There are many biblical teachings that we encounter that seem to be contradictory, when in reality t

1
Introduction

• There are many biblical teachings that we
  encounter that seem to be contradictory, when in
  reality they are teaching some deep spiritual
  truths that must be understoodthese are to be
  called paradoxes

• A paradox is defined as, A seemingly
  contradictory statement that may nonetheless be
  true.

• Today we want to examine some of the paradoxes of
  the Christian faith, while making application of
  them to our lives.

2
We Must Die To Live

• Somebody asks, How can I die and live? This
  paradox is teaching one of the great truths of
  the faith (Matt 1624-26)

• We learn that this death is not physical death,
  but is a putting away of the sinful man in
  baptism and a resurrection to a new way of life
  (Rom. 61-11)

• Paul was one who understood the death of the old
  man in order to live a new life in service to
  the Lord (Gal. 220 Acts 2216 Col. 212-13
  Rom. 121-2)

3
We Must Mourn To Be Happy

• The one who is truly blessed is the one who has
  mourned in this life (Matt 54)

• The word of God tells us to expect to suffer and
  go through difficult times in this lifeyet we
  are instructed in the way we should handle these
  moments (Luke 621-26 I Peter 16-9 James
  12-4)

• We are told to change our laughter into mourning
  and our joy into gloom out of humility, that we
  might have blessings in glory (James 46-10
  Rom. 818)

4
We Must Hate To Be Loving

• We are told not to love the world or the things
  in itwe must rather despise the sin and error
  around us. (I John 215-17)

• It is possible to be so involved in the world and
  its pleasures that we can be hindered from a
  loving relationship with the Lord (Luke 1426-27)

• If you love the worldly things you cannot love
  the heavenly blessingsyou can only give
  yourself to one or the other (Matt. 624)

5
We Must Be Followers To Be Leaders

• Jesus taught we must first follow Him before we
  can lead other to Him for salvation (Matt.
  419)

• Once we have started to follow the Lord, we learn
  of His ways and can teach them to others (John
  1027 1226)

• We are called to follow in the steps of Jesus and
  then others can follow our example of Christ
  (I Peter 221 I Cor. 414-17 111)

6
We Must Surrender To Be Victorious

• Most surrenders lead to defeat, yet when we
  surrender to the Lord it leads to victory
  (Matt. 1916-22)

• The result of our surrender is righteousness that
  leads to eternal life in the Lord (Rom. 616-23)

• Only those who have surrendered their life to
  Christ will have the victory on the last day in
  judgment (I Cor. 1550-58)

7
Application

• While I know that the Bible is not hard to
  understand, these paradoxes of the faith can be
  a challenge to appreciate if we are not careful
  disciples of the Lord

• While we might expect that we must

Live to Live
Have Happiness to be Happy
Love to be Loving
Lead to be Leaders
Conquer to be Victorious
8
Application

• While I know that the Bible is not hard to
  understand, these paradoxes of the faith can be
  a challenge to appreciate if we are not careful
  disciples of the Lord

• The Bible actually says

Die to Live
Mourn to be Happy
Hate to be Loving
Follow to be Leaders
Surrender to be Victorious
9
Will you appreciate these spiritual truths?

• Have you ever obeyed the Lord and are you
  remaining faithful to His word?

• The Bible says we need to

Hear the gospel Rom. 1017
Believe in Jesus John 824
Repent of sin Luke 1335
Confess Christ Matt. 1032-33
Baptism into Christ Mark 1616
10
Introduction

• There are many biblical teachings that we
  encounter that seem to be contradictory, when in
  reality they are teaching some deep spiritual
  truths that must be understoodthese are to be
  called paradoxes

• A paradox is defined as, A seemingly
  contradictory statement that may nonetheless be
  true.

• Today we want to examine some of the paradoxes of
  the Christian faith, while making application of
  them to our lives.

11
We Must Be Poor To Be Rich

• Being rich is the priority of those in our modern
  day, while the Bible calls us to be poorin
  spirit (Matt. 53)

• The Bible tells us of the example of the Lord in
  being poor in this life to provide us with the
  riches of heaven (II Cor. 89)

• If we are poor in spirit, we will be focused on
  heavenly riches instead of material wealth and
  possessions (Matt. 619-21)

12
We Must Be The Least To Be The Greatest

• So many are trying to be the greatest without
  paying any attention to the other people they
  are inconsiderate and disrespectful to in this
  life.

• We are instructed in the way we ought to live to
  be greatest before the Lord (Matt. 2025-28)

• One must be humble and willing to serve others in
  order to truly be great (Luke 946-48)

13
We Must Be Sightless To See

• When we hear the word of God it produces
  faiththis faith is based on the unseen things
  above (Rom. 1017 Heb. 111)

• Christians walk without sight every dayby faith
  in the word of the Lord (II Cor. 57)

• If we walked by sight, there would be no faith or
  hopewithout faith it is impossible to please
  God (Rom. 824 Heb. 116 I Pet. 18-9)

14
We Must Be Working To Rest

• Some people have no idea what it means to work
  while others simply will not restwe must work
  to rest (Matt. 1128-30)

• Our lives on this earth will be rewarded based on
  our service to the Lord (Rev. 1413 Eph 210)

• So many will miss the resting place of heaven
  because they neglected to do the work that God
  had planned for them (Heb. 41-11)

15
We Must Be Homeless To Have A Home

• We are to view this world as a land that we are
  passing through, while heaven is our true
  home (Phil. 320)

• Everyday is another step on our journey for
  homewe are destined for a better city from God
  (Heb. 119-10, 13-16)

• When our house (body) is destroyed, we have a
  house (spiritual body) from God that will never
  cease to existthen we will be home (II Cor.
  51-9)

16
Application

• While I know that the Bible is not hard to
  understand, these paradoxes of the faith can be
  a challenge to appreciate if we are not careful
  disciples of the Lord

• While we might expect that we must

Have Riches to be Rich
Be Greater to be Greatest
Have Sight to See
Relax to Rest
Reside to have a Home
17
Application

• While I know that the Bible is not hard to
  understand, these paradoxes of the faith can be
  a challenge to appreciate if we are not careful
  disciples of the Lord

• The Bible actually says

Be Poor to be Rich
Be the Least to be Greatest
Be Sightless to See
Be Working to Rest
Be Homeless to have a Home
18
Will you appreciate these spiritual truths?

• Have you ever obeyed the Lord and are you
  remaining faithful to His word?

• The Bible says we need to

Hear the gospel Rom. 1017
Believe in Jesus John 824
Repent of sin Luke 1335
Confess Christ Matt. 1032-33
Baptism into Christ Mark 1616