RELATIONSHIPS WE NEED Philemon

Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9

For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Hebrews 2:11

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7

To Philemon …and to the church in your house: Philemon 1:1-2

Life is really a team sport! Robert Lewis

1)A Paul -an investor

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment Philemon 10

I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). Philemon 19

For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 7

A)They model the Christ- life before us. B)They recognize the work of God in our lives. C)They call us to a deeper surrender.

D)They speak truth into our lives. E)They challenge us to serve.

2)A Timothy -an investment

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2

I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; John 17:20

Practical application: 1)Walk out the Christ-life. 2)Look for the work of God in the lives of those around you. 3)Be sensitive to those who seem ready to step up to a deeper surrender.

Practical application: 4)Lovingly speak truth to them. 5)Challenge them to serve.

3)An Epaphras -a partner

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers… For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you… Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, Philemon 23

There is no possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend. Socrates

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Three things: 1)Share our surrender to Christ. 2)Share our values. 3)Share our vision of life.

Practical application: 1)Treasure them 2)Thank God for them 3)Tell them