Sermons on Paradoxes:

Faithfully Forward Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Apr 2, 2018

Exploring the paradox of planning for tomorrow while living for today.

Do you know what a paradox is? A paradox is defined as “a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.” Our faith as Christians is rife with paradoxes. Let me name a few: Christians conquer through ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:8-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Paradoxical Sayings Of Jesus: Give . . . And It Shall Be Given You Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jul 30, 2018

Giving generously, beyond a tithe, is promoted by Jesus. In fact, He absolutely promises that if we give generously we will receive abundantly, even beyond measure.

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus "Give . . . & It Shall Be Given You" Luke 6:38 In 1968 a Harvard college student by the name of Kent M. Keith wrote a booklet for student leaders entitled: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Meaning in a Crazy World. The booklet turned out to be quite a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Proverbs 3:9-10

Denomination: Bible Church

The Joy Of Trials Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 15, 2023

The Pulpit Commentary calls this verse THE STRANGE PARADOX, and truly they are right, for what can be more paradoxical than being happy about the things that make you sad?

THE JOY OF TRIALS Let me share with you the different ways our text is translated to give you a broad view of what we are dealing with. First, we will look at some of the context of the verse. JAMES 1:2-4, "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [a] whenever you face trials of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Comfortable Or Conformable Series

Contributed by Mark Pierce on May 25, 2010

Should our Christian faith be comfortable or conformable? What are the conformable paradoxes?

Comfortable or Conformable – 03.29.09 READ – John 12:20-32 Introduction – The Christian life is filled with uncomfortable paradoxes. Today I’d like to consider the fact that our lives as Christ followers are not necessarily to be comfortable, but to be conformable. This ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trinity Is To Be Worshipped

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on May 31, 2010

Trinity Sunday

Concordia Lutheran Church Trinity Sunday, May 30, 2010 The Trinity Is To Be Worshiped! John 8:48-53 † IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT † As the day of Christ approaches, my you be blessed through His word, and may you treasure its content, as it tells you of the grace, the love ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-53

Denomination: Lutheran

The Servant Reveals Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Apr 9, 2010

Important spiritual truths pertaining to the cross

SERIES: WALKING WITH JESUS “THE SERVANT REVEALS” MARK 8:27-9:50 OPEN There is a great story in 2 Kings 6. The nations of Aram (Syria) and Israel are at war. The king of Aram decides he will muster his troops in a certain place to set up an ambush. The prophet Elisha discerns ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon For 3 Epiphany, Yr B

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Jan 20, 2003

A sermon on the tension and paradox of "the now and the not yet," this world and the next.

Sermon for 3 Epiphany Yr B 26/01/2003 Based on I Cor. 7:29-31 Grace Lutheran, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson Most of us have heard the old saw: “He or she is so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.” Others would turn the saw around and reply: “He or she is so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Jonah 3:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Two Faces Of Faith - The Cross And The Crown Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Apr 29, 2002

Faith is marked by a paradox. Sometimes we appear to lose in order to win!

Two Faces of Faith - the Crown and the Cross Text: Hebrews 11: 13, 32-40; 12: 1-3 What an inspiration to faith we’ve found in this 11th chapter of Hebrews! It’s one of the great passages of the Bible, worthy of a commitment to study and meditation. I hope you that the Word has fired up ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound, That Saved A Wretch Like Me Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 4, 2001

FOR THE FOREMOST OF SINNERS, THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE AND THE PARADOX OF SALVATION MAGNIFY THE GRACE OF GOD

BIG IDEA: FOR THE FOREMOST OF SINNERS, THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE AND THE PARADOX OF SALVATION MAGNIFY THE GRACE OF GOD Def. of Paradox: "a statement or proposition seemingly self-contradictory or absurd, and yet explicable as expressing a truth"; How could Christ Jesus choose to save someone who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Lion And The Lamb Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

A look at the paradoxical qualities of Jesus - baby and Savior, Lion and Lamb, etc.

Superman. What’s not to like about him? The man of Steel! No one can beat Superman – unless they have Kryptonite. But, without that, he’s all steel. And we like that about Superman, but there’s something else about Superman we like – Clark Kent. We like that he can also be that dorky, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Paradoxical Sayings Of Jesus: Lose Your Life To Save It Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jul 30, 2018

Perhaps Jesus' most challenging saying of all is that to save your lives we must be willing to lose it for His sake and the Gospels. We explore what this really means practically, and whether Jesus meant for it to be literally true.

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus Lose Your Life to Save It Mark 8:31-39 We continue in our summer series on the paradoxical sayings of Jesus. Jesus said a number of things which violate common sense, and seem to be impossible with regard to all the realities we face in this world, and would not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Bible Church

Recession Proof Your Life Series

Contributed by Tom Conant on Apr 3, 2009

Second in a series on stewardship

Intro. There is a difference in a paradox and an oxymoron that is often confusing. Both involve seemingly contradictory and conflicting words. Oxymorons are so interesting and humorous that we up make top 10 lists. Here is my top 10 oxyomoron list: alone together; same difference; exact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

230 - Choose To Lose Series

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Aug 24, 2002

A great paradox in the Christian walk is the more we lose, the more God wins.

Sermon Study 230 – CHOOSE TO LOSE (1) CHOSE TO LOSE – YOU WILL FIND Mat 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ILLUST: One evening a woman was driving home when she noticed a huge truck behind her that was driving uncomfortably close. She ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:39

Denomination: Baptist

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

3rd. Sunday Of Easter, Year C Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Apr 16, 2001

God often works in ironic, paradoxical ways to carry out God’s will and purposes.

Sermon for 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C Based on Acts 9: 1-20 By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson In our first lesson today, we learn once again that our God is a specialist in irony and paradox. My New Webster’s Dictionary And Thesaurus of the English Language defines irony and paradox as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran