September 19, 2025 THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS
Acts 14:21-22 “And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’”
This is another one of those verses that is not often preached on or written about. Paul says something in this passage we just don’t particularly like to hear. Let me start by saying that we have been so blessed to live in a time and in a country where there is little persecution of believers compared to the persecution of the early church; we are beginning to see more for sure. We do not like tribulations, and that is normal and I am not saying we should like tribulations. However, according to this verse, it is through tribulations that we enter the kingdom of God. It’s my opinion that this verse is not specifically about salvation, but about living in the kingdom of God here on earth-about walking out the gospel. I am using ‘tribulation’ is a broad sense; for this blog, I am referring to tribulations as troubles and difficulties in general. Let’s be clear; some, if not many of our tribulations are self-inflicted-if I drive my car with low oil, I will for sure have engine problems. Some tribulations are not self-inflicted and are beyond our control. But here is the point; no matter what difficulties and tribulations we face, we need to respond to them in a kingdom of God way. There is no need to come ‘unglued,’ fret, be impatient or angry when things are not as we want them to be. We have been given a new nature, a new mind and a new spirit; now, no matter what we face, we can respond in a way that is pleasing to the Lord-and that is what its all about. Tribulations give us the opportunity to reflect who we are in Christ. So, even though we do not like tribulations, they are necessary if we are going to be expressions the kingdom of God on this earth.
2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an
eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
James 1:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Blessings, Buddy
Acts 14:21-22 “And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’”
This is another one of those verses that is not often preached on or written about. Paul says something in this passage we just don’t particularly like to hear. Let me start by saying that we have been so blessed to live in a time and in a country where there is little persecution of believers compared to the persecution of the early church; we are beginning to see more for sure. We do not like tribulations, and that is normal and I am not saying we should like tribulations. However, according to this verse, it is through tribulations that we enter the kingdom of God. It’s my opinion that this verse is not specifically about salvation, but about living in the kingdom of God here on earth-about walking out the gospel. I am using ‘tribulation’ is a broad sense; for this blog, I am referring to tribulations as troubles and difficulties in general. Let’s be clear; some, if not many of our tribulations are self-inflicted-if I drive my car with low oil, I will for sure have engine problems. Some tribulations are not self-inflicted and are beyond our control. But here is the point; no matter what difficulties and tribulations we face, we need to respond to them in a kingdom of God way. There is no need to come ‘unglued,’ fret, be impatient or angry when things are not as we want them to be. We have been given a new nature, a new mind and a new spirit; now, no matter what we face, we can respond in a way that is pleasing to the Lord-and that is what its all about. Tribulations give us the opportunity to reflect who we are in Christ. So, even though we do not like tribulations, they are necessary if we are going to be expressions the kingdom of God on this earth.
2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an
eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
James 1:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Blessings, Buddy
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