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Philemon Introduction:
Philemon tends to be a neglected book, located between Titus and Hebrews, this
book reveals no great doctrinal issue, attacks no heresy. Not written to a
congregation but an individual. We can say this book underlines the importance
of faith, obedience, forgiveness, and even tact. But I believe it teaches us in
a very real way that Christianity is personal. I)
The Background. A)
The Colossian letter and the letter to Philemon was written at the same time.
1. Colossians
4.7-9 mentions the Onesimus.
2. Around 63 A.D. in the spring with Paul in prison.
3. Paul would be released for a time. B)
Philemon was a Christian at
1. Dedicated to
serving Christ verse 2 “church in
your house”, Romans 16.5.
a. Other passages reveal to us the influence people had over their
households.
b. The term “church” could refer to the assembly of the saints in his
house.
2. He was a man of some wealth having obeyed the gospel, vv.
5-6.
3. He had been converted by Paul,
v. 10. C)
Onesimus was converted by Paul at
1. He was a run
away slave.
2. Onesimus meaning “useful” or “profitable”. In his former state
he had been useless, v. 11.
3. The duty of a slave was to work for his master, Ephesians
6.5-6. II)
PAUL’S FAITH A)
In God – while in prison he was planning for the future, v. 19, 22ff. 1.
There were times God revealed to Paul what would happen, Acts 27.23-24 2.
On other occasions Paul was left to wonder what would happen. B)
In Onesimus – he would return back to his master, v. 12.
1. His
conversion was genuine, he would return back to his master,
vv. 15-16.
2. Paul saw the
changes in people and gave them the benefit of
the doubt in his repentance. C)
In Philemon – he would receive Onesimus and not harm him, v. 12, 17.
1. Paul appeals
to love, his age, and being a prisoner of Jesus Christ, vv.
8-9.
2. Paul could
either be sending Onesimus back to his doom or new
life; he believe Philemon would do the right thing in receiving his
brother. III)
ONESIMUS A)
His faith in God – never easy to obey the gospel, 1 Corinthians 7.21.
1. A change in
life is seldom easy but possible.
2. He had to trust God and His word. B)
In Paul – he was being sent back to his master, vv. 12-13. 1.
Why is Paul sending me back? 2.
Would Paul care if I was mistreated? C)
In Philemon – his master could choose to beat him or even have him killed, v.
17. IV)
PHILEMON A)
His faith in God – he had a lot to loose. 1.
To not accept Onesimus as a fellow heir of salvation would cause his soul to be
lost. 2.
Ulimately to sin against a brother is to sin against God; to not love a brother
is to not love God, 1 John 4.20-21 B)
In Paul – to receive this man and accept him, based upon what Paul had
written.
1. How would
this be viewed by other masters? C)
In Onesimus – to receive him as a brother, a fellow heir of the grace of God,
James 2.8-9. V)
APPLICATION FOR US A)
The power of the Gospel
1. Not the power
of the preacher or the local church.
2. The gospel makes everybody equal, Colossians
3.9-11.
3. The power of the gospel to change the way people think and live, 1
Corinthians 6.9-11. B)
The cost of discipleship. Matthew 10.38
1. It cost Paul
his freedom and ultimately his life.
2. Onesimus’ cost was his freedom, to return back to his master.
3. Philemon had to accept back this slave as a brother in Christ.
a. We may suffer many cost, 1
Peter 2.18-21. C)
The demands for forgiving one another when the conditions set by God are met,
Matthew 6.12,14, 15. D)
The fairness of Christianity, the Golden Rule, Matthew 7.12. E)
The necessity of having a little tact.
1. Paul could
have demanded Philemon to accept back Philemon.
2. Instead he asked and urged this action, Colossians
4.6. F)
The value of being a Christian no matter where you are at.
1. Even in
prison, Paul was able to influence others. |