Oxos Greek for sharp Moro Greek for dull, foolish Jumbo Shrimp Old news Working vacation Numb feeling For golfers Metal wood Negative growth Clearly misunderstood Military intelligence Freezer burn Fresh frozen Expanded briefing Almost Perfect Exact estimate Unbiased opinion Plastic glasses Oddly appropriate There are also some Biblical Oxymornons 38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. John 19:38-39 Disciples are not ashamed Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ Disciples share their faith not hide it Are you a disciple of Jesus? Are you trying to be a secret disciple? 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." Acts 10:13-15 Peter was sure he was doing the Lords will But, he refused to obey the command Lord = Master, the one to give the commands, we are to obey Is Jesus your LORD? Do you obey the commands of your LORD? "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 5:1-2 Giving should be done willingly 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Are you giving with some other motive? Honor and praise from others? As a tax deduction? Are you lying about your giving? Are you a selfish giver OR a cheerful giver? Parents often treat their children this way Give them everything they want, ask for, desire Make sacrifices for them to have it all HOWEVER Children must also learn to appreciate what they have, have gratitude, show responsibility FAILURE TO DISCIPLINE IS CRUEL KINDNESS He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Proverbs 13:24 As parents, we want what is best for our children, sacrifice for them. Dont do that without teaching them gratitude and responsibility and showing them discipline. In some ways we created the generation gap that exists in many churches Sometimes it is good to mix the ages for a combination of wisdom and zeal. The church is a family with toddlers and grandparents. Holy = sacred, set apart, sanctified, special Sweat = hard work, effort, energy Holy is what we want to be Sweat is how we get there Holy is not perfect. Sweat is not salvation. Sweat shows the dedication it takes to be holy. 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 How can an active, alive, growing Christian be lukewarm? Sing 7+ songs, pray 5+ prayers, give to the Lord, remember the death of Christ in communion, read and study from the Word of God HOW CAN YOU BE LUKEWARM? Christian for 5 years? Attend twice on Sunday (average 48 times a year) [time for sickness, work, and other reasons for absence] SONGS 7 X 2 X 48 X 5 = 3,360 PRAY 5 X 2 X 48 X 5 = 2,400 COMMUNION 48 X 5 = 240 GIVE 48 X 5 = 240 STUDY 2 X 48 X 5 = 480 HOW CAN YOU BE LUKEWARM? Is your life an oxymoron of contradictions? No we are not PERFECT CHRISTIANS - which is another oxymoron. Our lives and example should be consistent with our claim. What will it take to remove the oxymorons from your life?