Philemon 8-20
Remember: Forgiveness
• One of the main benefits of salvation is forgiveness.
Philemon 8-20 gives us a better understanding of what forgiveness looks like.
We are wretched sinners. Every one of us. On our own, we deserve hell. But...
• In Christ alone – we can be forgiven.
And that’s the theme of Philemon.
• Sub-theme: Community
Four things about Forgiveness:
1. We owe God
Psalm 51:3-4, Acts 17:30-31
It’s God who we have sinned against. And:
• It’s God’s forgiveness that we really need.
If we don’t have His forgiveness, then all the other people, while they might be nice, they’re not going to solve our deepest problem and they won’t meet our greatest need.
2. It’s not an idea, it’s experienced.
Like carrying something heavy. When it’s lifted off of you. It brings relief.
Well - remember - we owe God first, right? He’s the one who lifts that burden.
• Part of our experience of being forgiven involves being a forgiver.
The OT sacrificial system was very experiential. Imagine being there when 1,000 animals were sacrificed. Now - it’s the once-for-all sacrifice. And still - it’s something we experience.
• We experience it most fully in community
Hebrews 10:19-25
• Remembering what He did on the cross
Focusing on that. Thinking about that. Meditating on that.
• Engaging in community.
Being involved. Deeply involved in each other’s lives.
3. It brings radical change
2 Corinthians 5:17 – the old is gone, the new has come!
We are all completely sinful and depraved without Christ:
Romans 3:11-12 Ephesians 2:1 Jeremiah 17:9 1 Corinthians 2:14
(It won’t make sense before you’re forgiven)
Charles Spurgeon says it this way:
We declare, upon Scriptural authority, that the human will is so desperately set on mischief, so depraved, and so inclined to everything that is evil, and so disinclined to everything that is good, that without the powerful. supernatural, irresistible influence of the Holy Spirit, no human will ever be constrained towards Christ. (man he had a way with words!)
But when you experience forgiveness - it brings RADICAL change.
• Not just a little adjustment here. A little tweak there. It’s a complete turnaround.
• Romans 6 says we were slaves to sin. Now we’re slaves to righteousness.
We have a new master. His name is Jesus.
4. We must acknowledge our sin
1 John 1:10 – If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
It doesn’t get much clearer than that.
The verse before 1 John 1:10?
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
So what is the foundation for this picture? This is a very practical kind of book. Just let it paint a picture.
Foundation: Your Forgiveness
verses 10-14
He’s sending him back. He doesn’t want to keep Onesimus without Philemon’s permission
YOUR consent YOUR goodness YOUR own accord.
• The foundation for forgiving someone else is your own forgiveness.
I think Paul knew Philemon would do the right thing.
Onesimus had to talk to Paul face-to-face.
• We should seek forgiveness
Forgiveness begins with going to the one you have offended. It involves acknowledging your sin.
God draws us unto Himself and gives us what it takes to come to Him in faith and repentance.
Framework: Unity
verses 15-16
Now this really is the center of it all.
Paul points out the sovereignty of God. Everything flows out of God’s plan and purposes.
Now that Onesimus is back, now that he’s saved...
• There can be a unity between them that wouldn’t have been possible before.
He’s saying that he’s more than your slave. He’s your beloved brother. It’s now a deep bond.
I think this should put a smile on Philemon’s face.
• Who doesn’t want to see others get saved?
Who doesn’t want a close friend. One who could be described as a beloved brother?
And as close as Paul and Onesimus had become - and that’s pretty close - Philemon and Onesimus should be even closer.
Their relationship will have this new, wonderful dynamic.
They can serve Christ in new ways. Side by side. Paul is very excited about that.
Finishing: Relational Realities
Here it all comes together.
verse 17 – if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
We can’t forget who Paul was before he was saved. Paul’s career at one point had him throwing Christians in prison and doing everything he could to stop the cause of Christ.
The end result:
My heart will be refreshed in Christ. because:
• Forgiveness Refreshes
To see your relationship not only tension free, but fully restored. And not only restored, but this beautiful unity that works together and serves together.
Because you are forgiven, you should forgive.
When you forgive - Unity is the result. When there’s unity, it’s refreshing.
John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Forgiveness and Unity
Their bond is now closer than a brother you grew up with. The forgiveness that came from Christ flowed through and is now a part of both of them. They are forgivers.
• Because of (that) forgiveness, there is unity and because of that, there’s a new relational reality.
As you look around at your brothers and sisters in Christ here at Fellowship Baptist. And even those who aren’t here today. They are people for whom Christ died. They have experienced God’s forgiveness.
When God looks at them - He sees the perfect life of Jesus.
• How can we hold something against someone else when the creator of the universe Himself has forgiven them?
Remember that
Psalm 51:3-4
Ultimately, our sins are against God. And while we do sin against other people, our sins are primarily against God. And when God has forgiven - it’s done.
• So. We. Must. Forgive.
And Paul knew that Philemon would have this attitude. He might need to be reminded from time to time (just like we need to be reminded about things from time to time - daily in fact).
Reflection Questions
• Are you easily offended?
Do people have to tip-toe around you so that they don’t say the wrong thing?
• Are you becoming a quicker forgiver?
You will need to forgive someone soon (if not already)
Are you getting better at forgiving sooner?
• Are you requiring less forgiveness?
Meaning - don’t be someone who others need to forgive often. Don’t be the offender.
• Are you growing in your understanding of forgiveness?
Meaning - are you growing in your understanding of the Gospel?
• Has your experience of forgiveness resulted in your unity with the Body?
Are you an active, engaged member of a local church?
• Are you striving toward the picture this passage paints?
Understanding forgiveness
Expressing it - extending it
Seeking unity.
Being a catalyst for unity and reconciliation
God is very concerned with the unity of His children. We should be too.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob
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