Sermon 4: 1/26/25

A Test Case for Kindness

Main Passages: Paul’s Letter to Philemon

The Three Main Characters:

• Philemon- Wealthy Home Owner, Elder inside a house church and close friend of Paul.
• Paul- The Apostle who saw Philemon saved, trained him to lead and became very close to him.
• Onesimus- a household servant in Philemon’s home, who stole from his master and left town with this new wealth.

The Crazy Coincidence:

• Paul is under house arrest (probably in Rome).
• His path crosses with Onesimus.
• Paul leads Onesimus to be a Christ follower.

Into the Text – Philemon 8-21

1. The Gospel must be spoken if it is to be effective (vs 8-10).

2. The Gospel changed Onesimus (a name meaning useful)

     (vs. 11).

3. The Gospel changed how Onesimus was perceived by others.

4. Paul suggests that even trying difficulties can

     be opportunities for the Gospel to work (vs. 15-16).