Good Friday, June 19th, 2026 to you who love Jesus and those we might lead to Jesus.
DAILY PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your incredible grace that transforms lives. Just as You changed Onesimus from someone once considered unprofitable into a useful, beloved brother, I ask that You do the same in my life. Take the parts of my story, my mistakes, or the relationships that feel broken or "useless" to me, and redeem them for Your glory. Lord, shift my perspective so I can see myself and others through Your eyes. Give me a heart that reflects Christ-like love, forgiveness, and grace. Where there has been past hurt or friction, bring reconciliation and healing. Make my hands, my heart, and my life useful to Your kingdom, so that I may be a source of encouragement and blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
TODAY’S MESSAGE:
“which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.”
Philemon 1:11 KJV
Pastor’s INSIGHT:
Friends,
The Name Pun:
In the original Greek, Paul uses brilliant wordplay. The name Onesimus literally means "useful" or "profitable." Paul jokes that while Onesimus was previously "useless" (referring to his time as a runaway slave who may have wronged or stolen from his master), his conversion to Christianity made him truly live up to his name.
Brothers and Sisters,
The Transformed Disciple:
Onesimus fled from his master, Philemon (a wealthy believer in Colossae), and somehow encountered Paul while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Through Paul's ministry, Onesimus became a Christian disciple and a devoted assistant to Paul.
Church,
The Theological Shift:
This verse highlights a major theme in Paul's writings: the power of the Gospel to transform broken relationships. Instead of allowing Onesimus to remain a fugitive, Paul sent him back to Philemon—not as a slave to be punished, but as a beloved equal and brother in the faith.
Disciples,
Formerly, he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me," highlighting Onesimus' spiritual transformation and newfound value as a faithful brother in Christ.
SHARE MESSAGE:
What about You,,,,, Are YOU willing….. If so, join Greg Carpenter and the Disciples “Doing Life” with Jesus Team this morning responding to God’s Word together, then click the Share Button, and let God do the rest..... Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment