The Plea

Introduction

Tonight, we will find Paul coming to the main purpose of this letter. We have looked at “The Prisoner”, “The Partners”, “The Prelude”, and “The Prayer”. Tonight, we are going to look at “The Plea”...

What we have in our text is Paul’s plea for Philemon to accept his runaway slave back, and he makes a gracious plea at that.

This passage dives into the dark matter of forgiveness and the Christian. We often think of forgiveness as an option, but friends, it’s not an option...

Forgiveness is not an option; it’s an opportunity!

It’s an act of love!

Luke 17:3–5 KJV 1900

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

In this life, we better learn to give a lot of grace and second chances because one day, we might find ourselves in need of it.

Paul wants Philemon to forgive his slave and receive him back.

Notice with me tonight:

1-Paul’s Petition

Philemon 8–9 KJV 1900

8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us that he is aging in body and time may be running out for his earthly ministry.

The preacher had been imprisoned because the religious crowd wanted to see his demise and his destruction.

The foes of Paul eagerly watched him and tried to entrap him.

The prisoner of Jesus Christ is in the process of informing Philemon of his enormous request, one of total forgiveness for Onesimus.

It is clear that Paul will ask a favor of Philemon. Before he asked, he appealed for love’s sake instead of making a command.

A loving appeal is often better than an authoritative command. Paul wasn’t hesitant to command when the situation demanded it, like he did in 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, but in wisdom he knew when to use the loving appeal.

So his request was for love’s sake - Paul’s love for Philemon and Philemon’s love for Paul.

Paul’s age also had something to do with this request...

The apostle had an earthly desire to keep Onesimus with him (vs. 13), but realized that it was more becoming for him to send him back to Philemon.

Paul was facing much difficulty with his aging body and his imprisonment, he was probably around 60 years old at this time; it would have been beneficial for him to keep Onesimus, but Paul knew this would be appealing to see Philemon welcome his run away slave back into the fold.

Here’s what Paul is doing…He’s saying, “Hey Philemon, look at my condition and please consider what I’m asking you.”

2-Onesimus’ Recognition

Philemon 10–12 KJV 1900

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11 which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12 whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

The actual name Onesimus means “profitable or useful” but that actually was not the case when he was back in Colossae in slavery with Philemon.

The slave had abandoned his post and it seemed as if Philemon would never see him again. Onesimus would have been classified as AWOL and listed as a criminal.

A) The Lowly Occupation of Onesimus - Slavery

It was not difficult for one to understand the thoughts of this slave. In those days most slaves were treated worse than animals. It was not a life that one would willingly choose for ones self.

B) The Likely Migration of Onesimus - Separation

If we could have peaked into the mind of this slave we would have found his focus on one thing, his chance to slip off into the dark night.

The chance came and Onesimus plunged into the life of being a deserter and a criminal, for he possibly stole from Philemon as he took has chance and headed for the city of Rome.

In Rome he could fit quietly and anonymously into the large crowds. The day came and he took it, there would be no going back to face the punishment of desertion.

C) The Lovely Conversion of Onesimus - Salvation

Notice in verse 10, Paul refers to Onesimus as “my son”

Paul was not married, but had many sons - Timothy, Titus and many more.

Paul had led him to Christ and instead of being unprofitable; he is not profitable!

Paul is not recognizing Onesimus as a slave, but as a saved person!

Ephesians 2:1 KJV 1900

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

I’m thankful tonight that I’m no longer a slave to sin or to Satan, or to self, but I’m alive in Christ!

I can just imagine Onesimus...

In his travels up and down the streets of Rome he was compelled to listen to a prisoner speak about being absolutely free, how could this be?

Onesimus would have had keen interest in listening to someone talk about being free. As Onesimus looked at his wrist he saw no chains, but he did not feel free, but the prisoner was bound and he spoke of full freedom.

I dare say that this compelled the slave to inquire further and in doing so he got gloriously saved.

Hey, you think about it, a free man came to Paul bound, and a bound man left Paul free!

Onesimus may have run away to freedom as far as this world goes, but honey, he wasn’t really free until he became free from the shackles of sin and Satan!

3-Philemon’s Invitation

The letter that was placed into the hands of Philemon may have made him feel uncomfortable.

Of course he was a Christian but did he treat his slaves as a Christian should treat others. I wonder how he handled Onesimus the moment he saw him, did he immediately place him in confinement, was beating the next step?

I have wondered how this one moment may have not only challenged Philemon, but I believe that it would possibly change him. In his presence was the slave that had betrayed him and deserted him, this slave may have stolen from him. Philemon may have lost a good deal of money at the expense of Onesimus.

It may be that we will be put to the test concerning this matter of reconciliation and forgiveness.

In life we will be challenged when it comes to people that have done us wrong. It does not matter if we are right or wrong, it does matter that we fully and freely extend Christian forgiveness.

The Christian is expected to forgive daily, regardless of the difficulty.

I know, that’s a tough pill to swallow, but the lesson on forgiveness was taught to us on the cross of Calvary!

The greatest freedom that one can receive is the freedom of forgiving a wrong. If Philemon did not forgive Onesimus he would become the slave, he would be bound. The binding that he would receive would not be on his wrist or ankles, but his heart would be bound.

Let me share three things concerning Philemon’s Invitation to Forgive:

Forgiveness is a Personal Test

In looking at his deserted slave and upon reading the letter from Paul, Philemon was subjected to a mighty decision; it would be a personal test. The test would not be asked in a class room, but in the silence of his heart. Philemon was the only man that could answer this pressing question, “Could he forgive Onesimus?”

Philemon had no problem loving the saints, v. 5 The true test of His faith would come when he was required to love Onesimus with the same degree of love.

Forgiveness is a Pivotal Test

It wasn’t just the question of “Could he forgive Onesimus?” but also “Should he forgive Onesimus?”

We might think a lot about this question, but the fact is, again, look to the cross!

When we are wronged, we must know how to react. If we react as the world teaches, then we jeopardize our testimony. If we react as the Bible teaches, we glorify God and point men to a Savior who can make a difference in the lives of men.

Forgiveness is a Phenomenal Test

The ultimate test was before Philemon, would he display the proper Christian conduct to his brother or would he resort to fleshly vengeance and fiery venom.

The test of our faith is our ability to love others as Jesus loves them.

Unconditionally, unreservedly, wholeheartedly!

When we are able to love others, in spite of what they have done to us, then, and only then are we living out the Gospel!

Conclusion

Philemon had received the greatest invitation that a Christian can ever receive - What was it? It was the invitation to forgive someone that had wronged him!

This is the ultimate test!

Forgiveness is an opportunity! It’s one of the greatest opportunities you’ll ever have to be like Christ!