Sermons on Paradoxes:

What Christ Means To The Christian

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Dec 4, 2003

What Christ Means To The Christian

To know Christ was Paul’s detemined purpose, not only for his own edification, but that he might edify others as well as make the realness of Christ known.(Acts 16:10). It COULD NOT BE OTHERWISE, for to truly know the Lord in the intimate way expressed in these verses must inevitably lead to a deep ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8

Denomination: Baptist

Getting What God Gives Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Feb 22, 2004

3rd message of 5 on John 3-4. Getting What God Gives is important if you are going to become a faithful servant of Christ. It’s not easy but it is a critical lesson.

From Mortal to Immortal A Study of John 3-4 We are all Control Freaks Control is a real issue for all of us. Of course, we can all think of someone else who is more of a control freak than we are. Like the mother who calls to tell you she has arranged for you to meet yet another wonderful ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life After Death

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Nov 5, 2001

Sermon for the 23 Sunday after Pentecost About Heaven

23rd Sunday after Pentecost Luke 20:27-38 Job 19:23-27a Job 14:14 "Life After Death" 23 ¶ “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were graven in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38, Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Pleading Passenger/Purchased Pardon Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on May 3, 2008

Jonah makes a plea, Take me up....get me out of here, his solution to the terrible mess he made. This is true for today’s throwaway society. Yet, Jesus prayed similarly, "Take me up,", but He pled for our forgivness as He offered Himself.

JONAH 1:12 PLEADING PASSENGER/PURCHASED PARDON I. PERSONAL PLEA: A. Perceptive. B. Pathetic. C. Plausible. II. PETULANT PLEA: A. Paradoxical. B. Perfidious. C. Polarizing. III. PROTOTYPICAL PLEA: A. Pliable. B. Purchased. C. Progressive. In answer to the sailors’ question as to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:10-12

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus The Refugee

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 26, 2015

Christmas message based on Matthew 2 where Herod tries to kill Jesus

“Jesus The Refugee” Introduction: Washington Post article (Dec 24, 2015) - Infertility, divorce, shame, mass murder, astrologers, injustice and doubt: these are a few of the topics that appear in the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke, but it is unlikely that they will feature in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pt. 1 - Self Denial Series

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Aug 17, 2014

An in depth study of the demands of true discipleship.

"Three Laws of the Discipleship" Pt. 1 -- Self Denial Matthew 16:24-28 Introduction: As I begin today's message let me say that the definition of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ has changed radically from what the Savior spoke of in this section of Matthew's Gospel. In this chapter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Baptist

The River Of Heaven

Contributed by Glenn Dale Pease on Aug 29, 2014

In John's vision of the heavenly Jerusalem, he shows us that all the hopes of a sacred city on a sacred river will be fulfilled, and we will have peace like a river forever.

THE RIVER OF HEAVEN based on Rev. 22:1-2 By Glenn Pease Kipling's book, Kim, has been called the greatest story of a river that has ever been written. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha shot an arrow into the air, and where it fell, a river sprang up. The river was sacred, and whoever ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Is Receiving Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 22, 2018

Most today focus more on their personal desires than the needs of others. We are urged to gain all we can and put much of that away in reserve. Society teaches the pathway to success is through gain. The Bible teaches we must give if we are to receive.

Giving is Receiving Acts 20:35 There can be no doubt that we live in a selfish and inward focused world. The majority today have little concern for the needs of others, and few are willing to make any sacrifices to benefit someone else. Dr. Adrian Rogers described the mentality of many today. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Love's Response To Hate Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

Thank God for the cross and the record we have of it, for not only is our salvation dependent upon it, but the reality of all Jesus taught is dependent upon what we see and hear at the cross.

One of the most diabolical criminals of his day, and the first big time American gangster, was also a very impressive pulpit orator. John Murrell as a youth was caught for horse stealing, and after a public whipping he was sent to prison. He declared eternal vengeance upon society for this, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Selfless Holy Light In A Dark Age Of Self-Worship

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

We live in a world that is largely dominated by self interest. All around town, up and down, we see self interest at work. What can I get? What can I gain? We gotta make money.

We live in a world that is largely dominated by self interest. All around town, up and down, we see self interest at work. What can I get? What can I gain? We gotta make money. We gotta meet the right people, and get what we need from them. Often times it feels like our lives revolve around what we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:9-11, 2 Peter 3:10-11, 1 Peter 4:7-16

Denomination: Salvation Army

Loose Your Life To Save It

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Feb 9, 2014

We are not called to a superficial Christianity. We are called to be Christ's disciples. We are called to discipleship.

“Life is precarious, and life is precious. Don’t presume you will have it tomorrow, and don’t waste it today.” —John Piper Losers Keepers Mark 8:27-38 Peter’s Confession of Christ 27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Good Works Of Faith Series

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Apr 25, 2006

Good Works as a response to a relationship for God

Ministerial transition can be difficult and emotional things. There was an elderly woman who was weeping as she said goodbye to the man who had been pastor of her church for several years. "My dear lady," consoled the departing pastor, "don’t get so upset. Surely the Search Committee will find a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To Be Righteous, You Must Be A Sinner Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Sep 17, 2018

Jesus said the worst among us--the despised and most sinful--who are repentantly trust not on themselves or their goodness will get to heaven and those who trust in their own rightoeusness will not.

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus To Be Righteous, You Must Be a Sinner Luke 18:9-14 Well, I had another chance to share the Gospel this week. As a pastor, it's an occupational hazard! Actually, the opportunity came as a result of a benevolence call. It has become our policy at Risen King that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23, 1 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Bible Church

Gentle Strength Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Aug 13, 2018

Since when has there ever been a cause/effect relationship between being gentle and inheriting the earth? It has always been the brutal, the powerful, the violent who have ruled the earth in this age. But Jesus promises there will be a grand reversal!

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus Gentle Strength Matthew 5:5 & Selected Passages This morning I've chosen for our Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus series one of the Beatitudes in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Now, I suspect some ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:24-25

Denomination: Bible Church

Spiritual Disciplines, Worship Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 30, 2022

Worshipping God, privately and publically, draws us closer to Him and strengthens our relationship with Him

This ladies and gentlemen is a picture of a paradoxical frog. It is native to the eastern parts of South America. And what makes it a paradox is the fact that while a full-grown specimen is about 7.5 cm in length, when it’s a tadpole it can reach up to 25 cm in length. It literally is four times ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Wesleyan