This sermon encourages all Christian’s to imitate our amazing God excelling in forgiveness. For where forgiveness is abundant the hearts of the saints are refreshed.
For this is what gives Paul the confidence to make these extraordinary requests of Philemon that require him to forgive Onesimus. For he knows Philemon’s heart has been refreshed by receiving forgiveness from God for a far greater debt incurred. Therefore, it is his privilege to imitate the God he loves and is devoted to in forgiving his newfound brother in Christ.
For Onesimus he undergoes an extraordinary transformation from being useless to being useful. This occurs because God has refreshed his heart by forgiving him of his sin and shame. It also leads him to face up to the consequences of his actions going back to seek forgiveness from Philemon.
Lord, thank you for forgiving us of our sin and shame. Thank you for refreshing our hearts. Help us to imitate you in forgiving and seeking forgiveness that the hearts of the saints may be refreshed anew.
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