This is an intimate letter from the apostle Paul to his friend Philemon. This man had a slave named Onesimus, who stole from him, ran away to Rome, and through a series of circumstances encountered Paul. Not only did Paul lead Onesimus to Christ but discipled him to such an extent that Onesimus ministered back to Paul. Nevertheless, when the apostle learned about the circumstances that had brought Onesimus to Rome, Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon to make things right. The theme of Paul’s letter to Philemon is thus forgiveness and reconciliation. Philemon was in a position to forgive Onesimus and restore their relationship, showing Onesimus the same forgiveness that Philemon himself had received from God, since the two men had become brothers in Christ. Here we see a very tender side of Paul as he pleads with his friend Philemon to forgive and reconcile with Onesimus. His words are a reminder that forgiveness is prerequisite to reconciliation, and reconciliation is prerequisite to restoration. The message of Philemon is desperately needed in our day of division and strife. As believers, we need to be kingdom agents of forgiveness and reconciliation in each other’s lives and in the world. 5 Lessons from the Book of Philemon | Tony Evans #shorts #philemon #newtestament #tonyevans ___________________________________________________________ ▶ Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://tonyevans.org/know-jesus-christ/ ▶ Stream Sermons: https://tonyevans.org/podcast/ ▶▶ Free Sermon App: https://subsplash.com/tonyevans/app/ ▶▶ DONATE: https://give.tonyevans.org/the-alternative/donation ▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtonyevans/ ▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtonyevans/ ▶ Are you a preacher? Free sermon outlines: https://go.tonyevans.org/dr-tony-evans-free-christian-sermon-notes Dr. Tony Evans is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative and author of over 100 books, booklets and Bible studies. The first African American to earn a doctorate of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, he has been named one of the 12 Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World by Baylor University. Dr. Evans holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and study Bible by an African American. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on over 1,400 radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries. Dr. Evans’ sermons are also streamed and downloaded over 20,000,000 times annually. #TonyEvans #NewTestament #BibleStudy If you would like to download two encouraging, FREE full-length MP3s of Tony's popular sermons: "The Sovereignty of God" and "How to Handle a Crisis," you can do so by clicking on this link: https://share.hsforms.com/1atT9MJvXQNiZO4iKaVd4tg38r4 If you would like to sign up for our daily devotional bringing you hope and inspiration, please go to this link: https://share.hsforms.com/1CkOLA910SmGm0p5Nl2xbIg38r4 ▶ Do you know Jesus as your Savior? https://tonyevans.org/know-jesus-christ/ ▶ Stream Sermons: https://tonyevans.org/podcast/ ▶▶ Free Sermon App: https://subsplash.com/tonyevans/app/ ▶▶ DONATE: https://give.tonyevans.org/the-alternative/donation ▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtonyevans/ ▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtonyevans/ ▶ Are you a preacher? Free sermon outlines: https://go.tonyevans.org/dr-tony-evans-free-christian-sermon-notes Dr. Tony Evans is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative and author of over 100 books, booklets and Bible studies. The first African American to earn a doctorate of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, he has been named one of the 12 Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World by Baylor University. Dr. Evans holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and study Bible by an African American. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on over 1,400 radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries. Dr. Evans’ sermons are also streamed and downloaded over 20,000,000 times annually.