persuasion and commitment

Good morning friends,
Before we begin I'd like to remind you of a fun giving opportunity. One week from today Chris Braggins and I will run the Rochester Marathon (God willing). We're both interested in helping Laurelton through our run, so if you'd like to support us and the church we invite you to make a donation to Laurelton. You can write a check to Laurelton and mail it to me or to the church (335 Helendale Rd. Rochester, NY 14609) with "marathon" in the memo line. Contribution go to the general budget to help the church with its "running" expenses. Thanks for considering it.

Today's reading from Philemon is fun rhetorically. Notice how Paul says he could command Philemon to send Onesimus back to Paul as a free helper but would rather "suggest" it so that Philemon can do a good deed. Paul really turns up the pressure by mentioning again that he is a prisoner for Jesus. He also offers to repay Philemon for anything he might be owed. He even pulls the old trick of saying he'll "Say nothing about you owing me even you own self." This really is a master work of persuasion.

Our reading from Luke stops me in my tracks every time. Jesus looks at the large crowd gathering around him and seems to worry they don't understand what kind of commitment is involved in following him. He warns them to count the cost, to think seriously about what discipleship demands before they start following. He says a disciple must take up her cross and give up all his possessions. Christian discipleship is not a game; it can change our life, rearrange all our priorities and even lead us to the cross with Jesus. I pray we would take our discipleship seriously and that we would find joy and new life as we follow.


God bless,

Sam


Philemon 8-21

8For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.



12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.



17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.



*Luke 14:25-35

25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'



31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. 34“Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

sharing and refreshment

Good morning sisters and brothers,
We're back safe and sound in Rochester with a great trip behind us, thanks be to God! This morning we begin the short but fascinating letter to Philemon. Paul wrote this letter to a leader in the church named Philemon because it seems Philemon's slave Onesimus had escaped and run to Paul. Paul appeals to Philemon to forgive and release Onesimus. The letter is interesting on several different levels. Paul gets a lot of flack for his support of oppressive institutions like slavery and male power. Here we see a different side of his thinking about slavery. Still, there isn't the clear condemnation of slavery we wish there was, but there is a subtle challenge to it. The letter is also interesting because of how Paul makes his argument, as we'll see tomorrow.

Paul begins with a greeting to a leader who helped the church grow and apparently hosted a church in his home. We hear how Paul rejoices for the ministry Philemon has already done and hopes his faith will keep growing. Notice too how he mentions his imprisonment right away. Since we've been thinking a lot lately about sharing, I also noticed Paul's prayer about Philemon's faith sharing. I hope these words will begin your day with encouragement as you look ahead to your sharing and ministry for the weekend.

God bless,
Sam


Philemon 1:1-7
1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.