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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Tribulations, the Door to the Kingdom
Scripture Reading: Acts 14.8-18
A pattern exists where actions repeat themselves over and over. See if you can see a pattern emerging from the three events below.
Dateline – 1st Journey; Antioch of Pisidia: Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel in the Jewish synagogue and to Gentiles. "And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region." (Acts 13.49-50).
Dateline – 1st Journey; Iconium in Lycaonia: Paul and Barnabas peach the gospel in the Jewish Synagogue and also to Gentiles. "… [A] great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren… And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region." (Acts 14.1-6).
Dateline – 1st Journey; Lystra in Lycaonia: Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel with great success to pagan population. "Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead." (Acts 14.19).
Anyone with a smidge of wisdom can see the common threads in these three stories. 1) Truth is taught. 2) Error responds by any means necessary. 3) Teachers of truth are jeopardized.
For some, three strikes would have meant they were out; not so for Paul. Opposition merely made him double his efforts. Watch what happened next after Paul was left for dead outside the city of Lystra. "However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 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 14.20-22).
Note that Paul and Barnabas went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, three cities in which their very lives had been in danger. And what was their message to the brethren in these three cities? They exhorted them that they would "… continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" When Paul and Barnabas delivered this message, can you imagine the impact that it had in the hearts and minds of the new converts in these congregations? Dared anyone question the dedication or genuine faith that this missionary band had in Jesus Christ? They had literally hazarded their lives to preach the gospel in each city and now they hazarded their lives again merely to encourage the converts to press on in spite of persecutions! What great examples these men were.
"We must through many persecutions enter the kingdom of God." What encouragement! What courage! What love! God, when needed, grant us the strength to enter through this door!
Questions for Discussion:
1. Under what conditions had Paul and Barnabas left Antioch of Pisidia?
2. Under what condition had Paul and Barnabas left Iconium of Lycaonia?
3. Under what conditions did Paul and Barnabas leave Lystra of Lycaonia?
4. Discuss the impact that Paul's second visit to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch must have had on the new believers in these cities. What was his purpose in visiting them? Do you think his visits accomplished his objectives?
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