Sermons on Paradoxes:

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

Soulically Satisfied - Divinely Dissastisfied

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Dec 8, 2001

As Christians, should we be satisfied or dissatisfied? The answer is both. This sounds like a bit of a paradox – and it is

Soulically Satisfied & Divinely Dissastisfied  As Christians, should we be satisfied or dissatisfied?  The answer is both  This sounds like a bit of a paradox – and it is  We are to be soulically satisfied yet divinely dissatisfied Phil 4:11-14 11 Not that I speak ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-14, Luke 12:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wednesday Of Holy Week

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 4, 2007

The paradox of Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ command to love one another - all in the same evening

The dark soul of the night Today is Wednesday of Holy Week, a night in which we remember the betrayal of Christ by a friend, Judas We are never told why Judas betrayed Christ. Did he betray Christ out of a sense of revenge – because he felt let down when Jesus refused to become the popular ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-35, John 21:13-35

Denomination: Anglican

Wicked Prospers And Righteous Suffer. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 8, 2024

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical teachings on this paradox and examine the reasons behind the prosperity of the wicked.

It is a common observation that wicked people often seem to prosper in life, while the righteous suffer. This phenomenon can be perplexing and even disillusioning for believers. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical teachings on this paradox and examine the reasons behind the prosperity of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-8, 1 Timothy 4:7-8

The Purpose Of Life.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 21, 2021

The purpose of life; the work of God’s creative community, is posed by Jesus as a paradox. Of course a paradox is a statement or proposition that, despite sound, (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless...

The Purpose of Life. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8NKJV The purpose of life; the work of God’s creative community, is posed by Jesus as a paradox. Of course a paradox is a statement or proposition that, despite sound, (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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 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

Don’t Believe Everything You See Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 11, 2023

Message 5 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.

Let me open up today by offering a little pastoral wisdom. If you ever get to the place where you start thinking things like, “I just have too much joy in my life,” OR, “I don’t know what to do with all this happiness inside of me,” here is a pro-tip. Get on Christian Twitter. Because Christian ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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