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Pentecost 13 2025 Proper 18
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 7, 2025
Deut: 30:15-20, Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-35
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You have been saving for a number of years in order to make some major renovations and updates to your home. You checked around and hired a man to do the work. It is a big project and you have given him a very large deposit; tens of thousands of dollars. He gets started. The first day he demolishes the kitchen, tearing out cabinets and countertops, and appliances. The second day… he does not show up. You call and it goes to voicemail. Your texts are not answered. Day three -- no contractor. You drive by his shop at the address on his business card and it is closed up. You look in the window and it has been emptied out. You get an awful feeling in the pit of your stomach; a mix of anger and frustration and being mad at yourself for choosing this guy. You imagine what you would do to him if you ever see him again -- and your thoughts are not pretty.
Years go by and you have finally gotten the kitchen back in shape by doing most of it yourself. You never heard from the contractor, until one Sunday morning you see him sitting two pews ahead of you in church. What is going on? What is he doing here?
Our epistle reading today is the book of Philemon. Philemon is one of five books of the Bible that have only one chapter. The recommended reading is verses 1-21, I added 22-25 to finish the book. This is a short letter from Paul who is imprisoned in Rome, to Philemon, a Christian in Colossae, in the heart of modern day Turkey. Philemon became a Christian under Paul’s teaching and now hosts a local congregation that meets in his house.
In this letter we see Paul being lovingly persuasive to a fellow Christian in a difficult situation. Paul’s writing is so wonderfully diplomatic and caring -- all to help a brother in Christ who is in a tough spot. Onesimus is Philemon’s doulos, his slave, which can also be translated servant or bondservant. Onesimus is Philemon’s slave but he has left Philemon. Slavery during this time was a different thing than slavery practiced in North and South America and the Caribbean during the 1600, 1700 and 1800s. At Jesus’ time someone might become a slave by being captured in warfare, because of debt, or even voluntarily becoming a slave in order to have someone to take care of them in exchange for work.
We do not know the circumstances of Onesimus’s servanthood. Was he a low level servant who ran away and perhaps on his way out stole from his master? Or, was he a high level servant in charge of the household who maybe embezzled money? We do not know. Whatever the circumstance, Onesimus has left his service to Philemon in Colossae and made his way over 1,600 miles to Rome. Not only did he run away, he ran a long, long way and he has been gone a long time.
Onesimus came into contact with Paul who is imprisoned in Rome and through hearing the Word of God from Paul, the Holy Spirit has brought Onesimus to faith in Christ and Onesimus has been serving Paul during his imprisonment.
Now that Onesimus is a Christian, he knows he did wrong. He knows that he needs to do the right thing and return to Philemon. But that is scary. Philemon may be quite angry. Onesimus could be returning to severe punishment or even execution. So Paul writes to Philemon and in Paul’s letter you see how being a believer in Jesus is not just something for the hereafter, but very much affects the way you live together today. Philemon has every right to be angry with Onesimus and to punish him, but Paul asks him to give up his right, and welcome Onesimus back as a brother in Christ.
Paul begins the letter by commending Philemon for his love and faith and the sharing of his faith with others. Philemon 7 (ESV) 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
Paul then says that he could command Philemon to do what is right and receive Onesimus back not as a disobedient servant, but as a brother in Christ. Paul could command, but for the sake of love, instead of commanding, he appeals to Philemon. Paul cites that he is an old man, respected for his years, and he is a prisoner for Christ Jesus; he has gone all in in service to the Gospel.
Paul writes, Philemon 10–14 (ESV) 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.” The name Onesimus means “useful” so Paul is using the play on words here that Onesimus was useless but is now useful.
Paul then reasons that God may be working much good out of a bad situation and this may be why Onesimus left for time so that he could return as a baptized child of God, a new creation in Christ to be so much more than just a servant. He implies that Philemon should forgive Onesimus for running away and welcome him back.
This is sort of a prodigal son situation, except the prodigal son returns to his father asking to be a servant. This is a servant who returns to his master and Paul is asking the master to treat him as a brother. Onesimus will still be Philemon’s servant, but not only a servant -- also a brother in Christ to gather together to hear God’s Word and receive the Sacrament. Paul writes, Philemon 17 (ESV) 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.”
And then, modeling his actions after Christ paying our debt and covering our sin, Paul offers to cover anything that Onesimus owes to Philemon. Paul writes that sentence in his own hand to confirm that it is really him saying this, but then Paul does note that Philemon owes his salvation to Paul for having brought him the truth of the Gospel. Paul calls in a favor. Philemon 20 (ESV) 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.”
Paul concludes with the assumption that Philemon will do the right thing. Philemon 21 (ESV) 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”
Paul then asks Philemon to prepare a room for Paul to visit. If Paul is able to visit, he could then pay whatever Onesimus owes and enjoy fellowship in Christ with both Philemon and Onesimus and they could encourage each other in the Gospel of Christ.
Being a follower of Jesus changes things…right now. Your relationship with others is changed. You love and serve and forgive fellow Christians as your brothers and sisters in Christ. You humble yourself in service to others. In Christ, everyone is equal. Paul writes in Galatians, Galatians 3:27–28 (ESV) 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Now, you have been watching your runaway contractor during worship wondering, what he is doing here? Why did this guy come back, and why is he here at church? After the final hymn he comes over to you and offers you his hand. He says, “I am so sorry for what I did to you; stealing your money and leaving you in a mess. I have no excuse. I was in a bad place and I was thinking only about myself. What I did was evil. Last year I hit rock bottom and wandered into a church on Sunday morning. I heard the good news of forgiveness of sins. I heard that Jesus paid the price for all the wrongs I have done. The pastor taught me the catechism and I was baptized and joined the church. I know that I owe you a lot of money. I don’t have it right now, but I have moved back here and I will pay you something every month until it is completely paid off. I am so sorry. I know you must hate me and be so angry for what I did, but I pray that you can forgive me.” What do you do? How do you treat a brother in Christ who has wronged you?
Paul is calling on Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him as a brother in Christ the same way Philemon would receive Paul. Onesimus likely will resume his position as servant to Philemon, but now also as a brother. In his accompanying letter to the Colossians Paul addresses the relationship of bondservants and masters. Colossians 3:22–24 (ESV) 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” And…Colossians 4:1 (ESV) 1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”
Paul sends his letter to Philemon with Tychicus and Onesimus who make their way all the way back to Colossae 1,600 miles east. Along with the letter to Philemon the two carry Paul’s letter to the Colossians; the Christians gather in Colossae, in Philemon’s house and perhaps in other houses. The two letters go together to teach how we are to live in Christ.
God has every right to punish you for your sins, but He gave up that right, and instead punished Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, when someone does you wrong you have the right to get even, but you give up that right because of what Jesus did for you. This is a radical way of living in this “eye for an eye” world. You live this way because, like Paul covers Onesimus, Jesus covers you. He has forgiven you all your sins and changed you from a slave to sin to His holy, righteous brother so you can love others with His love with which He first loved you. Living in Christ changes everything. Amen.