This series of sermons will focus on four letters that often get overlooked in our treatment of the New Testament - 2nd John, 3rd John, Philemon and Jude. They are all very short letters that are not accompanied with a lot of information that helps us to construct an occasion and purpose of the letter. Our task will be to envision being the audience of these short letters to extract a message from the Holy Spirit.
On the surface, Jude is a poignant rebuke of false teachers. Deeply embedded in the letter is the author?s use of mystical understanding and literature that was familiar in Jewish folklore. Ultimately, the letter is an appeal to Christians to remain faithful and unfazed by current circumstance. It is a call to root oneself in the doxology at the end of the letter.
Philemon is a short and beautiful reflection of the pastoral ministry of Paul. There are no lofty theological considerations. It is simply an appeal in love for a brother to receive another brother. Hear how Paul?s appeal was for his brother (Philemon) to ?partner? with him in something greater than his own personal issue.
Like 2nd John, the text is short and to the point. The conclusion of the letter includes an emphatic compelling to imitate or mimic what is good. What model of doing good do we use or follow? How does the answer to this question function in the mission of God to the world?
Short and to the point. Not much more can be said about this obscure letter. But what if this was the only letter the church had? What does it tell you about life in the early Christian community? Emerging out of this short offering is a simple encouragement to abide in Christ?s love.