Profitable

Fathering Insights from the Book of Philemon.

Paul stood as an Apostolic father to send Onesimus back to Philemon who may have been either Onesimus employer or master.
Philemon had a church in his house, which made him either a Bishop or a Pastor in function.
Now Onesimus had left and somehow had come to be one of the Apostle Pauls converts.
He become a SON to Paul.

He became PROFITABLE in assisiting Paul in the work of ministry while Paul was imprisoned or in chains as he states.

Yet Paul had to do something that was very challenging for him to do. He had to send Onesimus back to Collose so he could be restored and reconcile with Philemon.

Now some folk may not see how deep this is, but this is a pivotal place in many peoples lives.

1. Apostle Paul did not have many workers who helped him. Onesimus became a son and was dear to his heart. He was sending him not only to RECONCILE, but to be USEFUL in the work of ministry to Philemon.
Paul does not invoke his authority as an Apostle, but instead appeals to the heart of Philemon to say help make this situation well with Onesimus. Put it to my charge any wrong he has done you and I will pay it to you.
Paul says Onesimus was once UNPROFITABLE to you, but now he is profitable to both me and you. Because you honor me as an Apostle, receive him as you would my own heart.

NOW THAT IS AN APOSTOLIC FATHER!

2. Onesimus - he had left Collose under not so good of a situation. It is inferred  that he stole from Philemon. He would have had that hanging over him like a dark cloud. Fear, guilt, shame, condemnation etc...
He receives Christ as Saviour and becomes a follower of The Way. He becomes Pauls son in the Gospel.
Paul sees his growth and development and knows he needs to be able to be forgiven and restored to continue in his walk with the Lord with a clear conscious.
This is a big moment for Onesimus. It is a return to a place he would not have gone back to had the Apostle Paul not stood as an ADVOCATE and a voice on his behalf.
What a beautiful picture of Jesus ministry of RECONCILIATION to our Father.
Paul also admonishes the Church in the Book of Colossians to receive him. This is also and APOSTOLIC SENDING in releasing Onesimus to go FURTHER in ministry and not just serving the Apostle himself.
He became PROFITABLE for the Kingdom.

3. Philemon- having a church in his home caused him to be well reported of for faith and love. His name means affectionate.
This is wonderful picture much like the prodigal returning to his father. In this case though Onesimus leaves as a servant and returns as a son. Now Philemon is being tried in his heart to receive Onesimus back and to allow him to work as the Senior Apostle has VALIDATED him.

There is more that can be pulled from the text, but the key is setting people free.

The whole moral of this message is LOVE, FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION.

Fathers to sons, sons to fathers
Mothers to daughters, daughters to mothers
Brothers to sisters, sisters to brothers
Sisters to sisters, brothers to brothers

Lets be and do better

In His Love,
Apostle Jesse

Green Apples (Undeveloped Prophetic Ministry)

One day while in prayer the Lord spoke to me about the current rise in what has been termed "PROPHETIC MOVEMENT"

It was disturbing and saddening all in one.

 One part is that if we are going to say PROPHETIC MOVEMENT, then we must FIRST recognize the ONE who is moving in our midst to give utterance, meaning the Holy Spirit.
When we hear about prophecy, we should see if it is accompanied with the WORSHIP of God and The TESTIMONY of Jesus.

We should also discern if the people or person is seasoned, sent and set by God.
Rev19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

We either have a prophet under instruction prophesying
Amos 3:3-8

A gift prophesying 1 Cor 13:2

or the spirit of prophecy where all are prophesying.
Number 11:25 1 Samuel 10:10 & 1 Samuel 19:20-24

The over emphasis on prophecy has caused abuse and misuse in this function.
There is a great misunderstanding even in the purpose of prophecy.
Because of so many hungering for experience and or a word many have begun to eat the words of novices.
The Lord said these were "GREEN APPLES" feeding His people.
The undeveloped gift and or office, immature character
and even motive of ministry causes individuals to eat these GREEN APPLES.

Unripened, sour and bitter fruit being fed to the people of God has created malnutrition and underdevelopment in those who go and hear these preachers and get a word.

When GREEN APPLES are eaten in the natural they are sour and become hard. This can lead to digestive discomfort produced by the green unripened apples' excessive ethylene gas.
GREEN APPLES mean well when they PREACH and PROPHESY BUT CAUSE GREAT IRRITATION TO THE BODY of CHRIST.

They create SPIRITUAL INDIGESTION in the believers.

It is because they are unripened and trying to be something before their time they produce pain in others.
This is a dangerous place to be before the Lord because of ZEAL without WISDOM.
SAINTS, do not allow charisma and enthusiasm to be more of an influence than MATURITY and CHARACTER.
Mature fruit will nurture you without giving you an upset stomach.

EAT WITH WISDOM SAINTS!

In His Love,
Apostle Jesse
#KingdomReign