Sermons on paradox: showing 121-135 of 2,481

Don't Waste Your Life Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 31, 2011

A comparison of the wasted life vs. the surrendered life.

INTRODUCTION A dairy farmer went to buy a new pickup truck. He had seen an ad in the paper about discounts and factory rebates, so he decided to trade in his old clunker. He chose a new model and was ready to write the check for the full amount. The salesman said, “Wait, I haven’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Strength In Weakness: Embracing God's Grace Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 6, 2023

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, we discover that our weaknesses are not hindrances but opportunities for God's grace and power to shine. Let us embrace our vulnerabilities, boast in our weaknesses, find joy in adversity, and become sources of comfort to others.

"Strength in Weakness: Embracing God's Grace" Introduction: Today, we delve into a profound message found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT): "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

James, "When Less Is More" Series

Contributed by Rik Wadge on Oct 5, 2004

Sometimes the lack of words concerning a believer’s life is a reminder of the Spiritual Paradox that "Less of us is More of Him."

The 12 Apostles Week 9 – James "the less" Dr. Rik B. Wadge, Ph.D. "When Less is More" Preparatory Introduction: Joel Olsteen’s declaration “This is my bible... I am what it says I am... I have what it says I have... I can do what it says I can do... Today I will be taught the Word of God... I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:4

Denomination: Bible Church

The Blessing Paradox Part Ii: Persecution, Preservation, Illumination, Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 9, 2014

Part II of the series

Last week, we started this two part "mini-series" of messages in the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, commonly known as The Beatitudes. To the unsaved, they would seem to be insane at first glance: you will be happy if you are poor, if you weep, if you are a 98 pound weakling, if you give ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-16

Denomination: Bible Church

The Paradox Of Pursuing Knowledge About God And Experiencing Him

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jun 8, 2019

The danger of intellectual pursuit without an intimate experiential knowledge of God is that the heart can be come cold and brittle like a stone, making knowledge an idol.

I remember as a young Born-Again Christian, just starting my spiritual journey that I would walk in and through the presence of God effortlessly. I lived and breathed the supernatural. Signs and Wonders were everywhere! The anointing was powerful! Then I went to Bible School and was told those ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, John 16:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 2:1, Matthew 24:11, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 John 4:1, Proverbs 3:5-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glorious Grace Of Having Died With Christ! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 5, 2023

Explores the paradoxical Christian truth of finding new life and deliverance through participating in Christ's death and resurrection.

Welcome, dear friends, to this beautiful sanctuary where we gather in fellowship, united by our faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment, called by the One who loved us before the foundation of the world. Today, we open our hearts and minds ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:10-11, Colossians 3:3, Galatians 2:20, 2 Timothy 2:11

Topics: The Real Thing, Grace

The Folly Of The Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 26, 2023

This sermon explores the paradox of the cross, encouraging believers to persevere in faith, even when the world perceives it as foolishness. Key

Good morning, beloved. I'm thrilled to be standing before you today, not because of the pulpit, but because of the privilege we share in coming together to seek wisdom from the Word of God. It's a joy that we, as God's children, have this opportunity to gather, to learn, and to grow. Today, we're ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Topics: Fools, Christ's Sake

The Gender Issue

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jun 5, 2012

What a paradox: in the eyes of God we are neither male nor female, but Paul gave gender specific instructions to Timothy.

Bible – The Gender Issue We need to address a very serious issue in today’s church. Regardless of what the liberals, intellectuals, emergent and other people say, gender is relevant in the bible. The bible refers to God and the Holy Spirit as a male and thus we too should refer to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-29

Denomination: Christian Church

Our King's Glad Face Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

Palm Sunday is a day of great paradox, for it was a day of such contrasting emotions. Jesus was such a glad king; such a sad king, and such a mad king.

The final week of the life of Abraham Lincoln has an amazing parallel to that of the final week of Jesus. From Palm Sunday to Good Friday is only 5 days, yet in that 5 days we go from the scene of the triumphal entry of the King to the scene of the tragic exit of the King on the cross. Listen to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

The Old Or The New Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 27, 2021

All of history is a battle between the liberal and the conservative. One of the most fascinating paradoxes of Scripture is that Jesus was both a liberal and a conservative.

In his book Like A Mighty Army, Halford Luccock tells an interesting story about theatrical history. In the middle of the 19th century the right to produce dramatic performances was limited to a few theaters which had been able to develop a monopoly. Some bright boys of the theater found ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

The Power Of Weakness Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

The paradox that Paul proclaims here is that a handicap can be a help. A painful problem can be a powerful promoter of what is good. A weakness can be an asset and a strength

One of the most incredible biographies ever written is that of Robert Babcock. As a young boy he made a bomb out of some powder he found in his father's barn. He had a hard time getting it to go off, but when it finally did, it blew up in his face and he was instantly blinded, and remained so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

The King And The Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the importance of carrying our own crosses, and the paradox of majesty and sacrifice represented by a King on a Cross.

Good morning, church family. We're here today to delve deep into the heart of the Gospel, to examine the cross -- Jesus' cross, our own crosses, and the intersection of majesty and sacrifice. As Martin Luther once said, "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in ...read more

Topics: Jesus' Sacrifice, Our Cross

Parable Teaching

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 12, 2004

In our passage today we look at three parables of Jesus, and each parable contains a paradox about God’s Kingdom.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Jack Wyrtzen used lots of stories in his preaching. One day someone was talking with one of the Word of Life staff members and said, “I heard Jack preach one of his “skyscraper messages” the other night.” The staff member asked what he meant by a “skyscraper message” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Foolishness Of God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 17, 2024

This sermon explores the paradox of God's wisdom, often seen as 'foolishness' by the world, and its transformative power when truly understood and embraced.

Hello, beloved family of God. In the warm embrace of our fellowship, let us gather today to unwrap the precious gift of God's Word. We are here to seek wisdom, not as the world gives, but as it is generously poured out from the infinite wellspring of our Heavenly Father. As we open our hearts and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Topics: Wisdom, 1 Corinthians

The Gladness Of Sadness Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

In one of the most profound, and paradoxical texts in the Bible, Jesus declares in Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted.”

The Gladness of Sadness I like to begin my messages with something that makes us laugh when I can (though some of you probably wouldn’t necessarily call it humor). As we approach the second Beatitude however, I realize that frivolity isn’t called for today. In fact, this character quality is no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4, Matthew 5:1

Denomination: Baptist