A sermon by Associate Minister Elsa A. Peters, September 9, 2007
Philemon: 1-9
Elsa: Whew. Who chose this lesson for today?
John: Elsa, we both chose it. (Elsa looks sheepish). But, like us, there are probably others that are not sure what to do with this story from the New Testament.
• It’s a short story from a short book. The book of Philemon is so short it doesn’t even have chapters – just verses.
• I couldn’t find it without singing the Bible Discovery song (♫ “Thessalonians, Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, Titus, Philemon… ♪)
Elsa: I never learned that song as a child. So, I still can’t find this tiny letter. But, the message is really important. Because it’s a story about Paul. And John and I both love Paul.
John: (Dismissing Elsa’s sarcasm) Yes, well, Paul is in jail. He was in trouble for preaching about Jesus. o While he was in jail a man named Onesimus came to visit. Onesimus was a slave, owned by Philemon who was a friend of Paul’s. Paul had led them both to become Jesus’ followers. The letter we have is from Paul to Philemon, urging him to do the right thing – not according to ancient laws – but to do the right thing according to love:
“Welcome this man back,” said Paul, “as more than a slave, but as a brother in Christ.”
Elsa: That’s amazing. Really. That’s just amazing. It’s amazing what Paul does in this letter. Because this guy… what was his name?
John: Onesimus.
Elsa: I can’t say that. It’s a tongue twister. But, that guy was liable to be punished as a runaway slave. Paul doesn’t treat him that way. He’s not property that needs to be returned to Philemon. That’s hard to say too.
Instead, Paul tells Philemon that he should receive the slave guy as his son. He gives the slave dude all kinds of new names — “my child,” “my own heart,” and “beloved brother.” That’s not how things happened. Paul is radically breaking the rules. He doesn’t seem to care about what the law says.
John: It’s hard to imagine anyone “owning” anyone else like property. We know that’s wrong in God’s eyes; but the really important message here is that God is delighted when we welcome each other as sisters and brothers – when we do the right things because we love each other.
Elsa: Because we love each other. That’s what brings us together every Sunday – but especially this Sunday. We are coming home to this place where we love each other. That’s what Homecoming Sunday is all about. We love each other. So, we celebrate those things that we do for each other with love.
Ya know, John, this all sounds like cheesy. Love, love, love. Blah.
John: Maybe. But, what we’re saying is true.
Elsa: I know. It’s so true. We see it every Sunday when food pantry shelves are mysteriously stocked .
John: That’s right. And we see it when we hear about other church members visiting those that are shut-in.
Elsa: Yup. And then that love stuff even happens in Bible study! We do all of these things – and many more – because we love.
Imagine your heart. See it inside yourself? Maybe it looks something like that outline in the insert in our bulletin. Maybe it is a simple shape that is waiting to be filled or maybe your heart is so full of the things that you do for love.
Imagine your heart. And if you feel the Spirit move, take a few moments now and write down those things that you do for love. Write them right there in your paper heart tucked inside your bulletin. Think about your life, not only in the church but outside, and think of the things that you do for love. Write these things in your heart.
WRITING ON HEARTS (WHILE ORGANIST PLAYS)
John: So when we think about the things we do for love, we believe it pleases God, because God is love. Right?
Elsa: Right; AND when we do things from love we help other people. We didn’t read this part in Paul’s letter. It comes later. But, I just love it. It’s exactly what you’re saying, John. Verse 17 says: “If you consider me your partner, welcome him as you welcome me.”
I know we didn’t read it and this makes me sound like a total Bible nerd, but I love Paul’s use of the word “partner.” Because being partners means that we have “mutual obligations to assist and support each other relative to the common purpose of our partnership.” Isn’t that what church is all about?
John: Right. In the church, when we do things from love, we make the church stronger. So when you do one thing because of the love in your heart, you can (counts on fingers): 1) please God; 2)help others; and 3)make the church stronger. Wow!
Elsa: I know. It’s awesome. But, that’s what
being partners is all about. In the church, we are all partners so we all look out for each other because we love each other. We all grow. We become stronger. And as partners, we welcome more people as we have been welcomed.
John: That’s something we can all do. Philemon reminds us about it. It’s “showing hospitality.” Hospitality! Another big word. Sounds like “hospital.” It means pretty much the same thing: “giving kind attention to strangers and guests,” or “taking care of another’s needs…” and in the church we have the chance to pay attention to each other – strangers and guests, as well as long-time friends we haven’t seen for a while… (maybe since last Easter!)
Elsa: Even if we haven’t seen you in a while, we welcome everyone home today. Because we are all partners who welcome each other as we have been welcomed. We really mean it when we say: “no matter who you are and where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” That’s hospitality.
John: And that delights God, too.
So… we’ve learned that it’s really important to live the love that’s in our hearts. That’s why each of us here tries to make the world better. And we all know how good it feels to help someone, or welcome someone. And, we’ve remembered that building a stronger church is everyone’s job – one of the most important things we do for love. Anything else?
Elsa: I don’t know. Paul has really got me scratching my head. But, I do wonder about what’s written on the other side of that bulletin insert.
John: Where there are a lot of little hearts?
Elsa: Yeah, that one… I wonder John. Are these things that you might do for love? Maybe that’s not a question for you, but for everyone in the church. Are these things that you might want to do for love? These are just some of the things that we are doing for love on Meetinghouse Hill. And if you come down to Guptill Hall Homecoming Fair, you might find even more things to write on your heart.