Philemon: How The Gospel Transforms Relationships

Philemon: The Gospel Transforms Relationships  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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The gospel helps us make others free.

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How does the gospel transform the world?

Most often it’s through relationships.
So how do transformed people live out the truth of the gospel?
1I’m about to show you how Philemon’s choice is a choice to let the power of the gospel work through him. Let’s look at Philemon 17-20 and let me take you through this.
And then let’s talk about how the world is changed when we let the gospel transform relationships.

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus.
They’re all in a situation.
They all know the gospel.
PRAYER
Let’s look back at what they knew about what Jesus said and did.

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Debts and values

164,383.5 years versus 100 days.
$6.45 billion vs $11,200

Our relationships are defined by values and debts.

Do we value the other person as an image-bearer? Jesus died for that person.
Do we hold people down because of what they owe us? Jesus has forgiven us for WAY more than anyone can owe you or me.

In the Kingdom, we are all priceless.

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

We all have the same Master.

FORGIVENESS TRANSFORMS RELATIONSHIPS.

Will Philemon forgive? Will he allow his relationship with Onesimus to be transformed?
Who wins if Philemon forgives?
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. - Paul Boose
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. - Lewis B. Smedes
The world changes when we forgive.
Justice, righteousness.
Equality and fairness.
HOPE. FREEDOM.
The church took down an empire. With what? With love and forgiveness...

THE GOSPEL TRANSFORMS RELATIONSHIPS SO GOD’S PEOPLE CAN TRANSFORM THE WORLD.

Do we know the gospel?
Are we practicing forgiveness?
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