Sermon: Better Together – 1 – How to be a Blessing – Philemon (3/8/26)
Introduction
Why EATC
More people want to worship with us than our facilities can handle.
We demonstrated that three years ago...
Our church has grown significantly since then...
EATC provides additional opportunities for us to invite people to hear the gospel.
The truth about our annual Easter celebration...
In the Bible, Easter was not an annual celebration, but a weekly celebration.
We celebrate the Resurrection 52 times a year!
Our annual Easter celebration creates the best opportunity to invite our community to hear the gospel!
We will have hundreds of people at EATC who would not have attended Easter worship on our campus.
We have people here today because of EATC!
More opportunities for serving always strengthens our church and our church members.
Volunteer QR code...
Rising tide lifts all boats...
I've heard the stories...
EATC bless all churches...
Because HE IS RISEN!
Fly on the Wall
Ever heard the phrase, “I would love to be a fly on the wall”?
The phrase captures something that is true about all of us...
We are curious about what is said behind closed doors.
We wonder what is said when powerful people sit down to resolve serious conflicts.
What is said when a president meets privately with another world leader to discuss war or peace?
Some people would love to hear the private conversations between Prince Harry and Prince William as they try to sort out their family conflict.
Elon Musk and Sam Altman...
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck...
Moments like that fascinate us because we want to know:
What do people say when relationships are strained?
How do high-profile people handle conflict?
Well, in the New Testament there is a very small book that gives us exactly that opportunity.
The book of Philemon gives us a fly-on-the-wall view of a very personal situation involving the apostle Paul and a Christian leader named Philemon.
In this short letter we get to watch how the gospel works when relationships are broken and reconciliation is needed.
Scripture
Context
Philemon is the shortest letter from Paul.
It is only 25 verses long...
In the Greek it is only 335 words...
It is short but powerful!
Philemon 1 | Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, (CSB)
Philemon 2 | to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.(CSB)
Paul is the human author...
Paul is likely a prisoner in Rome as he writes this letter.
Philemon lived in Colossae (modern western Turkey).
Paul had led Philemon to the Lord years earlier likely in Ephesus on Paul's third missionary journey.
Gospel
Paul had shared the gospel with Philemon then.
Interestingly, in this personal letter, Paul shares the gospel again.
The first time Paul shared the gospel was for salvation...
This time, Paul shares the gospel for reconciliation...
It is the same gospel!
Philemon then planted a church in Colossae.
The church of Colossae met in Philemon's home.
(This was not what people call a "home church" today...)
This letter was most likely written and delivered alongside the letter to Colossians.
Apphia is likely Philemon's wife.
Archippus is likely Philemon's son.
Philemon 3 | Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (CSB)
Philemon 4 | I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, (CSB)
Philemon 5 | because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. (CSB)
Philemon 6 | I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. (CSB)
Philemon 7 | For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. (CSB)
Verse seven ends the long salutation (introduction) of the letter.
The last three verses (23–25) form the sign-off in the letter.
So the meat of letter is verses eight through twenty-two.
Philemon 8 | For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,(CSB)
Paul says that he has the authority (moral, ethical, spiritual) to command Philemon to do something...
But he says, I am not going to use that authority.
Philemon 9 | I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, (CSB)
Not by authority but by love...
Philemon 10 | appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. (CSB)
It is a small world...
Onesimus had been a slave in Philemon's household.
Slavery...
This cannot be used to justify slavery...
In fact, Philemon 16 became a key verse in the Abolition Movement.
Onesimus had fled...
Somehow ended up in Rome (likely)...
Came under Paul's influence...
Paul shared the gospel...
Responded to the gospel...
Then became friends with Paul...
Shares his sin of fleeing Philemon...
Note that this is the third time Paul has mentioned imprisonment or chains.
He will mention it again two more times (13, 23)...
Paul is reminding Philemon that we all face hardships maybe even unfair blows...
But because of the gospel, we absorb those blows and just keep joyfully serving the Lord and loving people.
Philemon 11 | Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. (CSB)
useless...
Play on Onesimus's name...
Refers to him running away as a slave...
Useful...
God has changed Onesimus...
God still changes people!
Philemon 12 | I am sending him back to you—I am sending my very own heart. (CSB)
Philemon 13 | I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. (CSB)
A deep bond had formed between Paul and Onesimus...
Philemon 14 | But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. (CSB)
Paul wanted Onesimus to stay, but he also wanted to do the right thing.
Philemon 15 | For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, (CSB)
Philemon 16 | no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. (CSB)
God's sovereign and providential hand...
Genesis 50.20 | You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. (CSB)
Romans 8.28 | We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (CSB)
Philemon 17 | So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. (CSB)
Philemon 18 | And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. (CSB)
For a slave to run away was a serious crime.
First, it represented a direct assault on the master's honor and social standing.
Secondly, it was a great financial loss...
Third, it was a crime that came with grave punishments...
Branding on the forehead...
Permanent iron collars...
Flogging...
Sometimes execution...
Charge that to my account...
Paul says he will pay...
Why would Paul pay?
When someone pays something they didn't owe to rescue or forgive someone who does not deserve the kindness...
That is a picture of the gospel!
GOSPEL
Philemon 19 | I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your very self. (CSB)
Write...
Paul often used an amanuensis (uh-MAN-yoo-EN-sis) to actually pen his letters.
But here Paul writes with his own hand making this a legally binding promissory note.
You owe me even your very self...
A debt you could never pay...
Philemon 20 | Yes, brother, may I benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. (CSB)
Philemon 21 | Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. (CSB)
Do not just do this grudgingly...
Philemon 22 | Meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. (CSB)
So much in this verse...
Philemon 23 | Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, and so do (CSB)
Philemon 24 | Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. (CSB)
Philemon 25 | The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (CSB)
How to be an Elevator?
We will spend a couple weeks in Philemon...
Today...
Two kinds of people...
Elevators and discouragers...
Up elevators and down elevators...
Philemon shows us how to be UP ELEVATORS.
Scripture commands us to be UP ELEVATORS...
1 Thessalonians 5.11 | Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. (CSB)
Ephesians 4.32 | And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. (CSB)
1 Peter 4.8 | Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.(CSB)
1 Peter 4.9 | Be hospitable to one another without complaining. (CSB)
Romans 15.5 | Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, (CSB)
Romans 12.10 | Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.(CSB)
So, how can I do this?
We see four choices Paul made in Philemon...
I. Choose to Be Thankful.
Notice Paul's spirit, attitude, mood throughout this letter...
Paul is in prison...
Wrongly imprisoned...
But Paul is joyful and thankful...
Philemon 4 | I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, (CSB)
Philemon 7 | For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. (CSB)
How is Paul so joyful and thankful?
He has chosen to be.
Notice this is a GOSPEL MOVE...
What the Lord has done for us is so great...
Complaining about paying taxes on investment gains...
Elevator?
You will never be an UP ELEVATOR as long as you are negative, complaining, and angry about life.
Make the thankful choice.
II. Choose to Be Prayerful.
Notice, Paul either has a beef with Philemon over Onesimus or he fears he will have a beef with him over how he treats Onesimus.
That is obvious from the fact that Paul writes this letter.
So, what does Paul do with this brother in the faith with whom he has a problem (present or potential)?
He prays for him!
Philemon 4 | I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, (CSB)
When we pray for someone...
When...
When we thank the Lord for them...
When we pray that God will protect them and give them wisdom...
When we pray through a gospel lens...
The Lord changes your heart...
And the Lord helps us to be an elevator and encourager to them.
What if...
What if you and I decided that we would not gripe or complain about any person that we had not prayed about for three consecutive days?
III. Choose to Encourage.
Paul did not start with the problems (or potential problems) he had with Philemon.
Paul started with a genuine encouragement and focus on the good the Lord was doing in and through Philemon.
Philemon 5 | because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. (CSB)
Philemon 7 | For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. (CSB)
Don't think you are smart just because you can point out a problem...
Any old buzzard can find a dead carcass.
Good leaders (elevators) spend much more time and energy encouraging than criticizing.
IV. Choose to Exhort.
Difference between encourage and exhort...
To encourage is to strengthen someone's heart so they can keep going...
To exhort is to help someone to do what is right...
Encourage means to take heart.
Exhort means to take action.
Not only did Paul encourage Philemon, he exhorted him to do the right thing.
Philemon 17 | So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. (CSB)
If you are going to be an UP not DOWN ELEVATOR...
You must not only encourage but exhort.
Most people do not have anyone in their lives who will exhort them.
American Idol Disaster friends...
The difference between...
Friends who are Christians and Christian friends...
Worldly friendships are about people who enjoy each other...
Christian friendships are about people who love and exhort each other...
How did Paul exhort Philemon?
Paul was his friend.
Philemon 4–7
Paul acted from love not authority.
Philemon 8 | For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, (CSB)
Paul acted from a place of humility.
Philemon 9 | I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, (CSB)
Paul spoke the truth.
Paul expressed confidence in Philemon.
Philemon 21 | Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. (CSB)
Paul provided gentle accountability.
Philemon 22 | Meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. (CSB)
Conclusion
Paul's letter to Philemon is all about the gospel...
What was the impetus of the relationship between Paul and Philemon?
THE GOSPEL.
How did Paul make his appeal to Philemon?
THE GOSPEL.
Why should Philemon forgive Onesimus?
THE GOSPEL.
What should be the basis for the ongoing relationship between Philemon and Onseimus?
THE GOSPEL.