Qualities of a Christian to Please God
This short yet powerful epistle reveals essential Christian virtues—faith, love, forgiveness, and transformation—that not only define authentic discipleship but also align believers with the will of God. This framework is designed to maximize clarity, authority, and engagement while supporting high-value theological teaching and leadership development. As a Professor of Homiletics, I have developed this Qualities of a Christian to Please God framework to equip pastors, teachers, and ministry leaders with a biblically grounded and spiritually compelling exposition of Philemon 1–25.
Homiletical Summary
To please God is not about outward performance, but inward transformation revealed through Christlike character. Philemon teaches us that true Christianity is relational, practical, and redemptive.
Make this message actionable today:
- Examine your faith – Is your life marked by genuine trust in Christ and visible obedience?
- Practice sacrificial love – Are you refreshing others as Philemon did?
- Embrace forgiveness and restoration – Are you willing to reconcile as Paul instructed?
A short but profoundly impactful letter penned by the Apostle Paul: his letter to Philemon. Within its few verses, Paul unveils the beautiful character of a man who, through his actions and attitudes, demonstrated qualities that are pleasing to God and worthy of our own imitation.
Our focus today will be on the admirable characteristics of Philemon, as highlighted in our outline, and how cultivating these virtues can lead us to a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father.
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Christian qualities of Philemon
A. Let's look at some of Philemon's good characteristics, worthy of imitation:
The Apostle Paul, in his opening and closing remarks, paints a picture of Philemon as a man rich in spiritual virtues. Let us examine these qualities more closely:
1. His love and faith toward the Lord and the saints (v. 5). This foundational quality speaks to Philemon's deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ and his genuine affection and trust for his fellow believers.
2. He comforted the hearts of the brothers (v. 7). Philemon's actions were a source of encouragement and relief to others in the Christian community, demonstrating a selfless concern for their well-being.
3. He had good will (v. 14). Philemon's service and generosity stemmed from a willing and sincere heart, not from obligation or coercion.
4. He did more than was asked of him (v. 21). Paul expressed confidence that Philemon would not only comply with his request but would go above and beyond what was expected.
5. He was hospitable and welcoming (v. 22). Philemon opened his home and his heart to fellow believers, demonstrating a spirit of generosity and fellowship.
B. These five qualities of Philemon are worthy of imitation to please God.
These are not merely admirable traits; they are reflections of the character of Christ Himself. By cultivating these qualities in our own lives, we align ourselves with God's will and bring Him glory.
C. A faithful servant of God must have these qualities, and if he has them, he must grow in them more and more.
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. We are called not only to acquire these virtues but to nurture and deepen them, allowing them to increasingly shape our thoughts, words, and actions.
I. HIS LOVE AND FAITH FOR THE LORD AND THE SAINTS. PHILEMON 5.
Paul begins by acknowledging the bedrock of Philemon's character: his love and faith.
A. "WHY I HEAR." Paul's knowledge of Philemon's virtues wasn't based on personal observation alone but on the testimony of others, specifically Epaphras and Onesimus, who had witnessed his life in Colossae (Colossians 1:7-8; 4:12). This highlights the impact our lives have on those around us; our character speaks for itself.
B. Paul heard of love toward all the saints. This wasn't a selective love but a broad and encompassing affection for the entire body of Christ. Love characterizes the followers of Jesus. As Jesus Himself said in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
C. If there is love toward the Lord, there will be love toward his followers. Our love for God is intrinsically linked to our love for His children. God desires that we have love for one another, and this love must be:
1. Without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9). Our love must be genuine and sincere, not a mere outward show.
2. In deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). Our love must be expressed through tangible actions and rooted in sincerity.
3. We must pursue love (1 Corinthians 14:1). Love is not passive; it requires intentional effort and a deliberate choice.
4. Love must remain (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is the greatest of all virtues, enduring beyond earthly limitations.
5. We must walk in love (Ephesians 5:2). Love should be the very way we conduct ourselves in all our interactions.
6. We must clothe ourselves in love (Colossians 3:14). Love should be the garment that defines our identity as Christians.
7. We must abound in love (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Our love should grow and overflow, reaching more and more people.
8. We must stimulate one another toward love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). We have a responsibility to encourage and inspire each other in acts of love and service.
D. If there is love, many problems would be avoided, since:
1. Love does no harm to a neighbor (Romans 13:10). Love is inherently constructive and seeks the well-being of others.
2. Whatever we do, we must do it in love (1 Corinthians 16:14; Galatians 5:13). Love should be the motivating force behind all our actions and service.
3. We must bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). Love fosters patience, understanding, and forgiveness in our relationships. Without love, we will hardly be able to fulfill the law of Christ, which is summarized in loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
E. Paul not only heard of Philemon's love, but also of his faith in Christ. Love and faith are inseparable pillars of the Christian life.
1. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, the confident assurance that He is who He says He is and will do what He has promised.
F. Do we have the faith in Christ to please Him in all things? This is a crucial question for each of us to consider. Is our faith a living, active trust that permeates every aspect of our lives?
II. HE COMFORTED THE HEARTS OF THE BROTHERS. PHILEMON 7.
Philemon's love wasn't just an abstract feeling; it manifested in tangible acts of comfort and encouragement.
A. Paul felt great joy and comfort because Philemon's love led him to comfort the hearts of the brethren (v. 7). Philemon's actions had a positive ripple effect, bringing joy not only to those he directly helped but also to the Apostle Paul.
B. "COMFORT." The comfort Philemon provided was a relief, a refreshment to the hearts of the saints, likely through his benevolence and charity on various occasions.
C. The word "comfort" appears in various contexts (Matthew 11:28; 1 Corinthians 16:18; 2 Corinthians 7:13; Acts 16:40). Importantly, 2 Corinthians 1:4 reminds us that "God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." We are called to be conduits of God's comfort to others.
D. Comfort can take many forms:
1. Visiting the sick (James 1:27). Showing practical care and support to those who are suffering.
2. Visiting the discouraged (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Offering words of encouragement and hope to those who are downcast.
3. Helping a brother when he is in need. Providing practical assistance and meeting tangible needs.
4. Offering words of encouragement to a brother who has lost a family member or faced any tragedy. Sharing in their sorrow and offering support and hope.
E. We must comfort those who are afflicted; let us not be selfish. Let us imitate Philemon. Our focus should extend beyond our own needs to the needs of those around us.
III. HE HAD GOOD WILL. PHILEMON 14.
Philemon's service was characterized by a willing and sincere heart.
A. The service Philemon rendered was of good will, and service in the kingdom of God must be of good will, coming from the heart of the person. God desires our service to flow from a place of genuine willingness and love, not from compulsion or obligation.
1. When giving an offering, we must do so willingly, not out of obligation (2 Corinthians 9:7). Our generosity should be a joyful response to God's grace.
2. The elders must care for God's flock voluntarily (1 Peter 5:2). Leadership in the church should be motivated by a shepherd's heart, not by a sense of duty alone. Similarly, all service within the church, whether by elders or other members, must be of good will, not out of obligation or as a burden.
3. We must preach the gospel willingly (1 Corinthians 9:17). Sharing the good news should stem from a heart that is compelled by love for God and for lost souls.
4. All our service to God must be voluntary. Whether big or small, our acts of service should be offered freely and with a joyful heart.
IV. HE DID MORE THAN THEY ASKED HIM. PHILEMON 21.
Paul expressed confidence that Philemon's obedience to the gospel would lead him to exceed expectations.
A. “I WRITE TO YOU CONFIDENT IN YOUR OBEDIENCE.” Paul's trust in Philemon was rooted in his understanding of Philemon's commitment to Christ.
B. Paul knew that Philemon would do more than he was asking of him.
1. An example of this is Abraham (Genesis 18:1-8). Abraham's extravagant hospitality towards the three visitors, doing far more than simply offering them a place to rest, illustrates this spirit of exceeding expectations.
C. How much are we doing more than God asks of us? (Luke 17:10). Jesus' words in Luke 17:10, where He speaks of servants simply doing their duty, challenge us to consider if we are going the extra mile in our service to God and others. It shouldn't be a matter of just fulfilling the bare minimum.
D. We must do more than what is asked of us. This reflects a heart that is eager to please God and serve others with an overflowing measure of love and dedication.
V. HE WAS HOSTISH, HOSPITABLE. PHILEMON 22.
Philemon's open home and welcoming spirit were another testament to his godly character.
A. Another of Philemon's qualities is that he was a hospitable man (v. 22). Hospitality is a practical expression of love and fellowship within the Christian community.
B. We must be hospitable. We must imitate some examples of hospitality such as:
1. Abraham (Genesis 18:1-8).
2. Lot (Genesis 19:1-3).
3. Laban (Genesis 24:30-33; 29:13).
4. The Shunammite (2 Kings 4:8-13).
5. Publius (Acts 28:7).
6. Gaius (3 John 5:6-8).
These examples demonstrate the various ways hospitality can be expressed, from offering shelter and food to providing care and support.
C. We must not forget to be hospitable (Hebrews 13:1). This is a direct exhortation to make hospitality a consistent practice in our lives.
D. We must be hospitable without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). Our hospitality should be offered with a cheerful and generous spirit, not with resentment or complaint.
E. An elder must be hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2). This quality is a prerequisite for leadership in the church, highlighting its importance in fostering a welcoming and caring community. He must have this quality before becoming an elder.
F. Widows should be listed for support by the church. One of their qualities is having shown hospitality (1 Timothy 5:10). This demonstrates that hospitality is a valued and recognized expression of godly character within the church.
G. We should be hospitable. "He who knows how to do good and does not do it is a sin" (James 4:17). Neglecting to show hospitality when we have the opportunity is a failure to live out the love of Christ.
Continue Your Preparation:CONCLUSION:
A. We have seen some of Philemon's qualities; let us imitate them to please God.
Brothers and sisters, the life of Philemon, though briefly glimpsed in this letter, offers a powerful blueprint for a life that is pleasing to God. His love and faith, his comforting spirit, his good will, his willingness to go above and beyond, and his hospitality are all virtues that we are called to cultivate in our own lives.
Let us examine our hearts. Are we growing in our love for the Lord and for our fellow believers? Are we actively seeking ways to comfort and encourage those around us? Is our service to God and others marked by a willing and sincere heart? Are we content to do only what is required, or are we striving to exceed expectations? Do we open our hearts and our homes to those in need of fellowship and care?
May we, by the grace of God, diligently pursue these qualities, allowing the Spirit to transform us into individuals who, like Philemon, bring joy to the heart of God and serve as a shining example to the world around us. Amen.
