Text:           PHILEMON 1:4-21

By:              NYAMOR IBRAHIM (DR.)

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We live in a world of challenges; there are several challenges confronting humankind today and these challenges are not new.

The worst of it is the failure of mankind which began since 2000 years ago in the garden of Eden.

Man fell of his responsibility towards his fellow brother.

Cain kill his brother Abel

Onesimus stole from his trusted master Philemon

We cannot complete the list of the vices, betrayal etc. but lack of brotherly love is beacon for all life challenges in Nigeria and the world at large. We shall take a look at it in the short book of Philemon which shows how slavery was overcome and runaway slave who stole from his masters was reconciled to his master through brotherly love

ANALYSIS OF BROTHERLY LOVE FROM THR BOOK OF PHILEMON

• Paul’s epistle to Philemon is a testimony to power of the grace of God in Christ Jesus and to the Christian love which unite believers
• While he was formerly a thief and a runaway slave, Philemon slaves Onesimus has been transformed by God’s grace and now a beloved brother of Philemon
• Does Christianity really work? Is the principle of Christian love and forgiveness applicable, practical and possible in difficult daily dealing?
• Paul brief postcard to Philemon reveals that he had no doubt.
• This is the saviors message put to application.
• This is the Christian love put to the test.
• This is forgiveness exemplified

THE EPISTLE ILLUSTRATE HOW BROTHERLY LOVE WORKS. (LOVE)

• IS GRATEFUL FOR THE BEST IN OTHERS. Vs 4-6
• SEEKS THE WELFARE OF OTHERS. Vs 7
• DEAL HONESTLY WITH OTHERS. Vs 8-14
• BEAR THE BURDEN OF OTHERS. Vs 16-19
• BELIEVES ON THE BEST OF OTHERS. Vs 21

CONCLUSION

Brotherly love challenges us to wake up from indulgence to active love and responsibility towards one another.

In our text for survival over life challenges which is Isaiah 41 that was consider on Saturday from verses 6-8, God challenge the children of Israel to wake up from sleep and help one another

We will read this to conclude this message of brotherly love. We must be willing to help one another; if we will survive the challenge confronting us.

Nobody is an epitome of himself

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