You Can’t Outrun the Grace of God: Timeless truths from the book of Philemon.

Timeless Truths from the book of Philemon

Study 1- You Can’t Outrun the Grace of God: What Are the Chances? Only God!

Why Study Philemon? 

If you turn a few pages past Titus, you’ll find one of the most neglected books in the New Testament—Philemon.

It’s often overshadowed by larger epistles like Hebrews or Romans. And if we’re honest, some might wonder: Why spend months studying such a short letter?

But that would be a mistake.

This brief, personal letter is a treasure chest filled with the glory of God’s remarkable providence and His amazing grace. 

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Seeing the Big Picture

Before diving into details, we need a macro view—so we don’t “miss the forest for the trees.”

At the heart of Philemon is a remarkable story:

• A runaway slave
• A divine appointment
• A radical conversion

And one unforgettable truth:

You cannot outrun the saving grace of God.

Or:

“What are the chances? Only God!”

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The Story Behind the Story

Philemon is a deeply personal letter written by the Apostle Paul (along with Timothy) during his imprisonment (see Acts 28:11–31).

It is addressed to:

• Philemon – a faithful believer and trustworthy ministry partner
• A house church in Colossae

Onesimus was a slave who had:

• Wronged his master
• Possibly stolen from him (Philemon 1:18)
• And fled—likely running miles away to Rome

And there… in God's remarkable providence He met Paul.

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What Are the Chances?

Think about it:

• A runaway slave from Colossae
• Ends up in bustling city of Rome
• Meeting the Apostle Paul. The famed missionary, church planter, pastor, theologian.
• Who leads him to Christ

Coincidence?

No.

The Invincible Hand of God: (aka) Providence.

Scripture reminds us:

• Romans 8:28 – God works all things together for good
• Ephesians 1:11 – He works all things according to His will
• Proverbs 16:33 – Even the smallest details are under His control

There is no such thing as luck, fate, or chance.

God is sovereign over all—or He is not sovereign at all.

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God at Work in Unexpected Places

Even Paul’s imprisonment—something meant for evil—became a platform for good:

• He wrote the Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)
• People in Caesar’s household were saved (Philippians 4:22)
• And a runaway slave encountered Christ and the life-changing gospel of grace!

Just like Joseph said:

“You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20)

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An Unlikely Convert

Humanly speaking, Onesimus was an unlikely convert.

A lazy, runaway. Possibly a thief. A man running from his problems.

And yet Paul writes:

“My child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment” (Philemon 1:10)

What happened?

God intervened! The Spirit blew (John 3)! Jesus was presented as Lord and Savior.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Onesimus was transformed:

• From useless → useful
• From fugitive → faithful
• From slave → brother

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This Is Our Story Too (dear Christian)

Don’t miss this: What’s true of Onesimus is true of every believer.

Your story may look different—but the same grace saved you.

You can say with Paul:

“By the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Every testimony follows the same pattern:

• God brought you to the right place
• At the right time
• Through the right person
• And by His grace—He saved you by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:1-10)

That’s not coincidence.

That’s sovereign grace.

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A Gospel-Shaped Household

Philemon was a faithful, generous believer who hosted a church in his home.

That means Onesimus likely:

• Heard the Word of God
• Observed Christian fellowship
• Saw the gospel lived out

And later—through a winding path—God brought him back.

Not just as a servant…

But as a brother in Christ.

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Encouragement for Today

God’s providence is not just a doctrine to study—it’s a truth to steady your heart.

Especially in difficult seasons:

• God is working
• God is directing
• God is accomplishing His purposes

Even when you don’t see it.

As the hymn says:

“Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.”

God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; he fashions up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds that you much dread, are big with mercy and will break in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.

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Key Takeaways

• You cannot outrun the saving grace of God!
• God’s providence governs every detail of life!
• No one is beyond the infinite stretch of God's mercy in Christ.
• Your salvation story is a testimony of divine orchestration! To God be glory!

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For Reflection

Take time this week to consider:

• How have you seen God’s providence in your own life?
• What part of your testimony most clearly demonstrates His redeeming grace?
• Where do you need to trust His sovereignty today?

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Closing Thought

You are who you are, and you are where you are, because of the remarkable providence and saving grace of God.

Let that truth steady your heart and stir your religious affections to worship the LORD.

If you would like to listen to the corresponding expository sermon that was the basis of today's blog post please reach out.

6 Reasons Why the Local Church Really Matters

"As we prepare to worship God tomorrow, it may do us good to pause for just a few moments to consider the local church. What is the church? Why has God called us into these little communities? Does the local church really matter? It does! The local church is foundational to God’s plan for his people. In their book Church in Hard Places, Mez McConnell and Mike McKinley offer 6 reasons that the local church matters.

The local church is the way God intends to accomplish his mission in the world. “It is primarily though the local church that God wants to make himself known.” Of all the evangelism strategies in the world, of all the ministries in the world, none is more central than the local church. It’s interesting to note that Paul considered his ministry in an area fulfilled not when every person was reached, but when churches had been planted (see Romans 15:19-20). “Paul knew that the churches there were how the gospel would spread into all of the individual neighborhoods. Local churches do local evangelism.” The church is God’s plan, it is God’s mission.

The local church should matter to us because it matters to God. The church is Jesus’ body on earth (see Ephesians 1:22-23) and it is made up of all kinds of people from all walks of life. “Together we represent Christ here on earth through our local body of believers. Therefore, the church is central to the purposes of God and is of benefit to the world around us—even today in our increasingly hostile culture.” The church exists for God’s glory and showcases it in a unique way. “The church is built for Jesus, by Jesus, and on Jesus. It is simply unthinkable then to separate Jesus from the local church. If the gospel is the diamond in the great salvific plan of God, then the church is the clasp that supports it, holds it up, and shows it in its greatest light for the world to see.” If it matters so much to God, it needs to matter to us just as much.

The local church is the place where believers must submit themselves to spiritual authority. Many people from many walks of life struggle with issues of authority, though this problem is especially prevalent in the schemes of Scotland. Mez says, “they will not accept criticism or input from anybody they regard as an authority figure.” This attitude needs to be dealt with immediately. God calls Christians to submit to spiritual authority within the local church (see Hebrews 13:17). All believers are called by God to put themselves under the care and oversight of elders. “A culture that despises any kind of authority needs to see healthy models of leadership and submission. And the place for people to see this modeled is in the local church.”

Pastor John MacArthur: Longtime Pastor, Mentor, and Friend!

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). “Imitate me, (in so much) as I imitate Christ.” The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 11:1.

When it comes to ministry mentors and pastoral role-models: Choose wisely!  For “the student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will become like their teacher.” Luke 6:40.

Dr. John MacArthur became my pastor in 1991.  I still consider him to be my primary ministry mentor, my faithful shepherd, and my humble friend.  Pastor John has been the lead shepherd at Grace Community Church steadily leading the same flock for over fifty years now; (he began his ministry at GCC in 1969)!  When my entire family moved from Wisconsin Rapids to Los Angeles in the early 90’s, little did I know the impact Pastor John MacArthur would have on my life, my wife/family, and on my own future pastoral ministry.  How could I? Seeing I was not genuinely converted until Jr. High (and only God knows the future).  Looking back, one of the greatest privileges in my life was growing up at Grace Community Church, sitting under the expository preaching ministry of John MacArthur, and attending the Master’s University and Seminary.  Here I learned the in’s and out’s of biblical Christianity and the ABC’s of pastoral ministry and expository preaching.  At this faithful church, under this faithful preacher, everything my Christian parents taught me from Scripture was reinforced and fortified (2 Timothy 3:15-4:5).

Over the past thirty years I have corresponded back and forth with Pastor MacArthur often via handwritten letters.  Despite an unbelievably demanding ministry schedule, Pastor John has always taken time to write me back (albeit sometimes through his church secretary).  As a child/teenager many of my chicken scratch notes included "difficult" bible questions, such as, “Pastor, how do you explain the discrepancies with regard to numbers recorded in the same bible verse in different bible translations?”  “Dear Pastor John, if God is absolutely sovereign, how do we reconcile ____.”  After many gracious and thoroughly biblical responses I realized that it was unlikely that I would be able to stump (my) Pastor John.   

In the 90’s my (pastor) father had the privilege of serving as missions/outreach pastor (while attending seminary) and I had the honor of serving as a deacon (a decade or so later).  During college, when the Lord changed my career trajectory from sports broadcasting to pastoral ministry/preaching, my love and appreciation for Pastor John MacArthur increased a hundred-fold.  He was now not only my favorite preacher, he was also a ministry hero in the faith.  Like Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Pastor John was a lion in the pulpit and a lamb outside of it when interacting with his beloved congregation.  As I was able to see him live out his faith in private (doing life with his children and grandchildren) my respect for him only grew.  Like my own father, he was the same godly man at home as he was behind the pulpit.

One of the most memorable highlights of our married life is when Pastor John and Patricia visited our 1-bedroom dorm apartment (see picture above) for dinner before I graduated from seminary and moved to the Midwest to pastor a local church.  

Suffice it to say, no “jar of clay” has had a greater impact on my pulpit ministry, my theological convictions, and my (biblical) philosophy of ministry than Pastor John MacArthur.  This partially explains why Andrea and I named our son Jude MacArthur Kolstad. 

Many people who find/visit the churches I joyfully pastor do so via the Master’s Seminary church finder or by calling “Grace to You.”  It's a tremendous stewardship and honor to receive referrals from any of Pastor John’s ministry volunteers, staff pastors, or university/seminary professors (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:11).  To be called a "Master's man" is a great privilege and a great responsibility.

In view of the massive influence of The Master’s Seminary/University and Pastor John MacArthur on me (and all of our pastors) we believe it is quite fitting to highlight this special relationship on my ministry blog page and church website.

Included are a few of my favorite memories/pictures with Pastor John; (Unfortunately, I did not save any letters from my childhood/teen years).

Article originally posted 5/11/23

I’m looking for a new church. What should I be looking for?

QUESTION:
I’m looking for a new church. What should I be looking for?  Your checklist should include these 9 marks:

ANSWER:
1. Expositional preaching.
The pulpit is the rudder of the Church (2 Tim. 4:1-5).  As goes the pulpit so goes the ministry (Col. 1:28).  Does the pastor preach God’s Word, or his own ideas? Does he allow Scripture to set his preaching agenda, or does he pick topics by some other criteria? (2 Tim. 2:15, 4:2-2) Does he preach the full counsel of God or does he pick and choose which passages are important/relevant? Is the preaching text-driven, God-centered and reflect the intended meaning of the passage?

2. Biblical theology.
"Does the church openly confess key biblical doctrines? Do the leaders consistently teach sound doctrine? (Tit. 1:9-11)  Do they have a robust statement of faith or a small one?

3. A biblical understanding of the gospel.
Does the church clearly proclaim the good news about what Jesus Christ accomplished for sinners in his death and resurrection? Consistently? (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

4. A biblical understanding of conversion.
Does the church teach that people must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8)? Does the church teach that in order to become a Christian, a person must repent of sin and trust in Christ, both of which are ultimately gifts of God? (Acts 11:18, 20:21)

5. A biblical understanding of evangelism.
Does the church preach the gospel to non-Christians and encourage its members to do the same? Does it understand that it’s our responsibility to preach the message of salvation yet God is the only one who can do the saving? (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 2:1-10)

A Man Set On Fire For Christ's Sake- The Grace of God in the Life and Ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones

In July 1959, Martyn Lloyd-Jones and his wife, Bethan, were on vacation in Wales. They attended a little chapel for a Sunday-morning prayer meeting, and Lloyd-Jones asked those present, “Would you like me to give a word this morning?” The people hesitated because it was his vacation, and they didn’t want to presume on his energy. But his wife said, “Let him. Preaching is his life” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 373). It was a true statement. In the preface to his powerful book Preaching and Preachers, he said, “Preaching has been my life’s work . . . to me the work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called” (17).  For thirty years he preached from the pulpit at Westminster Chapel in London. Usually that meant three different sermons each weekend: Friday evening and Sunday morning and evening.

At the end of his career, he remarked, “I can say quite honestly that I would not cross the road to listen to myself preaching” (Preaching and Preachers, 14). But that was not the way others felt. When J.I. Packer was a 22-year-old student, he heard Lloyd-Jones preach each Sunday evening during the school year of 1948–1949, and he said that he had “never heard such preaching.” It came to him “with the force of electric shock, bringing to at least one of his listeners more of a sense of God than any other man” (Five Evangelical Leaders, 170).

Physician of Souls

Lloyd-Jones’s path to Westminster was unique. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, on December 20, 1899. He moved to London with his family when he was 14 and went to medical school at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where he received his MD in 1921 and became Sir Thomas Horder’s chief clinical assistant. The well-known Horder described Lloyd-Jones as “the most acute thinker that I ever knew” (Five Evangelical Leaders, 56).

Between 1921 and 1923, Lloyd-Jones underwent a profound conversion. It was so life-changing that it brought with it a passion to preach that completely outweighed his call as a physician. He felt a deep yearning to return to his native Wales and preach. His first sermon there was in April of 1925, and the note he sounded was the recurrent theme of his life: Wales did not need more talk about social action; it needed “a great spiritual awakening.” This theme of revival and power and real vitality remained his lifelong passion (Five Evangelical Leaders, 66).

The Daring Mission of William Tyndale

"Many people misunderstand the main point of the Reformation. It wasn’t a worship war between the Roman Catholic Church and those who were protesting. It wasn’t a mere protest. It certainly wasn't a petty squabble over insignificant truths.  It was about God raising up faithful men who would protect the gospel of Jesus Christ from the perversion of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church...

How was this possible? It was necessary to bring the Bible out of the shadows. For ages, the Bible had been locked away in a dungeon and the religion of Rome insisted that people could only hear the Word of God spoken in Latin (even though people couldn’t understand it). They were certainly not permitted to have the Bible in their own homes. Therefore, the protection of the purity of the gospel came through a rediscovery of God’s Word.

Standing upon the shoulders of Martin Luther was another man—William Tyndale. He was born in 1494 in rural western England. At age 12, he entered a preparatory grammar school at Oxford University. He learned grammar, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music, rhetoric, logic, and philosophy. He had a gift for the languages and made great progress as he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1512 and his master’s degree in 1515.

While studying theology, he came into contact with the writings of Martin Luther. In 1521, Tyndale stepped away from academic atmosphere in order to pursue his thoughts on the Reformation. During this time, he would be called upon to preach in small churches. His beliefs were aligning with Luther and people were noticing it. He would have meals with priests often and he became appalled at their ignorance and false doctrines.

Why Do Pastors and Elders Need to be Biblical Scholars?

"We must NOT make the mistake of making evangelism the enemy of theology or discipleship the enemy of edifying scholarship... Historically, pastors were as 'comfortable with books and learning as with the aches/pains of the soul.' Elders/pastors are called to be both shepherds and theologians! 

But Why?

Right thinking about God exists to serve right feelings for God. Logic exists for the sake of love. Christian zeal must be according to biblical knowledge (Romans 10:1-2)... Thinking hard about biblical truth is the means through which the Holy Spirit opens us to the truth (2 Tim. 2:15)... The great commandment of Loving God includes our minds. Truth received through the mind stirs the religious affections of Spirit-filled saints!

Paul reasoned with his unsaved audience in Acts 17 and he regularly employed rhetorical questions in his inspired epistles (1 Cor. 6:2, 9, 15, 19). He assumed that believers would use their minds in effort to think biblically about something. Jesus utilizes/assumes logic in Luke 12:54-27...

2 Cor. 4:2- I want to to be this kind of preacher. I want to stand before God on the last day (2 Tim. 4:1) and say, "I did my all to be faithful and let people think of me what they wanted to think. I don't want to be the kind of pastor who's always watching what people are going to say and then governing what comes out of his mouth by what people are going to say...."

2 Tim. 2:15- It takes hard mental work to rightly handle the Word of God. Don't let anybody ever tell you that hard mental work is unspiritual. We are using our minds to understand God's Word, and we are depending in prayer upon the Holy Spirit to guide our minds... Reading a substantial book is hard mental work. Such is true of the infallible Word of God! (2 Peter 3:16f).