Sermons on Philemon 1:18:

"a Love Letter From Jesus."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Feb 13, 2023

The book of Philemon portrays the love of God through the relationship between Paul and a runaway slave named Onesimus. Similarly, Christ's love for his church is evident in his prayer in the garden where he asked God to receive his church the way he would receive him.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Philemon 1:10-16) (10) "I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:" (11) "Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:" (12) ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:10-21, John 17:5-11, John 17:1-5, John 17:12-23, John 17:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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 31, 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

The Book Of Philemon Commentary; Part 2 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 30, 2021

The apostle's final decision was to do nothing without Philemon's consent. Paul made his appeal and made it strong and skillfully. At the same time, he did leave the decision to Philemon.

Tom Lowe 3/28/2021 THE BOOK OF PHILEMON COMMENTARY; PART 2 Note: The New King James Bible is used throughout, except where noted otherwise. 14. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. But without your consent, ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

A True Love

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Sep 23, 2020

On Valentine's Day everybody may be talking about love but do most people really understand how important real love is-to a marriage-to a relationship-to the home-to the Christian life-even to the church!

A True Love (A True Valentina) 1. Exodus 32:30-33 2. Philemon: 1.8-20 3. Psalm : 136 On Valentine's Day everybody may be talking about love but do most people really understand how important real love is-to a marriage-to a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:30-33, Philemon 1:8-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I'm Confident Of That (Part Two)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 9, 2020

Last week I talked about the need to place our confidence in God and that we need to have a heart of confidence. This week I make the point that although we can't place our ultimate confidence in people, we can still have confidence in them. I finish with our need to persevere in confidence.

I'M CONFIDENT OF THAT (part two) Last week I started out by asking what are you basing your confidence in. We read the story of Sennacherib king of Assyria attacking Hezekiah king of Judah. Sennacherib was certain he would defeat the smaller army of Judah. He taunted them saying their god ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-11, Philemon 1:17-21, 2 Corinthians 7:2-4, 2 Corinthians 7:11-16, 2 Corinthians 9:1-5, Philippians 1:3-7, Hebrews 10:32-39, Hebrews 3:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Little Book With A Big Message

Contributed by Alvan Lewis on Sep 2, 2019

Discover why the tiny book of Philemon was included in the New Testament

Little Book with a Big Message Philemon Come with me this morning 20 long centuries back in time. Stroll with me down the streets of imperial Rome. See the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Bath and of course, the Senate. As we jostle our way through the great crowds in the Market place keep in mind that ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Anglican

Sermon # 37 - The Father's Love Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 18, 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

I'm Sending Him Back! Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 23, 2026

To discuss Onesimus, who was a ”runaway servant,” whom Paul converted in Rome, and returned to his master, as a Christian and now “a faithful and beloved brother” in the Lord.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Paul’s Confidence in Philemon 2. Paul’s Conversion of Onesimus 3. Paul’s Consensus of Philemon Introductory Remarks. 1. This Letter, though only one chapter, has a tremendous lesson for all Christians, especially for those who consider themselves “in authority.” This will ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-9, Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Forgive (Contd) - Philemon 8-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 16, 2024

This message answers common questions about forgiveness and provides seven practical principles that will help you forgive.

Philemon 1:1-25 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:15, Philemon 1:8-18