Sermons on Philemon 1:2:

"Onesimus"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Oct 9, 2004

This message deals with the relationship between Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon.

“Onesimus” Philemon Vs. 1-25 INTRODUCTION: Most people never READ the book of Philemon … can’t FIND it. It’s a little book … 1 chapter … 25 verses. BACKGROUND: Philemon was a Christian who lived in Colossae. Paul had led him to the Lord when Philemon was in Ephesus. The church at Colossae ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Once Useless Now Useful

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Nov 15, 2004

Once Useless Now Useful: The story of Onesimus; the story of Paul; the story of us all.

My father has a knack for finding and fixing discarded bicycles. Bikes that are considered useless by most become useful in the hands of this skilled mechanic. Of course everyone knows that with a bit of duct tape anything can be made useful again. Does that work on people too? Can those who ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Sour Phi-Lemons And Sweet Forgiveness

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jun 17, 2004

The story of Philemon is all about forgiveness.

Sour Phi-Lemons and Sweet Forgiveness Philemon 1-25 INTRODUCTION... Peter J. Larson, New Forgiveness Research Jan 27, 2003 Recently in 2003, a survey was made of 200 married adults in regards to forgiveness. The researchers were wondering how one’s ability to forgive others would affect their ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Invites You To Become Involved Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 7, 2004

The story of Philemon and Onesimus, presented as an imaginative story, shows how God called Paul to become involved as a mediator, Philemon to become involved in real church work, and Onesimus to become involved in overcoming his background to become usef

The new day greeted his eyes early. He stretched and shook off the sleep, but then, remembering why he had wanted to get up at the crack of dawn, Philemon jumped out of bed and began his day’s duties. His first task was to open his window and turn his gaze toward the rising sun, offering his ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Profitable Slave

Contributed by Benjamin Frawley on Dec 18, 2003

Narrative sermon depicting the life of Onesimus

“Profitable Slave” It was a spontaneous act. The temptation was more than I could bear. If you were in my place, I’m sure you would have done the same. I mean, if you saw the things that Philemon had, I’m sure you would have understood how much more I needed it and how little Philemon did. It ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Picture Of Gospel Partnership Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 3, 2025

When we’re gripped by the grace of the gospel, our hearts overflow with love for God’s people.

A Picture of Gospel Partnership Philemon 1-7 Rev. Brian Bill November 1-2, 2025 Perhaps you’ve wondered about the process I go through to choose what to preach on. After an extended time of prayer, I think through our four G’s (Gather, Grow, Give, and Go) to see if there’s a value that we need to ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

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

Refresh My Heart

Contributed by Patty Groot on Sep 8, 2025

This sermon shows how Paul’s opening words to Philemon (vv. 1–7) model grace-filled leadership, reminding us that our reputation in Christ matters, forgiveness is the mark of maturity, and we are called to refresh others’ hearts with the same love we’ve received.

Sometimes the most powerful messages come in the smallest packages. That’s true in life, and it’s certainly true in the Bible. Philemon is the shortest letter Paul wrote, just 25 verses. You could read it in under two minutes. But in those 25 verses, Paul lays out a powerful, personal, and deeply ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-7

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

Philemon

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Nov 22, 2024

Paul's letter to Philemon is short but it has some wonderful lessons for us, especially about how we address something that's wrong.

I’d like you to imagine a scene. It’s about 60 A.D. We’re in the home of a wealthy man named Philemon. Philemon lives in the city of Colossae, in the south-east of what is now Turkey. Some time back, he met the apostle Paul and became a Christian, and he’s now one of the leaders of a church. ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Titus Series

Contributed by Dennis Clark on Feb 26, 2005

A look At Spiritual Growth according to Paul

2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour , I. Paul’s hope A. Confident expectation of eternal life 1. ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

We Are All Slaves Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Sep 20, 2004

Paul reminds Philemon and us that we all are slaves, that is, we all have responsibilities to our masters.

Pentecost 16 Philemon 1,10-21 Let’s say that you were a pastor, and you had this situation come up in your church: there was a problem between two of your most solid members, we’ll call them Philip and Oswald. But the problem between Phil and Ozzie isn’t a personality clash. The problem isn’t ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Become An Encourager

Contributed by Dana Chau on May 13, 2002

Discover how we can encourage others to be and to do what God wants them to be and to do

Let me begin by reading an email, titled, "What My Mother Taught Me," My mother taught me RELIGION: When I spilled grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me LOGIC: From her decisive words, "Because I said so, ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25, Philemon 1:25

Denomination: *other

The Character Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Todd Randolph on Oct 12, 2001

Forgiveness in Philemon

Last week we were introduced to the Philemon and the situation he found himself in. His slave, Onesimus had stolen from him and ran away to the city of Rome. While there Onesimus came across the apostle Paul was led to salvation in Christ Jesus. Paul has now returned Onesimus to Philemon. Along ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parts Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Todd Randolph on Oct 12, 2001

Forgiveness in Philemon

You may be familiar with the 1995 movie titled "Dead Man Walking." The movie is based upon the book (same title) by a Catholic Nun, Sister Helen PreJean. In the movie the figure of Matthew Poncelet is on death row for the brutal murders a teenage couple. The character is based upon the life ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational