The Paradoxes of the Cross
Introduction
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.
A. It would appear that if one is true the other would have to be false.
1. Standing is more tiring than walking.
2. Do you have any new antiques?
3. I don't care to do that; I'd be glad to do that.
4. We'll get to it directly; let's sit awhile.
III. With this definition in mind, consider the cross of Calvary as one of the greatest paradoxes of all.
Discussion
I. WE FIND SADNESS AND JOY.
A. There is sadness because of His suffering (Isa 53:3-5; Mat 27:26-31).
(Psa 22:14-15 NKJV) I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. {15} My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.
(John 19:28-30 NKJV) After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" {29} Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. {30} So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
B. There is joy because of our forgiveness (Isa 53:6. 10; Psa 51:12).
(Eph 1:7 NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
(1 John 2:12 NKJV) I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.
(1 Pet 1:8 NKJV) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
II. WE FIND SURRENDERING AND CONQUERING.
A. Jesus surrendered.
1. He surrendered His heavenly home.
a. He came into the world.
(1 Tim 1:15 NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
(Mat 20:28 NKJV) "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
2. He surrendered His glory.
(John 17:5 NKJV) "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
a. He was born of the flesh (Jn 1:14).
(Heb 2:14 NKJV) Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
(1 John 4:3 NKJV) every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
b. He was born of woman.
(Gal 4:4-5 NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, {5} to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
c. He became the Son of Man (Phil 2:5-8; Lk 19:10).
(Dan 7:13 NKJV) "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
3. He surrendered His life (Jn 10:18).
a. He was put to death.
(John 19:30 NKJV) So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
B. We conquer (Rom 8:37-39).
1. In His surrendering, He conquered and made us conquerors.
a. He came into the world that we may enter heaven (Jn 14:1-3).
b. He was born of the flesh that we may be born of the Spirit (Jn 3:5).
c. He was born of woman that we may be born of God.
(1 John 5:4 NKJV) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.
d. He became the Son of Man that we may be the sons of God (1 Jn 3:1-2).
e. He was put to death that we may be made alive.
(Col 2:12-13 NKJV) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. {13} And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
III. WE FIND REJECTION AND ACCEPTANCE.
A. Jesus was rejected of men (Jn 1:11-12).
(Isa 53:3 NKJV) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
(Heb 12:2 NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
B. We are accepted of God.
(Eph 1:6 NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.
(Col 1:19-21 NKJV) For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, {20} and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. {21} And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
(Acts 10:34-35 NKJV) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. {35} "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
IV. WE FIND HATE AND LOVE.
A. God hates sin.
1. Jesus accepted the punishment of man.
(2 Cor 5:21 NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
(1 Pet 2:24 NKJV) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
(Mat 27:46 NKJV) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
B. God loves sinners.
1. We can accept the grace of God (John 3:16).
(Eph 1:7 NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
V. WE FIND ENEMIES AND FRIENDS.
A. Enemies- 1. They wanted to silence Jesus. 2. They wanted to live w/o Jesus. 3. They wanted to remove Jesus (Jn 19:16).
(Phil 3:18-19 NKJV) For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: {19} whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things.
B. Freinds-
1. They wanted to see Jesus. 2. They wanted to serve Jesus. 3. They wanted to follow Jesus.
Conclusion
I. You must be obedient to enjoy freedom!
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