Philemon - From Slave to Saint

Philemon is a story of mercy, redemption, God’s sovereignty and fresh starts.

A Respected Saint

Philemon was a wealthy believer in the city of Colossae

He was most likely saved after hearing Paul preach in Ephesus.

He helped start a church in his city and opened up his home for meetings.

Paul commended him as a fellow worker in the Gospel.

A Runaway Slave

Onesimus stole from his master and then fled to Rome - the capital of the world and the place he thought he could make a new life while hiding from his master.

Onesimus was also running from God. Surely, he had heard the Gospel since the church met in his master’s own home.

Fancis Thompson tells a similar story in his poem, “The Hound of Heaven”

In it we learn of a man who fled from the love of God and sought love elsewhere: nature, other people, possessions. Finally, when all was stripped away from Him he learned that in fleeing God’s love he chased away the very thing he sought:

“I fled Him down the nights and down the days I fled Him down the arches of the years, I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind, and in the midst of tears I hid from him, and under running laughter. Up visted hopes I sped and shot precipitated, Adown titanic glooms of chasmed fears From those strong feet that followed, followed after But with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beat, and a Voice beat, More instant than the feet: All things betray thee who betrayest me.

‘Wherefore should any set thee love apart? Seeing none but I makes much of Naught (He said). And human love needs human meriting --- How hast thou merited, Of all Man's clotted clay, the dingiest clot. Alack! Thou knowest not How little worthy of any love thou art. Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee, Save me, save only me? All which I took from thee, I did'st but take, Not for thy harms, But just that thou might'st seek it in my arms. All which thy child’s mistake fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at Home. Rise, clasp my hand, and come.’ Halts by me that Footfall. Is my gloom, after all, Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly? Ah, Fondest, Blindest, Weakest, I am He whom thou seekest. Thou dravest Love from thee who dravest Me.

God’s Remarkable Sovereignty

Onesimus came to Christ after hearing Paul preach

Paul was imprisoned (under house arrest) in Rome, but able to share the Gospel

God is willing to “inconvenience” a believer in order to spread the Gospel.

How do you view the delays and inconveniences you face in life? Are they opportunities to show Christ to others?

A Redeemed Sinner

Redemption means that we have be re-purchased, bought back.

Paul demonstrated Christ’s love to Philemon and Onesimus

Verse 18 – “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account”

Paul was taking on Onesimus’ guilt and paying his penalty

Christ paid for our sin debt by His own blood.

One day at the judgment seat we will stand before God and Christ will say, “Father, whatever he (or she) has down wrong, put it on my account. It has already been paid for.”

A Restored Servant

Paul sought a restored relationship between Onesimus and Philemon.

He sent Onesimus back with this letter, signifying that he loved and trusted him. Onesimus was a changed man.

He expected Philemon to forgive (and reminded him of his own debt that has been paid)

The path to a “new beginning” includes settling “old offenses”

Matthew 5:23-26 “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift....”

Notice this is after salvation and has to do with living the Christian life

We are to quickly forgive those who offend us.

Remember the great debt that we have been forgiven.

We own our lives to a Savior who forgave us of far worse.

We are to be examples of mercy to the world around us.

According to historical documents – Onesimus appears to have become a pastor in Ephesus. He was eventually taken to Rome and Martyred for his preaching.

Preached at Osage, Lead Hill, Omaha, Burlington, Trinity Baptist