Click to edit Master title style Edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Ethics in the real world Why should we care about a personal letter about a runaway slave? It’s scripture Addressed to Philemon but to be read to the church Shows the ethics in Colossians is for real world application (no matter how difficult) An example of how Paul applies his ‘household code’ teaching men & women, parents & children Slavery is a 21 st century problem too Slavery today More people in slavery today than ever before Estimated over 4,000 people living in slavery in Australia Clothing, etc. manufactured in SE Asian sweat shops Paul’s appeal to Philemon An appeal of love, not an order Father / son relationship Present and potential usefulness Paul denying his own heart desire Implies that God’s plan might be behind Onesimus’ running away Receive as a man, as a brother & as if Paul Paul’s pledge to cover any indebtness Reminder of Philemon’s indebtness to Paul Love & relationship An appeal on the basis of love Love, which binds all in perfect unity Col 3:14 We are all indebted to Christ and to each other Ultimate service & obligation is to God Dealing with relational wrongs The power & potential of forgiveness