Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

It is not often that we get to study a whole book of the Bible in one sermon. But today we can by looking at Philemon, a personal letter written by Paul containing just 25 verses. This letter sent with Colossians was primarily a personal letter to Philemon with a request to accept back Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, as a fellow brother in Christ. But more than just a personal letter we also see a model for the Christian life that we can use in our daily lives. Philemon shows to us the support and encouragement of fellow Christians, the challenge of reconciliation as our ministry, and the Christ-likeness of Christian service.

Support and encouragement –

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 4-6, ESV)

Paul begins his letter with encouragement of Philemon and the witness of his faith to the church in Colosse. Philemon, we surmise, was a wealthy person for two reasons. First, the church was meeting in his home and so it needed to be a good size for he group. Second, Philemon owned at least one slave, Onesimus, and maybe more. This points to a high probability that Philemon was a rich person.

The apostle Paul, on his missionary journey, stayed in Colosse for a while to preach the good news of Jesus. Maybe he even preached in Philemon’s home. Philemon was transformed by the message of Christ and became a Christian and offered his home for the new church. Philemon also, from what Paul praises him, must have been vocal about his faith. He might have even been a teacher of the faith to others on Colosse. Paul encourages him to continue in the sharing of his faith.

And that is a model for us as well. We need to encourage one another in the sharing of our faith. And often that can take the form of prayer and thanksgiving. So let me take the place of Paul right now and say, “Thank You!” Thank you for your service and witness to Christ. Each and everyone one of you today deserve my thanks and praise. Your witness to Jesus is what makes this church strong. We have an exciting future with all kinds of opportunities for growth and reaching out to our community. We need to encourage each other as we step out in faith and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So again I say, “Thank You!”

Ministry of Reconciliation –

“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you” (Philemon 8-9, ESV)

Some have said that Paul was only “buttering-up” Philemon for this next part of the letter, but I feel his praise was genuine. But Paul is challenging Philemon with the rest of his letter. As I said before Onesimus was Philemon’s slave and he ran away from Philemon. Some have even guessed that he may have stole from Philemon as well. In that day it was perfectly legal for a slave owner to have his slave put to death if he was caught stealing and running away. Philemon had every right to punish Onesimus.

But Paul appeals to Philemon to take the way of love, and to be reconciled to Onesimus. And not only forgive him but also to accept him back as a fellow brother in Christ. This is a high appeal to Philemon that Paul is asking. But he is asking Philemon to show the ministry of reconciliation in a very personal way.

Onesimus must have heard Paul when he was preaching in Colosse. But for whatever reason Onesimus still fled from Philemon. Onesimus seeks out Paul, maybe even following him on his missionary journey. But in Rome Onesimus finally become a Christian and helps Paul in his ministry. Onesimus’ life is changed, just like Philemon’s. And Paul now asks that on the basis of Christ’s ministry that Philemon reconcile with Onesimus.

Who has wronged you? Who has hurt you deeply? Who do you hold a grudge against? Seek reconciliation. That is a challenge to all of us; to seek reconciliation with everyone we come in contact with, even an “enemy.” Why? Because that is the message of Christ. While we were dead in our trespasses and sin Christ died for us and rose again to give us new life in Him. He reconciled us to the Father. Our punishment we deserved was death, but Jesus, for the sake of love, reconciled us to Himself and to the Father. And we are now to be about the ministry of reconciliation. We preach Christ crucified – a message of the mercy and reconciliation of God.

Christ-like Service -

“If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.” (Philemon 18-19, ESV)

Paul here takes on a Christ-like role as he takes on the “punishment” for Onesimus. Remember, Onesimus punishment could be as severe as death. And Paul takes it on for the sake of Christ-like service to Philemon and Onesimus. Paul puts aside himself for the sake of the Gospel message.

We too are called to put aside ourselves, be Christ-like, to allow the message of Jesus Christ shine clearly in our lives. It is a self-sacrifice we make for God. We are willing to take on the suffering of the world for that sake of another, so that they too can be brought to Jesus. Read Philippians 2 and see how Paul describes the Christian life.

We are to be Christ like in proclaiming the Gospel. We are to be about the message of reconciliation, even when we have been wronged, and we are to encourage one another as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

Amen.