Reconciliation
I’ve been spending a lot of time the last few weeks in the book of Philemon. Paul’s short epistle contains the topics of servants, masters, damaged relationships, fleeing slaves, the early church, brotherhood, redemption, pleading, and sanctified arm-twisting also containing a touch of guilt. My focus is on the theme of reconciliation.
Runaway slave Onesimus is fleeing from his master Philemon who was a leader in the church that met in his home in Colosse. Onesimus is also assumed to have stolen from Philemon since Paul talks about crediting a debt to his account. In the process of fleeing, Onesimus meets Paul and comes to a saving faith in Christ.
This put Paul in an interesting position. He is the spiritual father of Onesimus, and the young man is very helpful to his ministry while he is confined to prison, but more importantly, there is unresolved conflict between Onesimus and his former master Philemon. Paul sends Onesimus back with a letter to his “beloved fellow worker” Philemon pleading with him to accept Onesimus back as a member of the family and a beloved brother in Christ.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [Matthew 5:23-24]
This verse refers to relationships in the Church. For those who love and serve Christ, the priority is to “First be reconciled”.
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FAMILY MINISTRY
Deacon
The Christmas season is here and the kids at LTCC celebrated with our Annual Winter Party on Wednesday. Twenty-eight kids, eleven Rooted helpers and seven adults played games, raced through the inflatable obstacle course, made a nativity craft and heard the gospel story while enjoying cookies by the fireplace. The Rooted students will gather for their own Christmas party on December 15th. We praise God for all our kids at Lake Tapps and are thankful for the support of this ministry by our church family.