<TITLE>02. Par 12-20</TITLE>L-12   Let's turn to Joshua, the 10th chapter, begin reading at the 12th verse.
Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still over Gibeon; and... Moon, over the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

L-13   The Lord add His blessings to the reading of His Word. I want to take a text out of there for about thirty minutes, if I can hold it to that: A Paradox. Just use that one word: A Paradox.

L-14 Now according to Webster, a paradox is "something that seems incredible, but it's true," therefore a paradox then would be the same as a miracle. A paradox is when something that--that seems like it just couldn't be, the--the knowledge of the human mind; it's altogether incredible, but yet it's proven true. Now, a miracle would be the same thing, for a miracle cannot be explained. A miracle is something that happens, and you cannot explain it, that make it a paradox. It's incredible, but yet it's the truth.

L-15 Now, people today, a lot of modernists, believe that the days of miracles are past. They don't believe there is such a thing as a--a miracle. But, yet, I believe that the world is full of miracles. I believe the paradox is constantly.

L-16   For instance, I believe that every born-again member of the Body of Christ is a paradox in themselves. I believe each one of you Methodist and Presbyterian and Lutheran, that never had experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, was in some formal church that did not believe in the genuine new Birth, and has now received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, is a perfect example of a paradox. Because, something happened to you, that changed your whole being, and anyone could look at that and know what a paradox is: a miracle.

L-17 Unless that happens, you cannot be a Christian. There must be a paradox, for you to become a Christian. Cause, no one can--can change a spirit in a man, and give him new Birth, outside of God. God alone is the only One can do it. And it's a miracle how that God can take a man's thinking, and his ways, and his life, and everything, and change it from what it was, to what it can be, what He can make it.

L-18   For instance, a few days ago, I was called in on a--a scene, or on a--a little something going on. There was a fine young man, very fine boy, he was going with a little girl, very fine little girl out of a fine family. And this boy, all of a sudden, came up with some kind of an idea, and he just walked away. He did something wrong to the little girl, and much as promised her to do a certain thing and then didn't do it. And instead of coming to the girl and apologizing, like a--a gentleman should do, he, it just wasn't in him to do it.

L-19 And the father and mother called me to the scene, and said, "We would desire to know what is wrong with our boy."

L-20 Now, it's not easy to do sometime, but you must be truthful and honest. Therefore, the boy was a Christian, as far as a believer. He had repented and had been baptized, and had his position among the believers, but yet had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, no matter how much he thought he had.


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