Pericope: Philemon

Sermon Text: Philemon

Sermon Title: Another Chance

Point 1. Another chance begets another chance. Vs. 11 & 19

 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has

become useful both to you and to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing

this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that

you owe me your very self. NIV

11 He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of

us. 19 This is my personal signature--Paul-and I stand behind

it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very

life to me?) MESSAGE

1. Drop your rocks - Matthew 18:22 Jesus answered, “I tell

you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

2. Look deep within

3. Depend on Jesus

Point 2. Choices can put your chance in chains.

Vs. 10, 11 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, [a] 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. Onesimus’ choices put him in chains. NIV

10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And

here he is, hand-carrying this letter--Onesimus! 11 He was

useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.

MESSAGE Vs. 10, 11 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. Onesimus’ choices put him in

chains. NIV

10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And

here he is, hand-carrying this letter--Onesimus! 11 He was

useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.

MESSAGE

Point 3: Chances are God given but human driven. Vs. 17& 21

 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you

would welcome me. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to

you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. NIV

17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him

back as you would me. 21 I know you well enough to know you

will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.

MESSAGE

Conclusion: Do you want another chance if you do you

need to give somebody else another chance.