YLD (21/07/04) – Pauline Epistles
Summary
YLD Topic: Pauline Epistles
Scripture: Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. (Philemon 1:15-17)
On the past Canada day, some of you may hear of this.
Should we celebrate Canada Day? Or Not?
- Drift away from the value of God
The recent residential school discoveries of more than 1,000 Indigenous child victims found in Canada in less than a month have shook some individuals in this country who were unaware of this dark history.
If we drift away from God, we just do what we please. Let’s pray and ask God for help.
Who Paul was?
- Apostle: Paul was an apostle, he was not one of the twelve disciples of Jesus but he was a church leader with authority to speak in Jesus’ behalf
- Pharisee: Spending a lot of time to study God’s law
- Missionary: Going to many different places to share Jesus with different people
In the NT, there are 27 books and Paul wrote 13 of them.
- Paul using the 1st word in the letter, he first introduces himself in the letter
- For example: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— (book of Romans)
- For example: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
- In the letters, he offer prayers for the readers, answer questions like how people can be saved, not through customs or ceremonies but through our faith in Christ Jesus
- Address issues for the church like can non-Jews people include in God’s family and things to believe and to do and also give greetings to churches and his friends
Paul wrote letters to
- Churches – majority of them go to churches
- Individuals – Timothy, a young pastor and church leaders, Titus and Philemon
In the letter of Philemon, there are three principles we can learn from it.
- R – reconciliation: Paul was a peacemaker between Philemon and Onesimus
- R – relationship: When people believe in Christ, they are under the same Heavenly father as a family of God.
- R – Reflection of Jesus
From here, we can see Jesus in Paul. He was willing to take Onesimus’ place and paid for his mistake. This sure was a great example for us that we would do more for others, especially for those who are in God’s family and walk an extra mile for those who need help.
