Sermons on Philemon 1:1-25:

Owl #3 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Apr 12, 2021

the real power of the movement of God is smaller groups gathering and expanding to reach more now ( in the summer of the church) before a darkness that will come.

<The Tootsie roll owl commercial launches the message> Did you know that that commercial is almost 50 years old? It’s memorable. It points to a question, provides a practical experiment and even an answer. However, the wise old owl is only validating his own personal knowledge and experience ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:24-28, Proverbs 30:25, Zechariah 4:10, Matthew 18:10, Romans 16:3-5, Philemon 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Christ (Part Two)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 5, 2022

In part one of In Christ, I talked about how being in Christ means we live a new life. And in Christ there is now no condemnation. However, we need to keep the faith and persevere to the end. I conclude with the fact that in Christ we are blessed and we are one.

IN CHRIST (part two) Recap: In part one of In Christ, I talked about how being in Christ means we live a new life. We pattern our lives after the example set forth by Jesus and the other men and women of faith. Paul said ,'follow my example as I follow Christ'. In this new life we think, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3, Philippians 4:4-8, Philippians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philemon 1:6, Colossians 2:9-10, Ephesians 3:20-21, Galatians 3:26-28, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Onesimus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 25, 2022

Onesimus is regarded as a saint by many Christian denominations. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod commemorates him and Philemon on February 15. The traditional Western commemoration of Onesimus is on February 16.

Onesimus Bishop of Byzantium Installed 54 Term ended 68 Personal details Denomination Early Christianity Saint Painting depicting death of Onesimus, from the Menologion of Basil II (c.?1000 AD) Holy Disciple Onesimus Bishop of Byzantium Died c.?68 AD or 81-95 AD Rome (then Roman ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:10

Denomination: Baptist

Arrows Of Truth # 7 - What Is The 1st Step Of The Hunters Strategy? (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Louis Posthauer on Mar 19, 2022

A weekly series to help believers engage with loved ones, friends and neighbors who are dropout believers to restore them to the church - the Body of Christ.

Arrows of Truth # 7 - What is the 1st step of the Hunters strategy? (Part 2) The 1st step of the Hunters strategy is to strengthen yourself in the Lord. What do we mean by strengthen ourselves in the Lord? Unless we are strengthened for our engagement with the dropout, we will end up spiritually ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16, Philemon 1:6

Many Faithful Partners Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 6, 2022

Philemon- The letter is to this dear brother that Paul considered a partner in the ministry. He said, I hear about your love for all believers in Christ. (Philemon 1:4) Partnership in faith with Paul. Paul always remembered this Colossae leader in his prayers

Preaching Boldly without Hindrance. When Paul writes this personal letter to his dear friend Philemon, we find him in jail in Rome. Paul was doing a four-and-a-half-year imprisonment “mission journey”. The first two years came in the Caesarea prison after he was arrested in Jerusalem (Acts ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

You’re A Person Of Potential

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 3, 2020

Onesimus was a slave who became a criminal and fugitive. His name means "useful," but he wasn't. He met Paul in Rome and received Christ. He became useful; His master freed him and he became a minister. We too are to become useful for God.

YOU’RE A PERSON OF POTENTIAL Philemon 1:9-18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A church service occurred during Covid-19 and only two people showed up: the preacher and a rancher. The preacher led songs, took up the offering, and then he preached for an hour and a half. 2. When they were going out the ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:9-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Appeal For The Useful

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 5, 2022

Christian relationships must be filled with mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance.

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 1:8-15

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

"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

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

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