Sermons on Philemon 1:4-21:

Favor For A Brother

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Sep 20, 2013

To enumerate the attitudes behind giving a favor.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you constantly do favors for another? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To enumerate the attitudes behind giving a favor. IV. TEXT: Philemon 1:14 (Amplified Bible) But it has been my wish to do nothing about it without first consulting you and getting your ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Profit From Brother

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Sep 23, 2013

To show that we can also benefit from a brother when they do favors for us in connection with CHRIST.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you profit from a brother? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we can also benefit from a brother when they do favors for us in connection with CHRIST. IV. TEXT: Philemon 1:20 (Amplified Bible) Yes, brother, let me have some profit from you in the ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Will Pay It Back

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Sep 25, 2013

To enumerate the ways GOD had saved us.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you pay back what you owe? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To enumerate the ways GOD had saved us. IV. TEXT: Philemon 1:19 (Amplified Bible) I, Paul, write it with my own hand, I promise to repay it [in full]—and that is to say nothing [of the fact] ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Paul's Postcard To Philemon

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 25, 2013

Philemon is a very short epistle (a postcard). But as short as it is, there are many great lessons we can learn from it.

Introduction Philemon was a member of the church in Colossae (cf. Col 4.9). He seems from our text to be somewhat wealthy; he was a slave-owner; it also seems that the church met in his house if those mentioned in verse 2 are members of his household as most assume. Philemon was a faithful servant ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Philemon: An Appeal To Forgive Series

Contributed by Tony Thomas on Jul 17, 2017

This message is an overview of the book of Philemon and part of a 2-year study of the Bible.

Philemon: An Appeal to Forgive by, Tony Thomas Sr. Minister, Woodland Heights Christian Church, Crawfordsville, IN No. 57 in a series called, Route 66, a Road Trip Through the Bible Several TV mini-series were popular during the 80s. For example, some of my favorites were The Blue ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:10-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

So Why Is Jesus Stopping In The Middle Of The Road And Facing Me?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 2, 2025

Here's another opportunity to put yourself in another’s position, and it is critical. You have been following Jesus, for several days or months or years. He is going to Jerusalem with this vast mob following Him, including you. He stops. He turns around.

Twenty-third Sunday in Course 2025 Let’s suppose you have what you think is a good idea, but you wonder whether other people will agree with you. If your primary concern is to avoid public scorn or controversy or losing a valuable part of your business, you are in need of prudence. You are asking ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:3-6, Psalm 90:12-14, Psalm 90:17, Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:12-17, Philemon 1:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

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 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

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

A Fresh Start (Part Two)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 14, 2019

Last week I talked about how we may need a fresh start. But it's not so easy. We may have a hard time making the changes that are necessary for a fresh start. But sometimes, we may not need a total fresh start, we may just need a restart.

A FRESH START (part two) Last week I talked about how we may need a fresh start for various reasons-relationship problems, job loss, trouble with the law, etc. So, we change locations, find a new job, start getting connected with new people, etc. Obviously the best fresh start we can make is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:25, John 7:37-38, 2 Peter 1:3-13, Proverbs 11:25, Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Philemon Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 15, 2019

This book is a picture of salvation.

A. THE STORY OF PHILEMON Paul had led Philemon to Christ, a rich businessman in Colossae, 100 miles from Ephesus. Paul probably never visited Colossae (Col. 1:7; 2:7). Philemon owned slaves, and one slave, Onesimus, stole valuables and ran away to Rome, thinking he couldn’t be found in that ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

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

Too Young Or Too Old

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 26, 2021

There is unfortunately much ageism in the Body. When I was young, I had to point to Timothy. Now I have to point to Paul the aged in a time when 27 right out of seminary is ideal, but no one over 50 is considered.

Psalms 92:12-15 12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 15 To shew ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:9, Psalm 92:12-15, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 1 Kings 12:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

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