A Paradox

God does not see things as we see them...We need to start

seeing things as God sees them.

I Samuel 16:7 - 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not

look at his appearance or at the height of his stature,

because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as

man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the

Lord looks at the heart.”

A. Sometimes “common sense” will mislead us.

1. Whenever spiritual sense and common sense

agree...seek no other sense.

a. But what about when “common sense”

and “spiritual sense” are at loggerheads?

This is when we have what is called, “a paradox”.

WEBSTER DEFINES: Paradox - 1. A statement

contrary to common belief. 2. A statement that

seems contradictory, unbelievable, or absurd, but that

may actually be true, in fact.

Jesus and the writers of the Word of God, gave forth many

paradoxes.

1. Many times the paradox is explained in the

context that it is in.

a. Even though some of these things that are

placed before us may be hard to understand...

especially in the light of our, so called,

“common sense”...we need to accept them for

the truth that they are, by our faith in the

Word of God.

Let me share some of these truths with you this morning.

I. “Something” and “nothing” need redefining.

A. God’s thoughts concerning these two words are

quite different from the common understanding.

1. We understand that we have something, by

looking and seeing and counting.

2. God understands that we have something

when we possess the spiritual things that will

make and keep us “joint heirs” with Jesus

Christ.

a. In other words, “Something” isn’t found

in what we own, but in where we will be

and what we shall spiritually possess for

for eternity.

Prov. 13:7 - 7 There is one who makes

himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who

makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

Mark 8:36-37 - 36“For what will it profit a man if he

gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37“Or what

will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Rev. 3:17-18 - 17“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have

become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not

know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and

naked— 18“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in

the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you

may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not

be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you

may see.

Luke 12:15 - 15And He said to them, “Take heed and

beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in

the abundance of the things he possesses.”

3. All of this is a paradox.

a. The world measures “success” by what

you have and who you are.

Ex. - The world says that the one who dies with the most

“toys”.....wins...........God says you won’t take any

“toys” with you and you will be lost.

1.) God measures success by WHAT

YOU WILL BE AND WHO’S

YOU ARE.]

II. Persecution, rejection, false accusations, and evil

speaking about you should bring a joy and contentment

into your heart.

A. The reason for our contentment is the company

that we are keeping.

1. Jesus Christ was persecuted, rejected, falsely

accused, spoken evil of...and much, much,

more.

2. The prophets were treated in a most

deplorable way.

3. The Apostles and the men and women of the

New Testament Church were despicably

abused, by men.

a. We know that we are not buying our

salvation by our mistreatment...we are

simply standing in the company of those

who have righteously walked before us.

Matt. 10:24-25 - 24“A disciple is not above his teacher,

nor a servant above his master. 25“It is enough for a

disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his

master. If they have called the master of the house

Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his

household!

Heb. 11:33-38 - 33who through faith subdued kingdoms,

worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the

mouths of lions, 34quenched the violence of fire, escaped

the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong,

became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the

aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again.

And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that

they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Still others had

trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and

imprisonment.

37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,

were slain with the sword. They wandered about in

sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,

tormented— 38of whom the world was not worthy. They

wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of