Sermons on Paradoxes:

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

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

A Heart Wide Open Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 11, 2023

Message 7 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

On February 24, 1948, one of the most unusual operations in medical history took place at the Ohio State University Department of Surgery Research. A 30-year-old named Harry Besharra was arrested for armed robbery and during his intake it was observed that something was wrong with him physically. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Knew Series

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on Dec 26, 2006

God’s grace - same yesterday today tomorrow

He Knew Aug 13 Ex 24:3-11 † In the name of Jesus † Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Is it a paradox? Sacrifices “commanded” and 1 Samuel 15:22 Sacrifice a “term” of covenant THere seems to be an idea out there, that God’s grace is different in the Old ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

I'll Stick By You

Contributed by Donovan Myers on Jun 15, 2007

You can tell who your friend is when you are in a pickle!

One of the great paradoxes of life is that - in order for new life to appear, then what formerly existed must be changed in some way or the other, or it must be completely destroyed. Jesus gave an example of this when he said that in order for a tree to grow, then the seed must first be buried and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preaching Of The King - Part 6 Series

Contributed by Paul George on Jan 14, 2004

This seventh Beatitude has to do more with conduct than with character.

Preaching of the King – Part 6 Matthew 5:9-10 This seventh Beatitude has to do more with conduct than with character. The first four may be grouped together as setting forth negative character of the heart of the godly. They are not self-sufficient, but consciously poor in spirit; they are not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-10

Denomination: Holiness

Trusting In The Greatest Love

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 15, 2021

Sermon for the 4th Sunday in Lent, Year B

March 14, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 3:14-21; Numbers 21:4-9 Trusting in the Greatest Love Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we hear one of the most cherished Bible verses of all time, John 3:16. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon Outline: "God Alone Is Sovereign”

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Sep 15, 2025

God alone is sovereign—He grants visions, He allows thorns, and He shows His power not through our strength, but through our weakness.

I. A Vision Beyond Words (vv. 2–4) Paul recounts being “caught up” to Paradise. He emphasizes what he does not know: “Whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know. God knows.” The content of the vision is hidden—“inexpressible words…not lawful to utter.” Point: Even in revelation, Paul ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

Why Must We Die? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 26, 2010

God decrees the death of his Son for the death his people deserve to die.

Scripture Introduction One way to get at the significance of the story of redemption is to observe the contrasts which God builds into Bible events. For example, as the hours wind down to the crucifixion, we see the bent of the human heart: face-to-face with an innocent man, men plot his death ...read more

Scripture: John 18:12-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

James And Paul On Works And Faith

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 30, 2012

James 2 and Romans 4 have some interesting contrasts. Faith without works is dead or faith apart from works is what saves... which is true?

Last week James told us that if we are careless with our language our religion is worthless. (Jas. 1:26) This week James tells us that if we believe without acting on it our faith is worthless. (Jas. 2:14,17,20,26). A worthless religion and a worthless faith make a worthless Christian and a ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ