Paradoxes

The world is full of paradoxes.  You know what I mean … those weird truths that seem like contradictions.  Here’s a few examples:  The more you try to get someone to like you the more you repulse them.  The search for happiness often only causes more unhappiness.  The more we give love away, the more love we seem to possess.  And one of my favorites:  Why do we park on driveways, and drive on parkways?!   We really do live in a strange world!

One of the hardest yet most profound things Jesus ever said was also a paradox.  In Mark 8:34-35, Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”  How is it that we can save our lives by giving it away?  How do we find life by dying to self?  How can the way of life be the way of the cross?

In part two of our “Fully Alive in ‘25” mini sermon series, we will discover three things that each of us must die to in order to truly live life to the fullest.  This isn’t life by the world’s measure of popularity, riches, power, or fame.  Rather this is the life Jesus came to give – abundant, eternal, and free.  If Jesus came to give us life, than I want more of it!  This Sunday, we’ll continue to “drill down” on this subject in our quest to be “Fully Alive in ’25.”  If you are looking for life, join us!

Worship begins at 10:00 AM with a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary choruses.  The message is sure to inspire you and the worship will lift your spirits.  Warm friends will greet you and newcomers will be welcome.  A nursery and children’s church will be provided for children, and refreshments will be served following worship.  Most importantly, the Holy Spirit will be moving in our midst to heal, forgive, inspire, and grant us the life of God that we all long for!