The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on Dec 1, 2024.
Philemon 1:18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.
Onesimus belonged to Philemon; he was his slave. I’m not sure what Philemon’s role in the church was but I believe Paul had led him to the Lord while at the church. Onesimus fled; it seems he stole something before he ran. He went to a large city thinking he would just blend in and not be found. Although Paul was in prison he was given a lot of liberty to preach and witness for Christ. “Somehow” Onesimus met Paul and was converted. He told Paul all he had done and this is what caused Paul to write this letter to Philemon. He even sent it to him by Onesimus. He saId If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.
I see the providence of God. People used to say “if I’m not providentially hindered, I’ll be there or do such and such.” The word providence isn’t in the Bible per say, but here’s an illustration I read one time. This is a true story. A church choir practiced at a certain day and time every week. No one ever missed. One week for various reasons every single member of the choir was running late. No one showed up. Turns out there was a gas leak right below the choir area where they practiced. It blew up catching the place on fire. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Not with God. I one was harmed. Things happen to us we’re not aware of. God does it and keeps us safe. It was no coincidence Onesimus ended up in Rome. I believe it was the providence of God. He heard the gospel and gave his heart to Jesus Christ. You’re here today. Coincidence? God has a hand in our lives. I’m glad he does. I believe this shows the providence of God intervening causing everyone to be late and no one was harmed.
The change that accompanies the life of a person at conversion is seen in verse 11. Paul told Philemon: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me. What was he saying? In the past Onesimus was unprofitable; now he’s profitable to both of us. In a spiritual sense a person is worthless if he/she isn’t saved. After conversion Paul said Onesimus is not worthless. Why? Because the Lord changed him. “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart.” The Bible says old things pass away because of Christ. Paul was a master of the Old Testament scriptures. He was well educated, but before his conversion he did great harm to the church arresting and killing Christians. But thank God, on the Damascus Road he met Jesus and accepted him as Savior. He became very profitable for the cause of Christ. We are now profitable if we have been graced by the grace and forgiveness of God.
Verse 16 shows us the brotherhood in Christ. Paul asked Philemon to take Onesimus back as a brother. He said Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord. Take him back because he is a child of God. He said forget about what he did before and receive him as a brother, not a slave. In Jame 2 he wrote about the poor being neglected and catering to the poor. He reminded them Jesus died for everybody equally. The ground is level at the cross. It’s good to have the brother and sisterhood we have as believers.
Look at the reception by Philemon. We really don’t know how he responded because the Bible doesn’t say. I’ll speculate. I think Onesimus was received back but not because of himself, but because of Paul’s letter. Philemon loved Paul and honored his request. We’re not received by God because of who we are but because of who Jesus is. Our account was large. Our sin debt had to be paid and Jesus Christ saved us by his grace and mercy. He paid the debt on Calvary; it was put on his account. We were guilty. Jesus, who knew no sin, allowed our sins to be placed on his account, and he died in our place. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 