Hello Everyone, 1

The word Paradox means a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.

People struggle for their life. They fight for their right and wrestle for their greatness - only to find that it is the other way around that we can find them. Jesus said:

John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

What was this paradox that Jesus was teaching?
First of all IT IS ONLY BY DEATH THAT YOU CAN GAIN LIFE:

John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

The grain of wheat was ineffective and unfruitful so long as it was preserved, as it were, in safety and security. (Comfort Zone)

It was when it was thrown into the ground, and buried there as if in a grave, that it bore fruit.

It is by dying to sin through repentance and total surrender to Christ that we can gain eternal life in God.
It is only when we have buried our personal aims and ambitions that we begin to be of real use to God.
It is by the death of our personal desires and ambition that we become a servant of God.
It is by surrendering our own ways to God’s way that we become fruitful and effective for God.

It was by the death of the martyrs that the Church grew. We see this in the quote: "The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church."

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil