Partners in the Gospel
Sermon September 7, 2025 Philemon 1-21
Partners in the Gospel
Reverend Fred Okello
I first learned about William Shakespeare writings in high school, and one of his pieces that stood with me was Romeo and Juliet. This comedy was frequently thought of as a sad love story, but it was also a story of reconciliation. The Montagues and the Capulets were two strong families that were at war with each other, which made Verona a city full of hate and division. Romeo and Juliet, their children, loved each other very much, yet their fight hurt them.
Romeo and Juliet get married in secret, expecting that their love can end the dispute between their families. Romeo is sent away from Verona after he kills Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. Juliet uses a concoction that makes her look dead since she is forced into some other marriage.
The goal is for Romeo to meet her when she wakes up, but he never gets the message. Romeo consumes poison at her grave, thinking she is dead. Juliet wakes up and sees that Romeo is dead. She then kills herself with his sword.
The family didn’t realize how pointless their anger was until after their loved ones died. They put down their swords and made peace not only with one other but also their city.
Shakespeare’s narrative shows us that reconciliation can be quite expensive. The Montagues and Capulets lost their children. For Paul, writing to Philemon, reconciliation required an appeal for mercy and forgiveness toward a runaway slave.
Paul starts by praising Philemon’s faith, love, and ministry in verses 1–7. He doesn’t start with demands; instead, he says, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers... because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”
Encouragement is the basis for having hard talks. Start with thanks and love when you confront someone. It gets the heart ready to forgive.
We meet Onesimus in verses 8–16. Paul said that Onesimus was “useless” before he met Christ, but he became “useful” after that. He was no longer a fugitive slave; he was now a brother in Christ.
The Gospel changes who you are and who you know. We shouldn’t judge individuals based on their past; we should judge them based on what Christ can achieve for them.
There is a cost to reconciliation! Paul said he would pay Onesimus' debts: “If he has wronged you or owes you anything, charge it to me.” This is like what Christ did for us.
To truly make up, you have to give something up. Are we ready to let go of our pride, our grudges, or even our things in order to fix damaged relationships?
Paul told Philemon to treat Onesimus the same way he would treat Paul. This meant that they had to act on their desire to make things right.
Friends, the church ought to be a place of forgiveness and coming together. We need to make peace in our neighborhoods right now.
• We see shootings in churches, where places of prayer turn into places of death.
• We see bullying in schools, which destroys the dignity of young lives.
• We watch family fights that go for years and sometimes end at the grave.
These wounds won’t heal on their own. They want the ministry of reconciliation. The church ought to do this on purpose. Reconciliation should be our ministry, not just something we talk about but something we do.
Christ paid up our debt and made peace between us and God. He now asks us to be peacemakers in our families, schools, businesses, and communities.
We shouldn’t wait until it’s too late. We should be the ones who step in with compassion, grace, and forgiveness.
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive each other if any of you has a problem with someone.” “Forgive others the way the Lord forgave you.”
This is our time, friends. This is our work. Reconciliation is not something you can choose to do or not do; it is the core of the Gospel. Let’s go and make peace with each other and bring peace to a world that is broken.
Let’s pray!
You are our peace, Lord Jesus Christ, and you have broken down the walls of anger. Today we admit that our world is damaged. There is violence in our neighborhoods, bullying in our schools, divisions in our families, and even fights among Your people. Forgive us for holding onto grudges, not forgiving, and not trying to make things right.
Fill us with Your Spirit of love and courage so that we might help bring people together in our homes, our church, and our community. Help us learn to forgive others the way You have forgiven us. Let us be ministers of reconciliation so that others might see Your grace in us.
Today we promise to be peacemakers, to build bridges where there are gaps, and to show others Your love that brings people back together. We pray in Your holy name, Amen.