Intro: Jesus came into the world at a time similar to ours. The social setting was very complex due to the conflicting religions and philosophies of the day. This led to a very pluralistic social structure in which you could justify anything in the name of a personal god (small g).
In other words there was no one truth there was no philosophy or religion that could practically and eternally explain life. There was no absolute moral standard or truth. What’s right for me doesn’t have to be what’s right for you.
What you find with historical biblical Christianity it met the challenges of explaining life. Then and now the claim we make is that when you experience Christ a new way of thinking and new way of acting come out of this life changing experience. In the 1st and 2nd centuries everywhere Christ followers spread a sense of morality and social justice followed.
We find that what we as followers of Christ are called to do is incarnate, put flesh on the person, principles, and truths of God found in Jesus Christ.
Paul said it this way in Galatians 2.20I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
I like the way the message says it, I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
When you trust Christ God identifies you with Christ crucified, Christ resurrected, and Christ ascended so as Paul said it is not my life. I no longer live but the Holy Spirit is putting the life of Jesus in my flesh. When we surrender to the direction and leadership of the Holy Spirit the life of Jesus His attitudes, actions, are incarnated in our life.
One of the most needed yet possibly most difficult to put flesh on in the church in the body of believers is forgiveness. Forgiveness is faith that goes beyond formality. Forgiveness is love that costs. God did not save us by His. God loves the world and the world remains unsaved. God’s grace saves you and me. Forgiveness is then faith that goes beyond formality and love that costs.
For the next few weeks we will look at the little epistle called Philemon. In it Paul encourages Philemon and us to put flesh on our lives by practicing forgiveness. In Philemon 1.4-7 Paul says “Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!" I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.”
Paul’s letter to Philemon is a request for him and us to put flesh on our faith. It is encouragement to incarnate forgiveness in our life as believers. In this broken world with broken relationships the one place that people should be able to experience forgiveness is in the fellowship of the redeemed.
First why should Philemon or we incarnate or put flesh on forgiveness? Colossians 1.13 “accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive].”
I. The background of Philemon
How could Paul have formed a relationship with Philemon if he had not visited the church at Colossai? We look to acts 19.1-8 and find that Paul taught for three months in the synagogue at Ephesus. After this time Paul met some resistance and rented a lecture hall and taught about the forgiveness and love of God in Christ. It says that Paul taught there for two years and all the Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
So it is believed that Philemon heard the Gospel and received Christ at this time.
Philemon took Paul’s message of forgiveness in Christ back to Colassai. He most probably shared it with Apphia and Archipus who are believed to be the wife and son of Philemon. We know this because of the personal nature of the letter and their inclusion in Paul’s challenge to lovingly forgive Onesimus.
Philemon – Probably rich slave owner. He also had a house that was used for the church to meet. Philemon had at least one slave Onesimus. Wife Apphia, son Archippus.
Philemon’s rights as a slave owner
Philemon’s responsibilities as a slave of Christ
Onesimus the slave of Philemon possibly stole something and ran away. Met Paul and believed the gospel and received Christ an
The message Paul preached was forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Not only did Paul teach it he lived it. What does this message do when it is believed? It radically changes relationships.
II. Forgiveness changes your relationship with God
The greatest and most precious biblical truth for you and me is in Christ God has forgiven us.
Forgiveness comes from the very heart of God. When we are forgiven by God the Holy Spirit plants in us the ability to forgive. This is why Paul appealed to Philemon not on the basis of apostolic authority. Philemon was a brother who was redeemed and forgiven.
Before God forgave us in the finished work of Jesus Christ we had no relationship with Jesus. We were dead in trespasses and sin. But the forgiveness offered in the broken body and shed blood of Jesus I am now alive to God. My relationship to Him is remade without the barrier of sin.
I can enjoy His presence without having to worry about my acceptance. God in character is complete love. He is also complete justice.
We are not set free by God’s love we are set free for God’s love. It is forgiveness and the working of God’s grace that sets us free to experience and explore the love of God. We are set free to experience the choosing of God.
So what has God done in forgiveness? He is not saying that our sin and rebellion of His rule is ok. He is saying that in Christ he lets go of the pain and hurt we caused Him because of our rejection of Him. Christ paid for all that.
III. Forgiveness changes your relationship with others
A personal experience with Jesus Christ makes a difference in your life. Paul said in 1.8,9 “In Christ I could order you to, but I appeal to you on the basis of love.”
What was the basis of Philemon forgiving Onesimus? That Philemon was forgiven in Christ!! What is your basis for forgiving a brother or sister in Christ who has harmed or hurt you?
Kent Crocket said it so well, “We base our forgiveness on what God has done for us not what someone has done to us.”
When we fail to forgive we forfeit our freedom.
Paul encouraged Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave but as his brother in Christ. However it was that Paul and Onesimus met Paul did the difficult thing of encouraging Onesimus to go back and face his master. The reality of His relationship with Jesus made it possible for Onesimus to overcome his face and go back to Colassai and Philemon.
A) Forgiveness can transform hopeless relationships
Archibald Hart, “forgiveness is surrendering my right to hurt you for hurting me.” It is assumption as to what Onesimus actually did to Philemon. How do we know they were reconciled? Because the letter continued to be circulated and was divinely placed in the canon of Scripture.
What is going on in your relationships? Who is your Onesimus who is your Philemon? Paul and God are calling us all to incarnate forgiveness. In the culture of the day in the my way is right for me Onesimus didn’t deserve anything but punishment. Do we view those that hurt us any different than our culture? God calls us to live above the standards of our culture.
B) Forgiveness can transform hurtful attitudes
Ephesians 3.30-32 “And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you [m] in Christ.”
Eúsplagxnos yoo'-splangkh-nos is the Greek word translated be kind and compassionate it literally means having strong bowels. In other words living in forgiveness and giving up hurtful attitudes and actions takes guts.
Conclusion: What does this letter to Philemon challenge him and us to do? It challenges us to put flesh on forgiveness.
Martin Luther “We are all God’s Onesimus’”
1) If someone has wronged, hurt, sinned against you forgive them. Jesus taught us to pray father forgive us as we forgive. Col 1.13 “forgive as your forgiven.”
2) If you have wronged, hurt, or sinned against someone, face the consequences and ask forgiveness.
3) If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ you have the basis for forgiveness.
