Main Scripture: Philemon 1:8-16
Main Idea: Applying the gospel to our relationships results in radical change.
• The relationships that Paul, Philemon & Onesimus all have together are based on the fact that they all have a relationship with Jesus Christ now.
• They have all been brought into a close and deeply personal fellowship as members of a spiritual family.
• As Paul applies their identity in Christ to their relationships, it is clear that there are obligations that result from this new kind of relationship and their relationships are radically changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. A radical response of love
• We can see a response of love in these verses in two ways – love in speech & love in action.
• Paul could have commanded Philemon but instead he makes a gradual, loving, gentle appeal – he doesn’t manipulate or command – he lovingly appeals.
• The English phrase “what is required” has a sense of weight as well. It translates a Greek word that means “what is due, a duty or what is fitting”
• It is a duty, and it is fitting as one who is a Christian, for Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother.
• Paul’s appeal to Philemon is an appeal that is based on love.
• Underpinning everything, his appeal is based on the love that Christ has had for Paul and Philemon and Onesimus.
• And it is this love that is now foundational to Christian ethics for all of us – it was foundational for Paul and Philemon and it is foundational for us today as well.
• What is legally permissible or not isn’t to be the basis for how a Christian treats someone else. We are called to a higher law of love now that is meant to govern all of our relationships.
• The love we have received requires a response
• The power of the gospel has transformed Onesimus into one who has demonstrated his love for Christ by serving Paul
• Instead of loving himself and living for himself, the gospel has transformed Onesimus into one who loves Jesus and has shown love to Paul. (10-13)
• What is required from Philemon is a radical response of love in action.
• Applying the gospel to relationships results in a radical response of love and a radical response of sacrifice.
2. A radical response of sacrifice
• In just this one passage, you can see that Paul, Onesimus and Philemon were all called to respond in self-sacrifice in their relationships.
• They sacrificed their needs, their desires and their freedom in response.
• Paul sacrificed his needs so that he could share the gospel and he had become a prisoner for Christ
• Paul sacrificed his comforts to give up Onesimus
• Philemon would need to sacrifice a desire for retribution and vengeance.
• Philemon would also likely need to sacrifice a desire for financially gaining through Onesimus slavery.
• Onesimus had to sacrifice his personal desires when it came to: independence, a desire to be in control, safety, security and comfort.
• They were able to sacrifice because Christ Jesus had made the ultimate sacrifice on their behalf.
3. A radical response of forgiveness
• A response to seek forgiveness.
• A response to grant forgiveness.
• A response to encourage forgiveness.
• At times, we will be sinned against and perhaps some of us will be sinned against badly.
• The gospel does not minimize the fact that we have been sinned against – but it does help us see that no matter how we have been sinned against – even serious sin, we have sinned against a perfect and holy, completely righteous God and He has freely forgiven us.
• And if we apply the gospel to our relationships, it calls for a radical response in granting forgiveness to those who have legitimately sinned against us.
• We are also called to be agents of reconciliation in the body. If a brother or sister comes to us and confesses that they have sinned against another brother or sister, we need to encourage them to reconcile and restore their relationship and help it take place.
• There are no neutral parties in the body of Christ – we all have a responsibility to apply the gospel to our relationships practically in love, in sacrifice and forgiveness.
4. A radical response of trust
• “Perhaps” God was at work to take Onesimus from Philemon and bring him over 1,000 miles away to Paul, so that he might be born again and so that a reconciliation, love and forgiveness might take place and glorify God in the church at Colossae.
• Christian - God has been at work in your life and will be at work in the future – to work all kinds of circumstances for your good.
Romans 8:28-32 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
• Perhaps there is a reason for the circumstances in your life that you can’t understand and that tempt you to anxiety or anger and perhaps God is working His eternal purposes in your life, just like He was working in Onesimus and Philemon and Paul’s life, even when they couldn’t see it at times.
Potential Application Questions:
1. How would the Lord have us apply the truth of our new identity in Christ to our relationships?
2. Where do we need to respond in loving our brother in our speech and in our actions – even if our brother or sister in Christ may have offended us?
3. Where is the lord calling us to apply the gospel and respond in sacrifice? (We may need to give up our preferences and our desires for comfort or ease)
4. Perhaps the Lord is calling us to respond in forgiveness, is there an area where we have sinned and we need to seek forgiveness?
5. Is there an area that we have been sinned against and we need to forgive and be reconciled? (even if the other person isn’t seeking forgiveness)
6. If we are aware of an un-reconciled relationship in the body of Christ (bitterness, resentment are clues) how can we be an agent of God’s grace to help our brothers and sisters seek reconciliation?
7. Do we need to stop hearing gossip and seek reconciliation?
8. Are you complaining, sowing discord, suspicion, discontent or gossip in the body? How would the Lord have you respond and forgive and not see someone else’s sin or shortcoming as greater than your own?
9. Are there relationships where you may be tempted to doubt that God is really in control?
10. How can we apply the gospel to our thinking, our speech and actions in any of the above areas?
