Paradoxes of Scripture:
A statement that seems contradictory, even absurd; yet, is in fact true!
God has always demanded that His special creation learn to think in a unique
fashion, and often trained for that purpose! It should not surprise us to
find within the confines of His word – these unique instructions!
Intro – “To get, we must give!”
(Paraphrase) This is not the
world’s method of increase!
Proverbs 11:24 “There is one who scatters,
yet increases more; And there is one
who withholds more than is right, But it leads
to poverty.”
The Lord taught His disciples to pray and demanded that in order to receive
forgiveness, they themselves must first forgive (“As
we forgive”),
Matthew 6:12.
1.
“To Really Live, We Must Die!”
What? Spiritually!!! Read:
Romans 6:3-4!
Paul defines further:
Galatians 2:20;
which precedes the next paradox.
2.
“To Save One’s Life, We Must Lose it!”
I am good at losing things; this is the first time I can remember that it
has been suggested to do it on purpose!
Read:
Luke 17:33
– The Apostle Paul was one of these; yet, he learned – Read:
Philippians 3:8.
3.
“To Be Wise, We Must Be Fools!”
I must be the wisest man that ever lived!
1 Corinthians
3:18-23;
1:21-26.
4.
“To Reign, We Must Serve!”
Jesus taught that the kingdom of Heaven is like those who are servants with
entrusted talents and were in their service expected to produce increase; to
the successful –
Matthew 25:21;
2 Timothy 2:3,
11-13.
5.
“To Be Exalted, We Must Become Humble!”
To the most self-righteous among the people, Jesus demanded that they first
learn this (go over facts of this chapter) –
Matthew 23:12;
similar to
Luke 18:9-14
read.
6.
“To Be First, We Must Be Last!”
This is one of the Lord’s favorite maxims (wise pithy saying) – Parable of
the vineyard workers,
Matthew 20:16
(which also teaches that “Called”
and “Chosen” are distinctly
different).