When Is Useless Useful New Beginnings Church April

When Is Useless Useful? New Beginnings Church April 23, 2006

The caring of God for Onesimus - vs. 10 God's Holy Spirit strives with souls God wants us to be His Son's He whispers to us through His Spirit He draws us to Him

The changing of Onesimus - vs. 10 -11 Paul had become his spiritual father Onesimus was saved Onesimus was different

The changing of Onesimus - vs. 10 -11 Onesimus was a new creature Onesimus was God's servant now

The challenge of Paul - vs. 10 -18 See Onesimus as a brother or fellow believer Forgive his sin and offense

The challenge of Paul - vs. 10 -18 Give him another chance Restore unto him his namesake - use Him for God

The conflict of Philemon - vs. 15 -22 He had been wronged He deserved to be compensated for his loss Yet, Onesimus had returned

The conflict of Philemon - vs. 15 -22 Onesimus was different Christ was their savior God was their Master

The call of Paul - vs. 17 -25 Consider me your partner Receive him as myself I will pay for his indiscretion I will come to you soon

How does this apply to us? Do these not parallel the Lord's treatment to us? Are you useful for the Lord? Does He have the knowledge of you? - Are you His? Do you represent Him well?

When is useless useful?

When God does it… 2 Cor. 5: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new