Daily Devotion | New Rocky Creek Baptist Church

Not For Sale – A CHRISTmas Message

Posted on Dec 2, 2021 in Devotions |

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.

*Onesimus was forgiven and restored back into fellowship with Philemon.

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)

Paul had been converted to CHRISTianity! He was once a persecutor of the Church….SOLD on the SLAVE MARKET of SIN!

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!

Since we’ve been forgiven and BOUGHT back by the BLOOD of Jesus Christ, we can forgive others who have wronged us.

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

“19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.” (Philemon 1:19-22)

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

* My legacy is NOT for SALE

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese