Philemon

More Than A Slave

A Prayer For A Friend

May 12, 2019In Messages, PhilemonBy Jeff Bucknam

The letter of Philemon is unique for several reasons. This letter is addressed to a single person rather than to a church. The content of this letter deals explicitly with the issue of slavery. The purpose of the letter is to provide discipleship rather than to address incorrect theology. Though this letter is about a slave and his master, the applications for today go further than an affirmation that slavery is wrong, and extend to the nature of the church, and the reality that God’s design is for his church to be full of reconciled (and reconciling) relationships since God has first reconciled sinful humanity to himself.

Message Audio

Philemon 1:4-7

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.
6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.