appeals to Philemon's sense of love and brotherhood in Christ, rather than commanding him. The letter serves as a moral lesson on voluntary love and transformation, urging Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother rather than a slave.

Aging and Moral Growth The speaker reflects on aging and moral growth, suggesting that as people age, they gain wisdom and a deeper understanding of ethics. He uses the metaphor of a river to describe how stagnation can occur if one does not continue to learn and evolve. The speaker encourages embracing new challenges and learning from them, as Paul did, to grow morally and spiritually. Aging is seen as an opportunity to gain fresh insights and responsibilities.

The Law of Love and Voluntary Action The speaker emphasizes the importance of the law of love in guiding moral actions. He argues that actions should be based on love rather than legal obligation, using the example of wearing seat belts for safety rather than just following the law. The discussion highlights the need for voluntary actions that align with Christ's teachings, suggesting that true transformation comes from willingly following the law of love, which surpasses legal requirements.