I. The word “paradox” is defined as “A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true.”
II. A paradox involves two statements that are contradictory yet true.
Discussion
I. WE MUST DIE TO LIVE (MT 16:24-26; ROM 6:3-4; GAL 2:20).
II. WE MUST MOURN TO BE HAPPY (MT 5:4).
(James 4:7-9 ) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. {8} Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {9} Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
III. WE MUST SURRENDER TO BE VICTORIOUS (MT 19:16-22; ROM 12:1-2).
IV. WE MUST HATE TO LOVE (1 JN 2:15-17).
(Luke 14:26) “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
V. WE MUST BE FOLLOWERS TO BE LEADERS (MT 4:19).
(John 10:27 ) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
(John 12:26 ) “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
(1 Pet 2:21 ) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
(1 Cor 11:1 ) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
VI. WE MUST BECOME POOR TO BECOME RICH (MT 5:3).
(2 Cor 8:9 ) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
VII. WE MUST BECOME THE LEAST TO BECOME THE GREATEST (MT 20:25-28).
(Luke 9:48 ) and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
VIII. WE MUST BE SIGHTLESS TO SEE (2 COR 5:7).
(Rom 8:24 ) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
IX. WE MUST WORK TO REST (MT 11:28FF; Apoc: 14:13; EPH 2:10).
X. WE MUST BE HOMELESS TO HAVE A HOME (PHIL 3:20).
(2 Cor 5:1-2 ) For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
(Heb 11:13-16 )
Matt: 24:36 No one knows when the end will come .
Apoc. 3:3 If then thou shalt not watch, I will come to thee as a thief and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come to thee.”
Conclusion
Sinners will not see the end coming but those of us who are in the light know that He will return after the Great Biblical Chastisement on Pentecost Sunday.