The Paradox of a Christian Life (2)
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8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Title: The Paradox of a Christian Life
History is full of examples of those who perused greatness.
Ceasar
Alexander
Napoleon
Men who sought to become the greatest, most powerful men of their day…
Even today, most feel that to succeed you have to aggressively promote themselves and to undermine peers…
Yet the Bible tells us differently.
On the last midweek service of this year, I want to set us up for what is coming in 2024!
Three paradoxes of a Christian life:
By dying you live
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
“When Jesus calls a man, he bids him to come and die” - Bonhoeffer
What is the difference between the disciples and other followers? There were thousands of people that followed Jesus but only twelve disciples?
Why?
Followers show up on Sunday for the messages, Disciples conform
Followers leave talking about a great lesson, Disciples implement
Followers bring their families with them on Sunday, Disciples compel whosoever will
Followers are comfortable, Disciples bear fruit
Followers will ultimately think that God asks to much of them, Disciples take up crosses!
Follower fore sake, Disciples know there is no other answer!
Take up your cross
This is a demand! A prerequisite for fruitfulness
When you take up your cross, you become a living sacrifice!
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
What is a living sacrifice?
Every day I can chose to get up off the alter and walk away.
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
The closer we get to God, the more we die
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
By giving you receive
The least become the greatest