A Slave Owner, a Swindler, and a Request

A Slave Owner, a Swindler, and a Request

A. THE PEOPLE INVOLVED

1. Onesimus was a .

2. Philemon was a .

3. Paul was a missionary who was in .

B. LIFE IN THE FIRST CENTURY

1. A citizen needed to build a relationship with a citizen.

2. was embedded into the fabric of the culture but was not based on or .

C. THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

“1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus… To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker… 4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus… 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.  11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.  18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self… 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.” (Philemon 1, 4-5, 8-19, 21)

D. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS STRANGE STORY?

1) The of a .

2) The of .

a. .

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

3) The of .

Today’s ‘Big Idea’…

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