Put It On My Tab

Text:

Philemon 1:18:

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

 

Theme:

Put It On My Tab

 

Introduction:

• Epistle of Philemon – Letter written by Paul from his captivity in Rome around the same time as the letter to the churches in Colosse and Ephesus. The purpose of this epistle is for Paul to intercede on behalf of Onesimus who had deserted his master, Philemon.  The three individuals involved in this negotiation are as follows:
  • Paul – that well-educated Jew who was converted on the Damascus road and accepted his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Paul is now in Jail in Rome.
  • Philemon – a citizen of Colosse and a well-known and respected slave owner. Philemon was converted under the activity of Paul’s ministry.
  • Onesimus – a slave owned by Philemon who was converted under the activity of Paul’s ministry also. Onesimus chose to desert Philemon and his responsibility to Philemon’s estate and ran into Paul.  Now Paul is trying to restore Onesimus into Philemon’s good graces.
• The text comes from Paul’s letter to Philemon attempting to fix Onesimus’ broken relationship with Philemon.

1. Paul acknowledges Philemon and his faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Philemon’s faithfulness was well known.
• Connection with a fellow laborer in the faith.

2. Paul acknowledges Onesimus and his wrongdoing…broken commitment.

• “Confession is good for the soul”
• “Two wrongs don’t make a right”
• “The truth will set you free”

3. Paul acknowledges Onesimus and his value to Paul’s ministry after his conversion.

• God can make something out of nothing.

4. Paul asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him once again.

• Paul’s pivotal statement in his plea to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus is found in our text:

“If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;”

• “put that on mine account”…these are King James’ words that are equivalent to these words in today’s language…“Put It On My Tab”
  • What is a tab?

A tab is basically a log or list of information usually kept to account for expenditures…what you have spent and how much you owe.

• Formal examples:
  • A “corner store”
  • A bar
• Casual examples:
  • A way of accounting for funds owed (friends)
• Paul in essence told Philemon:
  • If there is anything that Onesimus owes you from before, PUT IT ON MY TAB!
• If Onesimus owes you money, I will take the responsibility of making sure that you are compensated/repaid.
• If Onesimus has made you mad, take it out on me!

 

Body:

• Paul’s plea to Philemon surfaces three primary Godly principles:

• Forgiveness – Reminding Onesimus that Jesus saved him
  • Jesus forgives us of our sins — 1John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • We are to forgive others. – Matthew 6:14 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”

• Love – Paul showed the love of God in tryng to work out m situtation
  • God loves us – John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
  • We are to love others – Matthew 22:39 says, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

• Self-denial – Paul overlooked his own situation to help Onesimus
  • Personal surrender to God of ALL — Mark 8:34 says, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

• Other examples of “Putting it on my tab!”
  • In the Old Testament, Joseph can be found saying, in so many words, “Put it on my tab”, when the Bible says in Genesis 42:25, “Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.”
    • Joseph forgave his brothers for stealing his coat of many colors and leaving him.
  • One of the Major Prophets, Isaiah can be found saying, in so many words, “Put it on my tab”, when he says in Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
    • Isaiah put aside his own plans and desires to do God’s will.

 

Conclusion:

Jesus is the greatest example!

• Jesus was born, lived, bled, died, and rose again for our sins. Salvation is through Jesus!
  • Repent of your sins
  • Believe in Jesus Christ
  • Be Baptized
  • Receive the Holy Ghost
• Through Jesus we are justified or made righteous. When we should have been guilty and destroyed, Jesus told His Father to “Put It On My Tab”
  • When the Innkeepers said that there was “no room in the inn” for His birth
  • When Herod sought to have Him killed
  • When the Pharisees and scribes worked against Him
  • When James and John tried to manipulate Him
  • When Peter tried to keep him from going to the cross
  • When Judas betrayed Him
  • When the people voted to crucify Him
  • When Thomas denied Him…He said “Put it on my Tab!”

WE ARE NOT EXEMPT!!

• When we denied Him for another’s attention
• When we chose the world instead of His love
• When we would not heed His call to life more abundantly…He said “Put it on my Tab!”

I AM NOT EXEMPT!!

• When I was too mean to love Him
• When I was too afraid to accept Him
• When I was too proud to serve Him
• When I was too confused to believe Him
• When I was too unworthy to call on Him…He said “Put it on my Tab!”

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