Onesimus - an example of a growing Christian

Notes from a sermon on 7 February 2010
Philemon 8 - 25

Sometimes we have to ask ourselves a question - how much have I grown as a Christian? There was the character of conscious growth in this young man from the moment he put his faith and trust in the Lord. How did his life develop, his character improve day by day? Onesimus was a slave in Philemon’s house. We are not told what happened - perhaps Onesimus just ran away but he shouldn’t have because he was his master’s property. In Rome he met the apostle Paul when he was in bonds and chains. First thing Paul speaks to him about is his own soul. That is the most important thing to talk about today. Very shortly people are going out into eternity but they are not fit for that eternity. We are born with sin in our heart. As Christ died on Calvary he shed his blood for you and me so that you and I might be fit for eternity. Onesimus came into Paul’s presence, told him about the love of the Lord and what the cross meant for him. The evidence of his growth is responsibility and attitude to his new found position. Paul is not the sort of person who speaks lightly. What the gospel did for Onesimus. Colossians 1 verse 16 “that the gospel bringeth forth fruit.” Sometimes we ask the question “are they saved?” Jesus said “by their fruits ye shall know them.” They will be recognised by what they produce.

The gospel gave him an honest character. Onesimus was dishonest. He didn’t say to his master “I am fed up and want time off.” Perhaps waiting until the darkness fell and got the opportunity to run away. Whenever Onesimus trusted the Lord something happened. He then got an honest character. If we have an honest heart we have a fruit bearing heart. In the parable of the sower Jesus spoke of all the different types of ground in which the seed fell. He comes to the ground bearing forth one hundred fold. Lifted it out of that perspective and applied it to the life of believers. The seed is the word of God. It falls into an honest and good heart. Spoke too of the soils where weeds grew and of the hard ground. The seed that fell into good ground was likened to the word falling into an honest heart. That is what Onesimus’ was. Paul told Philemon in verse 11 that Onesimus had been “unprofitable” at one time to him. Now as he was going back to Philemon Onesimus would be profitable to him. Why? God had changed his life. Here was a young man who had broken his masters promise, he had broken the confidence of his master but God has worked in his heart. The gospel is the gospel of transforming power. Paul said of it “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1 verse 16) When God’s power comes into our lives it transforms our lives, makes us honest before people. Paul maybe had asked him “why are you here?” He owned up to everything he had done wrong. When we come and get saved we have to deal honestly with God. The Bible says “if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“ (1 John 1 verse 9) We cannot come to the cross hiding our sins. David tried that with Bathsheba, he had her husband killed and battled with God for 12 months until he confessed his sin before God. Onesimus had an honest heart. The gospel would make an honest character of him. The gospel makes a person honest. Philippians tells us to think about honest things. (chapter 4 verse 8) 2 Corinthians providing for honest things not only in sight of God but in man. Ephesians 6 Paul speaks of relationship there is between a servant and his master “do all things honestly not only in the sight of man but God.” (verse 7)

The gospel gave him a humble character. Not only admitted everything he did. He knew now would have to return and face the wrong he had done. Must make his way back home and clear things with his master. Paul speaks of sending him back. We have to face the hurdles of our own making. Onesimus has something to do. He must go and put it right as far as he can. He has got to try and make amends. Paul is sending him back. There has got to be a willingness on his part too. Speaks of his humbleness, that he is able to take advice. Onesimus was ready to go back and ready to make amends for the errors he had made. Remember Zacchaeus, the tax collector. He was no ordinary person - he was influential. He wore long gowns and robes and when people saw him coming down the street he was held in respect. Not well liked by his own people but he had a high position. He wanted to see Jesus so climbed up into a sycamore tree. The Lord comes and tells him to come down and take him into his home. Zacchaeus started to think of the past life he had lived and made a promise “If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him fourfold.” (Luke 19 verse 8) He was thinking of those he had been deceitful to, those he had lied to, those he had taken by false accusation, those from whom he had taken money and promised to return to them four fold. The power of God is working in this mans life. That is what the gospel does - opens up to things we remember, we have to go back and admit our wrong. Need to sort things out and it will make us humbler.

The gospel gave him a helpful character. This young man was unprofitable, of no use to Philemon. How can he be trusted again? How can you put your weight on this young man again? Verse 16 trust him not as a servant but as a brother Paul says. This young man has grown into a person who is highly valuable in the work of God. Colossians 4 brings in the name of Onesimus “he will fill you in on all things.” Trust him to give you an honest report. God looks at us to speak well of others. Those brothers and sisters in Christ born again of the spirit of God that we might speak well and highly of them. Onesimus wasn’t going back and saying “I met Paul, I seen things in his life that shouldn’t be there.” Paul trusted him. He was a helpful character. Verse 13 here’s a young man who has learned to care for those less well of. He cared for the apostle Paul in prison. He became more open to the needs of others. Whenever we begin to see men and women as lost, going to a Christless eternity begin to do something just to see them gloriously saved that we might see those fallen by the way side. Young men helpful in things of God. Paul uses him to take the message of the gospel out and around. This young man was honest and helpful. Has God not given us honesty? Do we have humbleness? More importantly are we helpful in the work of God? Do we see the things needing to be done? Mary Magdalene in Mark 16 verse 9 “out of whom the Lord had cast 7 devils.” As you go through the scriptures we read of her serving growing into a helpful character. Mark 15 she followed Christ and ministered unto him. She was one of the last characters the Lord met at the sepulchre. Serving him to the end. Helpful. Is that where we are at today? Honest, helpful, humble?

The gospel had made him a hopeful character. Paul said in verse 15 “he departed from you for a season that you might have him for ever.” The gospel made him someone who was trustworthy. Could be depended upon in the Christian faith. We stretch ourselves up for the mark. Are we honest? Humble? Helpful? Hopeful? That people could come to you and know you are always going to be there. Trustworthy. Steadfast unmovable always abounding in the work of Christ?