Community Baptist Church Hastings

Philemon 9/27/26

Are you truly trusting God with your life?
Intro: Presentism – falsely applying present-day idea to interpretations of the past
A. Context
1. Paul is under house arrest, likely in Rome
2. Philemon sent with Colossians letter
3. Philemon, likely wealthy, hosts home church
4. Writing to Philemon about his runaway slave Onesimus
a. Runaways could be branded, punished, jailed, killed
b. Slaves obey your earthly masters Col 3:22

B. Greeting
1. Salutation vv1-3
 Prisoner of Christ, voluntary, ultimately Christ is in control
2. Prayer of Thanksgiving vv4-7
 For Philemon’s faith, love, witness resulting in Paul’s joy encouragement

C. The Request vv8-21
1. Onesimus is now my son vv8-14 2Cor 9:7, Est 4:14
a. I could order you as an Apostle, but I appeal in love
b. Paul/Onesimus’ relationship, prisoner-slave to father/son
o Paul very likely led Onesimus to Jesus
c. Onesimus (meaning useful), play on words, v11
d. Really wanted to keep him,
i. since he was serving in your place, so still serving you
ii. but I wanted your consent, so it will be up to you

2. Paul’s Plea – asking without asking vv15-21 Gal 3:28
a. Returning, not as slave, as a brother in Christ
o From cultural master-slave to spiritual equality, brother-in-Christ
b. Welcome him as you would me, I’ll cover any costs
c. Writing this myself, you owe me
d. Paul wishes “to have some benefit,” his “heart refreshed,” knows Philemon
“will do more than he asks.” Subtext: Free Onesimus
D. Conclusion v22-23 – proposed visit and the guys say, “Hi”
E. Lesson Learned Gen 50:20, Jer
29:11, Rom 8:28
1. God is in control.
a. Once you truly believe that, the whole of your life flows from it.
b. The reverse is also true, the more we resist the idea, the tougher things are
2. The more we truly believe God is in control.
a. The easier we face adversity as Paul does
b. The more we do the right things for the right reason - Philemon.