Transformation and Intercession: The Story of Onesimus

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Christ

Onesimus's journey from a runaway slave to a valuable servant of Paul is a powerful testament to the transformative power of accepting Jesus Christ. This transformation is not just a change in status but a profound renewal of identity and purpose. Onesimus, whose name means "profitable," becomes a living example of how Christ can redefine our lives, making us useful for His kingdom. This story reminds us that no matter our past mistakes or failures, we can become new creations in Christ, serving His purpose and bringing glory to His name. The grace that Onesimus experienced is available to all who turn to Christ, offering a fresh start and a new direction. [06:28]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What past mistakes or failures do you need to surrender to Christ today, trusting Him to transform you into a new creation for His purpose?

Day 2: Intercession and Identification

Paul's intercession for Onesimus is a profound reflection of Christ's intercession for us. Just as Paul was willing to identify with Onesimus and offer to pay his debt, Jesus identified with us, taking on our sins to make us righteous before God. This act of grace is a powerful reminder of the depth of Christ's love and sacrifice. It calls us to live lives of gratitude and service, recognizing that we have been redeemed at a great cost. As we reflect on this, we are challenged to consider how we can extend grace and intercession to others, following the example of Christ. [10:17]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: Who in your life needs your intercession today? How can you actively stand in the gap for them, reflecting Christ's love and grace?

Day 3: Living to Please God

The story of Onesimus challenges us to examine whether we live to please God or ourselves. We are created for God's pleasure, and when we fail to live for Him, we become unprofitable. This is a call to realign our lives with God's purpose, seeking to bring Him joy in all we do. It is a reminder that our lives are not our own, and true fulfillment comes from living in alignment with God's will. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to evaluate our priorities and make intentional choices that honor God. [12:36]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently seeking your own pleasure over God's? How can you begin to realign this area with His purpose today?

Day 4: God's Sovereignty in Adversity

The narrative of Onesimus and Philemon illustrates how God can use adverse circumstances for His divine purposes. What may seem like a setback can be part of God's greater plan for eternal gain. Trusting in God's sovereignty, even when we cannot see the full picture, is essential. This story encourages us to have faith in God's plan, knowing that He is working all things together for good. As we face challenges and uncertainties, we are reminded to trust in His wisdom and timing, believing that He is in control. [32:33]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: What current adversity are you facing that you need to trust God with? How can you begin to see this situation as part of His greater plan?

Day 5: Jesus as Advocate, Mediator, and Intercessor

Jesus stands as our advocate, mediator, and intercessor, ensuring that nothing can separate us from His love. This assurance gives us confidence in our relationship with God, knowing that Jesus is continually interceding on our behalf. As we embrace this truth, we are encouraged to draw near to God with boldness, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's work. This understanding transforms our prayer life and deepens our intimacy with God, as we rely on Jesus's ongoing intercession for us. [23:16]

1 John 2:1 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is your advocate and intercessor change the way you approach God in prayer today? What specific area of your life do you need to bring before Him, trusting in His advocacy?

Sermon Summary

In the short but powerful book of Philemon, we encounter the story of Onesimus, a runaway slave who finds himself in the company of the Apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome. Onesimus, having stolen from his master Philemon, is transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ through Paul's witness. This transformation is a testament to the radical change that occurs when one accepts Christ as Lord. Onesimus becomes a valuable servant to Paul, embodying the very essence of his name, which means "profitable." Paul, recognizing the need for reconciliation, writes a letter to Philemon, urging him to receive Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother in Christ.

This narrative beautifully parallels the intercession of Jesus Christ for humanity. Just as Paul intercedes for Onesimus, Jesus intercedes for us, sinners deserving of death, yet offered grace and redemption. Paul’s willingness to identify with Onesimus and offer to pay his debt mirrors Christ’s sacrifice, where He took on our sins to make us righteous before God. This story challenges us to reflect on our own lives, questioning whether we live to please God or ourselves. It reminds us of the importance of gratitude and the danger of taking God's blessings for granted.

Moreover, the story of Onesimus and Philemon illustrates how God can use adverse circumstances to fulfill His divine purposes. What may seem like a loss or a setback can be a part of God's greater plan for eternal gain. This is a call to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we cannot see the full picture. The narrative encourages us to embrace the role of Jesus as our advocate, mediator, and intercessor, who stands before the Father on our behalf, ensuring that nothing can separate us from His love.

Key Takeaways

1. Transformation through Christ: Onesimus's transformation from a runaway slave to a valuable servant of Paul exemplifies the radical change that occurs when one accepts Jesus Christ. This transformation is a reminder that no matter our past, we can become new creations in Christ, serving His purpose. [06:28]
2. Intercession and Identification: Paul's intercession for Onesimus is a reflection of Christ's intercession for us. Just as Paul was willing to identify with Onesimus and pay his debt, Jesus identified with us, taking on our sins to make us righteous before God. This act of grace calls us to live lives of gratitude and service. [10:17]
3. Living to Please God: The story challenges us to examine whether we live to please God or ourselves. We are created for God's pleasure, and when we fail to live for Him, we become unprofitable. This is a call to realign our lives with God's purpose, seeking to bring Him joy in all we do. [12:36]
4. God's Sovereignty in Adversity: The narrative of Onesimus and Philemon illustrates how God can use adverse circumstances for His divine purposes. What may seem like a setback can be part of God's greater plan for eternal gain. Trusting in God's sovereignty, even when we cannot see the full picture, is essential. [32:33]
5. Jesus as Advocate, Mediator, and Intercessor: Jesus stands as our advocate, mediator, and intercessor, ensuring that nothing can separate us from His love. This assurance gives us confidence in our relationship with God, knowing that Jesus is continually interceding on our behalf. [23:16]
** [23:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:21] - Introduction to Philemon
[06:04] - Onesimus Meets Paul
[06:51] - Transformation of Onesimus
[07:26] - The Fate of Runaway Slaves
[08:32] - Paul's Connection to Philemon
[09:36] - Paul's Intercession for Onesimus
[10:17] - Identification with Onesimus
[11:33] - Profitable and Unprofitable Lives
[12:36] - Living to Please God
[14:08] - The Story of Belshazzar
[16:19] - Acceptance in Christ
[17:57] - Paying the Debt
[19:31] - Jesus as Advocate and Mediator
[23:16] - Jesus as Intercessor
[32:33] - God's Sovereignty in Adversity
[42:30] - All Things Work Together for Good
[44:31] - Invitation to Commit to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Onesimus and Philemon

Bible Reading:

Philemon 1:10-19
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 8:28-39

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Observation Questions:

What transformation did Onesimus undergo after meeting Paul, and how did it change his relationship with Philemon? [06:28]
How does Paul’s letter to Philemon illustrate the concept of intercession, and what parallels are drawn between Paul’s actions and those of Jesus Christ? [09:36]
What does the name "Onesimus" mean, and how does Paul use this meaning to describe Onesimus's change in status? [11:58]
How does the sermon describe the typical fate of a runaway slave in the Roman Empire, and how does this context enhance the significance of Onesimus's story? [07:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does Onesimus's transformation reflect the idea of becoming a "new creation" in Christ, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17? What does this suggest about the potential for change in our own lives?
In what ways does Paul’s willingness to pay Onesimus’s debt mirror the sacrifice of Jesus, and how does this act challenge our understanding of grace and forgiveness? [17:57]
How does the story of Onesimus and Philemon illustrate the sovereignty of God in using adverse circumstances for a greater purpose, as seen in Romans 8:28? [32:33]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of living to please God rather than ourselves, and how does this relate to the concept of being "profitable" to God? [12:36]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant transformation in your life. How did this change affect your relationship with others, and how can you use this experience to serve God’s purpose?
Consider a situation where you have been wronged or have wronged someone else. How can the example of Paul’s intercession for Onesimus inspire you to seek reconciliation and forgiveness in that situation? [09:36]
How do you typically respond to adverse circumstances in your life? What steps can you take to trust in God’s sovereignty and see these challenges as part of His greater plan? [32:33]
Identify an area in your life where you may be living to please yourself rather than God. What practical changes can you make to realign your actions with God’s purpose and bring Him joy? [12:36]
Think of a person in your life who may feel like a "runaway" from God. How can you act as an advocate or mediator for them, helping them to see the love and grace of Jesus Christ? [19:31]
Reflect on the role of Jesus as your advocate, mediator, and intercessor. How does this assurance impact your confidence in your relationship with God, and how can you live out this confidence in your daily life? [23:16]
How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the blessings God has given you, and what specific actions can you take to express this gratitude in your interactions with others? [13:29]

Sermon Clips

Paul makes intercession for Onesimus, and through the intercession of Paul for Onesimus, we see many parallels of the intercession of Jesus Christ for you and for me, men who were deserving of death and yet intercession is being made. We've noticed first of all in verse 10, Paul said I beseech you for my son Onesimus whom I have begotten in my bonds. [00:09:36]

Paul is willing now to identify fully with Onesimus. I consider him as my own son. He's like a son to me and that willingness to fully identify with this guilty man, and I think of how Jesus Christ has identified with us as sinners. Though he was God, yet he was willing to empty himself and to become a man to identify with us. [00:10:17]

I know that in time past he was to you unprofitable but he is now profitable to both you and to me. The word Onesimus in Greek means profitable, so I know that profitable was unprofitable to you for a time, but perhaps profitable is now profitable to both of us. [00:11:33]

I think of how our lives are so often unprofitable to God, especially when we are living in rebellion against God. You see, God created us for his pleasure, but so many people never give a thought to bringing God pleasure. They are so interested in getting pleasure for themselves that it never comes to mind, well, what can I do to please God today? [00:12:36]

Paul said all I know him I led him to Jesus Christ, he owes me an awful lot. Tell you what Onesimus, I would love to have you stay here with me you're such a help but I wouldn't do it without Philemon's consent so I'll tell you what, I'm going to give you a letter and I'm going to send you back to Philemon. [00:08:32]

Paul asked Philemon to receive him even as he would receive Paul. Paul said don't look upon him as a slave any longer, but consider him now as a brother in Christ, and receive him even as you would receive me. I think of that tremendous verse in Ephesians where Paul declares that we are accepted in the beloved. [00:16:19]

Paul is willing to pay the debt that Onesimus owed, and this is exactly what Jesus Christ has done for us. He paid the debt that we owed. Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain but he washed it white as snow. He paid the debt for me. [00:17:57]

To you who have been born again through Jesus Christ, he has become for you first of all an advocate, secondly a mediator, and thirdly an intercessor. In 1st John chapter 2, John said my little children I write these things to you that you sin not but if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the righteous. [00:19:31]

Paul writing to the Romans said, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ who has died, yea rather is risen again and is even at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you. He's not condemning you, he's making intercession for you, mediating for you when Satan brings up the accusations. [00:23:16]

Perhaps this all happened, he departed for you from you for a season that you might gain him as an eternal brother. God's purposes are often times worked out in our lives through adverse circumstances. I may be going through a trial that I cannot understand, I may feel that God has forsaken me. [00:32:33]

God often is working even through adverse circumstances maybe he ran away from you maybe the reason why he stole money and fled and came to Rome was that you lost him for a season but now you've gained him as an eternal brother in the Lord. We're told in the scriptures that all things are working together for good. [00:33:11]

It is only when you have committed your life to God that he then begins to control the circumstances of your life, and everything that happens to you is happening for good. You can have that assurance, wonderful it is to have Jesus Christ as my advocate as the mediator and as the intercessor for me. [00:42:30]

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Transformation and Intercession: The Story of Onesimus

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Christ

Day 2: Intercession and Identification

Day 3: Living to Please God

Day 4: God's Sovereignty in Adversity

Day 5: Jesus as Advocate, Mediator, and Intercessor

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Transformation and Intercession: The Story of Onesimus

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