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Growing Through SufferingGrowing Through SufferingLesson ElevenLesson Eleven

IntroductionIntroductionGod’s Word Supplies God’s Word Supplies Everything We Need To Everything We Need To Know To Be Know To Be Completely Equipped Completely Equipped For Every Good Work For Every Good Work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17), (2 Timothy 3:16, 17),

And God Has Given Us And God Has Given Us All We Need For Life All We Need For Life And Godliness (2 Peter And Godliness (2 Peter 1:3).1:3).

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But There Are QuestionsBut There Are QuestionsYet Sometimes Questions Arise That Yet Sometimes Questions Arise That Trouble Us, And We Don’t Have A Trouble Us, And We Don’t Have A Complete Answer.Complete Answer.

For Example, For Example, – ““Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good

People?” People?” – ““Why Is There So Much Human Why Is There So Much Human

Suffering In The World?” Suffering In The World?” – ““Why Doesn't God Do Something To Why Doesn't God Do Something To

Stop It?” Stop It?” – ““How Can You Believe In A God That How Can You Believe In A God That

Allows Suffering To Continue?”Allows Suffering To Continue?”

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What Does The Bible Say About These What Does The Bible Say About These Things?Things?

In This Lesson We Will See What The Bible Says In This Lesson We Will See What The Bible Says About How God Would Have Us Face Struggles And About How God Would Have Us Face Struggles And Afflictions.Afflictions.What Does He Want Our Response To Be?What Does He Want Our Response To Be?What Does He Want The Final Outcome To Be?What Does He Want The Final Outcome To Be?Since We Are To Give Credit To Him For All The Since We Are To Give Credit To Him For All The Good Things That Happen, Doesn’t It Seem Natural Good Things That Happen, Doesn’t It Seem Natural To Blame Him For The Bad Things, Too?To Blame Him For The Bad Things, Too?These Are Good Questions, But What Does The These Are Good Questions, But What Does The Bible Say?Bible Say?

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The Source Of SufferingThe Source Of Suffering

The Source Of Man’s Struggle The Source Of Man’s Struggle And Pain Can Be Traced Back And Pain Can Be Traced Back To The Garden Of Eden.To The Garden Of Eden.

Sin Was The Problem Then Sin Was The Problem Then And It Is Still The Culprit And It Is Still The Culprit Today.Today.

Selfishness, Power And Greed Selfishness, Power And Greed Are Tools That Satan Uses Are Tools That Satan Uses That Result In Much Of The That Result In Much Of The Human Suffering We See.Human Suffering We See.

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Let’s see an example of this from James.Let’s see an example of this from James.James 5:1-6James 5:1-6

““Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.misery that is coming upon you.Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.wealth in the last days.Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.”not opposing you.”

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Dishonest Rich• James Tells About The Rich Living In

Luxury And Pleasure Due To Their Dishonest Treatment Of The Poor Laborers.

• The Word Says The Gold And Silver Gained In This Way Will Be Evidence Against Them On Judgment Day.

• They Will Be Repaid For Their Wrong.

• However, The Poor Still Suffer Unjustly In This Life Due To Man’s Inhumanity To Man.

“Buy Gold”

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Starvation And PovertyStarvation And Poverty

The Starvation And The Starvation And Poverty We See Poverty We See Today While Others Today While Others Live In Luxury And Live In Luxury And Abundance Causes Abundance Causes Good People To Be Good People To Be Troubled.Troubled.

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AbundanceAbundanceSome Parts Of The Some Parts Of The World Have Trouble World Have Trouble Storing An Abundant Storing An Abundant Bumper Crop While Bumper Crop While Others Struggle With Others Struggle With Starvation.Starvation.Why?Why?Frequently, Power, Greed, And Selfish Frequently, Power, Greed, And Selfish Ambition Are Tools Satan Uses That Cause Ambition Are Tools Satan Uses That Cause Such Suffering.Such Suffering.

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CompassionCompassion

God Calls Us To Be God Calls Us To Be People Of Compassion, To People Of Compassion, To Share Our Blessings, And Share Our Blessings, And To Be A Blessing To To Be A Blessing To Others In Need.Others In Need.

Rather Then Storing Or Rather Then Storing Or Hoarding Our Blessings, Hoarding Our Blessings, He Wants Us To Share He Wants Us To Share Them (Luke 12:13-25, 2 Them (Luke 12:13-25, 2 Corinthians 8:13-15).Corinthians 8:13-15).

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Old Testament JobOld Testament JobThe Entire Book Of Job In The Old The Entire Book Of Job In The Old Testament Deals With One Family’s Testament Deals With One Family’s Struggle And The Source Of Their Struggle And The Source Of Their Affliction.Affliction.

Read Chapter One And Two And See Read Chapter One And Two And See Who Was Causing Job’s Trouble.Who Was Causing Job’s Trouble.

Satan Wanted Job’s Trust In God To Satan Wanted Job’s Trust In God To Be Broken.Be Broken.

God Allowed Satan To Test Job By God Allowed Satan To Test Job By Afflicting Him With Severe Loss And Afflicting Him With Severe Loss And Pain.Pain.

Still, Job Did Not Lose Faith Though He Questioned Why All Still, Job Did Not Lose Faith Though He Questioned Why All This Happened.This Happened.

Chapter Forty-two Tells The End Of The Story, How He Was Chapter Forty-two Tells The End Of The Story, How He Was Blessed Beyond Measure For His Steadfast Faith In God.Blessed Beyond Measure For His Steadfast Faith In God.

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How Would God Have Us Face How Would God Have Us Face Trouble?Trouble?

God Has Not Promised Us A God Has Not Promised Us A Trouble-free Life Here On Earth.Trouble-free Life Here On Earth.

He Has Promised Us The Strength He Has Promised Us The Strength To Endure Suffering And The To Endure Suffering And The Reward Of Eternity With Him In Reward Of Eternity With Him In Heaven.Heaven.

He Also Has Revealed How He Would Have Us He Also Has Revealed How He Would Have Us Respond To Struggles And The Benefits Gained By Respond To Struggles And The Benefits Gained By Having A Stronger Faith.Having A Stronger Faith.

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Testing Of Our FaithTesting Of Our Faith

James 1:2-4James 1:2-4““Consider it pure joy, my Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you know that the testing of your faith develops your faith develops perseverance.perseverance.Perseverance must finish its Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking and complete, not lacking anything.”anything.”

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Characteristic Of A Believer’s FaithCharacteristic Of A Believer’s Faith

Steadfastness Or Steadfastness Or Perseverance Is A Perseverance Is A Characteristic Of A Characteristic Of A Believer’s Faith That Believer’s Faith That Brings Glory To God.Brings Glory To God.

The End Result Of A Faith That Lasts And The End Result Of A Faith That Lasts And Grows During Difficult Times Is A Maturity Grows During Difficult Times Is A Maturity And Completeness That Benefits The Believer And Completeness That Benefits The Believer And Honors God.And Honors God.

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Our BlessingsOur Blessings

God Wants Us To Know That We Are Blessed With God Wants Us To Know That We Are Blessed With Every Spiritual Blessing In Heaven (Ephesians 1:3-Every Spiritual Blessing In Heaven (Ephesians 1:3-5). 5). He Also Wants Us To Know That We Will Face He Also Wants Us To Know That We Will Face Difficult Times. Difficult Times. What Happens To Us Physically Is Not As Important What Happens To Us Physically Is Not As Important As What Happens To Us Spiritually In Our As What Happens To Us Spiritually In Our Relationship With God Through Faith In Christ Relationship With God Through Faith In Christ Jesus. Jesus. The Apostle Paul Explained This Concept To The Apostle Paul Explained This Concept To Christians In Rome. Christians In Rome. (see next slide)(see next slide)

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Romans 5:1-5Romans 5:1-5

““Therefore, since we have been justified through Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.hope.And hope does not disappoint us, because God has And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”whom he has given us.”

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Our Reason To RejoiceOur Reason To Rejoice

Paul Reminds Us That We Have Paul Reminds Us That We Have Peace With God, The Joy Of Peace With God, The Joy Of Salvation, And The Hope Of Salvation, And The Hope Of Sharing God’s Glory Because Of Sharing God’s Glory Because Of His Grace. His Grace.

In Light Of These, Paul Says We In Light Of These, Paul Says We Have Reason To Rejoice In Our Have Reason To Rejoice In Our Suffering Because It Helps Us To Suffering Because It Helps Us To Have Perseverance, Character, Have Perseverance, Character, And Hope.And Hope.

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Our AssuranceOur AssuranceThis Is Not Hope With A Question Mark But Rather An This Is Not Hope With A Question Mark But Rather An Exclamation Point. Exclamation Point.

It’s Not “I Hope (?) I Go To It’s Not “I Hope (?) I Go To Heaven,” But “HeavenHeaven,” But “Heaven Is My Eternal Hope!” Is My Eternal Hope!”

God Says Our Struggles Help God Says Our Struggles Help Us To Develop This Kind Of Us To Develop This Kind Of Assurance. Assurance.

His Spirit In Us Enables And Empowers Us To Do More Than His Spirit In Us Enables And Empowers Us To Do More Than We Can Imagine. We Can Imagine.

We Can Have Strength To Endure And Grow Rather Than We Can Have Strength To Endure And Grow Rather Than Break Under The Pressure Of Afflictions.Break Under The Pressure Of Afflictions.

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Safe In The HarborSafe In The Harbor

I Saw A Poster One Time, I Saw A Poster One Time, A Picture Of A Beautiful A Picture Of A Beautiful Sunset Over An Ocean Sunset Over An Ocean Seascape.Seascape.

On The Distant Horizon On The Distant Horizon Was A Sailing Ship Facing Was A Sailing Ship Facing The Waves And Wind. The Waves And Wind.

The Caption Read, “Ships The Caption Read, “Ships Are Safe In The Harbor, Are Safe In The Harbor, But That Is Not Why Ships But That Is Not Why Ships Are Built.” Are Built.”

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Go Unto All The WorldGo Unto All The WorldGod Has Not Given Believers A Relationship With God Has Not Given Believers A Relationship With Him Only To Stay Protected In A Christian Him Only To Stay Protected In A Christian Environment Or Church Building. Environment Or Church Building.

He Wants Disciples Of Jesus To Go Out Into The He Wants Disciples Of Jesus To Go Out Into The Entire World (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20).Entire World (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20).

There They May Find Opposition And Mistreatment There They May Find Opposition And Mistreatment As They Tell The Good News Of Salvation, But As They Tell The Good News Of Salvation, But People Will See That Christians Do Not Handle People Will See That Christians Do Not Handle Difficulty The Same Way Others Do. Difficulty The Same Way Others Do.

Their Past Is Forgiven, Heaven Is In Their Future, Their Past Is Forgiven, Heaven Is In Their Future, And His Spirit Is Strengthening Them.And His Spirit Is Strengthening Them.

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Paul, A Man Of Faith

• The Apostle Paul Was A Man With Incredible Faith And The Lord Had Revealed To Him Amazing Things About Heaven.

• But Paul Also Received Some Unknown Affliction That He Says Was From Satan.

See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – next slide

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2 Corinthians 12:7-102 Corinthians 12:7-10“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.

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God’s Power• When Paul Asked God To Remove

This Affliction, God Said His Grace Was All Paul Needed And That Paul’s Weakness Would Be Overcome By God’s Power.

• That Is Just As True Today In The Life Of Any Believer In Jesus Christ.

• When You Put Your Faith In Christ Jesus, You Receive God’s Grace, And His Presence In Your Life Gives You Strength.

• Much More Important Than Your Physical Comfort Or Well-being Is The Fact That Your Faith Is Growing Stronger.

““My GraceMy Grace

Is Sufficient”Is Sufficient”

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A Blind Man Is HealedA Blind Man Is Healed

Another Example Of An Another Example Of An Afflicted Person In Scripture Afflicted Person In Scripture Was A Man Born Blind.Was A Man Born Blind.

John 9:1-3John 9:1-3““As he went along, he saw a man As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.blind from birth.His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"he was born blind?""Neither this man nor his parents "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life”.might be displayed in his life”.

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God’s Work Is SeenGod’s Work Is Seen Some Thought This Man’s Blindness Was Some Thought This Man’s Blindness Was

Punishment For Sins Committed. Punishment For Sins Committed.

Jesus Said The Blindness Happened So That Jesus Said The Blindness Happened So That God’s Work Could Be Seen. God’s Work Could Be Seen.

This Man Suffered The Affliction Of Blindness This Man Suffered The Affliction Of Blindness From Birth So God’s Power Could Be From Birth So God’s Power Could Be Demonstrated When Jesus Healed Him. Demonstrated When Jesus Healed Him.

We, Too, Might Face Suffering So That God May We, Too, Might Face Suffering So That God May Be Glorified In The End.Be Glorified In The End.

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Abraham's Great-GrandsonGenesis 37-47 Tells Of A Godly Young Man Named Joseph (Abraham’s Great-grandson) Being Mistreated And Sold Into Slavery So That Twenty-two Years Later His Family Could Be Saved From A Famine.

God’s Purpose Takes Time, And, Fortunately, Joseph Was Patient, Trusting That God Was At Work In Is His Life.

Likewise, We Should Not Give Up Too Soon When Circumstances Are Unpleasant.

Joseph’s CoatShown To Jacob

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Encouraging Words From JohnEncouraging Words From JohnRevelation 21:1-5Revelation 21:1-5

““Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.longer any sea.I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.her husband.And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.their God.He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."things has passed away."He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."words are trustworthy and true."

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Things Here Are TemporaryThings Here Are Temporary

The Troubles We Face Here Are The Troubles We Face Here Are Temporary But God Has Promised A Temporary But God Has Promised A Tremendous Reward With Him Forever In Tremendous Reward With Him Forever In Heaven. Heaven.

He Says That This Brief Moment Of He Says That This Brief Moment Of Difficulty And Separation Will End And All Difficulty And Separation Will End And All Of Life’s Hard Questions And Of Life’s Hard Questions And Circumstances Will Be Answered And Circumstances Will Be Answered And Explained In His Presence.Explained In His Presence.

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2 Corinthians 1:3-52 Corinthians 1:3-5

““Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.have received from God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows”.comfort overflows”.

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God Will Not Leave YouGod Will Not Leave You

Paul Explains, In The Previous Passage, That God Paul Explains, In The Previous Passage, That God Will Not Leave You Alone Even While You Are Will Not Leave You Alone Even While You Are Going Through A Time Of Struggle And Heartache. Going Through A Time Of Struggle And Heartache.

You Can Receive Comfort From God. This You Can Receive Comfort From God. This Experience Then Enables You To Be A Comfort To Experience Then Enables You To Be A Comfort To Others Facing Similar Circumstances. Others Facing Similar Circumstances.

It Gives You A New Ministry. It Gives You A New Ministry.

God’s Love And Comfort Flows Through You To God’s Love And Comfort Flows Through You To Others Who Need It.Others Who Need It.

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Jesus SufferedJesus Suffered

Hebrews 2:18Hebrews 2:18““Because he himself suffered when he Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those was tempted, he is able to help those

who who are being tempted”.are being tempted”.The Hebrew Writer Also Explains That Jesus The Hebrew Writer Also Explains That Jesus Is Able To Help Those In Difficulty Because Is Able To Help Those In Difficulty Because He Has Been Here And Experienced It Also. He Has Been Here And Experienced It Also. He is able to say, “I know how it feels. I’ve He is able to say, “I know how it feels. I’ve been there.”been there.”

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Hebrews 5:7-9Hebrews 5:7-9

““During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him”.source of eternal salvation for all who obey him”.

God Did Not Put A Shield Of Protection Around His God Did Not Put A Shield Of Protection Around His Own Son. Own Son. He Hurts As We Do, And He Learned Obedience He Hurts As We Do, And He Learned Obedience Through His Struggle. Through His Struggle. He Provides An Example Of How We Should React He Provides An Example Of How We Should React When We Are Mistreated.When We Are Mistreated.

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1 Peter 4:12-141 Peter 4:12-14“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you”.

The Apostle Peter Explains That You Should Not Be Surprised When The World Mistreats You. They Mistreated Jesus, And They Will Misuse You, Too. Don’t Lose Sight Of God’s Promises For All Eternity. These Promises Will Give You The Strength To Endure.

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1 Peter 4:16-181 Peter 4:16-18““However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner”?saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner”?

The Struggles Of This Life Are Brief Compared To The Blessings That Await Us For All Eternity. Suffering, Illness, And Death Are Very Real Now, But God Wants Us To Look Beyond This Entire Temporary Affliction To The Indescribable Bliss Of Being With Him Forever. Physical Struggles Are Painful But Temporary.Heavenly Spiritual Blessings Are Now Unseen But Will Be Forever And Ever.

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We Can Celebrate Now!

We Do Not Have To Wait To Celebrate The Blessings We Have Through Our Relationship With God.

The Blessings Are Real, And We Can Rejoice Even While We Are Here.

The Blessings Do Not Start When We Die But When We Are Born Again.

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2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-92 Corinthians 5:1, 6-9Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Your Earthly Body Is Described As A Temporary Tent. Tents Are Not All That Comfortable Or Secure And Living In One Can Be A Real Struggle.

But God Has A Mansion Prepared For You In Heaven (John 14:2). That Is His Promise To All Those In Christ Jesus.

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Romans 8:18Romans 8:18

““I consider that our present sufferings are not worth I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”.comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”.

Paul Says Volumes In This Verse About This Subject Of Suffering.

God Wants Us To See Our Suffering As Small Compared To How Wonderful Heaven Will Be..

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1 John 5:4b-51 John 5:4b-5““This is the victory that has overcome the world, even This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”.he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”.

Your Faith In Christ Brings God’s Grace (Ephesians Your Faith In Christ Brings God’s Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). 2:8-9). Faith In Christ Jesus’ Promises Results In Victory Faith In Christ Jesus’ Promises Results In Victory Over All Of This World’s Struggles. Over All Of This World’s Struggles. Faith Comes Through His Word (Romans 10:17) And Faith Comes Through His Word (Romans 10:17) And Grows Through Experiences (James 1:3-4). Grows Through Experiences (James 1:3-4). We Can Celebrate The Victory Now Because He Has We Can Celebrate The Victory Now Because He Has Already Won The Victory For Us At The Cross And Already Won The Victory For Us At The Cross And At The Empty Tomb.At The Empty Tomb.

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The Victory Is OursThe Victory Is OursFans At An Athletic Event Fans At An Athletic Event Are A Good Example Of Are A Good Example Of This. This. Even If The Game Is Not Even If The Game Is Not Over But The Victory Is Over But The Victory Is Sure, They Begin To Sure, They Begin To Celebrate, Knowing They Celebrate, Knowing They Have Won. Have Won.

The Same Is True For A Believer Still In The Same Is True For A Believer Still In The Midst Of Hurtful Struggles; He Knows The Midst Of Hurtful Struggles; He Knows The Victory Is Already Secure And Soon The Victory Is Already Secure And Soon To Come.To Come.

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1 John 4:41 John 4:4“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”.

The Lord Has Put His Spirit In You. You Are His Dwelling Place (1 Corinthians 3:16). He Is Much Greater And Able To Defeat The Ruler Of This World, Satan. Remember That He Has Not Promised Us A Trouble-free Life. He Has Promised To Be With Us As We Go Through Struggles And Then Take Us To A Home That Is Out Of The World.

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John 16:33John 16:33“I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.

This World Will Always Have Trouble, But He Has Overcome This World And Enables Us To Be Overcomers, Too.

““He OvercomesHe Overcomes

The World For Us”The World For Us”

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ConclusionConclusionSince Jesus Walked On Water, Why Am I Wading Through Since Jesus Walked On Water, Why Am I Wading Through Life? Life? There Is No Reason For Us To Be Troubled Or Anxious About There Is No Reason For Us To Be Troubled Or Anxious About The Difficulty This World Brings Into Our Lives.The Difficulty This World Brings Into Our Lives.We Have Every Reason To Be Assured And Rejoice (John 14:1; We Have Every Reason To Be Assured And Rejoice (John 14:1; Philippians 4:4-7). Philippians 4:4-7). Our Struggle Does Have A Purpose, However. Our Faith Is Our Struggle Does Have A Purpose, However. Our Faith Is Made Stronger, And That Is Most Important.Made Stronger, And That Is Most Important.We Are Comforted And Strengthened By God So That We Can We Are Comforted And Strengthened By God So That We Can Help Others In The Midst Of Trouble. Help Others In The Midst Of Trouble. When We Allow Our Afflictions To Get Us Down, We Are When We Allow Our Afflictions To Get Us Down, We Are Living Below Our Privileges. Living Below Our Privileges. God Is Glorified When We Live Victorious Lives, Trusting His God Is Glorified When We Live Victorious Lives, Trusting His Promises.Promises.

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End Of Lesson ElevenEnd Of Lesson Eleven