[Sunday Sermon] Paul’s Plea: Reconciliation
“8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.
13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.”
The book of Philemon shows us that the gospel is not merely doctrinal, but something that must be realized within the concrete relationships of our lives. Paul acknowledges that Onesimus was once Philemon’s slave who had wronged him and fled. Yet, Paul embraces him like a beloved son, recognizing the transformation brought about through the gospel. Still, Paul understands that this transformation remains incomplete without reconciliation, and so he pleads with Philemon to receive Onesimus no longer as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.
By choosing to pause his gospel ministry and send Onesimus back, Paul shows that “reconciliation comes before ministry.” Just as Jesus taught to reconcile with a brother before offering a gift at the altar, Paul puts gospel principles into practice: relationship before offering, reconciliation before worship.
“But I did not want to do anything without your consent.” (Philemon 1:14, NIV)
Here, Paul surrenders a right he could have easily claimed—keeping Onesimus at his side for gospel work—and instead seeks Philemon’s willing consent. In this small but powerful “But,” we witness the life of Christ being mirrored. When such “but” moments shape our decisions, our lives begin to reflect Christlikeness. In our daily lives, these decisions often take the form of service, sacrifice, forgiveness, and compassion.
After his repentance and Philemon’s forgiveness, Onesimus is believed to have become the second bishop of Ephesus, eventually dying a martyr’s death. Paul’s plea, Onesimus’ obedience, and Philemon’s forgiveness echo far beyond their generation—leaving a legacy in church history. In the same way, we can never fully grasp how our small acts of obedience might set others free and further God’s Kingdom. Thus, let us commit to the obedience being asked of us today, for the sake of gospel-shaped living.
Prayer: Lord, teach us what it truly means to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Help us to surrender what is comfortable or familiar so that we may live lives that are pleasing to You. If there are any among us—like Philemon—who are suffering from broken relationships, may the Holy Spirit personally visit, comfort, and bring healing. Let us hear Your voice: “Do not be afraid. I love you. I bore the cross and rose again for you.” May that word bring deep peace to our hearts. May KCON continue to be a community that experiences the transforming work of God, moment by moment. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)