HARDSHIPS Saves You-Acts 14

Acts of the Apostles, New Testament, Sermons

Today and in the coming weeks we will study Hardship Saves You (Acts 14), Grace Saves You (Acts 15) and Faith Saves You (Acts 16). Main lessons from Acts 14.

  1. God has been so kind to you (Ac 14:17).
  2. Hardships strengthen your faith  (Ac 14:22a).
  3. Our home is the kingdom of God (Ac 14:22b).

“We must go through many hardships [triblations] to enter the kingdom of God” (Ac 14:22).

  • Is anything more important than entering the kingdom of God?
“There are the good things of this world, the hard things of this world and the best things of this world–God’s love, glory, holiness, beauty. The Bible’s teaching is that the road to the best things is NOT through the good things but usually through the hard things as Jesus himself shows us in Phil 2:5-11.” Tim Keller, Hope in Times of Fear, 2021, pg. 62. Ch. 4 Subversive Hope.
  • Jesus had to leave the kingdom of God for us to enter the kingdom of God.
  • Jesus went through the greatest hardship by being abandoned from the kingdom of God for us to experience a very little hardship to enter it.
Existential Experiences [Set apart, sent out, surprised by joy, etc] part II:
  1. Speaking effectively in the synagogue (Ac 14:1; 13:5, 14).
  2. Stirring up dissension (Ac 14:2; 13:50).
  3. Speaking boldly, performing signs (Ac 14:3).
  4. Siding with the Jews (Ac 14:4).
  5. Stone them, fleeing to the surrounding country (Ac 14:5-7).
  6. Seeing faith in the lame man (Ac 14:8-9).
  7. Stand up (Ac 14:10).
  8. Shouting divinity, making sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas (Ac 14:11-13).
  9. Sermon to the Greeks/Gentiles (Ac 14:14-18). [Savior Jesus (Ac 13:13-27)]
  10. Stoning Paul (Ac 14:19-20).
  11. Strengthening the disciples (Ac 14:21-25).
  12. Sailing back to Antioch and staying a long time (Ac 14:26-28).

How do you enter the kingdom of God? John says that “to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (Jn 1:12) and that “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). To become a child of God, to have eternal life and to enter the kingdom of God requires that you believe in Jesus, have faith and trust God. Jesus says, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news [of the kingdom of God]” (Mk 1:15). Entering the kingdom of God requires faith [believe] and repentance. This is true. But…
  • Is believing in Jesus primarily a mental acknowledgment of who Jesus is? Or is it more than a mere mental acknowledgment?
  • Why “must” Christians go “through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Ac 14:22)?
  1. How do you speak “effectively” (Ac 14:1b)? Why did the Jews “refuse to believe” (Ac 14:2, 4-5)? What did Paul and Barnabas do initially/subsequently (Ac 14:3, 6-7; 13:46)? Why? 
  2. What did Paul see in the lame man (Ac 14:8-9)? Do (Ac 14:10)? How did the crowd respond (Ac 14:11-13) and why? Why was Paul horrified (Ac 14:14-15a)? What was his message (Ac 14:15-18)? How was it different from his sermon in Pisidian Antioch (Ac 13:15ff) and like his Mars Hill address (Ac 17)? What did the Jews and the crowds do (Ac 14:19; 2 Cor 4:9; 11:25)? What did Paul do next (Ac 14:20; Gal 6:17)?
  3. After Derbe, why did they revisit Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (Ac 14:21-23)? Why appoint elders (Ac 14:23; 1 Pet 5:2)?
Strengthening the souls [psychē] of the disciples (Ac 14:22a) is to strengthen the disciples in their inner lives or individual selves before God. Psychē is a term used for whole persons (Ac 2:41, 47; 3:23; 7:14; 27:37), as a reference to a life bound up with flesh and blood (Lk 14:26; 17:33; Ac 15:26; 20:10, 24; 27:10, 22), and as a way of identifying the inner life or self (Lk 1:46; 2:35; 10:27; Ac 4:32; 14:2; 15:24). Like the “heart” in biblical teaching, the soul is equally the locus of faith as it is of confusion or stimulation, of joy or sorrow, since it can praise God (Lk 1:46), love God (Lk 10:27), and be exhorted to continue in the faith, despite hardship and opposition.
“We must go through many hardships [triblations] to enter the kingdom of God” (Ac 14:22b; cf. Lk 9:23-27; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:28-30; 1 Th 3:3; 2 Th 1:5). The “must” refers to the divine plan–an important starting point for the Christian understanding of the suffering of Jesus himself (Lk 9:22; 17:25; 24:7), as well as of the sufferings of Christians themselves (Ac 9:16). The implication is that persecution of believers is to be understood as consistent with God’s plan, NOT that it is an entrance requirement that believers must meet by virtue of their conscious choice. 

“…the kingdom of God” (Ac 14:22; 1:3) specifically refers to the restoration of all things associated with the return of Christ (Ac 3:21; 1:11), and functions as an equivalent for eternal life (Ac 13:46, 48). Final entrance into the kingdom will be “through many hardships” for those who continue to believe in the face of hostility, opposition, disappointment, discouragement, despair and in  dead end. Persecution is a regular feature of the ministry of Paul and Barnabas and now the warning about enduring such hardship is implicitly given to all Christians (2 Tim 3:11-12). Genuine Christian encouragement is properly a blend of theology and exhortation, gospel and challenge (Ac 20:18-32; Heb 3:12-14; 10:19-25; 13:22).
Outline:
  1. Paul and Barnabas travel to Iconium (14:1-7), 90 miles SE of Antioch, the easternmost city in Phrygia in eastern Asia Minor. It is 3,300 feet above sea level in a mountainous region of modern-day Turkey. Mighty words confirmed by mighty works (Ac 14:3).
  2. Paul and Barnabas travel to Lystra (14:8-20), 20 miles from Iconium [Derbe 55 miles away in the region of Lycaonia; Lystra and Derbe 90 miles away from each other]. The power of Paul and Barnabas was due to the presence of the Spirit in them such that the pagans thought they were gods. 
    1. The healing of the cripple (14:8-10).
    2. The reaction of the crowds (14:11-13). The attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas.
    3. The response of Paul and Barnabas (14:14-15).
    4. The sermon Paul preached (14:15-18).
    5. Rejection: the stoning of Paul (14:19-20).
  3. Paul and Barnabas minister in Derbe and then backtrack and return to Antioch of Syria (14:21-28). Through many tribulations.
References:
  1. Osborne, Grant. Acts. Verse by Verse. 2019. Paul’s Mission in Galatia Continues (14:1-28).
  2. Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. 1998. The Door for the Gentiles Opens (13:1-14:28). The mission to Iconium, Lystra and Derbe and return to Syrian Antioch (14:1-28).
  3. Stott, John. The Message of Acts. 1990. Through the Bible through the year, Daily reflections from Genesis to Revelation. 2006. The Apostle to the Gentiles (13:1-21:17). The 1st missionary journey (13:1-14:28).
    1. Barnabas and Saul in Iconium (14:1-7).
    2. Barnabas and Saul in Lystra and Derbe (14:8-20).
    3. Barnabas and Saul return to Syrian Antioch (14:21-28).
  4. Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar NT commentary. 2009. The Word goes to Cyprus and Asia Minor (13:1-16:5).
    1. The Word in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (14:1-20).
      1. Concerted opposition in Iconium (14:1-7).
      2. Encountering paganism in Lystra (14:8-20).
    2. Revisiting the churches (14:21-28).
  5. Marshall, I. Howard. Acts. Tyndale NT commentaries (TNTC). 1980. The Mission to Asia Minor and its Aftermath (13:1-15:35).
  6. Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone, Part 2. Chapters 13-28. 2008.

Jonathan Edwards preached 1st sermon at age 18. The gist of that 1st sermon was this: Christians ought to be the happiest people in the world, for 3 irrefutable reasons:

  1. Your bad things will turn out for good (Rom 8:28).
  2. Your good things will never be taken away from you.
  3. The best things are yet to come.
  • “The kingdom of God is a party, but a party that is not of this world.” – Henri Nouwen.
  • “The kingdom of god is not a physical place, but a spiritual reality that is present wherever there is love, compassion, and kindness.” – Desmond Tutu.
  • “The kingdom of God is a society of men and women who live in the world without being of the world.” – Jacques Ellul.
  • “The kingdom of God is not a matter of geography, but of grace.” – Brennan Manning.
  • “The kingdom of God is not a matter of going to heaven when you die, but of bringing heaven down to earth while you live.” – R. Alan Woods.
  1. “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place‘” (Jn 18:36).
  2. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Phil 3:20).
  3. “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20).
  4. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:33).
  5. “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).
  6. “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mk 10:15).
  7. “The kingdom of God is within you” (Lk 17:21). “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Lk 17:20-21).
  8. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Mt 13:31-32).
  9. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Cor 4:20).
  10. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

“…went as usual to the synagogue” (Ac 14:1; 13:14, 45-46, 50-51; Rom 1:16)? Why?

  • What is “the message of his grace” (Ac 14:3)? “…the word of God” (Ac 13:5, 7, 44, 46, 48-49)? “…the message of salvation” (Ac 13:26)? “…the good news” [or “the gospel”] (Ac 13:22; 14:7, 15, 21)? What accompanies salvation (Ac 2:22, 43; 3:10; 4:14, 30; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6-7)?
  • Why do Christians need to “go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Ac 14:22; 1:8; Ps 23:4; Jas 1:2-4; Rom 5:3-5; Mt 5:20; 7:21; 18:3; Mk 9:47; 10:23-25; Jn 3:5)?

ChatGPT: The kingdom of God is what Jesus spoke about frequently, and we Christians must understand it if we are to truly follow in his footsteps. So, what is the kingdom of God? It’s not a physical place, but a spiritual realm that is governed by God. It’s a realm where God’s will is done, and where his love and grace reign supreme.

How we can enter into this kingdom? We can’t enter on our own merit. We are all sinners, and sin separates us from God. But the good news is that Jesus came to bridge the gap between us and God. Through his death and resurrection, he made a way for us to be reconciled to God and to enter into his kingdom.

But entering the kingdom of God isn’t just a one-time event but an ongoing process. It’s about living to reflect God’s values and priorities, about seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness (Mt 6:33), and allowing him to transform us from the inside out.

So, what does it mean to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness? It is putting God’s will above our own desires and ambitions, loving our neighbors as ourselves, treating others with kindness and compassion, living a life of integrity and obedience to God’s commands.

Living in the kingdom of God isn’t always easy. We are tempted to put our own interests first when we are faced with difficult choices. But take comfort in that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us and empowering us to live out God’s will in our lives. So, let ‘s strive to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and trust that he will provide for all our needs. Remember that the ultimate goal of our lives is not wealth, fame, or success, but to glorify God and to enjoy his presence forever.

The kingdom of God is not just a future reality that we wait for, but it is a present reality that we can experience in our lives today. We can experience the kingdom of God by participating in the work of his kingdom. We are called to be co-laborers with Christ in spreading his kingdom on earth. This includes evangelism, discipleship, and acts of mercy and justice. When we engage in these activities, we help to bring about the fulfillment of God’s will on earth.

Lessons to learn from Acts 14.

  1. The power of the gospel to transform lives (Ac 14:1). Despite facing opposition and persecution, Paul and Barnabas continued to preach the truth of Jesus Christ, and many believed and were saved (Ac 14:2-3, 21).
  2. The importance of relying on the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit enabled the lame man to be healed (Ac 14:9-10). The Holy Spirit who gave Paul the strength to continue on in the face of adversity (Ac 4:19-21).
  3. The importance of staying grounded in the truth. When the people in Lystra tried to worship them as gods, Paul and Barnabas quickly pointed them to the one true God (Ac 14:15-17). We too must remain steadfast in our faith and point others to the truth of the gospel.
  4. Lastly, the importance of perseverance. Despite facing trials and difficulties, Paul and Barnabas did not give up. They continued on with their mission, strengthening the churches and encouraging the believers to persevere in their faith, for the road to the kingdom of God is not an easy one, and tribulations were a necessary part of the journey (Ac 14:22).

So, take heart from the example of Paul and Barnabas: rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, stay grounded in the truth, and persevere in our faith, even in the face of opposition and adversity, even physical persecution. And continue to boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ, so that many more may be saved and come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.

Ac 14:22 is just as relevant to us today as it was to the early church. As believers, we must understand that we will face trials and tribulations in our lives: loss of a loved one, financial struggles, health issues, or persecution for our faith.

However, we must remember that God is with us in these difficulties. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Take comfort in knowing that our trials have a purpose–God can use them to strengthen our faith and refine us as His children.

Also remember that we’re not alone in our struggles. We’re part of a community of believers in the body of Christ who can offer support, encouragement and prayer, called to bear one another’s burdens and lift each other up in times of need.

Take to heart Ac 14:22. Be encouraged to continue in your faith, even in trials and tribulations. Find comfort and strength in knowing that God is with you. Trust God’s plan for you and persevere in your journey towards the kingdom of God.

Paul writes, “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:9-10). Like Paul, we must learn to rely on God’s strength in the midst of our weaknesses and trials (Jn 16:33). We must trust that His grace is sufficient to see us through, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

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