Runaways

The Bible is filled with stories of runaways:

• Adam & Eve hid from God- Genesis 3
• Jacob ran from Esau - Genesis 27
• David ran from Saul - 1 Samuel 19
• Elijah ran from Jezebel - 1 Kings 19
• Jonah ran from God- Jonah 1
• The Prodigal Son - Luke 15
• Peter & Disciples abandoned Jesus - Matthew 26
• Onesimus - Philemon

Context:

• Paul is in prison; Philemon - Christian in Colosse, master of Onesimus
• Slavery was a major part of Roman culture; Philemon would have had a legal right to Onesimus; captured runaway slaves were to be returned to their owners, frequently faced severe punishment (whipping, branding) or even death as an example to other slaves

Philemon 1:1-25

This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, [2] and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. [3] May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. [4] I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, [5] because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. [6] And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. [7] Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people. [8] That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. [9] But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me-Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. [10] I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. [11] Onesimus hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. [12] I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. [13] I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. [14] But I didn't want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. [15] It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. [16] He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. [17] So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. [18] If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. [19] I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won't mention that you owe me your very soul! [20] Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. [21] I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! [22] One more thing-please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon. [23] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. [24] So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. [25] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Personal Testimony - The Runaway Pastor

Application Points:

1. Christianity wasn't about overturning social structures and practices so much as it was about transforming hearts, lives, and relationships, which ultimately had a much deeper, lasting impact on the world than any physical revolution ever could.

2. Our relationship with Christ (and with each other) transcends all social distinctions and classes, cultural boundaries, races, sexes, nationalities, affiliations.

• Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

3. Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

• Adam and Eve were found by God. Through her offspring, Jesus, Satan has been overcome.
• Jacob was reconciled with his brother, received the full blessing that Isaac had given Him, and was renamed Israel by God. (From "deceiver" to "he struggles with God")
• David became Israel's King after Saul's death, and was called "a man after God's own heart"
• Elijah was cared for and encouraged by God, and continued his prophetic call in fresh power.
• Jonah was used to lead the great city of Ninevah to repentance and revival.
• The prodigal son was received home with much joy and celebration.
• Peter and the disciples were commissioned and empowered to change the world with the good news about Jesus.
• Onesimus returned to Philemon, formerly a slave, now a brother in Christ

In the words of God in the garden of Eden, where are you? Are you on the run? Are you hiding?