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PHILEMON — FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

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OVERVIEW

The short book of Philemon was written by Paul from prison to persuade Philemon to receive back his runaway and now converted slave Onesimus in the spirit of forgiveness and Christian brotherhood. The themes of forgiveness and reconciliation are featured within the complex social dynamic of first century slavery. The grace of Jesus Christ which we have freely received must also be freely extended towards others.

BIG IDEA

CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION CUT ACROSS ALL HUMAN DISTINCTIONS AS WE RESPOND IN THE SAME MANNER AS WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN BY GOD

Philemon 15 “That you would have him back forever“

BASIC OUTLINE

I.  (:1-7)  ATMOSPHERE FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION —

EFFECTIVE FAITH SHOWS ITSELF IN PRACTICAL LOVE

A.  (:1-3) GREETING: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN CHRIST INVOLVE

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AS PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL

  1. Author
  2. Recipients
  3. Salutation / Benediction

B.  (:4-7) EFFECTIVE FAITH SHOWS ITSELF IN PRACTICAL LOVE —

THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER FOR THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF

LOVE AND FAITH IN THE LIFE OF PHILEMON

(:4) Introduction: Ongoing Thanksgiving for Philemon

  1. (:5) The Distinguishing Brand of Genuine Christianity Should Be the Synergy of Active Faith and Practical Love

a.  The Report of Practical Love

b.  The Report of Active Faith

2.  (:6) The Dynamic Basis for Practical Love Is Effective Faith that Matures in the Comprehension of Our Union with Jesus Christ

Specific Petition:

a.  Foundation for Love = the common faith in our Lord Jesus Christ

b.  Functioning of Faith = the maturing and exercise of that faith

c.  Fruit of Spiritual Knowledge = comprehending and applying the truth of our precious union with Jesus Christ

d.  Focus of Our Faith and Love = ministering to others so that Christ would be exalted

  1. (:7) The Defining Barometer of Effective Faith Should Be the Practical Expression of Love Towards the Saints

a.  The Encouragement of Love to the Apostle Paul

b.  The Encouragement of Love to the Saints

II.  (:8-16) APPEAL FOR FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION —

BROKEN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE TRANSFORMED BY OUR NEW FAMILY RELATIONSHIP IN CHRIST

5 PRIORITIES ENCOURAGING A SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION AMONG

BELIEVERS IN BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS

A.  (:8-9) PURSUE AGAPE LOVE — FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE APOSTLE PAUL

  1. (:8) Tone of Appealing Rather than Commanding
  2. (:9a) Theme of Agape Love
  3. (:9b) Testimony of Paul’s Example – Playing the Sympathy Card

a.  Wisdom of Spiritual Experience

b.  Sacrifice of Committed Service

 B.  (:10-11) PUT AWAY FORMER PREJUDICES

3 Dramatic Changes need to be recognized in the life of Onesimus:

  1. (:10a) Change in Favored Status – Now a Protégé of the Beloved Apostle
  2. (:10b) Change in Family Identity – Now a Child of God
  3. (:11) Change in Functional Value – Now Useful

C.  (:12-14) PROMOTE GOSPEL MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP

  1. (:12-13a) Valuable to Paul for Gospel Ministry
  2. (:13b) Valuable to Philemon for as an Extension of His Gospel Ministry
  3. (:14) Voluntary Requirement of this Gospel Ministry Partnership = Your Goodness

D.  (:15) PONDER GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL WORKING

Focus on the Eternal over the Temporal

E.  (:16) PREFER SPIRITUAL FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Focus on the Spiritual Fellowship over the Household Hierarchy

III.  (:17-25) APPLICATION OF RECONCILIATION —

THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST PROVIDES THE MOTIVATION FOR CHRISTIAN RECONCILIATION

4 REMINDERS FROM THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST THAT MOTIVATE

FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

A.  (:17-19) GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST REMINDS US OF GREATER DEBTS WE WERE UNABLE TO PAY –

VICARIOUS PAYMENT OF ALL WRONGS THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR RECONCILIATION –

PRACTICE THE BASICS OF THE GOSPEL

  1. (:17) Reconciliation Requires Gracious Acceptance
  2. (:18-19) Reconciliation Requires Gracious Restitution

a.  Responsibility for the Wrong

b.  Repayment of the Wrong

c.  Reassessment of the Wrong (in light of former gracious compensation)

B.  (:20) GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST REMINDS US OF THE GREAT BLESSINGS OF RECONCILIATION

C.  (:21) GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST REMINDS US OF HOW WE SHOULD GO THE EXTRA MILE (BEYOND OBEDIENCE)

  1. Encouragement of Faithfulness
  2. Expression of Obligation
  3. Expectation of Grace

D.  (:22) GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST REMINDS US THAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS IMMINENT

  1. Be Prepared for the Arrival of Spiritual Authority
  2. Be Praying for the Arrival of Spiritual Authority

(:23-24) CLOSING GREETINGS: (see Col. 4:10-14)

  1. Fellow Prisoner
  2. Fellow Workers

(:25) BENEDICTION: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

WHY STUDY THIS BOOK?

• To gain a biblical understanding of relational forgiveness and reconciliation

• To wrestle with how the NT writers treated the social and economic issue of slavery

• To appreciate the detailed working of the providence of God

• To see how Christian brotherhood cuts across all economic classes and diversity of individuals

• To deepen our ethical convictions regarding doing what is right regardless of the unknown consequences

• To see the art of persuasion in operation

NOTABLE QUOTES

David Malick: Being encouraged by the reports of spiritual effectiveness in Philemon’s life, Paul requests of him to graciously receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a fellow believer and partner in the gospel ministry in accordance with the love that he has shown to other believers and the grace which he has received from Christ.

Chuck Swindoll: Paul’s message to Philemon was a simple one: based on the work of love and forgiveness that had been wrought in Philemon’s heart by God, show the same to the escaped and now-believing slave Onesimus. The apostle’s message would have had extra force behind it because he knew Philemon personally. Paul had explained the gospel to Philemon and had witnessed the profound result: new life blossoming in a once-dead heart (Philemon 1:19). Paul knew that conversion is nothing to trifle with, but that it should be honored and fostered.

So Paul made a request. He wanted Philemon to forgive Onesimus, to accept the slave as a brother in Christ, and to consider sending Onesimus back to Paul, as the apostle found him useful in God’s service (1:11–14). Paul did not minimize Onesimus’s sin. This was not some kind of cheap grace that Paul asked Philemon to offer. No, there was sacrifice required in this request, and because of that, Paul approached the topic with gentleness and care (1:21). His letter to Philemon presents in full color the beautiful and majestic transition from slavery to kinship that comes as a result of Christian love and forgiveness.

John MacArthur: Outline

I. Greeting (1-3)

II. The Character of One Who Forgives (4-7)

III. The Actions of One Who Forgives (:8-18)

IV. The Motives of One Who Forgives (:19-25)

Warren Wiersbe: Outline – Christian Forgiveness

I. APPRECIATION (1-7) (“I thank my God”)

A. Paul’s love – 1-3

B. Paul’s thanksgiving – 4-5, 7

C. Paul’s prayer – 6

II. APPEAL (8-16) (“I beseech thee”)

A. Philemon’s character – 8-9

B. Onesimus’s conversion – 10-14

C. God’s providence – 15-16

III. ASSURANCE (17-25) (“I will repay”)

A. Paul’s partnership – 17-19

B. Paul’s confidence – 20-22

C. Paul’s greeting – 23-25

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