Sermon Tone Analysis

It seems like a month ago the last time we were together to look at Paul’s letter to Philemon.

It seems like a month ago because it was a month ago.

So let’s refresh our minds—what’s the deal with this short letter to Philemon?

These are the main characters in the letter of Philemon:

Paul, the imprisoned apostle

Philemon, a wealthy Christian

Onesimus, the runaway slave

We’re not sure of the exact situation or scenario, but we know the basic plot.

Paul has planted a church in the town of Colossae and Philemon, among others, are members of the local church there.

The church meets in Philemon’s home (v.

2), making Philemon a wealthy man; wealthy enough to own some slaves.

One of these slaves, Onesimus, runs away from Colossae, presumably all the way to Rome, where Paul is in prison.

At some point in his interaction with Paul, Onesimus, the runaway slave becomes a Christian; Onesimus puts his faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

Onesimus believes that Jesus died to save even him.

And by faith in Christ, Onesimus belongs to God and to the family of God.

It’s a wonderful story that’s repeated again and again throughout the history of the church (not the runaway slave part, but the conversion-to-Christ part).

It’s proof that the gospel—the Good News about Jesus Christ—is for every kind of person.

May we never forget this, church!

In Christ, there is no distinction.

God shows no favoritism, and neither should we.

Male or female, slave or free, Jew or Gentile, barbarian or Scythian—the gospel is good news for every type of person.

So, here we have Paul, the imprisoned apostle, and Onesimus, the runaway slave.

Paul and Onesimus are in Rome.

All the way back home in Colossae, we have Philemon.

And one of the few things we know is this: Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, is no longer with Philemon.

Onesimus has scurried off to the big city.

Philemon doesn’t know where he went, he just knows that his slave is gone.

We don’t know if Philemon is mad or sad or what.

We don’t know what’s going through Philemon’s head, but we can imagine it probably wasn’t a good day when Philemon realized Onesimus was no where to be found.

Philemon, at the very least, is out a good worker.

Some think that Onesimus might have stolen something that belonged to Philemon.

Who knows why they think that, but they do.

There’s nothing mentioned explicitly—but we can safely assume Onesimus running away didn’t please Philemon.

That’s the backstory, such as it is.

We don’t know much more than that.

But then Paul, the church-planter God used to start the church that meets in Philemon’s home, writes a letter to his buddy Philemon and to the people who gather in Philemon and Apphia’s home.

Paul writes:

Seems pretty standard, right?

A typical start to one of Paul’s letters: Intro, salutation/greeting, thanksgiving—a lot like Paul’s other letters.

But Philemon isn’t really very similar to Paul’s other writing, not really.

The letter Paul writes to Philemon isn’t dealing with a doctrinal/theological misunderstanding (Romans, Ephesians, Colossians); The letter of Philemon isn’t concerned with the issue of confused morality (1 Corinthians).

The letter of Philemon is dealing with a relational issue.

This short letter is primarily concerned with the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus; between slave owner and slave.

Paul is writing to Philemon directly, using mostly singular pronouns—you, referring to Philemon alone.

Paul is concerned with how the situation between Philemon and Onesimus is going to play out within the church, and how this is going to be viewed by those outside the church.

Paul is confident in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the power of the gospel—that the gospel has the power to transform human relationships.

This is exactly what the letter of Philemon illustrates: “the transforming power of the gospel to impact human relationships.”

The Church is messy; it’s full of messed-up people.

Where sinners and scumbags gather, it won’t be neat and tidy.

The Church is messy, but the gospel is powerful.

And, as we will see, the gospel is at work in Philemon’s life and Onesimus’ life; the gospel has had its transforming impact on their lives, and so it has radically changed the way they relate to each other.

Starting in verse 8 of Philemon, Paul begins to address the personal situation at hand and makes his appeal to Philemon.

>If you have your Bible (and I hope you do), please turn with me to Philemon.

If you are able and willing, stand with me for the reading of God’s Holy Word.

Philemon 8-16:

May God add His blessing to the reading of His Holy Word!

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Paul begins his appeal to Philemon in verse 8 with a connection to what he wrote in the thanksgiving portion of his letter.

The word therefore, whenever we read it, should make us stop and reread the previous few verses.

In this case, if we look back to verses 5-7, we will see what Paul is referencing.

Because Philemon is known for [his] love—love that has given Paul great joy and encouragement—love for all [the] holy people and for his faith in the Lord Jesus, and because Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people, Paul makes his appeal to Philemon on the basis of love.

Paul could have been bold and ordered Philemon, commanded Philemon to do whatever.

Paul could have thrown his weight around as an apostle, as an elder, as a church-planter.

Instead, Paul appeals to Philemon’s love for God and love for the people of God.

Controlled by love

This is one of the identifying marks of a Christian.

In whatever circumstance you might find yourself, no matter who has offended you or hurt you or sinned against you, you, Christian, are meant to be controlled by love.

It’s love that marks out the Christian.

Just a couple weeks ago, I officiated Anthony and Michelle King’s wedding.

At their wedding, they asked to have 1 Corinthians 13 read, which I was more than happy to do; it’s a great passage and it certainly speaks to the love which should exist between husband and wife.

I’m assuming there are a handful of other couples here today who had these verses read at their weddings:

This is a great passage for a wedding.

And it’s an incredibly important passage in the Christian life, incredibly important for us to consider in light of what we experience within the church.

I know conflict is fairly commonplace within the church.

I know because we’re human—often selfish, always sinful—we are going to hurt one another.

We are going to offend (hopefully not intentionally).

We will tend, more than likely, to look out for ourselves when we should be seeking the other’s best.

What then controls us when we are hurt, when we’re offended, when our brother or sister sins against us?

Does our temper control us?

Does our pride?

Does our base desire toward revenge control us and our behavior?

Think about what Philemon must be feeling.

No doubt, he’s hurt.

He’s probably a little angry, maybe a lot angry.

So, Paul, in his pastoral wisdom, reminds Philemon of his love for the Lord and his love for the Lord’s people, and appeals to him on the basis of love.

It’s love that is meant to control Philemon and his actions.

Where Onesimus is concerned, Philemon’s love for Onesimus is that which will cover over a multitude of sins.

Philemon would have received this letter from Paul, possibly delivered to him by the returning Onesimus.

And as he read this, that still, small voice would have whispered to his innermost being:

“You love the Lord.

You love the Lord’s people.

Onesimus is one of the Lord’s people.

You love him.

Love is patient, love is kind.

Love is not easily angered.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

Love always perseveres.

Love never fails.”

Controlled by love, Compelled by Christ

Paul speaks of himself here in Philemon in a way unlike anywhere else in the Bible.

He designates himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus.