Forgive, As You Have Been Forgiven(Philemon 1-25)

Athan Shongzan1 June 2014

Gladys Staines

"Because of God’s forgiveness, I hold no bitterness towards the persons who killed my family. Forgiveness brought healing

which is needed everywhere from hatred and violence.”

5/20/14

• We get hurt

• We hurt others

• We encounter hurting people

• We get hurt - giver

• We hurt others - receiver

• We encounter hurting people - mediator

How can we forgive others,

and facilitate forgiveness among

people?The Epistle of Paul

to

Paul & Onesimus

Assumed scraps of communication between Paul and Onesimus by Gary Stanley. Worldwide Challenge, May 1982, p.22

I’ll write the letter,but you deliver it.

Forgive; be forgiven; help others forgive

1.We are involved in forgiveness at various levels

A. Philemon - giver

B. Onesimus - receiver

C. Paul - mediator

A. Philemon

• Wealthy slave owner

• Accept or reject Onesimus

• Disappointed & angry over the crime of his own man.

B. Onesimus

• A runaway slave, who became a Christian.

• Criminal, fugitive.

• Facing starvation & death, but couldn’t return alone.

C. Paul

• A prisoner

• Close relationship with Philemon

• Persuade on the basis of his sacrifice.

• Philemon - forgiver

• Onesimus - forgiven

• Paul - mediator

Why should I forgive, or seek forgiveness?

?

II. Forgive, as you have been forgiven

• Forgiveness is based on the love of God

Charge it to my account. I will repay it.

(vv. 18-19)

He died in the person of another

Free

to go

He took our place on the cross

II. Forgive, as you have been forgiven

• Forgiveness is based on the oneness and unity in Christ

Accept him as a beloved brother . . . , Welcome him as you would welcome me.

(vv. 18-19)

Forgive,

as you have been forgiven

• Philemon, who needs to forgive others.• Onesimus, who is seeking forgiveness.• Paul, who can mediate to bring

forgiveness.