Philemon 23-25
David Brainerd was born in 1718 and died of tuberculosis in 1747 at the age of 29. He was very prone to bouts of depression especially after the death of his father when he was 5 and his mother when he was 14. It might not seem like he had much time to make a difference for the cause of Christ, much less deal with his own struggles, yet David Brainerd is known as a servant who sacrificed much for the cause of Christ. He had personal struggles and shortcomings, but God in His grace was at work through all them to bring glory to Himself and growth to the church. For four short years, Brainerd was a missionary to the Native American people of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware where he communicated the love and grace of salvation offered through Jesus Christ. His sacrificial life and spiritual example are held up as a model to this day. As Paul concludes his letter to Philemon he too lists several men who sacrificed and served so as to make a spiritual difference in the lives of others (23-24). Epaphras was a pastor, Luke was a doctor, Mark had been useless but was now useful, while Aristarchus and Demas served Paul while he was in prison. Each of these men served with the abilities that God had given them to see others grow in their faith in Christ. Paul reminds Philemon that God has shown grace to him through Jesus Christ (25). Knowing and accepting the grace of Jesus changed everything for David Brainerd and Philemon. Paul desired that the grace Philemon had received from Christ flow from his life in sacrificial spiritual service that will benefit Onesimus. May the grace of Christ flow through our lives, benefit others spiritually and bring God glory.
For more see PHILEMON
David Brainerd was born in 1718 and died of tuberculosis in 1747 at the age of 29. He was very prone to bouts of depression especially after the death of his father when he was 5 and his mother when he was 14. It might not seem like he had much time to make a difference for the cause of Christ, much less deal with his own struggles, yet David Brainerd is known as a servant who sacrificed much for the cause of Christ. He had personal struggles and shortcomings, but God in His grace was at work through all them to bring glory to Himself and growth to the church. For four short years, Brainerd was a missionary to the Native American people of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware where he communicated the love and grace of salvation offered through Jesus Christ. His sacrificial life and spiritual example are held up as a model to this day. As Paul concludes his letter to Philemon he too lists several men who sacrificed and served so as to make a spiritual difference in the lives of others (23-24). Epaphras was a pastor, Luke was a doctor, Mark had been useless but was now useful, while Aristarchus and Demas served Paul while he was in prison. Each of these men served with the abilities that God had given them to see others grow in their faith in Christ. Paul reminds Philemon that God has shown grace to him through Jesus Christ (25). Knowing and accepting the grace of Jesus changed everything for David Brainerd and Philemon. Paul desired that the grace Philemon had received from Christ flow from his life in sacrificial spiritual service that will benefit Onesimus. May the grace of Christ flow through our lives, benefit others spiritually and bring God glory.
For more see PHILEMON
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