A Debt Too Large to Repay!

The sermon opens by demonstrating that Scripture is not an outdated book but contains many stories of young people with different circumstances, choices, and outcomes. The preacher references figures like Joseph, Ruth, David, Daniel, and especially young influential figures. The preacher cites "The Other Wes Moore" to illustrate how two individuals with identical circumstances lived completely different lives based on their choices in youth.

The second section presents the historical context of the epistle to Philemon, written by Apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome around 58-61 AD. The preacher describes Philemon as a wealthy master in Colossae in Asia Minor who believed in Christ through Paul's testimony and opened his home for church worship. Onesimus was Philemon's young slave who ran away not only refusing to accept his servitude but also stealing money from his master. He fled to Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, where he could hide his past.

The third section describes how Onesimus met Paul in Rome through a new friend. Paul shared the Gospel of Christ's redemption and atonement with Onesimus, and the young slave believed. Subsequently, Onesimus became Paul's helper while Paul was imprisoned. Their relationship developed into a father-son bond, with Paul viewing Onesimus as his own son. The preacher emphasizes that the Gospel touches all people regardless of social class or circumstance, because it addresses the deep spiritual needs that all humans share.

The fourth section focuses on the letter Paul wrote to Philemon. When Onesimus felt guilty about stealing and running away, he confided in Paul, who promised to write a letter to help him. Paul writes that he will repay all the debt that Onesimus owes to Philemon. The preacher explains that this is an image of the Gospel: all sins are forgiven, as the prophet Isaiah wrote that sins will "become white as snow." The preacher then tells a story of Tsar Nicholas, who forgave and repaid a young soldier's enormous debt by signing his name on the soldier's paper.

The final section explains the deepest meaning of the Gospel: not only are we forgiven of sin, but we are loved, accepted, and given gifts by God just as He has given to His only Son Jesus Christ. The preacher uses the example of how his family welcomed his daughter's boyfriend as a family member because they trusted and loved their daughter. Similarly, Philemon and Apphia received Onesimus not just as a forgiven slave but as a beloved brother, because of their love for Paul. The preacher concludes that we are forgiven, our sins erased, and given the right to be sons and daughters of God solely through the name of Jesus Christ.