"What A Difference Christ Makes"

WHAT A DIFFERENCE CHRIST MAKES!

Text: the N.T. book of Philemon

Introduction-

The Bible says in 2nd Corinthians 5:17-

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold,

all things are become new."

We can see this beautifully portrayed in the

New Testament book of Philemon. The book is

really a letter written by Paul to a friend of

his, named Philemon, about a runaway slave,

named Onesimus. Paul was in prison when he

wrote these words, and at some point he had

evidentally won Onesimus to the Lord. Onesimus

probably had robbed Philemon, and then escaped

and ran for his life. Then, he encountered Paul,

and was gloriously saved. William Barclay, in

his Daily Bible Study series says that there were

approximately 60,000,000 slaves in the Roman em-

pire at this time. After Paul won Onesimus to the

Lord Jesus, he sent him back to Philemon with this

letter. Now, the fate of runaway slaves in that

day and time was not a very good one. They could,

at the least, be branded with a mark that identi-

fied them as a runaway, or, their lives could

even be taken by their master. But, Christ made

a difference in everyone’s life connected with

this story.

I.First of all, CHRIST MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE

WAY THAT PAUL AND PHILEMON FELT ABOUT EACH OTHER.

They had apparently been close friends already,

but this situation over Onesimus only drew them

closer together. It could have been different.

It could have seperated them had Philemon been

the kind to hold a grudge, and be unforgiving,

but that does not seem to be the case.

Paul calls Philemon his dearly beloved, and

fellow labourer. He expresses confidence in

him, and says that he knows that he will do the

right thing.

II.Secondly, CHRIST MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY

THAT PHILEMON FELT ABOUT ONESIMUS.

He was probably angry with him, and rightfully

so, yet, he had a big heart, and he forgave him

the wrong that he had done to him.

He had been unprofitable to him, but Paul says

that he will now be profitable to him, for he

is a changed, saved man.

He is to be forgiven, and accepted, not just as

a returning slave, but as a brother, beloved,

a fellow member of the church, the body of Christ,

and a child of God.

III.Thirdly, CHRIST MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THAT

ONESIMUS FELT ABOUT HIMSELF.

I imagine that he felt some guilt and remorse for

what he had done. I’m sure that he was ashamed

of those actions, and that he wanted things to

be made right.

He had to see himself, no longer as a thief, or

a nobody, but as a born-again, cleansed, forgiven

member of the family of God.

He could now spend the rest of his life serving

God, and helping his master and others. He would

not steal from him any more, but would be an ex-

ample for others to follow.

Paul was so gracious that he offered to repay

anything that Onesimus had taken from Philemon.

This reveals the heart of Paul, and how great a

Christian he really was.

Wouldn’t it be great if every Christian could

give some similar example in their own lives of

how Jesus has changed them, and everyone with

whom they had dealings. He can and will make

a difference in our lives also, if we will only

open our hearts to Him.

Invitation-I encourage you to yield your life to

Jesus today. Let him create a new you!