Sermons on Philemon 1:21:

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

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

"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

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

A Letter About Forgiveness- Be Different Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jun 6, 2023

This is the 152nd sermon in the series "Action". This is the 1st sermon from Philemon.

Series: Action [#152] A LETTER ABOUT FORGIVENESS- BE DIFFERENT Philemon 1:1-25 Introduction: Thank you for all of the prayers, texts, calls, gifts, and food. As Pastor of Bel Aire for almost 25 years, I have spent many hours with people while their loved ones were having surgery. I have sent ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Letter About Forgiveness- Finish Strong Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jun 18, 2023

This is the 154th sermon in the series Action". This is the 3rd sermon from Philemon.

Series: Action [#154] A LETTER ABOUT FORGIVENESS- FINISH STRONG Philemon 1:17-25 Introduction: I saw a video with a Little League Baseball Coach talking to his team and I loved what he had to say. He said, “We are winners. We are going to practice hard and play hard because we want to win. If ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:17-25, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

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

Philemon - Forgiveness In Action

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Mar 26, 2021

At any time in life we can be Onesimus, Philemon, or Paul i.e., someone who has hurt another person, someone who has been hurt, or someone who is attempted to reconcile two people. Like Onesimus we are all part of the “fellowship of the forgiven”, and therefore must practice forgiveness.

SERMON OUTLINE: Philemon : Forgiveness in Action 1. Book Background Only one chapter – 25 verses Thin book, but rich in content Originally written as a simple letter 2. Historical Setting Philemon – friend of Paul Christian converted by Paul in Ephesus? Philemon now living in Colossae A ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian Church

Letter To My Father

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Oct 12, 2020

God is our father. He desires that we communicate wit him. Let's pour the problems bothering our hearts to him like David did. He will answer us, for we are his children.

TEXT: Philemon 1:21(NLT) "I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!" Oct 6, My dear father, "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:6-7, Psalm 13:3-4, Philemon 1:21

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

The Motivation Of One Who Forgives Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 19, 2016

In this lesson we examine the motivation of one who forgives.

Scripture Three weeks ago I started a short sermon series called “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” on the letter of Paul to Philemon. I plan to conclude this series today. Philemon was a wealthy, godly Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. He had a slave named Onesimus. Some ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:19-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Restoring Relationships

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 4, 2016

Paul's letter to Philemon gives us solid timeless principles in restoring broken relationships. As Paul paid for Onesimus' sin, so Christ pays for ours, thus restoring us to God. Because we have been forgiven much, we need to forgive others.

Philemon Restoring Relationships I’d like to take a little survey this morning: Who here has never had a relationship challenge? Ah ha, I thought so. Today’s subject “Restoring Relationships,” is for all of us. As we seek to live a Christian life, does our faith have any ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist