Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
There is a recent saying in the business world that says, A good leader gets the other guy to think it was his idea.” Whereas, the old model told middle management what to do and how to do it. Which one took ownership of the task? The first one. Paul wrote a letter to a good friend to try to get him to show mercy to his runaway slave. He did not tell him to do it per se, but he wrote in such a way as to get Philemon to WANT to show mercy to Onesimus. He did it with the gospel. Because Jesus Christ made you a brother, welcome your new brother, Onesimus. Philemon had the right to execute Onesimus but Paul appealed for mercy.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow as this bunch of runaway slaves worships the Lord for his mercy to us in not executing us for our crimes. He sent us Jesus instead, to make us brothers and sisters. That is why it is appropriate that we are also celebrating Communion tomorrow. We will sit at the King’s table as sons and daughters. If there is someone who follows Jesus who you do not see as a brother or sister, make it right to the best of your ability…
You owe it to Jesus.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church