Sermons on Philemon 1:18:

Philemon Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 15, 2019

This book is a picture of salvation.

A. THE STORY OF PHILEMON Paul had led Philemon to Christ, a rich businessman in Colossae, 100 miles from Ephesus. Paul probably never visited Colossae (Col. 1:7; 2:7). Philemon owned slaves, and one slave, Onesimus, stole valuables and ran away to Rome, thinking he couldn’t be found in that ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Restoration Of A Slave Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Oct 4, 2018

Restoration, Forgiveness, Repentance, Grace

JAIL BREAK (Breaking the Chains of Unforgiveness) - The Restoration of a Slave October 7, 2018 Philemon 1:1-25 (p. 837) Introduction: I believe love is the most powerful motivator known to mankind…I include something in all my wedding ceremonies that Kari and I included in ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Open Letter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 20, 2019

No longer a slave.

AN OPEN LETTER. PHILEMON 1:1-21. Onesimus was a slave who had escaped from his Christian master, Philemon. Yet in a beautiful irony, having not ‘made it’ alone in the big city, he found himself at last brought under the direct personal influence of “Paul the prisoner” (Philemon 1:1). Many a ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon # 37 - The Father's Love Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 17, 2025

The love that God the Father demonstrated when He sent His only begotten Son Jesus into this world is unfathomable. It’s this love of God that saved us, protects us, provides for our needs, trusts and accepts us in spite of all our faults and failings.

For our meditation today let me highlight this verse from 1 John 3:1, “See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children—and so, in fact, we are.” (GNB) Can you imagine the amazing love God the Father has lavished on us, that we have the wonderful ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1, Hebrews 11:7, Romans 8:32, 2 Samuel 13:39, 2 Samuel 15:7-9, Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:15-16, Philemon 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The God Of "Good Ole Slavery”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 7, 2025

Paul sends Onesimus back. Back to Philemon. Back to the house he ran from. Back to the chains he escaped.

Sermon: The God of “Good Ole Slavery” Scripture: Philemon 1:15–16 – “Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother…” Introduction: Wrestling with Paul and Our Present Beloved, ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Go! And Understand God's Heart Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 22, 2025

Some Old Testament verses are often misunderstood, or used to mock Scripture, or paint God as outdated or cruel. But when rightly understood, these verses don’t repel us—they reveal something glorious: the holiness, justice, and mercy of our God.

Go! And Understand God's Heart Introduction: It’s always an honour to open the Word of God with you. We are continuing in our Go! And... series today with a vital and timely message: Go! And Understand God’s Heart. Now, we’re going to deal with some Old Testament verses that are often ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:7, Exodus 21:7, Exodus 35:2, Matthew 5:17, Mark 7:18-19, Hebrews 4:9-10, Galatians 3:28, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Acts 3:19, John 14:6, Philemon 1:1-25, Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 18:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tweets From God (Part 2: Philemon) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Aug 27, 2021

“If God had a Twitter account, what would he tweet?” The Bible contains five short one-chapter books. The second, Philemon, is a tweet about a runaway slave changed by the gospel of Jesus.

Tweets from God: Philemon Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 5/22/2016 Last Sunday I began a series I’m calling Tweets from God. Like I said last week, with over 200 million users, Twitter is the most popular social network besides Facebook. But what makes Twitter unique is that ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-19

Denomination: Christian Church

Refresh My Heart

Contributed by Larry Grant on Oct 30, 2022

Here is the history of a saint who has been greatly wronged and is called upon to put it all behind him and forgive. Here is also the history of a sinner running from his past who found grace with God and was told to go back to what he ran from.

Philemon 1:8-20 Refresh My Heart October 30, 2022 The Plea for Onesimus. This short letter is one of the greatest of Paul’s writings. Even unbelievers have seen the power of this small excerpt of history. It speaks of a request for redemption and reconciliation. ILLS: The Setting. Here is ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Plan Of Salvation - A Letter To Philemon Series

Contributed by Heman Sapogu on Oct 30, 2022

The Letter To Philemon: The Book of Philemon has only one chapter with 25 Verses. It’s a simple letter written by Apostle Paul when he was in prison to a man called Philemon who lived in COLOSSE, today we are going to meditate/learn what was the need of this letter to Philemon.

The Letter To Philemon: The Book of Philemon has only one chapter with 25 Verses. It’s a simple letter written by Apostle Paul when he was in prison to a man called Philemon who lived in COLOSSE, today we are going to meditate/learn what was the need of this letter to Philemon. Paul is not writing ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Philemon Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jan 16, 2022

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

January 15, 2022 Paul was a prisoner in Rome Philemon was a leader in the church at Colossae and a wealthy slave owner. Onesimus was Philemon’s useless runaway slave who made his way to Rome. A note on slavery in ancient Rome: • 85% of Rome’s population were slaves. • Slavery was not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8, Psalm 14:1-3, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:10, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:10, Galatians 4:7, Philemon 1:1-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

13th Sunday After Pentecost. September 7th, 2025. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2022

Year C, Proper 18.

Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, Psalm 139:13-18, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 A). A VIEW FROM THE POTTER'S HOUSE. Jeremiah 18:1-11. On one occasion I was taken to a pottery museum, where one could purchase wares and also see them being made. I had made one ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, Psalm 139:13-18, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does It Mean To Appeal For The Useful?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 7, 2024

An example of grace in how it demonstrates the action of true Christian fellowship.

Paul wrote this letter as a plea for a runaway slave of Philemon’s named Onesimus. He had stolen from Philemon then ran away to Rome where he met Paul. Subsequently he accepted Christ as his Savior, so Paul was writing this letter as he was sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wanted Philemon ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgiving Those Who Hurt You Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

The apostle Paul wrote a personal letter to a man named Philemon who had been wronged by his servant named Onesimus whom had, it is widely believed, stolen money from him and then ran away to Rome.

A. We live in a WORLD where it’s so easy to become CALLUSED and INDIFFERENT. 1. We are bombarded daily with news of TRAGEDIES, VIOLENT ACTS, and SUFFERING PEOPLE. COMMENT: Living SANELY in such a WORLD often necessitates developing a certain amount of THICK SKIN. Unfortunately, THICK SKIN ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Attributes Of A Forgiving Person Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

The apostle Paul wrote a personal letter to a man named Philemon who had been wronged by his servant named Onesimus whom had, it is widely believed, stolen money from him and then ran away to Rome.

A. Philemon 4-7 (READ) 1. We live in a SOCIETY that KNOWS little about FORGIVENESS. We live in a SOCIETY that CARES little about FORGIVENESS. a. In fact, I would think that one of the major CONTRIBUTORS—if not the major contributor—to the DESTRUCTION of RELATIONSHIPS in our ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Characteristics Of A Forgiven Person Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

The apostle Paul wrote a personal letter to a man named Philemon who had been wronged by his servant named Onesimus whom had, it is widely believed, stolen money from him and then ran away to Rome.

A. Psalm 32:1-2 (READ and COMMENT) ILLUSTRATION: Some years ago, two TEENAGERS with a long history of CRIME and DELINQUENCY robbed a DRUG STORE on the lowest East Side of New York City and then ran into a YMCA to HIDE OUT while all the POLICE activity was going on. On the way out, they saw ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ