An Appeal for Reconciliation

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Sermon Notes

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon 8-16 ESV

Philemon 1:17 ESV - 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

1. An Appeal Based on God’s Love

Philemon 1:8 ESV - 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,

Philemon 1:9 ESV - 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

2 Corinthians 5:14 ESV - 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

2. An Appeal Based on God’s People

Philemon 1:10-11 ESV - 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

Philemon 1:11 ESV - 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

Philemon 1:12-14 ESV - 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

3. An Appeal Based on God’s Sovereignty

Philemon 1:15-16 ESV - 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother--especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.