“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
Acts 14:22 “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Dear CBC Family,
“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
During his first missionary journey, the apostle Paul spoke to those being converted, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God’” (Acts 14:22).
Paul and Barnabas were on a missionary journey, which took them to Lystra. Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra and mobilized the crowd against them. The crowd stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city. They thought he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. He departed the following day with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:19-20).
Despite what he suffered in Lystra, Paul went ahead to preach the gospel in Derbe, making many disciples. Not giving up, he and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Please take note of this scripture. That was the word of encouragement they gave to the disciples that they visited.
The physical attack Paul suffered at Lystra and the persecution earlier at Iconium did not discourage him and Barnabas from returning there later to preach. Rather than being discouraged, they encouraged the disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to continue in the faith. They told them that they must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Writing to Timothy, Paul mentioned the persecutions and afflictions, which happened to him at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He said he endured the persecutions and out of them all, the Lord delivered him (2 Timothy 3:11).
Jesus also declared in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In his first epistle the apostle Peter encouraged his readers, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
God has ordained that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the mark that distinguishes the King’s vessels of honor. But even though tribulation is the path of God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has walked it before them. They have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach “the kingdom,” it will more than make amends for the “many tribulations” through which they passed to enter it.
Perhaps, this week, you are in a trial. I am in a series of trials that is quickly becoming more than I can bear. It is 4:15 AM and I am wrestling with the Lord in prayer and am holding fast to His good word of promise Psalm 34:19 “Many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all.” I am grateful it is Jesus who makes us righteous and thus guarantees the promise!
So, this very early morning I exhort you, my beloved family, with this word of truth: 2 Tim 3:12-14 “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed.” Hold fast to the Word of God! 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
This week we are back in Ruth with the amazing invite from Boaz to Ruth to share a meal with him. I called the message “An Invitation to the Master’s Table.” You will be tremendously encouraged and stirred. We have a special worship guest on Saturday evening as well.
Please pray for my niece’s daughter Whixley who is having major heart surgery. She is an infant born with a major heart defect.
Blessings,
Pastor Scott
Dear CBC Family,
“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
During his first missionary journey, the apostle Paul spoke to those being converted, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God’” (Acts 14:22).
Paul and Barnabas were on a missionary journey, which took them to Lystra. Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra and mobilized the crowd against them. The crowd stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city. They thought he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. He departed the following day with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:19-20).
Despite what he suffered in Lystra, Paul went ahead to preach the gospel in Derbe, making many disciples. Not giving up, he and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Please take note of this scripture. That was the word of encouragement they gave to the disciples that they visited.
The physical attack Paul suffered at Lystra and the persecution earlier at Iconium did not discourage him and Barnabas from returning there later to preach. Rather than being discouraged, they encouraged the disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to continue in the faith. They told them that they must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Writing to Timothy, Paul mentioned the persecutions and afflictions, which happened to him at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He said he endured the persecutions and out of them all, the Lord delivered him (2 Timothy 3:11).
Jesus also declared in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In his first epistle the apostle Peter encouraged his readers, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
God has ordained that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the mark that distinguishes the King’s vessels of honor. But even though tribulation is the path of God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has walked it before them. They have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach “the kingdom,” it will more than make amends for the “many tribulations” through which they passed to enter it.
Perhaps, this week, you are in a trial. I am in a series of trials that is quickly becoming more than I can bear. It is 4:15 AM and I am wrestling with the Lord in prayer and am holding fast to His good word of promise Psalm 34:19 “Many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all.” I am grateful it is Jesus who makes us righteous and thus guarantees the promise!
So, this very early morning I exhort you, my beloved family, with this word of truth: 2 Tim 3:12-14 “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed.” Hold fast to the Word of God! 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
This week we are back in Ruth with the amazing invite from Boaz to Ruth to share a meal with him. I called the message “An Invitation to the Master’s Table.” You will be tremendously encouraged and stirred. We have a special worship guest on Saturday evening as well.
Please pray for my niece’s daughter Whixley who is having major heart surgery. She is an infant born with a major heart defect.
Blessings,
Pastor Scott
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