August 30, 2026

BUILT TO LAST: WERE IT NOT FOR MERCY

August 30, 2026

Dr. Ben Gutierrez

Today, Dr. Gutierrez takes us through the book of Philemon, the small, personal letter Paul wrote during his first imprisonment in Rome. Philemon was in Colossae, a small town surrounded by many of the churches that are addressed in Revelation 3. This church met in Philemon’s home, yet he struggled with unforgiveness because of his servant, Onesimus, who had committed a crime against him. Onesimus fled Colossae, made his way to Rome, met Paul, and was redeemed when Paul led him to Jesus Christ. Now a believer, Onesimus had to make amends with Philemon, who had no other godly choice except to forgive his slave—who had become a brother in Christ. If you need to forgive someone today, join us for this sermon on mercy.

Focal Passages: Philemon, Colossians 1, 3:13, Ephesians 4:32.

The Church’s Battle for the Truth:

  • Read Colossians 3:13. What does the book of Colossians have to do with the letter to Philemon? What does Paul tell these believers in this Colossians passage? Why is it important that we forgive those who offend us? Paul wrote both of these letters at the same time. Was he likely thinking of Philemon’s problem as he wrote to this church?
  • Read Matt. 6:12. Do you need anyone to explain this verse? Why was it so important that all believers—including those who were meeting in Philemon’s house—understand the concept of forgiving as we have been forgiven?
  • Read Philemon vv. 1-2. Paul wanted to make certain the church understood that their salvation came through Jesus Christ—God in the flesh—coming to earth to pay the debt of sin mankind owes, forgiving us of our sins, and gifting us with eternal life when we accept all that Jesus did for us. Why does that make it imperative that, as followers of Christ, we must forgive others for any sin they commit against us? Is forgiveness possible even if the perpetrator will not receive it?
  • This week, spend time reading the first chapter of Colossians, so that you may grasp the huge responsibility that, as vv. 21-22 lay out our regeneration, we see what a miracle our own mercy cost Christ. Where would our congregation be without the mercy God poured out on all of us? Where would you be if He had not called you?

Philemon’s Personal Battle to Forgive: 

  • Read Phil. vv. 3-5. How would you feel if you had a large group of believers in your house and received a letter like the one Paul writes to Philemon? Was Philemon’s testimony in his area a one-time comment or a lifestyle? How about your testimony—are you aware of what is said of you around your community? If people spoke of you as they did of Philemon (vv. 1-2), would you try even harder to be blameless, like Christ?
  • Read verses 6-7. Why did Paul continue to compliment him? Was there a hint in verse 6 that Paul was getting ready to ask something of Philemon?
  • Read vv. 8-9. How can you tell this man is a well-loved friend of Philemon? Why is it easier to ask much of friends than it is of acquaintances?
  • Read verse 10. Paul laid a lot of groundwork. What was some of it? Now he is ready to put his request (command?) into words. What does he ask of Philemon? Does he ‘lay it on thicker’ by telling of Onesimus becoming saved while with Paul in Rome?
  • Read verses 11-14. Does anyone recall what Onesimus’ name meant? Why did Paul use puns in verse 11? If someone asked you to forgive someone’s sin against you, how would you respond?
  • Why did Paul send the slave back to Philemon? What are some of the gut-wrenching words he uses in this passage? Was he really saying to Philemon, “What are you going to do with this situation?”
  • Read verse 15. What does Paul mean in this verse? Do we sometimes lose out on something God wants to give us so we can enjoy it more later? Can anyone give an example?
  • Read verses 16-17. Why is it hard for us to read this in the same way Philemon did? Do you think his heart broke that he had been so frozen emotionally over what Onesimus had done to him? In vs. 18, Paul ends his request with a blade-twister. What was it? In verses 21-22, how would Philemon feel about Paul coming to see him?

What is the Big Picture:

  • Can we be right with God if we are unwilling to forgive another person for a sin against us? Why or why not?
  • Get right with others. How are we to do that? Must we forgive? If we can’t forgive, what does that mean? Explain this: “Forgiven people forgive people.”
  • Get out of your box and get back to work for Christ. Don’t allow a personal struggle to sideline you from joining the church in standing for Christ!

Why Should We Forgive Others?

  • Because God forgave us! (Ephesians 4:32)
  • Because Forgiveness Reveals Our Faith! (What if you withheld your forgiveness? What message does that send?)
  • Because all of us Need Mercy, too! (Go back to the Lord’s Prayer—what if God forgave us as we forgive others? That could be disastrous!)

Close: Making an enemy because someone has caused you pain in some area is not God’s plan for your life. How did Jesus tell us to treat our enemies? Love them. Proverbs embellishes this thought, saying that our good treatment of someone who is an enemy will ‘heap coals of fire on their heads’! Yet God Himself, when we were DEAD in trespasses and sins, and His enemy, sent Jesus to earth to live among us for thirty-three years, then was crucified on a cross, buried, and rose again to give us life everlasting—IF we believe in Him! And our belief is not a one-time thing: it is an ongoing process of sanctifying us so that we eventually are the image of Christ. Forgiveness of our enemies is just one step in that process, but without a forgiving heart, you haven’t really begun sanctification. Have you forgiven your enemies?

By Sandy Day

August 30, 2026

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