Sermons on Philemon 1:4-21:

The Wisdom Of God Vs The Wisdom Of This World

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 3, 2022

When Jesus is telling us that following Him means hating everything and everyone else, He uses strong language.

Twenty-third Sunday in Course Today’s Gospel is so unnerving, even shocking, that we might in our meditation forget about the other readings. The lessons we can learn from the wisdom books of Scripture are good foundations for our appreciation of the teachings of Jesus. I like to think of our ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:17, Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:9-17

Denomination: Catholic

Refresh My Heart

Contributed by Larry Grant on Oct 30, 2022

Here is the history of a saint who has been greatly wronged and is called upon to put it all behind him and forgive. Here is also the history of a sinner running from his past who found grace with God and was told to go back to what he ran from.

Philemon 1:8-20 Refresh My Heart October 30, 2022 The Plea for Onesimus. This short letter is one of the greatest of Paul’s writings. Even unbelievers have seen the power of this small excerpt of history. It speaks of a request for redemption and reconciliation. ILLS: The Setting. Here is ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Plan Of Salvation - A Letter To Philemon Series

Contributed by Heman Sapogu on Oct 31, 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

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

Times Of Refreshing 2 Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Dec 20, 2023

If you can look back and see where God has brought you from and what he has done, you cannot keep quiet but thank God. And even more

What happens when refreshing comes from the Lord? We have come to the final moments of 2015. If you can look back and see where God has brought you from and what he has done, you cannot keep quiet but thank God. And even more, If we are seeing this moment it is because God was in control this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:21, Acts 2:47, Acts 2:41, Philemon 1:4-7, Acts 3:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spontaneous Favor

Contributed by Bala Samson on Dec 20, 2023

The BEST way to show our gratitude to God is by pouring ourselves into His work and helping the church ministry activities in whatever way we can.

Spontaneous favor!!!! Philemon 1:14” any favor you do must be spontaneous and not forced.” It was a hectic day of Christmas feast and other Christmas related activities, after coming back home, while I was reading my Bible reading potion for the day, I came across the above scripture which just ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Being An Advocate For Others Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Feb 28, 2016

A sermon examining the importance of ministering to others.

BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS Philemon 1:8-21 (Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday Morning, July 6th, 2025) Listen online at - https://youtu.be/hA3T00nqTGM?feature=shared It’s the kind of story that makes the news; a man who had set out on a mission to destroy a church unexpectedly came to ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-21

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 37 - The Father's Love Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 18, 2025

The love that God the Father demonstrated when He sent His only begotten Son Jesus into this world is unfathomable. It’s this love of God that saved us, protects us, provides for our needs, trusts and accepts us in spite of all our faults and failings.

For our meditation today let me highlight this verse from 1 John 3:1, “See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children—and so, in fact, we are.” (GNB) Can you imagine the amazing love God the Father has lavished on us, that we have the wonderful ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1, Hebrews 11:7, Romans 8:32, 2 Samuel 13:39, 2 Samuel 15:7-9, Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:15-16, Philemon 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

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

Go! And Understand God's Heart Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 22, 2025

Some Old Testament verses are often misunderstood, or used to mock Scripture, or paint God as outdated or cruel. But when rightly understood, these verses don’t repel us—they reveal something glorious: the holiness, justice, and mercy of our God.

Go! And Understand God's Heart Introduction: It’s always an honour to open the Word of God with you. We are continuing in our Go! And... series today with a vital and timely message: Go! And Understand God’s Heart. Now, we’re going to deal with some Old Testament verses that are often ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:7, Exodus 21:7, Exodus 35:2, Matthew 5:17, Mark 7:18-19, Hebrews 4:9-10, Galatians 3:28, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Acts 3:19, John 14:6, Philemon 1:1-25, Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 18:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformed By The Gospel Mark 13:10 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 3, 2024

In the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 13:10, we find a compelling mandate that resonates through the ages - the proclamation of the Good News to all nations. Let's delve into the transformative truth encapsulated in this verse and understand the urgency and significance of our mission.

Transformed by the Gospel Mark 13:10 Mark 13:10 (NLT) "For the Good News must first be preached to all nations." Introduction: In the prophetic words of Jesus recorded in Mark 13:10, we find a compelling mandate that resonates through the ages—the proclamation of the Good News to all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:10, Matthew 24:14, Romans 1:16, Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 28:19-20, Philemon 1:16, Ephesians 2:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal