Through much tribulation we will enter the kingdom of God.

Act 14:18  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 

The people wanted to revere Paul and Barnabas as those in their gods favor. They wanted to worship the disciples but they'd have nothing to do with it. They wanted all the glory to go to God the maker of heaven and earth, and the seas and all that is in them.  And even as they wanted the people to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ for their salvation, they did NOT want to be worshiped.

On the other hand, just as there were people who wanted to worship them for their message and miracles, others wanted them DEAD.

Act 14:19  And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 

Those people who wanted Paul dead, STONED him. Remember how we talked of stoning not too long ago when Stephen was brutally murdered? Paul was viciously stoned and left for dead. Just imagine the PAIN, the agony as each heavy rock slammed into his flesh. The cuts, the bruises, the brokenness of his body as he lay there unconscious, the life not even showing in him. No breath, no rising and falling of his chest for any to see. Did they check for a heartbeat? Maybe, maybe not, but his attackers, his would be murderers believed him dead, and perhaps he was.

Act 14:20  Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

And while the evil men believed Paul dead and left him, his disciples came to stand around him and Paul stood up! After such a brutal stoning, Paul stood up! Not only did he stand up, he walked into the city!  Stoned and yet able to walk. A miracle to be sure. God wasn't done with his new apostle, Paul had a work to do still. Leaving that city he went to the next.

Act 14:21  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 

Act 14:23  And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 

They taught many in the new city and then returned to the cities they'd already preached in. Why did they return? They CONFIRMED those new to the faith, the newest disciples- and they lifted them up- exhorting them to CONTINUE in the FAITH.  Paul and Barnabas KNEW that following Christ wasn't easy and would NEVER be easy, not for those spreading the truth for Jesus Christ. They told the disciples that had recently come to the faith that it would be through MUCH TRIBULATION they would enter the kingdom of God.

Through MUCH tribulation. Paul and Barnabas were NOT sugar-coating the truth with promises of prosperity and happiness. They were making sure the disciples KNEW that they would suffer for the kingdom of God.

Do we suffer for the kingdom of God?  Many people today DO suffer for the kingdom of God. In many WELL known countries people are suffering torture, murder and all sorts of tribulation just to believe in what we seem to take for granted.

Suffer, going through much tribulation all to enter the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is such an amazing TREASURE it is worth all the suffering, all the tribulation.

What place does the kingdom of God hold in our hearts, in our lives?

The spiritual tribulation we must endure is something far greater than a lot of people want. The torture of every day to day life under the attack by Satan and his spiritual minions is horrific, and while a lot of people succumb to the evil, longing for peace and ease away from the Spiritual warfare, some don't.  Enduring, this is something from the very start Christ's followers were told they must do.

While Satan strives to use every part of our lives to attack us, our hope HAS to be found in Christ and His eternal promise. Our lives may NEVER be lives of ease. We may have to fight every day, tooth and nail to survive such awfulness our lives are just total misery. We simply are NOT promised a LIFE OF EASE, or even what we may consider a tolerable life. But through all the pain and agony of living we can dream of our eternal rewards- our treasure in heaven with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior - NOW and forever!!!!