Flushing Community Church of the Nazarene
Located at 9500 W. Pierson Road, Flushing Michigan
"We desire to experience the transforming love of God and share it with others."
Use the hashtag #FCCroadtrip if you post on Facebook or Twitter. Using social media spreads the impact of what God is doing in our service this morning throughout your friendships!
What stands out to you about Onesimus's story?
Philemon 1:1-7 NIV
The word "partnership" in v. 6 is the Greek word koinonia, which refers to a community relationship that comes into being through common participation in something--in this case, faith in Jesus. What does it mean to you to have a partnership in the faith?
Philemon 1:8-16 NIV
Onesimus's name means "useful." How did Paul play on this to demonstrate the change that had taken place in Onesimus's life?
Philemon 1:17-21 NIV
What is at the heart of Paul's request to Philemon? What is his basis for making this request?
“[Paul] doesn’t mention the cross here; rather he applies it. On the cross, Jesus hung with arms outstretched between heaven and earth, making a bridge upwards and downwards between God and the human race, and from side to side between all the warring factions of earth. And Paul has grasped the truth that so many have missed: his achievement of reconciliation is put into effect when his people follow the same pattern. When people allow the cross to shape their own lives, the love of God is set free to change and heal in ways we cannot at the moment even imagine."
-N.T. Wright
How does your partnership (koinonia) in the faith affect how you see others?
Galatians 3:27-28 ESV
God's grace in the gospel has the power to reconcile people and transform relationships.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 ESV
How does Paul’s letter to Philemon model the ministry of reconciliation?
Where do you see yourself in this story?
· Are you running from something like Onesimus? Do you need God’s good news of forgiveness, restoration, and transformation in your life today?
· Or do you identify yourself in Philemon, faced with the difficult task of extending grace and reconciliation to someone who may be different from you or who has wronged you?
· Where in your world does reconciliation need to happen today? And what stands in the way of you being that minister of reconciliation that your partnership in the gospel calls you to be?
Seeking God? Pray this:
God, today I see my need for reconciliation with you. I recognize that my sin separates me from you with a debt I can't pay, but I believe Jesus has died and risen again to restore me to you. Forgive me of my sin and change my heart so I can be a partner in your family of faith. Thank you for meeting me on my journey today. Amen.
Would you like to explore a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS in your life? Please reach out to one of our staff pastors:
Pastor Terry: terry@flushingcommunity.org
Pastor Steve: pastorsteveclose@yahoo.com
Pastor Mike: mike@flushingcommunity.org
Pastor Troy: troy@flushingcommunity.org
Pastor Kelli: kelli@flushingcommunity.org