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Lesson:

In this world you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Nero

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    Nero

    

    Nero was known as Caesar who ruled Rome in the book of Acts. He was a cruel mad man who severely and brutally persecuted the Christians during his reign. Paul appealed to Nero (Caesar) during his trial to hear his case and traveled to Rome to appear before him.

    • Bible References

      • Acts 25:11

  • Paul in Chains

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    Paul in Chains

    

    As a prisoner, Paul had to face the authorities in Rome. Before getting there, he faced one disaster after another, and when the journey seemed most dire, God gave him the strength to carry on and even minister to others in their darkest hours. Paul wrote four New Testament books of the Bible while under arrest in Rome as he he waited to stand before Nero. Paul knew that he would receive a great reward from God when his time ended on the earth.

    • Bible References

      • 1 Corinthians 9:22
      • Acts 22:25-29
      • Acts 16:37
      • Acts 18:1-3
      • Acts 23:16

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    Paul Keeps the Faith

• Videos

  Paul Fought the Good Fight

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    Paul Fought the Good Fight

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    Paul Keeps the Faith - The Salvation Poem

• Q & A

  • Can I face trials and suffering in this world and still live a victorious life?

    Jesus told His disciples that He would be leaving them soon. He encouraged them by saying He was sending the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth. And, if they prayed using His name, God would give them what they asked for. Jesus also spoke of how they would suffer persecution and must not be surprised and abandon their faith. Jesus ended with saying: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16)
    
    Jesus found peace in His father when everyone else abandoned Him. He wanted the disciples to know they could find peace in Him when they faced suffering, persecution and every type of hardship. The Apostle Paul, in a letter to Timothy, and told him that everyone had deserted him when he was arrested; but, the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength! (2 Timothy 4:16-17) This is exactly what Jesus promised! Paul wasn’t present, or for that matter, a believer, when Jesus promised peace to His disciples. But, His Words were true! Jesus wants us to find peace, hope, and strength in His Words, today. When we face suffering, trials, and hardships, we are not alone; He is by our side. No matter what happens in the world, we will one day be with Him in heaven surrounded by perfect peace and love; the world cannot prevent that!
    
    Romans 8:35-37 says: “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
    
    There it is—overwhelming victory is ours; that means we have overcome the world too, through Christ! Jesus warned us about facing persecution and suffering in this world because of our faith; but we can overcome it through Christ. 1 John 5:4-5 says: “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • John 16:33

  • Can anything happen in this world that can separate me from the love of God?

    Paul endured countless forms of persecution, suffering and trials. He was imprisoned, beaten and stoned. He was cold and was hungry. He was threatened and lived in constant danger. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) Even in all of these things, Paul said he was convinced that nothing in all of creation could ever separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39)
    
    What many people struggle with during their walk with Christ is the belief that God doesn’t love them anymore because of a sin or bad thing they have done. Psalms 86:5 says, “O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.” God is not waiting to punish or cut us off from His love. He is waiting to forgive us when we come to Him. God’s love does not cease the moment we make a mistake or fail. His love is unfailing and unconditional. God is love and that is a constant we can depend on. (1 John 4:8)
    
    Being good and sinless has nothing to do with receiving God’s love. “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8) Let that sink in. He loved us enough to send His own Son to die for us when we weren't trying to please Him! If He did that then, why would He suddenly stop loving us because we sinned now? Even more, He provided a way for us to be forgiven again and again by Jesus. 1 John:2:1 says, “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” Make no mistake—we are not to treat sin lightly; God hates sin. But, when we sin, we are not separated from God’s love. He waits to forgive and cleanse us.
    Jesus, our Good Shepherd, says that nothing can snatch us from His Father’s hand. In other words, nothing can separate us from our loving, heavenly Father. (John 10:27-29)
    
    Psalms 100:5 says: “For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Yes, God is faithful in His unfailing love!
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Romans 8:39

  • What did Paul mean by saying when he was weak, he was strong?

    What if someone told you that you must be weak to be strong? That doesn’t sound right, does it? The Apostle Paul believed it to be true as He followed Christ. Paul did not rely on His Jewish heritage, his education, obedience to the law, or any of his associations or accomplishments. His source of righteousness and strength came from Jesus. Everything else he considered worthless. (Philippians 3:5-11)
    
    Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10: “I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
    
    Consider that a moment; when he is weak, then he is strong. Sometimes we can be strong willed or stubborn. Sometimes we are filled with pride and full of ourselves. Other times we believe that we don’t need anyone’s help; even God’s. In those times, we "clog up" the flow of Jesus’ strength through us with our pride and trust in our human strength.
    
    Paul had something that troubled and tortured him that he called his thorn in the flesh. He repeatedly asked God to remove it. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says: “Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
    
    No one can say for sure what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was; but, it was a source of constant irritation and pain in his life. Since it wasn't removed, Paul had to constantly draw from God’s grace and power to endure and overcome it. In this, Paul’s weakness became his strength and God’s power continually flowed through him. What weakness do you have that you need to continually draw on God’s strength to have victory over? In your weakness you will become strong as you trust in God for His power to overcome it.
    
    Isaiah 40:29-31 says, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” It doesn’t matter how old or young we are; we will become tired and weary. We need God’s strength to live a victorious life in this world. When we wait on the Lord, we will find NEW strength; strength in ways we didn’t know were possible. In fact, what we can do is limitless in Jesus’ strength! Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 2 Corinthians 12:9

  • What is the benefit of trials and suffering for Christ?

    Who do you know that prefers suffering or hardships over smooth sailing with no problems or discomfort? My guess would be nobody. The truth is that as a follower of Christ, we will face trials and suffering. In some parts of the world today, even physical persecution and suffering is a daily reality. Jesus said in John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." Jesus did not say “if”; He said “will.” We will have many trials and sorrows as He experienced in this world. But, the good news is that we can still have peace inside through Jesus. He has overcome the world and we will have the ultimate victory over our temporary trials. Romans 8:17 tells us, “And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.” We all get excited about sharing His glory but would like to leave out the suffering part! A true follower of Christ who does not compromise His beliefs will experience both!
    
    One benefit of going through suffering and trials is that we can then comfort and encourage others who experience the same things. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) 2 Corinthians 1:4-5 says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” Isn't that awesome; the more we suffer, the more God showers us with comfort! And, in turn, we can show the same comfort to others.
    
    Before Jesus was arrested and died on the cross, He warned Peter that he was about to face a trial from Satan. Peter did deny Jesus as He had predicted. But, there was a purpose to it all. Luke:22:31-32 says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus did not remove the trial from Peter; but, he prayed for him so when he made it through and was strengthened, Peter could then help others. We know that Jesus came to restore Peter after he had abandoned Jesus. He sent Peter out to take care of His lambs and sheep which are God’s people. Peter, having experienced the trial and suffering, was now better equipped to relate to and gently encourage and strengthen others in similar situations.
    
    When we willingly suffer for our faith and God’s purpose, He will use it for our good. (Romans 8:28) 1 Peter 2:19-21 says, “For God is pleased when, conscious of His will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.”
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Romans 5:3

  • How important is it for me to choose my words wisely when speaking to others?

    We probably all have encouraged someone with a kind word in some way. Maybe it was through a text, email, or card; or, even better, in person. Unfortunately, we probably can remember times when our words were hurtful and caused harm. Paul often encouraged believers who were going through trials and suffering for their faith in Christ. The apostles would return to cities where they had preached to check in with new believers and encourage them to continue steadfast in their new walk with Christ. (Acts 14:21-23); (Acts 15:40-41)
    
    Paul wrote letters or epistles to encourage believers. These are the New Testament books of the Bible: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These letters were written when Paul was in chains, under arrest, in Rome! Imagine, being in chains and still wanting to encourage others! In Philippians 1:21-25, Paul wrote this: “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.” Isn't that awesome? Could there be a more unselfish desire? Paul was suffering in prison, and willing to endure it all so he could strengthen and encourage others in their faith!
    
    Hebrews 10:24 says: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” In the Passage, we see that encouraging others doesn’t just happen by chance, it is intentional. Let us think of ways to motivate one another! Can our prayer be each morning for God to give us words of hope and life for someone who desperately needs to be uplifted? Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Sovereign LORD has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to His will.” Proverbs 12:25 says, “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”
    
    We must never minimize the importance of sharing an encouraging word with someone. As small as it may seem; it makes a huge difference! Ephesians 4:29 says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Our words can be used to hurt and tear down; or, to edify and build up. Let us choose our words carefully and wisely; and look for ways to encourage others and build them up! (Proverbs 18:21)
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Proverbs 12:25