November 7, 2021

PHILEMON: RESTORATION IS OF GOD

November 07, 2021

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Many families have a member who has withdrawn from the rest, for tons of reasons. Can anyone share if you have been impacted by a situation like this, and tell how/if you were able to heal the rift?

Philemon, a man of Colossae, became a Christ-follower and, being well-to-do, was able to offer his home for use as a church. He also owned slaves, one of whom was Onesimus, who stole from his master and fled to Rome, where he met the prisoner, Paul, and became a believer. Paul, aware that God’s will is forgiveness and restoration of fellowship within the body of believers, decided to send Onesimus back to Philemon, with Tychicus, bearing a short letter. In it, he praised Philemon for his work in Colossae and asked him to forgive Onesimus and restore the relationship as brothers in Christ. This one-chapter book underscores the value of forgiveness within the body of Christ. We need this reminder today, just as Onesimus and Philemon needed it in Paul’s day, as we are so prone to cast aside those who have hurt or offended us.

Focal Passage: The Book of Philemon

Love is the key to doing what is right

  • Read Philemon, verses 4-7. Paul begins this letter by commending Philemon for all the good he was doing for the Colossian church. What does Paul mention? What was it that gave him particular pleasure?
  • How do you think Philemon was feeling as he read the accolades from Paul, who was a “big deal” and whose name was known to most Christians? We know what is coming next—Philemon did not. Why was Paul praising and emphasizing Philemon’s Christ-like love for the saints?
  • How do you think Philemon may have felt about the slave who had robbed him and ran away? Why do the things others do to us often leave us bitter? What must we do?
  • The law permitted Philemon to have Onesimus put to death if he ever returned. How do you think Onesimus may have felt returning to Colossae with Tychicus?

Restoration requires grace

  • Read verses 8-11. Paul used three different phrases in these verses to put some pressure on Philemon. What were they? Who were two other men whom Paul loved so dearly that he called them “sons”? Why would the use of “son” and “father” cause Philemon to think before acting?
  • How would Philemon have been justified by having Onesimus killed? What was Paul asking him to grant Onesimus? Do you think Onesimus deserved grace?
  • Why was Paul encouraging Philemon to forgive and show grace to Onesimus?

God will never give up on anyone

  • Read verses 15-17. If you had been the recipient of this letter, under these circumstances, how would you have reacted? Paul was asking that Philemon consider Onesimus now as a brother. Why was that a reasonable request?
  • Read verses 21-22. Why was Paul confident that Philemon would do the right thing? What would have happened to his testimony if he had not forgiven Onesimus?
  • Jesus said we must love others just as we love ourselves. What is the right thing for you to do if there are those believers whom you have cast off because there has been some type of conflict? What does God expect from you?
  • How is this the picture of what Christ did for us? Are you ever more like Christ than when you forgive and restore someone who has hurt you?

Close

Whether you have read the book of Philemon once a year for decades, or just a few times, have you ever realized that this letter, in twenty-five short verses, paints a complete picture of what Jesus Christ did for us? We have all been Onesimus.

We were born, grew to young adulthood, but probably just wanted to break the bond of parental control and live our own life. We envisioned a time when we might decide to follow Christ, but many of us possibly wanted to “enjoy” ourselves first. We “stole” years when we could have been following Christ, living for fun. Did we succeed?

Jesus left the splendor of heaven, fully aware of what God the Father had asked of Him. He was going to take on the flesh of a human body, born to parents who did not fully grasp the enormity of the incarnation. He preached salvation for three years, did miracles, fulfilled all prophecies that applied to His first coming. He was crucified to pay a sin debt that we all owed (but could not pay), was buried, and three days later rose to life again! After forty days of being with the disciples, He returned to heaven. All of this—and so much more—because of His great love for us.

For us, He continually offers forgiveness of the sins which we have committed. Philemon and Onesimus had to reconcile and Philemon had to grant him grace and forgiveness. We don’t have an ending for the story, but we know it came about just as our story with Jesus has come true. Christ saw our need, He made arrangements to pay for the need, and took us in as brothers and sisters when we believed in Him and repented of our sins. Now we have eternal life, based—not on what we’ve done—but on what Jesus did on the cross that crucifixion weekend. Have you let Him restore you to fellowship, after stealing years away from Him? If not, take care of it today. Then go out and do likewise to those who have hurt or offended you.

 

 

/by