Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

While the book of Philemon isn’t one of the greater books of the New Testament, when looking for doctrine, it does contain some great insights to the life & ministry of the Apostle Paul. It also offers a look at the early church, its challenges and successes.

It is important, and thankfully so, that the Lord sought to include in the Scriptures much of the administration of Paul’s life and ministry. It helps when we can see the “work” of the ministry. The careful Bible student will note that sometimes ministry is not as glamorous as some like to perceive it to be.

• Ministry means a sacrifice of time
• Ministry means a sacrifice to your family
• Ministry means a sacrifice of income
• Ministry means that you lift the burden, speak the victories and shake the hand of the fateful.
• But it also means you hold the hair back of those throwing up, hear the heartache and wipe the tears away.

This church was a result of Paul’s ministry. This group of people, that met in Philemon’s home, admonished of Paul because of their testimony.

In our text I would like to focus on something Paul identified in vs. 5-6 while admonishing those that had remained faithful:

Hearing of thy Love

Philemon 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

In verse 5 Paul mentions that he has heard the testimony of this church that is meeting in Philemon’s home. As a church you should have a good testimony or reputation within the community abroad.

Furthermore, this carries over into verse 6.

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

This communication was more than just hearing of their good testimony, but it was a point of communication. This communication was having an effect, and Paul saw that.

Effectual

The term effectual is a noun and a verb. It means that something not only had an effect but also the act of having an effect.

Paul could see that when people spoke to each other about the testimony of the people that were meeting at Philemon’s house that it was having an effect on their lives. That that testimony was challenging them to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

If you examine the passage carefully you will note that Paul was not addressing what the this group at Philemon’s house was saying to the world (the witness)… but rather what the world was saying about the church at Philemon’s house. (their testimony!)

A church is a group of individuals desiring to make a difference

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

This famous verse speaks of life, a desire to make a difference; that when we lay this body down that there is someone, somewhere that you had an effect on.

• Maybe a wife that needed a Godly leader in the home
• Maybe a child that needed a mother not afraid to pray for her children
• Maybe a worker that was a light to co-workers
• Maybe a neighbor that notices that the driveway is always empty on Sunday’s and Wednesdays…

The lives and testimonies of the people that met at Philemon’s house was causing a stir, having an effect. The more that people spoke of this effect the more that it convicted them to do better.

An Effectual life, lifts up Christ

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Note again: what was causing this effect was the testimony of this church that was causing a communication. People saw all their good works and it got them talking.

But it is difficult to have an effect behind closed doors.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

What is your church known for? What is the communication in the community being said about you?

-Oh, we’re King James! …praise God.. but will that have an effect?
-Oh, we have a great youth ministry… praise God.. but will that have an effect?
-Oh, we have a great choir… praise God.. but will that have an effect?
-Oh, we have a great Pastor… praise God.. but will that have an effect?

What will have an effect? What will get the communication started?

Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Paul continues:

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.