philemon forgiveness

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The Biblical plan for freedom in relationships

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Page 1: Philemon Forgiveness
Page 2: Philemon Forgiveness

Philemon: The Journey to Forgiveness

• Part I: The Offense and Injury (Philemon 1:1-11)

How wounding words, circumstances and expectations can ruin your life.

• Part II: Forgiveness and Reconciliation (1:12-23)

How the forgiveness process can change your life.

• Part III: The Blessing of Grace (1:21-25)

How your experience of God’s forgiveness frees you to forgive others.

Page 3: Philemon Forgiveness

The Offense and the Injury  1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our

beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. 8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

Philemon 1:1-11

Page 4: Philemon Forgiveness

The Characters

• Apostle Paul

Was in prison in Rome when the events unfold. Wrote the Epistle to his friend who lived in Colosae. Therefore, the message in the Book of Colossians provides context for what was going on at the church there.

Page 5: Philemon Forgiveness

The Characters

• Philemon

Wealthy businessman from Colossae and friend of Paul. Was a key leader in the church with a large enough home to host the entire congregation for services.

According to church tradition he was martyred under the Emporer Nero.

Page 6: Philemon Forgiveness

The Characters

• Apphia

Wife of Philemon and assisted him in the work of the ministry from their home. Church tradition says that one day, during a pagan feast, enemies of Christianity invaded her home, dragged her into the public square and stoned her to death.

Page 7: Philemon Forgiveness

The Characters

• Archippus

Why did Paul address the Epistle to Archippus as well as Philemon since this was such a personal matter? Possibly Archippus was a son of Philemon, even the one who was responsible for running the household. But it’s also possible he was simply a key leader in the church at Colossae and Paul addressed the Epistle to him also because he wanted Archippus to know the contents, providing an additional layer of accountability for his instructions.

Page 8: Philemon Forgiveness

The Characters

• Onesimus Slave in Philemon’s household.

Most likely stole money from his master upon running away. Fled to Rome where he came under the hearing of the Gospel eventually becoming a Christian and assistant for Paul.

Page 9: Philemon Forgiveness

The Offense

Slavery and the New Testament • 90% of Romans were slaves.• Runaways were huge problem fostering a high demand for bounty hunters.• Paul does not address ethics of slavery as in institution but he does command slave

owners and slaves on how they should relate to each other.• Most important thing about slavery in the New Testament is the dignity and worth of the

slaves themselves. This was countercultural and it’s easy for us to miss the significance because of our own history.

Page 10: Philemon Forgiveness

The Offense

• Wounding Words

“Sticks and stones may break my

bones?”

Warnings about words in James 3:1-12

Jesus warned that we will be held accountable for every word we speak (Matthew 12:36)

Page 11: Philemon Forgiveness

The Offense

• Wounded Expectations

Disappointments in ourselves, in others and in God create a feeling of injury and offense. Financial loss, sickness, betrayal.

Page 12: Philemon Forgiveness

The Offense

Wounding Circumstances

Page 13: Philemon Forgiveness

The Consequences

• For Philemon – Personal and business loss

• For Onesimus – Possible prison or death

• For Us – Daily reminders and losses

Page 14: Philemon Forgiveness

What Forgiveness is NOT

• Condoning or excusing what happened

• Forgetting what happened

• Feeling better

• Speaking a “magic” formula (“I'm sorry...”)

Page 15: Philemon Forgiveness

Today on your Journey

Hebrews 12:1-15

• We should respond to our suffering like Jesus did (12:1-3)

• God is behind the suffering and has a purpose for it (12:4-11)

• Resisting God’s purpose in suffering has dire consequences (12:12-15)