Useless To Useful God's Incredible Grace

August 21, 2016
Sermon
Philemon 1-25

From “Useless” to “Useful”: God’s Incredible Grace!

Main Idea:
Because we have received God’s grace, we must show that grace to others!

• God shows His grace toward sinners by converting them!
 Christ transformed Paul from persecutor to missionary (Acts 9)
 Christ transformed Philemon from businessman to beloved fellow worker (1b, 4-7)
 Christ transformed Onesimus from runaway slave to beloved brother (10-12)

• Converted sinners must show God’s grace toward sinners!
 They must evangelize: Paul and Onesimus (10)
 They must recognize God’s work in new Christians (11)
 They must advocate for new Christians (10ff)
 They must recognize God’s sovereignty in the lives of new Christians (15)
 They must sometimes violate social norms to show that grace (overcoming slavery) (16)
 They must be willing to sacrifice for new Christians (17-19)
 They must model this “grace-showing” to other believers (10-19)

Applications

We must experience God’s grace for ourselves—and be converted!

We converted sinners must then show God’s grace toward others!