Introduction: The little book of Philemon is power packed with truths that transform! A man goes from being useless to being useful….helpless to helpful….guilty to not guilty….a thief to a saint. Who was that man? What did he do? How does this letter demonstrate forgiveness? Is there anyone in your life that needs to be forgiven? Do you need to forgive? Do you need to be forgiven?

Let me introduce you to this biblical narrative.

*Philemon was done wrong.

*Onesimus did the wrong.

*Paul led Onesimus to Jesus who forgave him and made the wrong right. 

1. Did you know we are all “SOLD on the SLAVE MARKET of SIN”?

“1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philemon 1:1-9)

2. Did you know we can be “BOUGHT with a High PRICE through the Precious BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST”?

“10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;” (Philemon 1:10-18)

Jesus Christ put our debt of sin on His account!

3. Did you know that now that we’ve been BOUGHT, we are “NOT for SALE”?

Conclusion: Will you put up a “NOT for SALE” sign?

* My mind is NOT for SALE 

* My body is NOT for SALE

* My heart is NOT for SALE 

* My faith is NOT for SALE 

* My family is NOT for SALE 

* My ministry is NOT for SALE 

* My testimony is NOT for SALE 

* My eternity is NOT for SALE 

Introduction: Have you noticed when our God is up to a work, He sometimes uses various instruments? Have you ever been used by the Lord to accomplish His Will? Needless to say, it is life’s highest privilege to be used by our Lord. Today, in our biblical account, please notice the different personalities that are called by the Lord to bring about the birth of Jesus Christ.

1. Gabriel the angel is dispatched to communicate to a virgin concerning the birth of the Savior of the world! 

“26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.”

“28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” (Luke 1:28)

The word “favored” is χαριτόω,(khar-ee-to’-o), which means favor, bestow freely on.

Next, Gabriel explains how God was going to perform this miracle.

“30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Imagine an angel appearing and bringing good NEWS that is humanly speaking impossible.

2. Mary the virgin was selected by the Lord to bring forth this God child!

“27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:27)

At first, Mary had a hard time believing what the angel, Gabriel, predicted.

“29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.”

Trying to reason all of this in her mind, Mary explains.

“34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

Have you ever doubted a MIRACLE in the making?

3. The Holy Ghost of God was chosen to impregnate Mary the virgin!

It is SUPERNATURAL!

Introduction: Can you imagine what it is going to be like when we see Jesus? Are you anticipating that time? Should we be faithful until that time? When you see Jesus what will you do? Say? Today’s passage parallels this coming event – when we see Jesus!

1. Simeon patiently WAITED to see Jesus!

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” (Luke 2:25)

Are you waiting with anticipation to see Jesus? Did you notice Simeon was “devout”? The word “devout” is εὐλαβής, (yoo-lab-ace’), which means cautious, circumspect; or God-fearing. Do we live in a God-fearing world? Not hardly. But there are many believers who are God-fearing. Are you?

2. Simeon faithfully SERVED as he waited to see Jesus!

“And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law.” (Luke 2:26,27)

Faithfully serving our Lord Jesus is a life-long process. Why? Because He calls us to serve Him. Instead of self-serving as the world does, the cross of Christ crucifies the flesh, while the Spirit of God empowers followers of Jesus Christ to live and serve Him.

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:26)

3. Simeon REACHED OUT his arms and HELD ON to Jesus!

“8Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said.” (Luke 2:28-32)

When Simeon saw Jesus and held on to Him, he PRAISED His Lord! Do you think that is what we will do when we see Jesus?

4. Simeon LET ALL those around him KNOW that Jesus was the Messiah – the Savior to both the Gentiles and the Jews!

“29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)

Are we telling our friends and neighbors that Jesus has come in the flesh to save whoever will trust Him? Don’t forget to add… Jesus will come again some sweet day!

Introduction: Do you agree that God honors FAITHFULNESS? If you want to leave a lasting legacy, SERVE the Lord Jesus. Is serving Jesus important to you? How can we serve our Lord? Are you in a hurry? Does it seem like sometimes we are racing against the clock in order to get done everything we need to get done? Does being FAITHFUL to our Lord PAY OFF? Let’s learn from the following:

1. Anna was PATIENTLY SERVING the Lord and it PAID OFF!

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38)

Did you catch that she was 84 yrs old but still served the Lord? That is the kind of CHRISTian lady that I would listen to and take advice from. I wonder when she died and went to heaven did it PAY OFF to SERVE the Lord?

Faithfully loving and serving one’s spouse takes God’s Amazing GRACE. Forgiving, encouraging, praying are all important elements of any relationship.

3. Anna was a DEDICATED SERVANT and it PAID OFF!

“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” (Luke 2:36-38)

Have you noticed that people today are dedicated to their favorite sports (watch, attend, get involved, pay big money, etc..), or jobs, or entertainment? Often that can leave very little time to serve Jesus.

4. Anna was a FAITHFUL WITNESS and it PAID OFF!

“….the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38)

Do you speak of Jesus to others? When you are in love, it shows and grows!

Introduction: What kind of GIFTS are you going to give this year? Do you know the best gift to give? Every year it seems there is a list (2021)…. of the best gifts to give. Jesus Christ is the best gift of all!

1) Jesus is an UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2Cor 9:15)

Jesus is heaven’s gift.

2) Jesus is an UNDEFILED GIFT!

“21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Cor 5:21)

…Only He could unlock the gates of Heaven and let us enter in.

3) Jesus is an UNCHANGEABLE GIFT!

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb 13:8)

What a Savior!

4) Jesus is an UNMERITED GIFT!

“8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8,9)

Conclusion: Did you know Jesus is a FREE GIFT? Remember… FREE but costly. It cost Him His life! Have you THANKED Him today?

Introduction: Do you know why most people are not THANKFUL? Because of a BAD attitude of the heart; i.e., “the world owes me”! Actually, we owe our God a great debt of GRATITUDE!! Will you check up on your attitude today? Sometimes we need to realign our attitude.

1. THANKSGIVING comes from an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE because of God’s FORGIVENESS!

“47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” (Luke 7:47)

Perhaps, this is why so many of us seem to LOVE Jesus so much more than others because we’ve been FORGIVEN much!

2. THANKSGIVING comes from an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE because of JESUS’ healing!

“… there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:12- 17)

We could easily draw a modern day application to this account. There were ten people who had heart disease, aneurysms, cancer, and other physical ailments who came to Church and asked for prayer for healing. But only one of those persons- not a Church goer – stayed in Church and THANKED Jesus publicly by TESTIFYING; and from that point onward, they SERVED the Lord out of GRATITUDE for what He had done.

Has Jesus answered your prayers? Provided for your needs? Blessed your family?

3. THANKSGIVING comes from an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE because our Lord Jesus is TRUSTWORTHY!

“19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph 5:19)

THANKSGIVING is Thanksliving!

Let’s face it. It is rather easy to GIVE THANKS for the GOOD things, but praising the Lord for the bad things is quite another task.

Introduction: Is the table set? What’s there to eat? This “Thanksgiving” you can feast on spiritual food. Check out the BIBLICAL menu for the CHRISTian. It is more than a FREE lunch!

1. Jesus offers “Spiritual” food as well as physical food!

“27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.”

“35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:27-35)

Jesus had just performed a MIRACLE! With just two fishes and five loaves of bread from a little lad’s lunch, Jesus fed over 5,000 people! Imagine the scene. The food kept multiplying. People could not believe their eyes. They were amazed.
All of this supernatural event had a heavenly purpose.

2. Jesus offers “Spiritual bread” which turns into eternal life!

“53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” (John 6:53-58)

Now why do you think Jesus fed the 5,000? Because they were hungry? Not completely. Rather, His mission in this life was to reveal the Father. In so doing, people would BELIEVE that He was the MESSIAH. And consequently, they would put their TRUST in His WORD, His WILL, and His WAY for eternal life.

3. Jesus offers “Spiritual food” -eternal life for FREE but taking up a cross as a disciple will COST you something!

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:67- 69)

Even today, this same crowd will be impressed by Jesus, the Miracle Maker!

**Sign seekers……… “Show me a SIGN”!

Are you a SIGN SEEKER? Or are you a SURRENDERED SAINT?

Conclusion: Sad to say but people today want a FREE lunch from Jesus! “Meet my needs…heal my body…give me a job…etc.” Nothing wrong with asking our Lord for those things but please DO NOT STOP there! People want the blessings from Jesus but not the burden of a CROSS! Tell me. Are you seeking Jesus for a FREE lunch or total commitment?

Introduction: When you are facing an enemy do you PRAISE the Lord? Do you try to fight a flesh and blood battle? Good king Jehoshaphat learned the principle of how it is…”AMAZING what PRAISING can do”! Try it; you will like it!!

1. What do you do when the enemy attacks?

“1It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.” (2Chron 20:1-2)

Our infernal enemy attacks relentlessly. Therefore, we need to seek the Lord continually.

2. Do you remain fearful?

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.” (2Chron 20:3-4)

Fearful yes. But prayerful as well! Should we make it a practice to seek the Lord? Do you? Will you now?

Choice: Fear or Faith?

3. Will you exercise faith in the Lord?

“12O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 13And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” (2Chron 20:12,13)

Notice the confirmation of answered prayer.

“14Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah… came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; 15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2Chron 20:14-15)

Aren’t you glad to know that our Lord is always going to be just (serve justice), whether we see it in this life or the life to come?

4. Does our Lord keep His promises as we seek Him and His will?

“7Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2Chron 20:17)

1 + God = majority

5. Will our Lord bring vengeance on His enemies?

“1And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” (2Chron 20:21,22)

Payday someday.

6. What should our response be when our Lord answers prayer?

“7Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.” (2Chron 20:27,28)

Can’t help but Praise the Lord! He deserves it!!

Conclusion: There’s power in PRAISE! From this biblical account, we can deduce that our great God, Jesus Christ, honors and rewards those that diligently seek Him.

Introduction: Have you ever had a “THANKSGIVING” Season come and go, and you really were not thankful deep, down, inside? Honestly, all of us would probably admit that we have had this to happen. THANKSGIVING is a choice….an attitude of the heart, which we should carry all year long. This year why not STOP with all of our busyness; i.e., entertainment, endless activities, and trying to keep up with everybody and everything, and focusing on pleasing and praising our Lord for who He is? But how? Check out these Bible verses that help us keep our PRIORITIES in place.

1. GIVE THANKS for His PROMISE! (Heb 13:5)

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

2. GIVE THANKS for His PROVISIONS! (Heb 13:6)

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

3. GIVE THANKS for His PRESENCE! (Heb 13:8-9)

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”

4. GIVE THANKS for JESUS’ PRECIOUS BLOOD! (Heb 13:12)

“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”

5. GIVE THANKS with a SACRIFICE of PRAISE! (Heb 13:15)

“5By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

1. Who are these two witnesses?

“3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (Rev 11:3-6)

• Elijah & Enoch – neither men died but were translated to heaven 
• Moses & Elijah – notice in the text one has power to stop the rain and the other the power to turn water into blood
• Two angels – who were present at the tomb & the ascension and probably witnessed Jesus’ resurrection
• Joshua & Zerubbabel – because of the mention of olive tree, Zechariah’s prophecy

2. What happens to these two witnesses?

“7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.” (Rev 11:7-10)

3. How can we learn from these two witnesses?

“11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Rev 11:11-13)

Conclusion: Did you notice the words the Lord spoke to the two witnesses after He breathed into them?

“Come up hither”!