Sermons on Philemon 1:2:

What It Takes To Make A Difference

Contributed by John Slythe on Mar 6, 2003

What does it take to make such an impact on our society that God’s Word penetrates even the darkest corners of the region? Maybe one of the smallest book in the Bible has the answer.

What it Takes to Change The World: The Book of Philemon is very interesting. Its probably a book we hear quoted the least out of all the books of the Bible and probably one that we look at the least. The book is a letter of Paul. But instead of a letter to a church, it’s a letter to a person – ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Introduction Series

Contributed by Christian Zorio on Jul 22, 2002

Introduction to the book of Philemon; examining the writer, recipient and reason for writing.

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PHILEMON Lessons of forgiveness from the life of Philemon INTRODUCTION The Background: · A young man – who will remain nameless o Grew up in a household where he was well taken care of. All of his needs were met. o He was encouraged to become a doctor or maybe even an ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Hurts Run Deep Series

Contributed by Steven Platt on Oct 29, 2002

Sermon based upon the book of Philemon. Illustrates the plight of Philemon to forgive Onesimus and how Paul aided in the process.

Read the Book of Philemon I Onesimus A. Name means "Useful" - But wasn’t very useful B. Slave of Philemon 1. Unlike slaves in America 2. Slaves were more like employees 3. Often were paid C. Caused Philemon to lose some money 1. Criminal intent - Money ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jet Tour Through Philemon Series

Contributed by Travis Moore on Oct 31, 2000

Introduction to Philemon

PHILEMON - Equality INTRODUCTION: Philemon was the 10th Epistle written by Paul. It was one of the four Epistles written by Paul from his Roman jail. It is the smallest and most personal of all Paul’s Letters. It has been called “a postcard with a punch”. It deals with the question, “How do you ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Transforming Gospel

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Mar 10, 2001

Paul makes a special plea to his friend Philemon concerning his run-away slave but now a Christian, showing how the gospel transforms all relationships.

THE TRANSFORMING GOSPEL Letter writing is almost a lost art. We’d rather pick up the phone or dash off an e-mail but I’m glad that Paul used pen and ink. Doubtless Paul, being a man of letters and bubbling over with ideas for the spread of the gospel, must have written many ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Philemon

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 17, 2001

Are you a profitable servant?

Philemon A lot of people neglect this little book between Titus and Hebrews. My guess is because it deals with a subject that is a political hot potato. No one wants to discuss slavery. Many folks wonder why Paul did not just tell Philemon to sell all his slaves now that he is a Christian. ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Grace To Live By

Contributed by Larry Jones on Apr 18, 2001

We must reflect the Grace of God in our lives.

Grace To Live By Philemon 1:1-25 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the ...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 Postcard With A Punch

Contributed by Mike Turner on Jan 30, 2004

Philemon has been called "A Postcard With A Punch" Though small in size, it is large in content. A sermon about the three main characters of the book of Philemon

Postcard With A Punch Philemon 1-25 Philemon has been called a "Postcard With A Punch". Though it contains only 25 verses, the contents of these verses are quite powerful. There are three main characters mentioned in this letter. Tonight we will look at each one of them and their story. I. ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Philemon

Contributed by Ron Macarthur on Feb 13, 2004

A study on the unique letter from Paul to Philemon "requesting" the forgiveness of his returning runaway slave Oneisimus.

The letter to Philemon is sandwiched in between Titus and Hebrews, it is one of a small group of personal letters that Paul wrote. Surely there were more of these but these are the ones in our Bible. They are grouped together and include 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. All of Paul’s teaching ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

"We All Need Some Encouragement"

Contributed by Bobby Touchton on May 5, 2004

Originally a Mother’s Day sermon directed to men who are incarcerated, this message focuses upon the Christian act of encouragement as seen in the lives of Philemon and Barnabas.

Submitted By Dr. Bobby J. Touchton Ashland, Kentucky INTRODUCTION. Let me begin by reading an email, entitled, "What My Mother Taught Me," My other 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 ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25, Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Baptist

Moving On With God- The Next Step In Forgiveness And Faithsharing Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Jul 25, 2003

A sermon about how to move on one step in 1) Forgiveness 2) Faithsharing. All from the book of Philemon

Moving on with God: the next step with forgiveness and faithsharing Philemon. Particularly v4-7 C.S. Lewis said ¡§Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea, until he has something to forgive.¡¨ Someone once said- evangelism is the most talked about and least practiced thing in our ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Forgiveness

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Aug 7, 2003

This is a study in Philemon.

CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS Philemon Just because a book of the Bible is small in length does not mean it is small in meaning. Philemon is one of these books. Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon, who was a wealthy Christian living in Colosse and a friend of Paul’s. Onesimus robbed Philemon ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

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