1

Paul asks forgiveness instead of Onesimus

2

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

(Philemon 8:7)

3

There was a man named Philemon in a region called Colossae.
Philemon heard the gospel through the apostle Paul.                                                                                                          Philemon had a heart of respect and gratitude for Paul who preached the gospel to him.

4

Philemon, who became a new person after believing in Jesus, lived diligently for the kingdom of God. He helped Epaphras, who founded the church in Colossae, and helped build the church.
He shared the gospel with many people, and he took care of those in need with what he had.

5

There was a slave named Onesimus who worked in this Philemon's house. In those days, slaves were not allowed to leave the house without their master's permission.
But Onesimus broke this law and fled from the house of his master Philemon.

6

The Bible does not say exactly why Onesimus ran away from that house.
But scholars have speculated that he most likely stole the money and fled.
Or, we can think of, he would have committed a greater wrong than that and ran away.
Onesimus fled to Rome to avoid being captured by Philemon.

7

Upon arriving in Rome, Onesimus met the Apostle Paul in Rome. As a prisoner, the apostle Paul was staying in a house guarded by a soldier, and he was preaching the gospel to many people. Onesimus heard the gospel about Jesus preached by Paul and accepted Jesus.

8

Onesimus, who accepted Jesus, was born again as a completely new person.
Onesimus repented to God for the wrong he had done to his own master Philemon.
The Apostle Paul knew what wrong Onesimus had done to Philemon.

9

Onesimus, who believed in Jesus and became a new person, worked hard by the apostle Paul's side to preach the gospel. Onesimus helped the Apostle Paul with all his heart.
By helping Apostle Paul, Onesimus came to know Jesus more deeply.

10

The Apostle Paul considered Onesimus to be the son of his faith. He also relied on Onesimus to such an extent that he referred to it as an alter ego of himself.
Onesimus was now an indispensable and precious person to Paul.

11

The Apostle Paul wanted Onesimus to be forgiven for the wrong done to Philemon.
He also wanted Onesimus, with the permission of his master Philemon, to come back and help him. So he decided to return Onesimus to Philemon first.

12

Paul wrote a letter to Philemon asking for forgiveness from Onesimus himself.

This Bible is the book of Philemon.

Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus: “While in prison, I had Onesimus, the son of faith. This is a request for him, so please listen. Onesimus used to be a useless servant to you, but now he has become a great help to you and me. I now return him, who is my alter ego, to you.

13

“If you think of me as a friend, take Onesimus back, and welcome him as you would me.
If Onesimus has done anything wrong to you, put the blame on me.
And if he owes you anything,
I will pay him back.”

14

The Apostle Paul earnestly asked Philemon to forgive Onesimus.
In case Onesimus did something wrong, he promises to take responsibility for it.
And if Onesimus has anything to repay Philemon, he promises that he will repay it too.
Paul did everything he could to get Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus again.

15

Onesimus deserved punishment for his sin, but he was forgiven.
It was the gospel of Jesus that made this dramatic forgiveness possible.
Apostle Paul and Philemon both received the great gift of forgiveness from Jesus. Jesus said, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven. <Luke 6:37>”
He taught people that if he does not forgive his brother in God, then God will not forgive him (see Matthew 18:35).

16

This was the principle of the kingdom of God that Jesus taught.
Those who have been forgiven by God must be willing to forgive their brothers.
The Apostle Paul wanted Philemon and Onesimus, who believed in Jesus together, to experience and learn the wonderful power of the gospel.

17

In today's sermon, Onesimus, who unjustly left his master, is no different from ours before meeting Jesus. We, too, are “sinners” who deserve punishment.
For us who have become such sinners,
God sent His Son, Jesus, to this earth, and through His death on the cross, He completely forgave all our sins.
Those who believe in this gospel of forgiveness are willing to forgive their brother's mistakes. Knowing that this is the proper image of the people of God's kingdom, I hope that all friends who are willing to choose a life that pleases God will become all friends. 

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)