Brother Rick Sunday School 10/11/15

Brother Rick Sunday School 10/11/15

Being a refreshment to God’s people.  We can see how the saints of old really needed God’s help and the refreshment of the Saints.  We can see this as we read from Paul’s writings. 

2Ti 1:16  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

2Ti 1:17  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2Ti 1:18  The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

There are four things we need to do to help people: be a refreshment, don’t be ashamed of people’s circumstances, seek them out, find them, and be of service.  I want to be of service to God and a refreshment to God’s people.  I want to be led of God to come in contact with souls that I can be an encouragement to.

Nelson’s king James Study Bible:  Paul wrote these words while in prison for the second time in Rome after being free for five years.  The first time he was in prison, he had liberty to go where he wanted to go in the area, he had liberty to preach and hold services.  Then after he was let out of that situation, he was free for five years. 

The second time he was arrested in Corinth because of the accusation of Alexander the Coppersmith.  He knew that this time he would never be set free.  His only contact with the outside world was a hole 18 inches square in the ceiling of his cell. 

Onesiphorus was faithful to search out and find Paul where he was and be a refreshment to him.  Through that opening passed everything that came from Paul, including 2^nd Timothy in the fall of AD 67.  He was beheaded in Rome in June of AD 68.

Focusing on the word refreshed:  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me.  He frequently came to be an encouragement to Paul. 

There were some that were ashamed of Paul’s situation.  “This thou knowest that all they that are in Asia are turned away from me.”  Thank God that Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chain, his imprisonment.  To some in the world it looked like Paul was a criminal.

Rome was a big city.  Onesiphorus had to search out where Paul was. 

Refreshed:  Strong’s Concordance Greek 404 and 373 to repose.  A state of resting after exertion or strain.  State of heavenly rest, ease, tranquility. 

Imagine being in that cell and Onesiphorus bringing food, paper, pen or whatever Paul needed.  It was a real refreshing to Paul.

To restore strength, animation, to revive, to freshen up, renovate, restore, maintain by renewing supply, restore water to, become refreshed.

Albert Barnes Notes - The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus - The family of Onesiphorus - for so the word house is often used. He was himself still living 2Ti_1:18, but not improbably then absent from his home; compare the notes at 2Ti_4:19. He was evidently of Asia, and is the only one who is mentioned from that region who had showed the apostle kindness in his trials. He is mentioned only in this Epistle, and nothing more is known of him. The record is entirely honorable to him, and for his family the apostle felt a warm interest on account of the kindness which he had showed to him in prison. The ecclesiastical traditions also state that he was one of the seventy disciples, and was ultimately Bishop of Corone. But there is no evidence of this.
For he oft refreshed me - That is, showed me kindness, and ministered to my needs.

And was not ashamed of my chain - Was not ashamed to be known as a friend of one who was a prisoner on account of religion. Paul was bound with a chain when a prisoner at Rome;

2Co 7:12  Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

2Co 7:13  Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

The Saints are such a help to each other; I want to be a comfort to the Saints. 

Matthew Henry - Note, It is a great comfort and joy to a faithful minister to have to do with a people whom he can confide in, and who he has reason to hope will comply with everything he proposes to them that is for the glory of God, the credit of the gospel, and their advantage.

Sister Dorothy - It doesn’t matter the situation, we cannot pick sides, but care equally and bring them before God.  God help us to be careful.  When saints are having difficulties we don’t know the origin, we need to have compassion and be a refreshment to souls. 

Pro 25:13  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

This talks about a cool refreshing as drink cooled with ice or snow, or as cool air.  He took care of the affairs that were committed to him.  We need to be as a cool drink on a hot day.

Brother Bill - It seems like Onesiphorus had gained wisdom prior to this through circumstances that had come his way in life.  When we are younger in understanding it is easy for us to find fault in situations.  When we go through some things ourselves and gain wisdom, it helps us to not come to wrong conclusions. 

People could have found fault with Paul, “If you were not so quick to open your mouth and use a little more discretion maybe you wouldn’t be in prison.”  Onesiphorus was not this way.  When we go through things it is not only for our benefit but we are able to refresh others.

It speaks of a word fitly spoken earlier in this chapter.  To do this we need to have gained understanding and wisdom.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The suffering is to teach us to have compassion for others. 

Mat 10:42  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Let’s have that compassion for others in the smallest details.  To be a refreshing to our brothers and sisters is to be a blessing and a help to them.  There is no better way to lay up treasure in heaven.  I want to be completely surrendered to God and take advantage of the opportunities to be a blessing and a help to not only the Saints but to those around us.

Phm 1:7  For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Philemon abounded with works of charity to others.  It had done much to make them happy.  What can be more fulfilling in our lives as Christians than to encourage and help the saints to be happier in their lives!

How can we be a refreshment to the saints?  Just smiling is an encouragement.  An encouraging phone call can be made.  Just to know someone cares is encouraging.  To show appreciation means a great deal. 

If there is measuring to do in any of the saints, it is best to leave it with God and focus more on the encouraging end of it.  If God shows us to instruct then we want to do it, but we primarily need to be an encouragement. 

Sister Brenda - We don’t see the heart, we don’t often know when someone needs encouragement.  It is important to listen to the voice of God.  Often the saints have encouraged me when they did not know what my heartache or burden was.  The Spirit of God laid it upon their heart to call or say something encouraging.  That is why it is important that we have devotions and live close to God.

We want to work at being an encouragement to others we want it to become a real part of our life that we do naturally without thinking.  The best testimony that a saint can give is to do something for God without even knowing that they did it.

Pro 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

It is a beautiful thing to see the saints with wisdom to be an encouragement and a refreshing to each other.  Imagine what it meant to Paul to be in that situation and have Onesiphorus come by and be an encouragement to him. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We want to let our light shine.  It is wonderful to study of the saints of old and realize that serving God is just the same today as it was back then.  We want to have our whole heart into serving God and being a refreshment to one another.

Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

We are doing our good refreshment to others as unto the Lord. 

John Wesley: do all the good that you can by all the means that you can in all the ways that you can in all the places that you can all the times that you can to all the people that you can as long as ever you can.