Author Archives: John Sanzone

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CHAINS NO MORE. Philemon 1:1-16. 3/26/2023. #1.

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ² to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. ⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— ¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. ¹² I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, ¹³ whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. ¹⁵ For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

1.  A delicate situation

                a. This is a personal letter from Paul to Philemon

                                a1. This is not a letter of doctrine or command

                                a2. Paul is making a personal appeal

                b. Paul spends a much time building rapport with Philemon and his household (Apphia; Archippus)

                                a1. Beloved friend, fellow laborer, fellow soldier…

                                a2. Philemon is faithful, loving, prayerful, a faithful witness, effective, refreshing…

                c. Philemon hosted the church in Colosse

                                a1. Apparently, his son, Archippus, was the pastor of the church (Col. 4:17)

                                a2. Paul commends him for his faithful witness

                d. Onesimus, Philemon’s slave had run away

                                a1. Apparently, he had stolen from his master

                                a2. The penalty for this crime was death

                e. Onesimus ran into Paul, who led him to Christ

                                a1. The letter is sent from Rome (Paul mentions that he is chains)

                                a2. Paul pleads for clemency

2. A case for mercy

                a. Slavery was a common reality in ancient world

                                a1. Abraham owned slaves and many of the prophets had bonded servants

                                a2. Can’t be judged by modern standards

                b. Paul does 4 things:

                                a1. He pleads that Philemon forgive Onesimus

                                a2. He wants Philemon to receive him as a brother

                                a3. He wants Philemon to release On. from his servitude

                                a4. He refuses to command Philemon to do this, even though as an apostle, he could do so

                c. Paul adds some spiritual pressure to his appeal

                                a1. He would have liked to have kept Ones. with him to help him in the gospel ministry

                                a2. Since Philemon owned Ones., Paul could not keep him without his permission

                                a3. It is “fitting” (proper; lit., to come up to standard) for Philemon to release Ones.

                                                b1. Paul implies that it would be inappropriate not to comply

                                                b2. Ones. would be more profitable serving the Lord than a slave

3. Paul’s personal appeal

                a. Paul states that he needs workers to help him while he is in chains in Rome

                                a1. Ones. would be a big benefit to Paul

                                a2. Paul needed more help than Philemon

                b. Paul wants Philemon to release Ones. voluntarily

                                a1. I Corinthians 9:19-27 God does not force us to serve him, but wants us to do so out of love

                                a2. Paul wants Philemon to give up his servant for the kingdom’s sake (service costs us)

                c. Providence: Paul states that these things may have providentially occurred to further the kingdom

                                a1. Ones. had not come to the Lord in Colosse

                                a2. Now Ones. returns as a brother in the Lord

                d. A transition from worldly culture to Christian grace

                e. Social change did not occur overnight (centuries)

Key verse: I Corinthians 9:19-27¹⁹ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; ²⁰ and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; ²² to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. ²³ Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. ²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

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QUELLING QUARRELS. Titus 3:9-15. 3/19/23. # 11.

Titus 3:9-15

⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive man after the first and second [a]admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. ¹² When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. ¹⁵ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

1. Jewish minutiae

                a. The Jews loved to argue minor points of Law

                                a1. Strained at interpretations & implications, stretching meanings until it breaks & then teaching error

                                a2. They argued over genealogies & which rabbis had the purest teaching

                b. As many Christians follow high profile Christian teachers, Jews followed noted rabbis

                                a1. 1 Cor. 3 carried into the church

                                a2. Mt. 23 Pharisees sought ultimate meanings while missing the point (vs.

                                       24: strain at a gnat & swallow a camel)

                c. Paul states that arguing over trivial & divisive doctrine & speculation is utterly useless

                                a1. Much of it is unsolvable by us

                                a2. Makes no difference in belief & deeds

                                a3. No one is convinced to change view

                d. Futile arguments only engender strife (II Timothy 2:20-26)

                e. Truth is not confirmed by forceful disputing

2. Shaking the dust off your shoes

                a. There are many cultish bullies peddling error

                                a1. They lead the weak astray

                                a2. They heap on self, great condemnation

                b. Reject a divisive (Eng. word heretical, faction, to be contrary, to oppose) man

                                a1. After 2 warnings, remove self from a divisive person

                                a2. Heretics are not to have a place within the fellowship of believers

                c. Even though the heretic does much damage with subtle forays into error, they cannot be overcome by argument or force

                                a1. Must be dealt with by the Lord

                                a2. They are motivated by pride & control

                d. Paul labels the heretic as “warped”

                                a1. Perverted, twisted, distorted

                                a2. Lit., “to turn inside out”

                e. Paul calls heretics sinners

                                a1. Self-condemned – their words & works judge them according to their lies

                                a2. 2 Tim. 3:15-16 the Scriptures indicate that their errors are obvious to those who know & practice the truth

                f. There is no purpose in arguing against those who teach error

                                a1. Nothing in accomplished by debate

                                a2. After a couple warnings, walk away

3. Final instructions

                a. Paul = going to winter at Nicopolis (W. Greece)

                b. After Paul sends Artemis or Tychicus to relieve Titus, he is to join Paul

                c. Titus is told to take care of Zenas & Apollos

                d. Again, Paul emphasizes to maintain good works to meet urgent needs

Key Verse:

II Timothy 2:20-26 ²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

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A FAITH THAT WORKS. Titus 3:8. 3/12/2023. #10.

⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

1. Hand and glove

                a. 19th century German higher criticism swept the seminaries in Europe and America

                                a1. Liberal pastors made liberal denominations (Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Brethren…)

                                a2. Churches turned to social work instead of spreading the Gospel

                                a3. Most no longer believed in the inerrancy of the Word of God

                b. Faithful believers turned away from their denominations to either form new denom. or join sounder churches (Baptists, Evan. Free, etc.)

                c. When liberal churches started up new social works, many churches abandoned such works as being part of the Social Gospel movement

                d. By no longer feeding the poor, housing the homeless, helping the drunk, etc., evangelical believers abandoned the city to the liberals

                e. Paul states that good works are a natural result of being saved (one follows the other)

                f. Martin Luther thought that James was teaching a works salvation, not than salvation that works

                g. Paul emphasizes doing good works twice in his closing letter to Titus

                h. Salvation by faith and good works = not opposed

2. Believers in God do good to people

                a. Jesus did much good (healing, casting out demons, restoring sight and life, comforting…)

                b. 4 evidences of salvation:

                                a1. An evangelical witness for Christ

                                a2. A moral life (Galatians 5:19-23)

                                a3. Worship and prayer

                                a4. Service to others in the name of Lord

                c. The absence of evidence may mean the absence of salvation

                                a1. I Corinthians 6:9-11 the immoral will not inherit the Kingdom of God (I John 5)

                                a2. Matthew 10:33 any who deny Christ before men, Christ will deny before the Father

                                a3. James 2:14-26 if one’s faith is not working through one’s life (as it did with Abraham, Rahab, Noah…) then faith is probably not there, for they are 2 parts of the same whole as body and spirit

                d. Works is an extension of our faith

3. That which is profitable

                a. A sanctified believer is a benefit to those around him (testimony, comfort, and care)

                b. In the name of the Lord, we should feed and clothe the needy, be hospitable, support the weak, help the widow and orphan (James 1:27), and be kind to the stranger

                c. Not only do we support rescue work, orphan homes, and missions, but we do what we can to help those in need that God sends our way

                d. We do not work to be saved, but we work because we are saved

                                a1. The Gospel must travel with our works

                                a2. Witnessing and working = 2 sides of a coin

                e. It is not unbiblical to help people

                f. Unbiblical to replace the Gospel with works

                                a1. Salvation leads to service

                                a2. Salvation without service benefits no one (1 Timothy 3:17 saved to serve)

Key verse: James 2:14-26¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

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ABUNDANT GRACE. Titus 3:4-7. 3/5/2023. #9.

⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1. Love appears

                a. God has always loved mankind as both his creation and as being made in his image (Gen. 1:26-28)

                b. The physical manifestation (“epiphany”) of God’s love came in the incarnation of Jesus Christ

                                a1. The sudden, though predicted, appearing of the Son of God brought God’s love and generosity into the light

                                a2. Man was the directed object and beneficiary of that love

                c. The Lord’s appearing was apart from any motive or works done by man

2. God so loved the world…

                a. The motivation of God is in his character

                                a1. God exercised mercy (to take pity or to have compassion) on our behalf

                                a2. Mercy was not based upon our worthiness, seeking God, or hidden potential

                b. God showed abundant (“plentiful” or “overflowing”) grace upon us

                                a1. The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ was of an abundance of grace that was greater than our sin (Rom. 6)

                                a2. Even though our sins are great, God’s love and mercy are far greater still

3. Washed and renewed

                a. God applied his grace via the work of the Holy Spirit

                b. Jesus paid the penalty of sin and the Spirit applied the payment to regenerate us

                c. The washing of regeneration

                                a1. 2 interpretations of “washing”

                                                b1. Literal = regenerated through the mode of water baptism (an early church misunderstanding and heresy)

                                                b2. Metaphorical = the Spirit spiritually washes us with Christ’s full payment so that we are made spiritually clean and then regenerated (made alive) eternally (from eternal death to life)

                                a2. 3 reasons why “washing” is figurative and not literal:

                                                b1. The washing is “of the Holy Spirit” and not “of water”

                                                b2. Applying water or any other act cannot save man, just like animal offerings couldn’t save man (Hebrews 10)

                                                b3. Ephesians 2, Romans 6, Romans 10 all other references of salvation refer to grace and faith apart from water baptism (even Mark 16 taken rightly)

                d. The washing of the renewing of believers

                                a1. The Spirit not only regenerates us, but he also renews (“new again”)

                                a2. Renewal is an ongoing process of spiritual growth (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 5:18, II Peter 3:18)

                                a3. Ephesians 1:13-14 the Spirit’s work doesn’t stop in a believer at salvation

                c. James 2 spiritual growth should be the natural result of spiritual renewal

                                a1. By being justified (declared to be righteous) we need to live righteously

                                a2. The Spirit prepares us for living with God eternally (Romans 8:12-17)

                d. Those who are not renewed daily indicate that they my not be saved – as with many false saints (I John 5)

                e. Even though it is the Spirit’s job to renew us, we must yield to the Spirit to be renewed (Ephesians 5:18)

Key verse:  Romans 8:12-17¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

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A MODEL CITIZEN. Titus 3:1-3. 02/26/2023. #8

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

1. Obedience to rulers and government officials

                a. Paul had more difficult with hostile governments than almost any man who ever lived (II Corinthians 11)

                b. Yet, Paul emphasized submission to authority

                                a1. Romans 13:1-7 government is God-ordained for the protection of its citizens

                                a2. Even when the known world was conquered by Rome, men were to submit to that authority (God used Rome to spread Gospel)

                                a3. Matthew 22:17-22 Jesus said to render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar

                                a4. Acts 23:5 Paul rebuked himself for “speaking evil of the Lord’s anointed”

                c. God has given us 4 basic authorities:

                                a1. Family (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4)

                                a2. God (via church) – Hebrews 13:7, 17, I Timothy 3

                                a3. Government (Romans 13)

                                a4. Employer or master (Ephesians 6:5)

                d. We are to obey the government’s laws, pay taxes, and show due respect for authorities

                                a1. Even if a government is corrupt, they must be respected and obeyed as authorities

                                a2. Daniel 2:20-21 no authority holds office without the allowance of God to do so

2. The exception clause

                a. John 19 Jesus submitted to the judgment of the High Priest and Pilate, but not to their demands (disobeyed command to agree that he was not God)

                b. Acts 5, Peter and John refused to stop preaching about Christ at orders of the Sanhedrin

                c. God is the authority above all authorities and must be obeyed first when there is a conflict between them

                                a1. This is the reason for persecution and martyrdom (hatred of God)

                                a2. John 3:19 men, like Satan, hate the light

                d. There is often a high price to pay to serve God (1 Peter 4)

3. Respectful noncompliance

                a. Paul states that when we serve God through disobeying unrighteous dictates of officials, we still

                     must remain humble and respectful

                                a1. This is a difficult challenge

                                a2. Our flesh wants to strike back against our abusers and blasphemers of God

                                a3. It is the kind, gracious, loving response that provides a testimony of God’s grace and love

                b. It is hard not to speak evil of evil men (to mock, ridicule, and disparage them)

                                a1. Matthew 23 Jesus in his authority pronounced judgment on the Pharisees

                                a2. Peter and Jude warned of false evil teachers

                c. In their condemning of evil men, Jesus, Paul, Jude, and Peter did not profane the names of who they condemned (they focused on their actions and motivations)

                                a1. They were not gossips or vindictive

                                a2. Only when severe rebuke was necessary did they use terms like “you serpents”, “you whited tombs”, “that old fox”, …

                                a3. They did not respond in kind to their persecutors

                d. Paul states that we are not to fight them (a macho, Spanish word macho, machismo = an aggressive

                     viral male)

                                a1. As Christ and apostles submitted, so are we

                                a2. Can defend self from attack, but not law

                e. We are to remain meek even before tormentor

                f. Matthew 5:45 love those who hate and abuse you

Key verse: Romans 13:1-7

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

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