What does it look like to return ‘different’?
This is the question we asked ourselves in continuing our sermon series on the book of Philemon, Second Chances.
Have you ever felt led to go back to a moment in your past?
Maybe it even felt a little backwards to feel led to go back to a person or place that hurt you and brought you great pain.
However, you knew you had to return — just different than you were before. Ever been there? Are you there right now, or having just been there?
Well, Paul has and writes about it the book of Philemon, where runaway slave Onesimus is being called to return differently. And there’s more to this story.
In Paul’s short letter, we see how God has done some powerful things in Onesimus’s life. The Gospel has forgiven, transformed him and now is sending him back to restore what was broken in his life.
When sin and brokenness in his life kept him on the run, the Gospel invited him to run away from sin and towards a new life, founded in Jesus.
When he wanted to avoid people or places from his broken past, God called him to face the past. He called him to make amends, now as a free man — different than who he once was.
Similarly to Onesimus, we too face the same questions:
Where might God be calling you to return ‘different’?
Who or where do you need to return, in order to walk more fully in the freedom He provides?
Through Paul, God reframes Onesimus’s identity and sends him out to repair a broken relationship. He sends him back to Philemon to find healing and restoration as a son of God. God wants that for you, too.
You’re not defined by what you’ve been running from. You can return, reconciled to God and to others.
Would you allow Him to take you on this journey of second chances today?
As we gather to pray on Zoom at 7pm tonight, let’s press into the second chance to be reconciled not just to God but to one another. Let’s pray for:
- The Gospel to forgive, transform and send us back to restore what was broken in our lives.
- God to reframe our identities.
- For those around us to be reconciled to God and to others.
See you at 7 pm!
Blessings,
Bria Johnson
briamakingamosaic.com
P.S. Is there something specific you need prayer for this week? Just reply—we’d be honored to stand with you.
Additionally, we will make space to pray for God to extend His reach beyond the limits of our city and into the world, seeking His wisdom, unity, safety, and provision for the following people and initiatives:
Let’s pray for Campus Missionaries Rob and Lera Ricciuti, who serve at James Madison University at Divine Unity Community Church in Harrisonburg, VA. Having come to Christ while in college, they are passionate about helping students walk in their God-given identity. Please pray for their efforts and for God to supply every need.
Let’s pray for Pastor Sean and Crystal Clemons, who are long-time believers and followers of Christ Jesus, and members at Grace Covenant in Chantilly, Virginia. Called by God, the Clemons have a heart to see the lost in their city be reached. They will soon be sent to plant in a yet to be determined location in the Washington, DC area to win the city so that God’s presence and power be made known through His people.
General Prayer Requests & Updates
For evangelism to flourish so communities and campuses in the greater Fort Worth area will be reached, and the lost will see and experience the love of Christ and be drawn to his kingdom.
For signs and wonders to follow the preaching of His Word.
For team unity and laborers to help carry the load.
For finances and provisions.
For fully funded campus missionaries (2 per campus) to help reach the next generation — Texas Christian University (TCU), Tarrant County College (TCC), Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) and Tarleton State University – Fort Worth (TSU), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and Dallas Baptist University (DBU).
Bria Johnson, a Houston native and University of Texas at Austin alum, has dedicated nearly a decade to Mosaic Church and six years to Every Nation Campus, holding multiple leadership positions. Her fervor lies in mentoring students, especially young women, to unearth their worth and identity in Christ through discipleship. Witnessing her family’s conversion, Bria embodies our mission to impact students and their families with the Gospel’s transformative power.
