In the World We Have Trouble
Christ said about Himself, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). He was the Prince of Peace, yet He was the cause of division. He who came to proclaim good news opened a controversy that burns deep and stirs intense passion in the human heart. And He warns His followers, “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death” (Luke 21:16).
ULe 32.5
Every insult and cruelty that Satan could persuade human hearts to devise has been inflicted on the followers of Jesus. The carnal heart still bitterly opposes the law of God. The world is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ today than in the days of the apostles. The same hatred that prompted the cry, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” still works in those who rebel against God. The same spirit that consigned men and women to prison, to exile, and to death in the Dark Ages, that invented the torture of the Inquisition, that planned and executed the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and that lit the fires of Smithfield, is still at work. Those who proclaim the gospel have always done so in the face of opposition, danger, and suffering.
ULe 32.6
Scorn and persecution have separated many from earthly friends, but never from the love of Christ. Never are Christ’s followers more dearly loved by the Savior than when they are blamed and misunderstood for the truth’s sake. Christ stands by their side. When they are confined within prison walls, Christ cheers their hearts with His love. When they suffer death for Christ’s sake, the Savior says to them, They may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul.
ULe 32.7
“Fear not; for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
ULe 33.1
“He will redeem their life from oppression and violence;
And precious shall be their blood in His sight” Psalm 72:14.
ULe 33.2
1980
ULe
Unlikely Leaders
[{"para_id":"1980.18","title":"Foreword","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0003_eng_m_foreword_1980_18.mp3#duration=169&size=1506089"},{"para_id":"1980.30","title":"God\u2019s Purpose for His Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0004_eng_m_god_s_purpose_for_his_church_1980_30.mp3#duration=322&size=2727242"},{"para_id":"1980.51","title":"The Training of the Twelve","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0005_eng_m_the_training_of_the_twelve_1980_51.mp3#duration=416&size=3481521"},{"para_id":"1980.75","title":"The Good News to Go Everywhere","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0008_eng_m_the_good_news_to_go_everywhere_1980_75.mp3#duration=534&size=4425929"},{"para_id":"1980.104","title":"Pentecost: The Apostles Begin Their Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0011_eng_m_pentecost_the_apostles_begin_their_work_1980_104.mp3#duration=696&size=5717397"},{"para_id":"1980.147","title":"The Gift of the Spirit Is for Us","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0016_eng_m_the_gift_of_the_spirit_is_for_us_1980_147.mp3#duration=579&size=4784651"},{"para_id":"1980.179","title":"Peter and John Forbidden to Do Christ\u2019s Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0019_eng_m_peter_and_john_forbidden_to_do_christ_s_work_1980_179.mp3#duration=729&size=5986473"},{"para_id":"1980.219","title":"A Dishonest Husband and Wife Punished","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0023_eng_m_a_dishonest_husband_and_wife_punished_1980_219.mp3#duration=389&size=3266244"},{"para_id":"1980.241","title":"Peter and John Freed From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0025_eng_m_peter_and_john_freed_from_prison_1980_241.mp3#duration=561&size=4641808"},{"para_id":"1980.274","title":"Why the Seven Deacons Were Chosen","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0029_eng_m_why_the_seven_deacons_were_chosen_1980_274.mp3#duration=548&size=4537574"},{"para_id":"1980.306","title":"Stephen, the First Martyr for Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0033_eng_m_stephen_the_first_martyr_for_christ_1980_306.mp3#duration=341&size=2878217"},{"para_id":"1980.327","title":"The Gospel Reaches Samaria and Ethiopia","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0036_eng_m_the_gospel_reaches_samaria_and_ethiopia_1980_327.mp3#duration=565&size=4675137"},{"para_id":"1980.363","title":"From Saul to Paul: Persecutor to Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0040_eng_m_from_saul_to_paul_persecutor_to_disciple_1980_363.mp3#duration=740&size=6070013"},{"para_id":"1980.402","title":"How God Educated Paul","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0044_eng_m_how_god_educated_paul_1980_402.mp3#duration=487&size=4047796"},{"para_id":"1980.428","title":"The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0047_eng_m_the_gospel_goes_to_the_gentiles_1980_428.mp3#duration=696&size=5723175"},{"para_id":"1980.473","title":"An Angel Delivers Peter From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0051_eng_m_an_angel_delivers_peter_from_prison_1980_473.mp3#duration=727&size=5969196"},{"para_id":"1980.521","title":"Dramatic Success at Antioch","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0056_eng_m_dramatic_success_at_antioch_1980_521.mp3#duration=651&size=5357073"},{"para_id":"1980.558","title":"Heralds of the Gospel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0060_eng_m_heralds_of_the_gospel_1980_558.mp3#duration=585&size=4829908"},{"para_id":"1980.596","title":"The Apostles Are Both Persecuted and Adored","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0064_eng_m_the_apostles_are_both_persecuted_and_adored_1980_596.mp3#duration=629&size=5181786"},{"para_id":"1980.637","title":"Thorny Problems Settled by the Holy Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0068_eng_m_thorny_problems_settled_by_the_holy_spirit_1980_637.mp3#duration=770&size=6313105"},{"para_id":"1980.677","title":"Paul\u2019s Secret: Exalt the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0072_eng_m_paul_s_secret_exalt_the_cross_1980_677.mp3#duration=539&size=4461990"},{"para_id":"1980.706","title":"Angels Open a Philippian Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0075_eng_m_angels_open_a_philippian_prison_1980_706.mp3#duration=605&size=4987906"},{"para_id":"1980.745","title":"A Revival and a Riot at Thessalonica","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0080_eng_m_a_revival_and_a_riot_at_thessalonica_1980_745.mp3#duration=602&size=4969654"},{"para_id":"1980.790","title":"Paul Preaches in Berea and Athens","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0082_eng_m_paul_preaches_in_berea_and_athens_1980_790.mp3#duration=728&size=5977879"},{"para_id":"1980.832","title":"Preaching the Power of the Cross in Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0088_eng_m_preaching_the_power_of_the_cross_in_corinth_1980_832.mp3#duration=694&size=5701101"},{"para_id":"1980.874","title":"Two Important Letters to the Thessalonians","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0093_eng_m_two_important_letters_to_the_thessalonians_1980_874.mp3#duration=715&size=5870791"},{"para_id":"1980.918","title":"Church Politics at Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0097_eng_m_church_politics_at_corinth_1980_918.mp3#duration=721&size=5917603"},{"para_id":"1980.955","title":"Witchcraft Books Burned","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0101_eng_m_witchcraft_books_burned_1980_955.mp3#duration=629&size=5179502"},{"para_id":"1980.989","title":"The Silversmiths Riot at Ephesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0105_eng_m_the_silversmiths_riot_at_ephesus_1980_989.mp3#duration=452&size=3771256"},{"para_id":"1980.1016","title":"Paul Challenges Lawsuits and Sexual Looseness","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0108_eng_m_paul_challenges_lawsuits_and_sexual_looseness_1980_1016.mp3#duration=572&size=4726644"},{"para_id":"1980.1046","title":"Paul Strengthens the Church for All Time","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0112_eng_m_paul_strengthens_the_church_for_all_time_1980_1046.mp3#duration=797&size=6531372"},{"para_id":"1980.1091","title":"Corinth Accepts Paul\u2019s Counsel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0116_eng_m_corinth_accepts_paul_s_counsel_1980_1091.mp3#duration=719&size=5904799"},{"para_id":"1980.1130","title":"The Joy of Liberal Giving","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0120_eng_m_the_joy_of_liberal_giving_1980_1130.mp3#duration=652&size=5371632"},{"para_id":"1980.1168","title":"Working Under Great Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0124_eng_m_working_under_great_difficulties_1980_1168.mp3#duration=700&size=5753393"},{"para_id":"1980.1204","title":"The Joy of Working With Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0128_eng_m_the_joy_of_working_with_christ_1980_1204.mp3#duration=692&size=5691065"},{"para_id":"1980.1240","title":"God\u2019s Special Plan for the Jews","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0132_eng_m_god_s_special_plan_for_the_jews_1980_1240.mp3#duration=541&size=4477479"},{"para_id":"1980.1271","title":"Paul\u2019s Timeless Letter to the Galatians","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0136_eng_m_paul_s_timeless_letter_to_the_galatians_1980_1271.mp3#duration=308&size=2615020"},{"para_id":"1980.1289","title":"Paul\u2019s Farewell Journey to Jerusalem","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0139_eng_m_paul_s_farewell_journey_to_jerusalem_1980_1289.mp3#duration=580&size=4789012"},{"para_id":"1980.1327","title":"Paul Receives Bad Advice","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0143_eng_m_paul_receives_bad_advice_1980_1327.mp3#duration=1194&size=9706098"},{"para_id":"1980.1395","title":"Paul\u2019s Trial at Caesarea","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0152_eng_m_paul_s_trial_at_caesarea_1980_1395.mp3#duration=511&size=4235576"},{"para_id":"1980.1426","title":"Paul Appeals to Caesar","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0155_eng_m_paul_appeals_to_caesar_1980_1426.mp3#duration=275&size=2350329"},{"para_id":"1980.1442","title":"The King Who Refused the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0157_eng_m_the_king_who_refused_the_cross_1980_1442.mp3#duration=378&size=3174644"},{"para_id":"1980.1469","title":"Paul Experiences Shipwreck in a Storm","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0160_eng_m_paul_experiences_shipwreck_in_a_storm_1980_1469.mp3#duration=550&size=4551613"},{"para_id":"1980.1503","title":"Paul in Rome: Big-City Evangelist in Chains","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0164_eng_m_paul_in_rome_big_city_evangelist_in_chains_1980_1503.mp3#duration=835&size=6834757"},{"para_id":"1980.1552","title":"Paul Wins Converts in the Emperor\u2019s Palace","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0169_eng_m_paul_wins_converts_in_the_emperor_s_palace_1980_1552.mp3#duration=417&size=3488291"},{"para_id":"1980.1575","title":"The Letters Paul Wrote From Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0172_eng_m_the_letters_paul_wrote_from_rome_1980_1575.mp3#duration=857&size=7008357"},{"para_id":"1980.1622","title":"Paul Is Free Once More","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0177_eng_m_paul_is_free_once_more_1980_1622.mp3#duration=201&size=1755053"},{"para_id":"1980.1635","title":"Paul\u2019s Final Arrest and Imprisonment","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0179_eng_m_paul_s_final_arrest_and_imprisonment_1980_1635.mp3#duration=148&size=1332519"},{"para_id":"1980.1643","title":"Paul Again Before Nero","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0180_eng_m_paul_again_before_nero_1980_1643.mp3#duration=352&size=2969795"},{"para_id":"1980.1661","title":"Paul Pours Out His Heart in His Last Letter","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0182_eng_m_paul_pours_out_his_heart_in_his_last_letter_1980_1661.mp3#duration=659&size=5425358"},{"para_id":"1980.1697","title":"Paul Dies for the One Who Died for Him","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0187_eng_m_paul_dies_for_the_one_who_died_for_him_1980_1697.mp3#duration=300&size=2547937"},{"para_id":"1980.1710","title":"The Apostle Peter, a Faithful Undershepherd","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0189_eng_m_the_apostle_peter_a_faithful_undershepherd_1980_1710.mp3#duration=828&size=6775774"},{"para_id":"1980.1757","title":"Peter Crucified at Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0194_eng_m_peter_crucified_at_rome_1980_1757.mp3#duration=550&size=4549356"},{"para_id":"1980.1786","title":"John, the Beloved Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0198_eng_m_john_the_beloved_disciple_1980_1786.mp3#duration=407&size=3403269"},{"para_id":"1980.1810","title":"John, Faithful Witness for Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0201_eng_m_john_faithful_witness_for_christ_1980_1810.mp3#duration=680&size=5589295"},{"para_id":"1980.1846","title":"John\u2019s Secret of True Sanctification","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0205_eng_m_john_s_secret_of_true_sanctification_1980_1846.mp3#duration=666&size=5479067"},{"para_id":"1980.1880","title":"John Is Exiled to Lonely Patmos","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0208_eng_m_john_is_exiled_to_lonely_patmos_1980_1880.mp3#duration=557&size=4604902"},{"para_id":"1980.1908","title":"John Sees the Visions of the Revelation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0212_eng_m_john_sees_the_visions_of_the_revelation_1980_1908.mp3#duration=842&size=6888782"},{"para_id":"1980.1951","title":"A Glorious Future Is Before Us","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0217_eng_m_a_glorious_future_is_before_us_1980_1951.mp3#duration=551&size=4560490"}]