Covenant Primitive Baptist Church

Thankfully, Paul was not in prison alone and during his ministry he had companions that labored with him and were an encouragement to him. It is a great blessing that we do not have to travel through this sinful life alone, but we have other believers who encourage us along the way and, hopefully, we are a blessing to others as well.

Today is the conclusion of our study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament. In this podcast we will consider God as Jealous.

Philemon was instructed by Paul that he would be released from arrest and to prepare a lodging for him. Paul further instructed Philemon that his release from prison would be through the prayers of Philemon. How often do we as believers fail in praying because of our lack of faith. Truly did James exhort us that we have not because we ask not.

Obviously the saints will know their salvation fully because of the sufferings of Christ at the resurrection. However, we have an experimental knowledge of this power in regeneration due to it being the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Likewise, we have a spiritual understand of the sufferings of Christ when we suffer as Christians in this life.

In our continued study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament, today we will consider God as Jehovah-Tsidkenu—The Lord Our Righteousness.

Paul is willing to pay any loss to Philemon caused by Onesimus. However, it appears that Paul not only expected that Philemon would not only freely and kindly receive Onesimus but that he might go beyond and do "more than" by setting Onesimus free.

Onesimus running away was evil but like the brothers of Joseph God meant it for good. He returned to his master more than a servant; he was a beloved brother. Indeed, the ways of the Lord are mysterious but ultimately He works all things together for His honor and glory.

In our continued study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament, today we will consider God as Jehovah-Shammah—The Lord Is There.

Onesimus left as an unprofitable servant but returns as not only a profitable servant but moreso a brother in Christ. Before there was no spiritual fellowship between Philemon and Onesimus but now they are a blessing to each other. Onesimus was equally beneficial not only to Paul but to the kingdom of God in general. Each believer is to be beneficial in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In our continued study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament, today we will consider God as Jehovah-Shalom—The Lord is Peace.

Regeneration is solely alone by the work of the Holy Spirit. Afterwards the Lord ordained ministers to preach the gospel to bring forth that life like a doctor brings forth a child at birth. Each has its place in the economy of God and Paul was used by God to bring forth Onesimus as his father in the ministry.

As an apostle Paul definitely had the authority to command Philemon to forgive and take back Onesimus but instead he appealed to him in light of Christian virtue and in connection with his age. Throughout the Scriptures Paul is seen as a tender, loving, and gracious minister of the gospel.

In our continued study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament, today we will consider God as Jehovah-Sabaoth—The Lord of Hosts

Modern Christian would do well to order their life around the example of Philemon. He not only encouraged and refreshed the saints but his life also refreshed and blessed Paul as he was chained to a Roman soldier under household arrest.

Paul's prayer life encourages us to have a set time for prayer and to pray for specific people and congregations. Paul commended Philemon for his love and faith for the Lord and the people of God. Philemon not only knew what he believed but he was able to explain it to others.

In our continued study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament, today we will consider God as Jehovah-Rapha—The Lord That Heals.

Paul in household arrest is blessed to convert a slave of Philemon. Paul also portrays himself as a slave (servant) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Equally, each child of grace is purchased by the blood of Christ and is a slave of the Lord and to each other.

Online services are not New Testament "church" services. Unless people assemble together for worship it is not a New Testament congregational worship. Yes, people can worship the Lord via online studies and sermons, but it is not New Testament "church" service. New Testament congregations met in homes as a rule. There were no separate buildings for congregational worship as we see today.

In our continued study of some of the names of God from the Old Testament, we will consider today God as Jehovah-Ra'ah—The Lord my Shepherd.

The "we" passages in the book of Acts give much information regarding the life of Luke in connection with the Apostle Paul. Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts was not only "the beloved physician," but also a fellow-laborer of Paul's. The case of Demas is a lighthouse for anyone, but especially a minister, as a warning not to follow in his path.